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This year Vision Australia teamed up with Bunning's in Cannington Western Australia, to not only celebrate Book Week but also create awareness for different ways in which books can be enjoyed and read.

The Children's Book Council of Australia hold Children's Book Week (17 - 24 August 2018), a week dedicated to highlighting the importance of reading.

But what if you read books differently?

Vision Australia Perth Regional Business Manager Donna Fahie said the Book Week event was a great opportunity to create awareness, especially in children, about different ways to experience books and reading.

Vision Australia client Narelle Spaans read stories written in Braille from the Vision Australia FEELIX Library kits.

Our own story, Sam the Seeing Eye Dog which tells the story of life as a Seeing Eye Dog, was read aloud on the day as well as some popular children's stories played as audio books from the Vision Australia Library.

Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dog Instructor Kay Whiteley had Labrador puppies there to talk to the kids about Seeing Eye Dogs.

"There are a range of ways in which kids can enjoy reading or being read to and this is a great way to show the sighted community that people who are blind or have low vision are also able to enjoy and read books too," Donna said.

"We hope that this creates a fun and informative environment for the kids as we aim to educate them that just because somebody might live with blindness or low vision, it doesn't mean they can't enjoy things like someone who is sighted does. It's about creating an environment that is inclusive for all," she said. 

"It's great that businesses like Bunnings in Cannington have the initiative and awareness to do more with Book Week than just dress up and we are thrilled to be a part of it."

Interested in finding out more about what the Vision Australia Library has to offer here