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Sylw!The Bulletin of Wales Council for the Blind
No. 21 - June 2005Submit 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 . We normally produce Sylw at the end of the month for release on the first of the following month. WCB reserves the right to edit, amend or refuse all material submitted. Please donate...This bulletin is produced without any direct funding. You can
help us by making a donation. Please go to http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Donations/donations.htm
to find out how or go straight to Donating to WCB through UshopUgive doesn't cost you a penny!Simply visit www.UshopUgive.com for hassle-free no-cost donations to WCB. Choose Wales Council for the Blind from the list of charities and then go shopping to the likes of Amazon, B&Q, Dixons, Virgin etc. etc. The store will pay a percentage of the sale to us, but with no charge to yourselves. Contents1) WCB updateWCB & Cardiff Institute for the Blind Report on Eye Clinic Support SchemeFunded by the Welsh Assembly's Volunteering for Health scheme Wales Council for the Blind have produced a report summarising and evaluating the Eye Clinic Support service provided by Cardiff Institute for the Blind. The Report which includes guidelines for establishing similar operations is available on WCB's web site: http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Downloads/volunteering_for_health_project_report.doc (Word document). VSPC March 2005 meetingRead the report at the VSPC pages http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Political/vspc_meetings.htm . WSRAVI MeetingAn open meeting was held on Sunday 5th June at Rhayader Leisure Centre at which it was agreed that there was a need for the Welsh Sports and Recreation Association for the Visually Impaired to continue. An interim working group has been established and the first meeting of the group will be 13th July 2005. The working group's aim is to identify a way forward and to put together a business plan which will presented at an AGM at a later date. WSRAVI is still looking for a) an elite athlete (with a visual impairment); and b) two or more regional representatives from North Wales to join the working group. If you are interested contact Nicky Malson on 029 20 473 954 or email nicky@wcb-ccd.org.uk . 2) Consultations and lobbyingClear labellingSmall printing, exotic fonts and lack of contrast on food packaging can cause problems for people with a visual impairment. This is particularly important when it comes to storage and cooking instructions. Clearlabelling is a campaign to encourage manufacturers and retailers to improve readability. You can join the campaign by going to www.clearlabelling.co.uk 3) Reports and publicationsGuide for disabled travellersThe Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC)has produced a guide for disabled travellers, outlining what help should be provided to them at airports and during their flight. The guide can be downloaded from the DPTAC website ( http://www.dptac.gov.uk ). Their telephone number is 020 7944 8011, and email address is dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk . The website also contains useful information on many aspects of travel for disabled people. Argos CatalogueNational catalogue retailer Argos has released a new audio CD of its products. The discs contain verbal descriptions of the most popular lines from the catalogue, and help and advice on ordering. It is available for use in Argos stores, or personal copies can be obtained from customer services on 0870 600 3030. 4) EventsVision Foundation Fundraising DayWednesday 22nd June. Sponsored Walk, BBQ lunch and Body Shop party. Contact Fiona for more details on 01495 309500 or e-mail info@visionfoundation.org.uk . Vision Foundation Summer EventsContact Maureen on 01495 309500 or e-mail info@visionfoundation.org.uk for a programme of events and trips throughout the school summer holidays. Open Day for Rehabilitation Work Degree at UCE11th July 2005, 10.30 am - 3.30 pm. Telephone: 0121 331 6405 or visit http://www.sightlossmatters.com Described theatre performances in CardiffThe New Theatre, Cardiff, has a described performance of High Society on Saturday 25 June at 2.30pm, the box office number is 029 2087 8797. The Wales Millennium Centre has a described performance of Miss Saigon on 24 June at 7.30pm (box office 0870 040 2000). Described performance of Disney's Beauty and the BeastSaturday, 23rd July, 2pm at Swansea Grand Theatre. To book tickets call the Box Office on 01792 475715. Sight VillageFor details of this July's technology showcase visit http://www.qac.ac.uk/sightvillage/6-1.html 5) TechnologyAudio gamingwww.audiogames.net is a website dedicated to audio games (games based on sound) and blind-accessible games. It provides information about such games and how they can be obtained, also an on-line quarterly magazine for blind gamers, Audyssey Gaming Magazine. TWITTER is a talking computer programme that has been designed for blind and visually impaired people, integrating all the functions a fledgling computer user requires. Audio prompts tell you exactly where you are and help options tell you exactly what to do. There is no mouse required - everything is done through the keyboard. Twitter costs £200 and includes technical support and updates. 10% of the sales revenue is donated to charities which support blind people. It runs with Windows, from 98 to XP and uses the Microsoft Speech Engine, supporting SAPI5 voices. Contact: Steve Crawford Phone: 07740 777 364 E-mail: steve@twitter.co.uk Website: www.twitter.co.uk British Wireless for the Blind FundBWBF supplies quality, easy-to-use, audio equipment on free permanent loan for life to UK registered blind people over the age of eight. The equipment is designed to be sturdy, reliable and capable of giving hours of trouble-free service, but BWFB also service, repair and replace equipment when necessary. Sets are distributed via a network of over 300 local agents. For more information, contact BWFB on 01634 832501, or info@blind.org.uk , or visit the web site www.blind.org.uk . Talking labelsTalking Labels are a simple and effective solution to provide audible guidance in identifying and taking medicines. They are approximately the size of a credit card, and attach to standard packaging. They allow the patient or pharmacist to record and store a voice message, which can then be played back at any time. The message could include patient's name, description of the medication, dosage instructions and any important warning notes. The product is being launched this month, and costs £6.65 for one, or £19.99 for three. Further information can be obtained from www.talkingproducts.com, or by ringing 01794 516677 or emailing info@talkingproducts.com . The company also provides other talking products of interest to visually impaired people. 