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Sylw!The Bulletin of Wales Council for the Blind.No. 42- August 2007.Please note that WCB does not endorse any individual services or products appearing in Sylw. Submitted materials are often taken on trust when they appear to be appropriate to the context. If readers have any comments to make about any services included in Sylw we would be pleased to hear from you. Email richard@wcb-ccd.org.uk . Online diary of events.Don't forget to let us know about events relevant to visual impairment. Using the calendar on the WCB web-site will help the network to avoid clashes [http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Events/diary.htm]. Please email richard@wcb-ccd.org.uk if you have dates for the calendar. Submit an article...You may have something you wish to publicise or know of something which may be of interest to our readers. If you do, please use our submission form at http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/sylw/sylw_submissions.htm . WCB Services.Wales Council for the Blind offers Awareness Training and Transcription Services. If you or your organisation are in need of these services please contact us on 029 20 473 954 or email nicola@wcb-ccd.org.uk or richard@wcb-ccd.org.uk respectively.. Contents.1) WCB update.A.G.M. 2007.WCB's Annual General Meeting will be held on 6th November, 2007. More information to follow. Joint Conference: Eye Health and Support Services.The programme for the day is now available online: Website: www.isite-now.org.uk , email conference@isite-now.org.uk , telephone 029 20 473954 or 029 2044 9595. Wales Disability Reference Group Open Meeting.The next Open Meeting of the Wales Disability Reference Group has been arranged for Thursday, 20th September, at the All Nations Centre, Cardiff. An invitation will shortly be circulated with details and a booking form. Contact WCB on 029 20 473 954 for information or email vanessa@wcb-ccd.org.uk . 2) Consultations and lobbying.Voluntary Sector Scheme Annual Report.This report, highlighting the key objectives for the year 2005-6, is available from Welsh Assembly Government's Voluntary Sector Unit on 01685 729271 or via assembly.info@wales.gsi.gov.uk . It is available on request in audio formats and Braille. Consultation event: National Occupational Standards for Workers in Sensory Impairment.Wales Council for the Blind and the Care Council for Wales have organised a consultation event which will take place in the Maesmawr Hall Hotel, Newtown, Powys, on Wednesday, 26th September, 11 am - 3.30 pm. Contact Vanessa Webb on 029 20 473 954 or email vanessa@wcb-ccd.org.uk for further details. Campaign for Stronger Anti-Discrimination Laws in the EU.The '1million4disability' campaign aims to gather 1 million signatures for a petition to be handed to European Union institutions in October 2007, calling for the EU to introduce stronger anti-discrimination legislation for disabled people. Should an EU directive be issued as a result of this, it could include areas not fully covered by the DDA, such as manufacture and design of accessible goods and means of transport, ain addition to benefiting disabled people in member states where disability legislation is weaker than in the UK. To find out more about the campaign, and sign the petition, visit www.1million4disability.eu . Making a Noise in Libraries Fortnight.Making a Noise in Libraries Fortnight takes place from 2 to 15 July. Blind and partially sighted people are encouraged to visit their local library to find out about what is available and speak up about their needs, helping to make libraries more aware of the need for accessible services. For more information, visit www.rnib.org.uk/manil , email megan.gilks@rnib.org.uk or ring Megan Gilks on 0161 355 2080. 'Our Lives, Our Choices' Campaign.The National Centre for Independent Living's 'Our Lives, Our Choices' campaign is supported by a coalition of organisations including the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. The aim of the campaign is to get the Disabled Persons (Independent Living) Bill adopted as new law. The Bill will give all those currently entitled to social care support new rights to receive support which will enable them to live lives which are measurably more active and which match the pattern of daily life for the average citizen. There should be a move away from a medical model, towards more social model approach, which will guarantee disabled people and those they live with, real independent living choices in the future. The Bill will also strengthen the position of organisations of disabled people, giving local authorities new duties to provide some support to them. For more information, visit www.ncil.org.uk . 