The generosity of Keighley people has helped a town centre organisation to key into 21st century computer technology.

Keighley and District Association for the Blind has purchased state-of-the-art IT technology thanks to members of the public who donated cash to its millennium fund, launched last year.

A large portion of the £13,468 raised has been spent on a Braille Link - a £6,500 pad which sits beneath a conventional keyboard and translates words on the screen to Braille.

IT instructor John Holt explains: "The cursor follows words that are relayed to the Braille keyboard so the student can read the text without the need for a voice synthesiser.

"The operator can control text and programmes from the Braille Link, and it works well with most common applications like word processing and spread sheets.

"The speech synthesiser sometimes misses out words but the Braille Link literally reaches the parts the others can't reach by reading everything on the screen."

Student Richard Thompson, from Silsden, is the first person to get his hands on the impressive new hardware.

He says: "I have used a Braille Link in the workplace before and they are very useful pieces of equipment because you have direct control of what is on the screen."

The millennium fund money has also been spent on new software packages and on upgrading the existing computers.

A Cicero Text Reader which scans in text and then speaks the words is on order.

John and Richard will be on hand to display the new computer equipment this Saturday, when the social centre in Scott Street holds an open day from 2-4pm.

It is staging the IT demonstration as part of the National Association of Local Societies for Visually Impaired Blind Awareness Month, which is focusing on the theme of local services for local people.

Fundraising appeals manager Carole Godley says: "We are delighted with the response to the appeal and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us and for the generosity shown.

"We still need to secure funding to increase the tutor's hours to full time, and I have recently submitted an application to the National Charities Lottery Board towards this.

"If this is successful we will be able to offer more visually impaired people the opportunity to access the specialist equipment available."

Anyone wishing to support the appeal can contact Carole Godley on 01535 680847.

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