Visually impaired Chinese "see" brighter world

About 15 students are learning computer skills through a class at the China Braille Library, but they use earphones, not their eyes, to "see" the computer screens.

The Sunshine Screen Reader, which was developed by the China Braille Library, enables the visually impaired to use computers by vocalizing information presented on the computer screens, and users can maneuver the machine using just a keyboard.

With his head lowered and his fingers striking the keyboard, Chen Feng, 54, tries to pinpoint the keys as per the teacher's instructions. He says he is taking the class in hopes of surfing the Internet himself, as "the Internet is a bridge to see the outside world."

The library is not only creating opportunities for the visually impaired to see the outside world through computer training, but also brightening their worlds through various cultural activities.

"Our library aims to allow the blind to enjoy all the cultural activities that a person with healthy vision has access to," says Wang Ying, director of the library's communication department.

Those with vision problems can not only borrow print and electronic Braille books from the library, but they can also attend various free training programs, listen to film narrations, attend lectures on classical music and share their thoughts in reading salons.

China Braille Library is a non-profit organization which provides comprehensive public literary services for over 12.3 million visually-impaired people in China.

The new library, with a building area of 28,000 square meters, was relocated from suburban Beijing to the city center and started operating on June 28, 2011.

Wang says the relocation has boosted visits to the library, which currently registers 70-80 visits each weekday and up to 400 on weekends.

Chen is on his second class. Since he has not yet become familiar with the keyboard, Chen relies on his recorder and plans to review what he learns at home.

A retired factory worker, Chen does volunteer work as a moderator in a telephone chat room, and conversations in his chat room range from romance to topics concerning blind groups.

"As a moderator, I have to be well-informed, so I want to be able to use the Internet so I can learn more and make new friends," Chen says.

Meanwhile, the availability of computer training courses has rekindled Su Fengrong's desire to surf the Internet. The 55-year-old had previously given up on this idea because of her poor vision. "Now I can use the computer without burdening my eyes," she said.

Wu Rina, the computer class teacher as well as a member of the library staff, said the library runs the six-class course every six months. Those who absorb the knowledge well are able to type and surf the Internet by the end of a term, and those who do not may take the class again.

While the computer class is difficult and demanding, a lecture being given next door offers fun and relaxation by teaching the distinctions between the various stylings of Tchaikovsky.

Taking in Tchaikovsky's "Italian Capriccio," some attendees lower their heads, listening attentively, while some face upward, leaning back in their seats, and others tap their fingers to the rhythm.

The teacher chimes in from time to time, narrating the scenes depicted in the symphony.

Zhang Hui, a 65-year-old retired factory worker, was overjoyed when she learned that the library was organizing a series of lectures on classical music.

"I have listened to many classical songs and symphonies, but didn't know what they were about. Now that I have such a wonderful opportunity to learn about classical music in a more systematic way, I love this music more," Zhang said, adding that she lives a bit far from the library, but always comes early and sits in the front row.

Chen Changning, a conducting professor with Minzu University of China, accepted an invitation to be a guest lecturer at the library. "I feel obliged to do my part for this group. Besides, many blind people have musical talents, and I quite enjoy my interactions with them."

The Narrative Theater, where the lecture is held, also serves as a cinema house for the visually impaired, showing new films from home and abroad. Library staff use lively language to narrate characters' relationships, story backgrounds and images to the audience.

Meanwhile, the library stocks more than 60,000 Braille books as well as audio books with a total running time of over 20,000 hours. Readers from Beijing can borrow these books in person, and those from outside of Beijing may have their borrowed books mailed to them.

The library also serves as a tactile museum for the visually impaired, where visitors can experience exhibits through touch. Exhibits range from model trains to a reproduction of the Tower of Babel, and from pyramids to reliefs of masterpieces such as the "Last Supper."

About 12.33 million people in China have some form of visual impairment, including about 4 million who are blind and 8 million people with poor vision.

The publicly-funded China Braille Library is part of China's efforts to improve the well-being of the nation's 83 million handicapped residents.

Last year, China issued a five-year blueprint for improving the lives of the disabled, setting a target that the average disabled person could live a moderately wealthy life by 2015.