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Sylw BulletinNo. 50 - June 2008.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 . Contents.1) WCB update.Southerndown Home celebrates 60 years of caring for visually impaired people.The residential home for blind and partially sighted elderly people at
Southerndown was first opened by Wales Council for the Blind on 5th June 1948.
2) Consultations and lobbying.Consultation on Unified English Braille.The Braille Authority of the United Kingdom is conducting a nationwide consultation exercise on Unified English Braille (UEB). The main aim of UEB is to bring ordinary literary braille and specialist braille into a single unified code, and it is hoped that as many people as possible with an interest in braille will participate. A copy of the booklet of samples and a questionnaire can be obtained from Janine Barker on 01733 375100, or janine.barker@rnib.org.uk . The closing date for the consultation is 30 September 2008. Where to go and what to do.Last summer the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign asked their young supporters: ‘If you were Prime Minister for the day and could change one thing, what would it be?’ The top answer was 'more places to go and things to do' Now EDCM are taking this priority forward and want to find out what 'more things to do and places to go' looks like for disabled children and young people locally. EDCM want to hear from young people about the places they like to go and things they like to do. Please make sure the children and young people you are in touch with get the chance to make their views known! Find out how to get involved at http://www.edcm.org.uk/goingplaces_news Transport Consultations Underway.The Department of Transport and Transport Scotland are undertaking two related consultation programmes concerning disabled people using railways in England, Scotland and Wales. In the first they are inviting comments on proposed revisions to the Train and Station Standards for Disabled Passengers: A Code of Practice. Changes are intended to focus on train and station design. In the second, they are asking for comments on revised guidance for train operators writing Disabled Person's Protection Policies. These documents set out what services, assistance and staffing the operator has in place to assist disabled people using trains and stations. A copy of the Code of Practice consultation can be found online at www.dft.gov.uk/access/cop while the Protection Policies can be found at www.dtf.gov.uk/consultations/open/dppp/ . Registration standards.The Electoral Commission has launched a consultation, seeking views on standards for electoral registration. The consultation paper outlines a draft set of 12 performance standards to evaluate the delivery of electoral registration services across Great Britain. The draft standards cover such areas as: completeness and accuracy of the register; lists; planning and organisation; participation and awareness etc. Responses should be submitted by Friday 20th June 2008. The consultation document, along with guidelines for responses, can be found at http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/templates/search/document.cfm/20824 Independent Living strategy for disabled people.The Government's Office for Disability Issues (ODI) has published an Independent Living Strategy for disabled people. It was developed in partnership with disabled people and aims to give them more choice and control over the support they need, and greater access to employment, transport, health and housing opportunities. The report can be downloaded in full or in summary at http://www.officefordisability.gov.uk/working/independentlivingstrategy.asp and consultation responses must be received by 20th June 2008. Quality of care: The Big Q campaign.Research by Age Concern has revealed that eight out of ten people are very concerned about the quality of care that they or a loved one would get in later life. The charity has launched 'the Big Q' campaign to demand better care to enable people to keep their dignity, their rights and control their lives. If you would like to show your support or find out more about 'The Big Q' campaign visit www.ageconcern.org.uk/care, email care@ace.org.uk or call Age Concern's Campaigns team on 020 8765 7656 3) Reports and publications.Thomas Pocklington Trust launches new design guide.The Thomas Pocklington Trust have produced a new design guide providing state-of-the-art advice and guidance for architects, designers, builders and others involved in the building and developing of housing. The guide pays particular attention to the needs of people with sight loss. The guide can be found online at http://www.vision2020uk.org.uk Real Lives: Personal and Photographic Perspectives on Albinism.Through interviews and analysis, this book examines the many challenges and barriers faced by twelve people living with albinism in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The book raises key questions about stigma and how difference in appearance can affect relationships and experiences. Essential reading for teachers of children with albinism, people living with albinism and health and social care specialists. Available from Albinism Fellowship, PO Box 77, Burnley, Lancashire, England BB11 5GN priced £12. (Source: vision2020). DWP publishes DES.The Department for Work & Pensions has published its revised equality schemes, which set out its public commitment to the work on race, disability and gender, and other aspects of diversity, that will be taken forward between 2008 and 2011. To read the reports, go to www.dwp.gov.uk/aboutus/equalityschemes/progress.asp. RNIB publishes ICT accessibility report.RNIB Cymru is launching a new report on progressing digital inclusion through community ICT and The Accessible Technology in Communities Accessibilty Toolkit. 