The Royal London Society for the Blind is a UK charity offering education, training, life-skills and employment services for blind and partially-sighted adults and children.[1]
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The Royal London Society for the Blind, also known as The Royal London Society for Blind People, was founded by Thomas Lucas, in 1838, using a system of embossed type invented by Lucas.
Funds for the school were raised largely through the efforts of the Ladies' Committee under the secretaryship of Mrs Lydia Johnson. Her husband, Percival Norton Johnson, founder of what is now Johnson Matthey plc, also took a prominent role in the affairs of the Society for many years.
The original Day School was in Fitzroy Street, London, but moved shortly after to 6 Gloucester Place, where resident pupils were accepted. Within a couple of years, teaching of practical skills, such as basket-making, knitting and netting, was introduced.
In 1842 the organisation moved to larger premises in Bloomsbury, then in 1847 a purpose-built school in Swiss Cottage was completed at a cost of £4,500.
In 1938, the Society's 100th Anniversary Year, the prefix 'Royal' was added to the Society's title by order of HM King George VI and became the 'Royal London Society for Teaching the Blind to Read'.
At the start of World War II, the children were evacuated from London to a large manor house in Buckinghamshire called 'Dorton House'.
In 1954 the Society purchased 'Wildernesse' in Seal and it became the new permanent home of the School. The name 'Dorton House' was transferred to the new property and the school was officially opened in 1956.
The Royal London's new purpose-built Dorton House School was opened by HRH The Duchess of Gloucester in 1983. Costing £1.75 million to build, it was designed for the education of 140 pupils.
In 1989 the Queen opened Dorton's College of Further Education and in 1996 a purpose-built Nursery was opened.
The Royal London's Employment Service was set up in 1997 to help place people who are blind or partially sighted in employment and provide support to employers.
In 2007 Adult Support Services Directorate launched to expand the Royal London's Adult Employment Services and to broaden the range of other Adult Support Services e.g. housing and community support.
In 2009 Hollybank Farm was officially opened by HRH The Duchess of Gloucester at Dorton House Campus in Seal and became part of the student's learning curriculum.
The charity's headquarters are in Seal, England. The Royal London's Patron is Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester.
The Royal London exists to help people who experience loss of sight. The society believes that blind and partially sighted people are entitled to the same life chances as sighted people. The charity "will not rest until people who have lost their sight in youth are as easily able to pursue fulfilling lives as their sighted peers". [2]
The society's Dorton House Nursery caters for blind or partially sighted children aged between 2 and 5 years old, who may also have additional needs.
Family support, advice and information is also available through the Nursery. Parents of children who are blind or partially sighted can also drop-in to work and play with their children under the guidance of Nursery staff.
Dorton House school specialises in teaching children whose Statement of Special Educational Needs indicates that a placement in a specialist school for children who are visually impaired is appropriate.
Children are encouraged to develop not only the necessary academic skills but also skills for independent living.
Dorton College of Further Educations provide a complete educational experience for students who are blind or partially sighted.
Tailored academic courses are available as well as a Horticultural and Ecological curriculum, enabling students to develop vocational skills in land-based studies, food preparation, catering and retail.
Working across all London Boroughs, the society provides the support necessary to help people who are blind or partially sighted into employment. Through a range of innovative training programmes the society helps clients make the move from economic inactivity into employment.
The society also works with people in employment who have concerns over their deteriorating eyesight to help ensure they can continue to work in an effective manner, as well as identifying employment opportunities for clients and provide training and support services to help employers better meet the needs of their blind and partially sighted employees and customers.
In addition to delivering employment and IT support within the community, the society is working to break down the barriers to social inclusion by establishing Social & Peer groups within London Boroughs, enabling blind and partially sighted people to become actively involved within their local communities and to benefit from developing social networks and sharing experiences.
As well as providing specialist educational services, we have been working across the London borough’s developing community based services for Children and Young People. Drawing on the many years of experience of working with blind and partially sighted children, including those with multiple disabilities,young people are able to benefit from that specialist expertise.
They are able to learn new skills, particularly to enhance their independence, have access to additional support and make friends beyond school. Supporting the development of independence comes from teaching Mobility and Orientation Skills, skills for daily living, facilitating social groups, helping young people increase their social networks and giving access to an extensive range of sporting and leisure pursuits. The Royal London also provides short break opportunities for families and independent breaks for young people.
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