3) Reports and publications.4) Access.New Audio Described Cinema Screenings for Ten Art Centres Across Wales.Ten arts centre/cinema venues across Wales will launch soft subtitled and audio described film screenings from 13th September, starting at Theatr Mwldan. Participating venues are Theatr Mwldan in Cardigan; Aberystwyth Arts Centre; Chapter Cardiff; Clwyd Theatr Cymru in Mold; Galeri in Caernarfon; Taliesin in Swansea; Riverfront, Newport; Theatr Colwyn, Colwyn Bay; Theatr Gwynedd, Bangor; Wyeside Arts, Bulth Wells. For more information about the scheme contact Creative Mwldan Creadigidol on 01239 622 400. Switching to Digital TV.The process of switching over from analogue to digital TV will take place between 2008 and 2013, with Wales scheduled for conversion during 2009. A particular benefit of digital TV for visually impaired people is the availability of audio description on many mainstream programs. RNIB is offering information talks to local groups to advise blind and partially sighted people about the changeover, including the government help scheme. Any group interested in taking up this offer should contact Anna Jones on 020 7391 2150, or email her at anna.jones@rnib.org.uk . 5) Events.Realising Potential - Government Seminars for Employers.'Realising Potential' is a programme of events for local employers, sponsored by the Office for Disability Issues. The events aim to make employers more confident about addressing disability in the workplace. The event is a two-hour seminar facilitated by the Employer's Forum on Disability, examining the business case behind disability confidence, and how local organisations can practically achieve it. The events are aimed at any size of business, in any sector, and are more suitable for people working in recruitment, HR or operational management. Events are being held in Cardiff on 21 November 2007 and 15 February 2008. For more information, or to book a place, contact Genelva Meikle on 0207 238 0704 or email genelva.meikle@dwp.gsi.gov.uk . 6) Technology.DRC Wales Launches Welsh Language Readspeaker.Disability Rights Commission Wales has recently launched the Welsh language version of Readspeaker. This on-line service for Welsh speakers with visual impairments is intended to make the website more accessible, and has been developed with the University of Bangor. To access the service, go to http://www.drc.gov.uk/about_us/cha_cymru.aspx and click on the Readspeaker logo. 7) Opportunities.8) Other resources.New Website to Help Prevent Sight Loss in Wales.A new web site will be promoting the Wales Eye Care Initiative, which aims to help prevent sight loss and assist people with sight problems. Visit http://www.eyecarewales.nhs.uk . Transition Information Network.The Transition Information Network (TIN) is an alliance of organisations and individuals who work together with a common aim: to improve the experience of disabled young people’s transition to adulthood. TIN is a source of information and good practice for disabled young people, families and professionals, and topics covered include education, employment and finance. For more information, visit the website, http://www.after16.org.uk/ BAVO Launches New Website.Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO) has launched a new website, www.bavo.org.uk . The site includes a wide range of information about voluntary groups in Bridgend, including volunteering opportunities, information on voluntary services, and a series of fact sheets on all aspects of interest to voluntary groups. 9) Miscellaneous.Belmont Hotel 'Christmas Cracker' Breaks.The Royal Blind Society's Belmont Hotel in Llandudno has announced details of Autumn breaks in October, and 4, 5 and 7 night 'Christmas Cracker' breaks in November and December. There is still limited availability during the summer months. For more information, contact the hotel on 01492 877770 or email belmont16@lineone.net . Eyes Matters - Internet Forum.Eyes Matters in an internet forum, intended to be owned by visually impaired people. The forum is based around visual impairment and aims to cover the whole remit - from sport, to education, to social events, benefits, eye conditions and technology. The address is www.eyesmatters.com . 10) Reminders.Gwent Association - Torfaen Open Day 8 August.An open day for Torfaen, organised by Gwent Association for the Blind, will take place at their Resource Centre in Pontypool on 8 August, between 10:30am and 1pm. For more information, email mail@gwentblind.org or ring 01495 763650. Database updating.Please help us to keep our contact details up-to-date. Contact emma@wcb-ccd.org.uk or telephone 029 20 473 954 to make any changes to the information we hold about your organisation on our database. End of bulletin.
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