'Accessible Technology in Communities: the barriers to digital inclusion' is aimed at organisations and individuals that provide services in their communities such as local authorities, community service providers and organisations with an interest in digital inclusion. 'Caring for Someone with a Sight Problem' - Age Concern Handbook.Age Concern produce a range of 'Carers Handbooks', which cover topics such as advice on what to do in any caring situation, case studies, checklists and a guide through the social services maze. One of these handbooks is aimed at those caring for someone with a sight problem and costs £6.99. Details of the full range of books and free Information Guides published by Age Concern can be found at www.ageconcern.org.uk/informationn, or by ringing their free information line on 0800 00 99 66. Information Leaflets from Age Concern Cymru.Age Concern Cymru has produced new editions of three popular leaflets helping older people to claim their benefit entitlements. These are 'Brief Guide to Benefits for Older People in Wales', 'Disability Living Allowance' and 'Attendance Allowance'. To order copies, or obtain further information, contact Age Concern Cymru on 029 2043 1555 or email enquiries@accymru.org.uk. Fruit for Vision - Book from the Macular Disease Society.Experts now believe that dietary changes can cut the risks of getting Age Related Macular Degeneration. Professor Ian Grierson from the Department of Opthalmology at Liverpool University has written a special cookbook, 'Fruit for Vision', to encourage healthy eating. This follows his earlier book, 'Vegetables for Vision'. Both are produced in large print format. Each book costs £12, but both can be purchased at a special price of £22 from The Macular Disease Society. Postage and packing is £3 for one book and £5 for two. To order the book, ring the Macular Disease Society on 01264 350 551, or send a cheque to the society at PO Box 1870, Andover, Hampshire SP10 9AD. 4) Access.Westminster Abbey Launches Touch Tour.Westminster Abbey in London has launched a Touch Tour. Visually impaired visitors and their escorts are admitted free of charge, and will be able to touch many of the monuments. Information for visitors is available in Braille (with relief map), large print or audio, or a volunteer guide is available to escort visitors if preferred. Whilst it is possible to simply turn up for the tour, it is preferable to call ahead (to Gwen Shaw on 020 7654 4823) and let them know that you will be visiting. For more information, go to http://www.westminster-abbey.org/visitor/access-for-all/visually-impaired/33936. Traveleyes holiday service for vi people.Traveleyes provides holidays for both blind/visually impaired and sighted travellers, journeying together. Traveleyes offers a customised holiday to suit an individual's needs and each venture is planned with close attention to quality and detail. Holiday destinations cover Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia and the Americas, and vary from the unique and exploratory to relaxing sunshine breaks. Traveleyes aims to provide the independence to discover new worlds. In collaboration with Lonely Planet, Traveleyes also supply electronic text formatted versions of the original 'Lonely Planet' range of publications, specially formulated for use by visually impaired people. More information on holidays can be found at www.traveleyes.co.uk or by calling 08709 220221. 5) Events.National Falls Awareness Day - 24 June 2008.Help the Aged has launched a new resource to support practitioners in the run-up to Falls Awareness Day. 'Fall Stop' aims to improve practitioners' skills in the communication of falls risk and prevention to older people, and emphasises the importance of eye tests to reduce the risk of accidents. Falls requiring hospital treatment as a result of visual impairment cost the NHS £269 million, but around four million older people do not take up their entitlement to free eye tests. For more information, see www.helptheaged.org.uk/slipstrips. Sloppy Slipper Exchange, Deeside, 23rd June 2008.In connection with National Falls Awareness Day, a 'Sloppy Slipper Exchange' event will be held from 9.30 am to 5pm at Connah's Quay Civic Centre, off Wepre Drive, Connah's Quay. It will be hosted by Deeside Over 50s Forum and Rhydymwyn Over 50s Forum, supported by Flintshire LHB. The Sloppy Slipper Exchange will provide free slippers for anyone over 65 with a fall risk and/or foot problems. The falls risk assessment and foot examination will be by appointment on arrival - first come, first served! Information stands, prize draws, free taster exercise sessions, a cafe selling bone healthy snacks will be available. Bring your walking aid for a free assessment and ferrule replacement by a physiotherapist/OT. Contact: Celia Drew Tel: 01352 803480. Make a Noise in Libraries 7-20 July 2008.This year's Make a Noise in Libraries Fortnight takes place from the 7th -20th July. This annual campaign aims to bring public libraries and visually impaired people together to improve access to books and information. Contact your local library and ask what events they have planned. HM Stanley Support Group for the Visually Impaired.On July 21st the Mobile Unit for Action for Blind People will be at H M Stanley Eye Unit - this also ties in with the Support Group at 1.30 - 3.30. On August 19th the group is hoping to have Guide Dogs for the Blind. September 15th Mr Peter Hard is coming from the Royal Blind Society and hopefully a