Library appeals to visually impaired kids

Children with visual impairments can now get a free half-year membership to the Masterton Community Toy Library.

With the help of a Z Energy grant of $690, the library is offering 17 six-month memberships to families with visually impaired children.

The library has a cupboard stocked with specially designed toys for children with visual impairments.

Julie Brunton, president of the library, said that the cupboard hasn't been used as much as she would like.

"The idea is that families join the library and can use all the toys in here."

She hopes the families will stay members after the six months.

Toys for the visually impaired are designed to be used with senses other than sight, said Amanda Kawana, head of the Supported Learning Centre at Wairarapa College, who helped set up the cupboard in 2011.

Balls with bells in them, dominoes with raised dots and stacking pieces with bright lights and sounds are just some of the toys in the cupboard, she said.

"With all of the toys, there's a lot of sound used. Lights and sounds get them engaged."

The library's toy buyer, Dorothy Murphy, said they hope to find some kids who can benefit from it.

"We really want people to use it."

As part of Z Energy's Good in the Hood programme, other grants went to the Masterton Food Bank ($1100), Wairarapa Riding for the Disabled ($830) and Wairarapa Search and Rescue ($1380).

Every Z Energy service station in New Zealand was allocated $4000 and locals voted for a community group they wanted to support.