6) Other resourcesVolunteer Wales WebsiteVolunteering opportunities from each of the 33 volunteer bureaux at http://www.volunteering-wales.net Welsh Cassette ServiceCasetiau Cymraeg is a library of Welsh tapes, covering a wide range of topics from Welsh literature to modern novels, all in the Welsh language. Further information on joining the library can be obtained by ringing 01267 238225, or writing to 1 Penlan, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, SA31 2BT. Wales on the WebWales on the Web ( www.walesontheweb.org or www.cymruarywe.org ) is the primary access point for those who wish to access information and services that are associated with Wales. It provides links to a variety of websites dealing with topics such as health, travel, education and legal advice. All of these websites have been certified as reliable and authoritative. Wales on the Web is fully bi-lingual, and is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. One VisionOne Vision is the only UK registered charity dedicated to helping people through the various experiences of sight loss in, or the removal of, one eye. They have a friendly, informal approach, offering straight forward , practical information and sign-posting to other services. www.one-vision.org.uk Tel: 0845 108 3161 Patient UK databaseThe Patient UK database can be found at www.patient.co.uk . The aim of the website is to provide non-medical people in the UK with good quality information about health and disease. It includes links to information leaflets on a wide variety of health-related topics, contacts for various support groups, and information on specific drugs and medicines. The patient support section includes an extensive section on organisations of interest to visually impaired people. 7) MiscellaneousChatting and making friends over the telephoneRNIB Talk and Support is seeking new members for a weekly telephone social group for people with sight problems. They are particularly seeking members for a group in South Wales. A contribution of £2 per week is sought. For further information contact the team on 0845 330 3723 or email talkandsupport@rnib.org.uk . Accessible letters from DWPFor any visually impaired people on Disability Living Allowance who may be frustrated by having letters in normal print from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) help is at hand. The DWP have confirmed to Wales Council for the Blind that any request for alternative formats such as Large print, braille and audio-tape can be accommodated. All you have to do is phone 0845 7123456 to request it. It will help if you can give your National Insurance number to make sure they identify you properly. They might even be able to send it in Welsh! TaveleyesTraveleyes is a new service arranging independent world travel for visually impaired and sighted travellers. They offer holidays to many destinations including America, Africa and Europe. The needs, desires and fulfilment of the blind traveller are at centre stage, with assistance provided by the sighted travellers. For more information, call Traveleyes on 08709 220 221, or visit the web site, www.traveleyes.co.uk . E111 forms for emergency medical treatment in EuropeThere has been a change to the procedure by which British citizens get access to emergency medical treatment in Europe. If your E111 form was stamped by the Post Office before January 2005, you need to get a new one. Forms can be obtained from the post office, but whereas they were previously issued to a family, they are now issued to individuals. The forms are in the new edition of the booklet 'Health Advice for Travellers', or from the Department of Health's web site, http://www.dh.gov.uk (follow the links to Health Advise for Travellers). Once completed, the form must be taken to the Post Office for validation. However, remember that the E111 is not a replacement for travel insurance. Blind Gardener of the Year CompetitionA new competition to find the UK's blind or partially sighted gardeners of the year has been launched by Thrive and RNIB. Monty Don from BBC's Gardener's World will be one of the judges. There are three categories : people with less than 2 year's experience, people with more than 2 year's experience, and younger people up to 18. Prizes include greenhouses, a raised bed kit and Suttons Seeds vouchers. To register your interest, please contact Lucy Morrell from Thrive on 0118 988 5677 or e-mail bgoty@thrive.org.uk. The closing date is 15 August, and winners will be announced in October. Who would look after your money if you couldn't?Being able to look after your own money is often taken for granted. However, each year, many people become unable to do so through illness such as dementia, disability and injury. The Public Guardianship Office have produced a leaflet, 'Who would look after your finances if you couldn't?' which advises how to protect your money in these circumstances, by taking out an Enduring Power of Attorney. The PGO can be contacted via their telephone helpline, 0845 330 2900. How to complain about a public body in WalesThe Public Sevices Ombudsman for Wales can look into complaints that you have been treated unfairly, or received a bad service though some failure on the part of the body providing it. The bodies that he can look into include local government, NHS organisations including GPs, the National Assembly for Wales and many of the public bodies that it funds. The Ombudsman has produced a leaflet giving more information, including a complaint form. Copies can be obtained by ringing 01656 641150 or emailing ask@ombudsam-wales.org.uk . 8) RemindersHave a Go Football Training SessionsFollowing on from the taster day, a six week programme has started at The Leisure Leagues Arena, Swansea, for blind and partially sighted children to get training in football skills. It's aimed at boys and girls aged 8-18 years and costs £2.50 per session per child. The sessions began on the 12th May and run weekly each Thursday until the 23rd June. Participants can come on board at any time. The sessions run from 5-6 pm each Thursday and you don't have to be resident in Swansea to attend. Contact Jamie Clewer, FAW Trust Disability Officer, on 01443 228873 or email jamie@fawtrust.easynet.co.uk . The coaches are fully qualified and have attended visual impairment awareness training.
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