representative from the Belmont Hotel, Llandudno. October 20th Shelagh Persich is coming from the Crossroads Scheme. Residential Musical Course.The University of Bristol will be running a four day residential course for visually impaired adults examining the development of My Fair Lady from book to stage. Participants will have the chance to immerse themselves in all aspects of the musical, learning the songs, acting scenes, and thinking critically about the narrative. The fee is £260.00, with sighted guides being asked for a voluntary contribution of £ 50.00. For more details contact Claire Wickham on 07964 727 322 or e-mail claire.wickham@bristol.ac.uk 6) Technology.Ball by ball cricket.The RNIB's 'Ball by Ball' project is being rolled out across the Uk to include county grounds in Wales. The scheme provides blind and partially sighted spectators with small hand-held receivers and headsets which allow them to receive dedicated commentary from specially trained commentators. Contact Eleanor Ellison at RNIB - 01273 262221 or email eleanor.ellison@rnib.org.uk Age Concern's Digital Inclusion Team.With BT support, Age Concerns in Wales who are members of the Digital Inclusions Network, can now access individual grants of up to £2,500.00 a year to fund projects which provide support for older people and maximise the use of information and communications technology. One group to benefit from the scheme recently is the Age Concern in Carmarthenshire. Their grant will enable local older people to get help in using an internet shopping service whereby trained volunteers will visit people aged 50+ in their homes and help them to order groceries and other essential goods on-line. For more information contact the Digital Inclusion Team at Age Concern Cymru. VI Friendly TV Remote Control.Hagger Electronics are currently stocking the Doro HandleEasy 321rc, a simple to use universal TV remote control specially designed for people who have limited dexterity or sight impairment. The hand-held device is easy to hold and to use for changing channels and adjusting the volume of your TV or home stereo. The price is currently £19.99 (including VAT), and the reference is HBI0003. The company also stocks other products designed for visually impaired people, such as magnifiers and large button telephones. Their website is www.hagger.co.uk, and they can be contacted on 0845 8820 505. Spoken-Web - A New Site For Blind Or Visually Impaired People.Spoken-Web group has developed a new site to help and serve the blind or visually impaired community by making the web more accessible. The Spoken-Web site is at http://www.spoken-web.com. Spoken-Web is a Web portal, managing a wide range of online data-intensive content like news updates, weather, travel and business articles. The site provides a simple, easy-to-use interface for navigating between the different sections and articles. The visitor can hear the full range of an article's content provided in a logical, clear, and understandable manner. The full features can be operated from any computer in 3 seconds. The developers would be glad to receive your feedback. Please send any comments or suggestions to eyal@spoken-web.com. 7) Opportunities.Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2008.Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of EasyGroup, is sponsoring a £50,000 prize for the Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year, with the support of the Leonard Cheshire Disability charity. Details, including an application form, can be found at www.disabledentrepreneur.org, and the closing date is 5 September. If you need an entry form in an alternative format please contact Sophie Down on 020 3242 0357 or email steliosaward@lcdisability.org. The winner of the award in 2007 was Amar Latif, founder of Traveleyes, a tour operator for the visually impaired. 'Seeing Above the Horizon' Training.'Seeing Above the Horizon' is a two-day course aimed at rehab workers and low vision therapists, updating and refreshing professional skills in eccentric viewing and fixation techniques. It includes theory, practical knowledge and experimental exercises in this skill for people with central vision loss. The course will be run in Pontypool, Gwent on 2-3 September, and costs £190 including refreshments. For more information, contact Optima Low Vision Services on 01803 864218 or email info@optimalowvision.co.uk. Workshop on Early Visual Development and Assessment.An RNIB workshop, 'Early visual development and assessment: the promotion of visual functioning in young children with sight loss' will be held in Cardiff on 13 October. Dr Lea Hyvarinen, an ophthalmologist from the University of Finland who is well known for her extensive work in paediatric low vision, will present the materials she has developed to test children's visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and colour vision. Places cost £130 for professionals and £60 for parents/carers. For more information, ring 0121 665 4235,email children@rnib.org.uk or go to www.rnib.org.uk/shortcourseschildren . 