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Sylw!The Bulletin of Wales Council for the BlindNo. 5 - February 2004If links or contacts are not available in the items below, please contact WCB on (UK) 029 20 473 954. Removal/subscription instructions are given at the foot of this page. This bulletin is produced without any direct funding. You can
help us by making a donation. Go to http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Donations/donations.htm
to find out how or go straight to Contents1) WCB updateWCB National Conference 2004 - "Towards a Strategy for Health and Social Services for Visually Impaired People" - March 17th.Make sure you place your bookings for this free event via conference@wcb-ccd.org.uk or telephone WCB on 029 20 473 954. This is to take place on March 17th, 2004 at the Village Hotel, Cardiff. Keep you diaries free and book early because places are limited. The conference is targeted at professionals and volunteers working in the fields of Health and Social Services with a special interest in visual impairment. Web page: http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Events/national_conference_2004.htm WCB goes to courtWCB's Awareness Training Unit is running sessions with the Crown Prosecution Service in Cardiff and Swansea. Read more at http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Training/training.htm Rehabilitation Officers' Support Group - West WalesMore information at http://www.rehabwales.org.uk/events.html#1 Rehabilitation Officers' SeminarMore information at http://www.rehabwales.org.uk/events.html#2 Representing WCBWCB is looking for someone to represent them on Wales Council for the Deaf. There are two meetings per year and someone with experience of voluntary committees and an understanding of hearing impairment would be able to contribute on our behalf. We are also looking for someone to represent WCB on the British Wireless Fund for the Blind. There is one meeting a year. Papers are provided in the preferred format. Contact WCB on 029 20 473 954 or email vanessa@wcb-ccd.org.uk Next StrIG MeetingThe next meeting of the Sports Strategy Implementation Group will take place at Coleg Powys Newtown on 23rd February and will include a report on the first year's activities. Contact nicky@wcb-ccd.org.uk or phone him on 029 20 473 954. Voluntary Sector Partnership CouncilNext meeting is scheduled for February 26th. Read more at http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Political/vspc_meetings.htm For more about the Voluntary Sector Scheme Review go to http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Political/vss.htm#latest 2) Consultations and lobbyingService Users' ExperienceUpdate: The consultation period has been extended by a week to the 6th Feb. The free phone number is 0800 975 3366. Call in now! WCB shall be issuing a report to its National Conference on service users' experience in the field of health and social care in Wales. We wish to identify:
The consultation period is January 5th - February 6th and will involve a questionnaire and telephone conferences. For more details contact Vanessa Webb at WCB on 0800 975 3366 or email consultations@wcb-ccd.org.uk. Read more at: http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Consultations/hsc.htm. You can download the questionnaire in MSWord format. Is there a future for WSRAVI?A working group has met to discuss how Wales' VI Sports Governing Body can be reconstituted. Your views on this will be sought until the 28th of Feb. Call free on 0800 975 3366. The questionnaire is now online at http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Sports/questionnaire.htm Local Authority fundingEdwina Hart, the Minister for Social Justice, has asked for examples of the difficulties that local organisations experience when accessing or trying to access local authority funding. She needs to know about any gaps in the system. Contact WCB to let us know: telephone 029-20-473-954 or email staff@wcb-ccd.org.uk Direct Payments SchemeChanges are proposed for the scheme and comments are being requested on the drafts. Read more at http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Welfare_Rights/direct_payments_consultation.htm Right to Read campaignThe Right to Read campaign has been successful in getting an Early Day Motion tabled at Westminster. David Mann, campaign officer, is asking for letters to be written to MPs asking them to sign this Motion. Read more at: http://www.lookloud.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/publicwebsite/public_r2rhome.hcsp or telephone David Mann on 028 9032 9373. 