Royal National Institute of Blind People

The Royal National Institute of Blind People began its existence in 1868, when it was known as the British and Foreign Society for Improving the Embossed Literature of the Blind.

The Society changed its name a number of times during its early years, to reflect its intention to promote the employment of blind people and to acknowledge its change in status from Society to Association.

The Association adopted braille as the best format for written communication with the blind in 1870 and published the UK’s first key to the braille alphabet and music notation.

In 1871, the variety of different names became consolidated as the British and Foreign Blind Association for Promoting the Education and Employment of the Blind.

From 1871, the Association published its braille magazine Prospect, helped to develop an Arabic braille code in 1889 and released itsfirst braille dictionary in 1893.

The Association was incorporated in 1902, retaining the name chosen in 1871. On moving to larger premises in 1914, the Association became known as The National Institute for the Blind, reflecting its status as a national body involved in all aspects of blind welfare.

In 1918, the Institute opened its first Sunshine Home for Blind Babies in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, where children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years received care.

The Institute opened its flagship Talking Books service in 1935.

The Institute received its Royal Charter in 1949 and changed its name to The Royal National Institute for the Blind in 1953.

On becoming a Membership organisation in 2002, the Institute changed its name to The Royal National Institute of the Blind. Its most recent name change came in 2008, when it became the Royal National Institute of Blind People as part of its launch of the UK Vision Strategy.