Ranaviru Fund has learnt that there are increased number of soldiers who suffered eye injuries in the war against terrorism and subsequently lost complete sight or partial sight. We have inquired regarding the requirements of these valiant soldiers from the Rehabilitation Directorate of the Sri Lanka Army, based at Ranaviru Sevana, Ragama. We were fortunate to meet with Major Dushyantha Yapa, who lost sight in both eyes while serving the country.
Major Dushyantha Yapa explained us the difficulties of losing sight and also he educated us regarding the new technology & facilities available to overcome these difficulties. Major Yapa has travelled the world since he received injuries and has investigated how to make life easier of the soldiers who lost sight and found that the Royal National Institute for Blind (RNIB) in the United Kingdom has large number of accessories and equipment to support lives of visually impaired people. Major Yapa's intention is to establish a Resource Centre for the soldiers who suffered eye injuries and subsequently sight losses.
Ranaviru Fund is pleased to announce the delivery of items to setup a dedicated resource centre for the brave soldiers with visual impairements. We learnt that there are increased number of soldiers who suffered eye injuries in the war against terrorism and subsequently lost complete sight or partial sight. We have inquired regarding the requirements of these valiant soldiers from the Rehabilitation Directorate of the Sri Lanka Army, based at Ranaviru Sevana, Ragama. As a result we were able to provide the necessary equipment to initiate this facility at the Ranaviru Sevana, Ragama.
In a conversation with Ranaviru Fund while arranging the donation, Major Dushyantha Yapa has stated "I am really happy, because one of my another dream has come to a reality"
Members from Ranaviru Fund officially handed these items to Major Dushyantha Yapa, other fellow officers and soldiers at the rehabilitation centre on 07th March 2010.
As of end of October 2009, we have acquired all the items requested from the RNIB in the UK and were dispatched to Colombo during February 2010. Support from Mr Roshan Perera from London and Mr Channa Weerasinghe of Sri Lankan Airlines was imense in delivering these items to Colombo from London on time and free of charge. Our sincere gratitude to both Roshan & Channa.
Following items were donated to setup this resource centre.
No | Item | Discription | QTY | RNIB Code |
1 | Talking watch with stopwatch | Chrome talking watch with large digital display (LCD) and stopwatch function. | 2 | CW91 |
2 | Black talking watch | Black talking watch with small digital display (LCD). | 50 | CW23 |
3 | Talking calendar clock | A silver-coloured talking clock that announces the time and date at the touch of a button, in a synthetic male American voice. | 1 | CC52 |
4 | Talking clock with thermometer | Silver-coloured talking clock that announces the time and room temperature at the touch of a button in an American female synthetic voice. Ideal for a desk | 1 | CC50 |
5 | Talking timer/clock | This pocket-sized clock and timer has an optional synthetic female voice with six alarms and hourly annoucements. | 1 | DK85 |
6 | Talking watch with analogue face | Analogue face talking alarm watch that announces the time at the touch of a button with optional hourly announcements. | 1 | CW115 |
7 | Automatic needle threader | Handy gadget that enables you to thread a needle easily and simply. | 5 | DH63 |
8 | Talking blood pressure monitor | This talking/easy-to-see monitor measures and announces your blood pressure and pulse rate in a clear male voice and can be used as a positive step to maintaining | 1 | DH153 |
9 | Talking tape measure | good health. It is not intended to substitute medical advice from your doctor. | 1 | DY07 |
10 | Tactile tape measure metric | Strong tape measure made of plastic coated fabric enabling you to measure by touch in centimetres | 2 | DH19 |
11 | Talking measuring jug | A high quality male English voice announces the measurements which are in imperial - pints and fluid ounces, metric - litres and millilitres and U.S - pints | 1 | DK89 |
12 | Talking ear and forehead thermometer | This talking thermometer measures your temperature from either your forehead or ear and announces the reading within two seconds in a synthetic female American | 2 | DH239 |
13 | Talking tins | Talking tins are a unique eight second recording product designed to help you identify contents of tinned food and other storage containers. | 2 | DK90 |
14 | Dallas 10 big button telephone | Conventional and stylish easy-to-see big button telephone with last number redial feature. | 1 | DH214 |
15 | Sound beacon | A unique device, that emits a bleep, alerting people to dangers or obstacles that are in the pathway or round corner. | 4 | ME12 |
16 | Talking kitchen scales | Easy to use mains and battery operated talking kitchen scale. | 1 | DK96 |
17 | Speaking sign | This self-contained unit can be used to warn, inform or alert a person to a situation by speaking your pre-recorded message. | 1 | DH155 |
18 | Wallet with signature guide and note check | Handy green plastic wallet with a signature guide and note check included. | 25 | DW47 |
19 | Braille and easy-to-see Uno card game | A mixture of skill and chance is needed to play Uno which can be played with two to ten players. Each card is embossed in braille, with the symbols and | 3 | GC04 |
20 | Staunton chess set | High quality tactile wooden chess board supplied with wooden chess pieces distinguishable by touch. | 3 | GB81 |
21 | Goalball | Used in the game Goalball, a recognised Para-Olympic sport which is also approved by the International Blind Sports Association. | 2 | GS08 |
22 | Tactile dominoes with raised dots | This set of 28 double six easy-to-see and tactile dominoes is ideal for people who rely on touch. Supplied in a black plastic case. | 2 | GB85 |
23 | Snakes and Ladders game | A family favourite to get your piece home first by moving round the board without sliding down the snakes. | 2 | GB75 |
24 | A Bridge Too Far, audio described video | 1 |
AV122 |