8) Other resources.Age Concern Lifebook.Age Concern Enterprises Cymru have developed the 'Lifebook' to help people manage and keep their affairs in order. Age concern are aware that there are many things to keep track of and important documents and information can be easily mislaid. The Lifebook has been designed to record useful details, from who insures the car, to where the TV licence is kept. It not only helps people to be more organised but it can also be invaluable to a family member or a friend if important information is needed to be found in an emergency. The Lifebook does not have to be completed in one go but can be filled at at the persons own pace and there are simple step-by-step instructions to follow on how to fill in the various sections with personal contact details, locations of important documents etc. The LifeBook is free and is available in both a booklet and online version. The online service means that the individual or a member of their family can securely access vital contacts or information from any computer with internet access, (using a secret password) - at no cost. Call 0845 685 1061 for a free copy (please quote ref. ALL 721) or complete the Age Concern LifeBook online at www.ageconcern.org.uk/lifebook 'Young Calibre' - Audio Library for Children and Young People.Calibre, the audio library for visually impaired people, has recently relaunched its service for children and young people, and is aiming to increase membership in these age groups. More information on the service is available at www.calibre.org.uk/decYoungCalibre/modResourcesLibrary/HtmlRenderer/youngindex.html . The new development officer for Young Calibre, Teresa Terry, is keen to make contact with professionals who provide a service for young people who could benefit from the service, particularly those who are planning any events for under-16s. You can contact her on teri.terry@calibre.org.uk . Energy Saving Trust.The Energy Saving Trust is a non-profit organisation, funded both by government and the private sector. They are one of the UK's leading organisations set up to address the damaging effects of climate change and have offices in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Their aim is to cut emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) by promoting the sustainable and efficient use of energy. As experts in energy efficiency, they can advise on which energy saving measures are most suitable for a home. To contact the local Energy Saving Trust advice centre call 0800 512 012. Lines are open from 09:00 - 17:00 Monday to Friday. Alternatively, the web-site www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/cafe have a search facility to help search for energy savings grants and offers. Information such as post code, energy suppliers, home ownership, age and receipt of benefits enables a search for offers and grants relating to energy savings such as cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and draught proofing, heating etc. 9) Miscellaneous.The Belmont Hotel.The Belmont Hotel superbly situated on the seafront in Llandudno, is the only holiday hotel in Wales, specially designated for blind and partially sighted guests, along with partners, friends, guides and, of course, guide dogs. Holidays at the Belmont are on a half board basis and include evening entertainments. A wide range of trips are available from the hotel. Staff are trained and very experienced in meeting the needs of people with sight loss and extend a warm and friendly greeting that last lasts throughout your holiday. For further details please contact Theresa or Beverley at the Belmont Hotel on telephone number 01492 877770. Warning to Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.Charity Diabetes UK has warned that more than 650,000 people with obesity-related diabetes are risking serious health problems such as stroke and blindness because they do not take their medicines, a charity says today. Some 2 million people suffer from type 2 diabetes but 650,000 of them are not taking their medication as they should, although effectively controlling this form of diabetes can reduce the risk of heart disease by 56%, and eye disease and kidney disease by 33%. For more information, go to http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/may/27/health Big Print Puzzle Book.New from the RNIB the Big Print Puzzle Book (£1.99 per issue) is ideal for large print readers who find conventional puzzle books too small to read. The book has a wide variety of logic, word and number puzzles and solutions all in 16-point or bigger with generous space for writing answers. Contact RNIB Customer services on 0845 7023 153 to order. 10) Reminders.Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Audio Described Performances.The Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff will be giving two audio-described performances of the musical 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' this summer, preceded by Touch Tours: on Wednesday 23 July at 7.30pm (touch tour at 6pm) and Saturday 16 August at 2pm (touch tour 1pm). For more information, contact the ticket line, 08700 40 2000, or go to www.wmc.org.uk . Access to Air Travel for Disabled Persons & People with Reduced Mobility.The Department for Transport is running a consultation on an updating of an existing code of practice on 'Access to air travel for disabled persons and people with reduced mobility'. The document can be found at http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/airtraveldisabledpersons/ and the deadline for responses is 23 June 2008. WAG Consultation document for single equality scheme.The Welsh Assembly is carrying out a consultation on a new equality scheme which brings together the six key equality strands: age, disability, race, gender, religion and sexual orientation. You can read the document at http://new.wales.gov.uk/consultations/currentconsultation/equalanddivcurrcons/singleequality/?lang=en and the consultation finishes on 11 June 2008. 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 Email: staff@wcb-ccd.org.uk To subscribe/resubscribe email subscribe@wcb-ccd.org.ukk If links or contacts are not available in any of the items, please contact WCB via sylw@wcb-ccd.org.uk . Disclaimer.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 . |