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Sylw!The Bulletin of Wales Council for the Blind.No. 40 - June 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.Highly Commended Volunteer.Ann Pankhurst, WCB's volunteer who assists on Awareness Training, maintains WCB's Service Database and feeds Sylw with material on a weekly basis, has been awarded a "Highly Commended" for her tireless work at the WCVA Volunteer of the Year Awards. At WCB we are indebted to her for her contributions and are pleased that her work is not going unrecognised. Well done, Ann! A.G.M. 2007.WCB's Annual General Meeting will be held on 6th November, 2007. More information to follow. Wales V.I. Benchmarking Conference.The first Wales V.I. Benchmarking Conference will take place in Swansea hosted by the City and County of Swansea at the Swansea Museum on Tuesday, 3rd July. This will present the results of the Working Group meetings over the last nine months and look at the programme for progress in sharing information and experience to implement the benchmarking standards in the coming year. A programme and booking form are available at [link]. Joint Conference: Eye health and support services.WCB and RNIB Cymru are planning a joint conference with the support of the Welsh Assembly Government to take place at Cardiff School of Optometry and Vision Science on 12th September. It will bring professionals together from all sectors working to prevent sight loss and those providing services to people with sight loss. It will be an occasion to find out about the innovative work that has already taken place in Wales and to discuss the opportunities for the future and the way forward. Website: www.isite-now.org.uk , email conference@isite-now.org.uk , telephone 029 20 473954 or 029 2044 9595. 2) Consultations and lobbying.3) Reports and publications.4) Access.5) Events.6) Technology.7) Opportunities.8) Other resources.American Foundation for the Blind Website.The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has launched a website which provides information on living with visual impairment. Whilst some sections, (such as contacts for local services) are not relevant to a British audience, there is also a lot of information which is relevant, such as advice on how making changes to your home can make daily living easier. The website is at www.afb.org/senior . British Gas Launch New Tariff for Vulnerable Customers.British Gas have introduced a new low duel fuel social tariff called 'Essentials'. It aims to help vulnerable customers, and eligibility criteria include receipt of certain benefits such as Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance. However, it is only open to existing British Gas customers and places on the scheme are limited. For more information, go to http://www.britishgasnews.co.uk/index.asp?NewsID=707&PageID=16&Year=2007 9) Miscellaneous.Guide Dog of the Year 2007.The 'Guide Dogs' charity has teamed up with the BBC Breakfast programme to launch a search for Guide Dog of the Year 2007. Nominations can be made by visiting the website www.guidedogs.org.uk/awards . The closing date is 5 July, and there are three categories: life-changing, heroic and exceptional work. 10) Reminders.Voluntary Sector Scheme - Annual Report 2005-6.This report, "reflecting on some of the key developments in the relationship between the voluntary sector and the Assembly during 2005/06", is available on request in braille or audio formats from Neal Kinnersley, Voluntary Sector Unit, Welsh Assembly Government on 01685 729271 or by emailing him via neal.kinnersley@wales.gsi.gov.uk . Play Wales - Play and Disability Briefing.Play Wales, the national organisation for children's play, is a charity that provides advice, support and guidance for all those in Wales who have a concern or responsibility for any environment where children and young people might play. They have produced a briefing on Inclusive Play and Disability, which can be downloaded from their website, www.playwales.org.uk . 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.
Wales Council for the Blind,
Tel: 029 20 473 954
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