3) Reports and publications"Assessing Visual Function"By Catherine Southwell (£12.50). More details: http://www.rehabwales.org.uk/news.html Fundamentals of CareThis booklet describes the twelve elements of care as guidance on the quality of care you may expect from health and social care providers in Wales. It is written in clear plain language and is meant for service users. It is bi-lingual in 14 point print and is also available in braille and on tape. It has been produced in nine ethnic minority languages. Guidance for Health and Social Care Staff of all grades on the Fundamentals of Care has also been produced and is available from the same contact. Contact Welsh Assembly Government on 029 20 826 556. Better Government for Older PeopleBGOP is a local and national partnership in which older people are key partners. It aims to influence and shape decision-making and policy development at all local levels of governance. It produces a journal four times a year called Stratagem. Contact 0870-770-3292. E-mail information@bgop.org.uk Website: www.bgop.org.uk James Patterson's "The Jester" released as Audio E-bookTime Warner Audio Books have released "The Jester" in Digital Talking Book (DTB) format. Read more at http://www.dolphinse.com/news/patterson.htm 4) Events'One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest'Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold is running audio-described performances of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on 28th February and 4th March. Bookings: 0845 330 3565. 5) Other resourcesHolidays abroadCheck out http://www.accessibletravel.co.uk or ring 01452 729 739 to "discover an exciting world of accessible holidays and travel for wheelchair users, slow walkers, mature travellers, their families and friends". 6) MiscellaneousLegal duty to promote disability equalityThe DRC has welcomed the inclusion in the new disability bill of a legal duty to promote disability equality - similar to the duty to promote race equality. Read more at the BBC site http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3288685.stm and at the DRC website http://www.drc-gb.org/newsroom/newsdetails.asp?id=598§ion=1. You can ring the DRC on 0207 211 4049. 'Disabled' toiletsCouncils have been warned not blame disabled people for public toilet closures. The DRC urges councils "not to use the DDA as a false alibi to close public lavatories". For further information ring Alyson Rose, Chief Press Officer on 020 7211 4059. Employment opportunities - Potentia EnterDisability Wales wishes to appoint the following posts: Mainstreaming Co-ordinator; Project Administrator; Disability Networks Co-ordinator. Closing date for all posts: 12 noon, 16th Feb. Email potentia@dwac.demon.co.uk National radio station for the blindNick Ward of St. Dunstan's is inviting all leading charities to help him form a steering group to explore the possibility of using digital satellite broadcasting via BSkyB to set up Britain's first dedicated national radio station for blind and partially sighted listeners. For further information, contact Nick Ward on 020-7723-5021 Email: nick.ward@st-dunstans.org.uk 7) RemindersBenchmarking VI Services.The questionnaire on V.I. Services devised by the Benchmarking Club will be circulated to local authorities at the beginning of December. Social Services Directorates are asked to return them by the end of February. Meanwhile work will start on standards in the New Year. Watch the WCB web-site for updates: http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/news/news.htm#benchmarking Disabled People and Mental Health Support ServicesMIND, the Mental Health Charity, is running a research project about the mental health support needs and experiences of people with physical disabilities. Copies of the questionnaire are available from MIND Publications, Granta House, 15-19 Broadway, Stratford, London E15 4BQ, telephone 020 8221 9666. If you would like to complete the questionnaire by telephone contact Jenny Morris on 020 7359 2935 or email jenny@jmorris.demon.co.uk Local Disability StrategiesIs a Disability Strategy being produced in your area? If so, are you involved? Is it covering visual impairment adequately? Contact your local authority, Local Health Board or County Voluntary Council. Let us know how you get on: email consultations@wcb-ccd.org.uk . Manifesto for the Local Government Elections 2004WCB is seeking views on the what you would like to see your County Councillors doing for v.i. people. Let us have your ideas via manifesto@wcb-ccd.org.uk . More information is given at: http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Political/lg_elections_2004.htm Dolphin Computer Access - Drop in daysDolphin, the manufacturers of computer access software, are running drop in days between 10am and 3pm - no appointment necessary. Call 01905 754 577 or email info@dolphin.co.uk for full details of your local event. The events in Wales are:
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Wales Council for the Blind,
Tel: 029 20 473 954
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