BLIND LISTENERS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 14, Issue 349, 1 March 1946, Page 5

BLIND LISTENERS

. Sir,-At last someone has taken up the question of the "Session for the Blind" which was terminated so abruptly some weeks ago, for no apparent reason. It is difficult to understand why this session, of all sessions, should have been cut out when it gave such pleasure to the many blind-and not only the blind--who listened each Sunday. yond A person with sight cannot imagine just what it means to be shut off completely from seeing all that is taking place around one. I wonder how many ever stop to think of what they would do if their sight was suddenly taken away? This is where the session came in, It gave the blind a sense of having something of their own in this busy world, through which they could hear various, topics of world interest; how ‘blind folk: in other parts of the world ‘are® pro-: gressing and making «a success of their chosen professions; also items of local

news of their own activities in which they could join. It was only 15 minutes -15 out of the several thousands the station is onthe air in a week-but the pleasure given by those 15 minutes was immeasurable. The session was also of value in that it made sighted people aware of the blind in their midst. It taught the meaning of the white stick, how the person carrying — one can be helped across the road, on or off trams; small actions but ones which convey to that blind person a knowledge that kindness is still to be found in the rush and bustle of life. I may be wrong, but I believe New Zealand is one @f the few countries which has inaugurated a session of this kind, so do not. let us lose the reputation of being amongst the up-to-date countries.

"A LISTENER IN THE LIGHT"

(Wellington).

( Abridged.-Ed. )