Broadcast for the blind
In order to enable blind people to read, a font with raised dots was invented in 1829 by the French teacher for the blind, Louis Braille . In 1886 the Deutsche Reichspost allowed the sending of mail for the blind , of documents with this font, which is usually very extensive, under the reduced postage for printed matter. In 1913 there was a special, even further reduced, graduated fee for fonts in Braille . From April 1, 1921, the weight level of 500 g each applied. On October 1, 1922, the maximum weight was increased to 5 kg. In 1923 the weight level was only increased to 1 kg, and from December 1, 1923 a standard fee of 3 pfennigs to 5 kg.
The German Post AG provides free of postage for the blind for sending messages or newspapers in Braille ( Braille ) as well as audio books on tape or on CD-ROM in the so-called DAISY Standard to. This enables the visually impaired to exchange information. Mail for the blind can be sent by anyone. Swiss Post also offers a corresponding service, Austrian Post offers a service for international mail for the blind.
Types of broadcasts for the blind
- Documents in Braille
- Sound recordings intended for the blind or other magnetic media whose sender or recipient is an officially recognized institution for the blind or on whose behalf the dispatch is carried out
- Papers for the inclusion of Braille, if they are sent to the blind by a recognized institution for the blind
Shipping features
Mail for the blind must not be locked. Each consignment is also marked with the addition "Blindensendung" above the address. Mail for the blind can be combined with other Deutsche Post services such as registered mail for a fee . An item for the blind can be posted like a regular letter via a letterbox or, in the case of larger items, in a post office.
This also applies to items for the blind sent internationally, which are marked with the addition of "items for the blind / Cécogramme".
history
North German postal district
The Norddeutsche Bundespost had allowed Braille to be sent against the printed matter fee, but this privilege was revoked in 1872 because the printed matter fee was not considered applicable to the type of production. They were admitted again in 1886. “ Printed matter also includes papers with raised dots intended for use by the blind (Braille mail). The lettering of the open braille mail must be made in normal characters and bear the note "Braille" . " At the same time, postcards with Braille, i.e. postcards with raised characters (relief writing), were allowed in international mail. However, the address had to be in ordinary writing.
Now the reduced fee for printing, considering the weight of the items for the blind, also turned out to be too high. After several submissions from the blind organizations, Braille was introduced on January 1, 1913. They were approved up to 3 kg in a tariff graduated in five stages.
In 1920 domestic fees were charged for Braille mail to the Free City of Gdansk, Memel, Luxembourg, Czechoslovakia, Austria, western Poland and Hungary. (Small deviations not taken into account)
German Reichspost
The tariff was replaced on January 1, 1922 in a graduation of 500 g to 5 kg.
From December 1, 1923, the fee for the first level of printed matter (3 Pfg.) Was levied for items in Braille up to a weight of 5 kg.
On October 1, 1925, the fees for international traffic for braille mailings per 1 kg of 500 g each were changed.
In the ordinance on communications of April 9, 1940, no communications about the military, economic or political situation were allowed with non-hostile countries. Braille was not allowed. Domestic communications can be subject to restrictions or conditions for reasons of warfare by the Wehrmacht High Command.
End of the war in 1945
From January 15, 1947, Braille was allowed to be sent by post between all four occupation zones. The maximum weight for open items was 1 kg, the fee 6 Rpf.
From February 15, 1947, the maximum weight for braille within the British zone and in traffic with the US zone was increased from 1 kg to 5 kg.
From August 22, 1947, Braille items were permitted up to a maximum weight of 5 kg in traffic between all occupation zones.
From September 15, 1947 onwards, the maximum weight for Braille items in personal correspondence was increased from 500 g to 2 kg, for books to 5 kg. From the same time on, the fees for shipments from Germany abroad were reduced from three times to twice the pre-war fees.
From July 19, 1948, the maximum weight for Braille items from and to foreign countries was increased from 5 to 7 kg.
With effect from January 1, 1949, the maximum weight for Braille items was also increased to 7 kg. The fee was 4 pfennigs up to a maximum weight of 7 kg.
German Federal Post Office
The fee for Braille mail abroad was set from July 1, 1953 at 4 Pf (as in Germany) with a maximum weight of 7 kg. The previous calculation based on weight levels of 1 kg was omitted.
Since March 1, 1963, no fee has been charged for the carriage of Braille items, but the fee has been charged for additional services such as registered mail.
German Post of the GDR
The additional services of registered mail, acknowledgment of receipt, express delivery, airmail (canceled April 30, 1975) and cash on delivery were permitted for mail items for the blind. On October 15, 1947, Braille items were permitted up to 5 kg within the Soviet occupation zone, and up to 7 kg from May 19, 1949. From July 1, 1953, Braille was sent to Germany and abroad free of charge. The additional services became chargeable again on August 1, 1959. On January 1, 1967, tapes and records were also permitted. On April 30, 1975, additional services were again free of charge. From July 1, 1990, express delivery was free of charge, other additional services subject to charge.
Web links
proof
- ↑ description of national and international literature for the blind through the Swiss Post In: post.ch . Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ↑ Description of the international mailing for the blind by the Austrian Post. In: post.at . Retrieved December 4, 2013.