Search MSO Worldwide

Dear Editor

In Holland partially sighted and blind people are to play bridge as you already might have heard. This is due to a steady growing project, supervised by the Dutch Bridge Association. Ample information is avaible on the internet-address www.bridgevisueelhandicap.webprovider.com
We kindly ask you to read these pages (English translation) and cooperate in reaching more interested persons by publishing its contents.
Your positive respons will be highly appreciated ,

Yours sincerely

Reactions can be sent to m.cohen@wxs.nl

M.Cohen Jacob Catslaan
11 4707 am Roosendaal
Nederland

Tel / Fax 0031+165 533784

Editors comments

The first lesson for the handicapped and partially sighted took place in January of 1994, the 16 weeks training concluded in a festival which was well covered by the Media. As emotions and interest ran high hundreds of Bridge teachers were contacted and over 90% agreed to be involved.

A number of bridgeclubs in the Netherlands have already welcomed the visually handicapped. The project is now being managed by the N.B.B. (Olga Mol) The government has partially subsidised the project.

Although there are +/-500,000 handicapped and partially sighted people, only 500 are in an organisation which keeps them informed through newspaper cassettes, the other 95% rely on family and friends. People like you

The teaching takes place with, large letters and figures on paper or projectors and diagrams are in braille

When playing, the Dummy hand is called out and each player has to name the card they play.

The cards have bigger printed symbols and are brailled as well.

Visually handicapped or partially sighted players partner someone with normal sight, who normally carries out the scoring.

Players who have had to retire with failing sight are returning to the game, and this teaching method has provided many more with the new opportunity to play Bridge.

We feel that this is a very encouraging development for visually handicapped people and welcome the initiative of the Dutch Bridge Federation in this regard. We hope that other countries will consider similar projects