Sylw!

The Bulletin of Wales Council for the Blind

No. 2 - November 2003

If links or contacts are not available in the items below, please contact WCB on (UK) 029 20 473 954. If weblinks wrap around a line they may not work - you'll need to copy and paste the whole link into your browser.

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 to make a payment.

WCB update
Consultations
Reports and publications
Events
Other resources
Miscellaneous
Reminders

1) WCB update

Clarification re Patient Pathway changes.

Letter from Minister explains the position concerning its application in Wales. Read more: [ http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/news/registration.htm ]

Benchmarking VI Services.

http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/news/news.htm#benchmarking

CSIW National Minimum Strandards: Supplementary Guidance on Visual Impairment.

WCB worked with CSIW to produce supplementary guidance relating to Care Homes for Older People.

It's available in Acrobat format at the Assembly website via http://www.wales.gov.uk/subisocialpolicycarestandards/content/vis-impair-guid_e.pdf

Wales Disability Reference Group: Meeting with the Disability Rights Commission (Wales)

Wales Disability Reference Group: Open Meeting

http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Political/wdrg_meetings.htm#open

Environment, Planning and the Countryside

The next Voluntary Sector Partnership Council meeting with the Minister will take place on December 11th. Read more at: http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Political/vspc_meetings.htm

Wales Council for the Blind AGM

Short report now available at http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Events/WCB_agm_2003.htm

WCB rehab website

WCB's Rehabilitation Project welcomes contributions to its website and discussion group: http://www.rehabwales.org.uk

Rehab Seminar in Wales

Supporting Service Users with Learning Difficulties and Visual Disability.

All places are now booked but we will be issuing a report at http://www.rehabwales.org.uk

Barclays Bank "Make a Difference" Day

WCB Awareness Trainers ran sessions with Barclays staff to prepare them for their day out with visually impaired children from Cardiff and Bridgend.

New sports programme for VI children.

Activities in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire. More info at:

http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Sports/sports_update.htm#projects

Sports Strategy Implementation Group

Read the update here:

http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Sports/sports_update.htm#strig

2) Consultations

Health and Social Care Strategy for Visual Impairment - consultation.

WCB is seeking your opinions. Read more at http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Consultations/hsc.htm

Welsh Sports and Recreation Association for Visually Impaired people (WSRAVI).

A consultation will be announced in November regarding the reformation of this, or a similar, organisation.

Disabled People's Consultation Event.

Brenda Turner, Strategy Development Officer for Carers and Young Disabled People at NPT CBC, is looking for as many people as possible aged between 16-64 and from the Neath Port Talbot area to be involved in the event on 5th December. Contact b.turner@neath-porttalbot.gov.uk .

The Contribution of Arts and Sport to Community Regeneration.

The Culture, Welsh Language and Sport Committee is to undertake a policy review in the New Year. It is seeking written contributions. Contact culture.committee@wales.gsi.gov.uk for more information.

Climbing Higher

WCB has submitted its response to the National Assembly's "Climbing Higher" consultation. Contact WCB for more information. Email info@wcb-ccd.org.uk .

ACW Disability Strategy consultation

WCB has submitted its response to the Arts Council for Wales' Disability Strategy consultation. Contact WCB for more information. Email info@wcb-ccd.org.uk .

3) Reports and publications

Country reports on early detection and low vision rehabilitation - UK

AMD Alliance International's report for 2003 is now available. Contact WCB for copies.

The Journal of Adult Protection.

This is now available online at www.pavpub.com . The files are Acrobat format and there is a subscription charge. A sample copy is available by sending your details to samplecopy@pavpub.com .

Wales Disability Reference Group Report is available.

Read it online at http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Political/wdrg_report.htm . Copies are also available from WCB. Email info@wcb-ccd.org.uk .

Wales Council for the Blind's list of publications

This is now online at http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Products/publications.htm

4) Events

WCVA AGM & National Conference - Investing in Futures

27th & 28th November 2003. Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli. Contact WCVA helpdesk on 0870 607 1666. Email levans@wcva.org.uk . Website http://www.wcva.org.uk

Cymru Ar-lein seminars

A series of free seminars organised by Cymru Ar-lein which are aimed at people with no knowledge of ICT or whose computing experience is limited to word processing. Seminars are running throughout Wales between November 2003 and March 2004. Contact cymruarlein@glasgows.co.uk . We have been advised that these sessions are accessible to people with VI, but prior notice needs to be given.

Disability Wales Conference

27th November 2003 at Celtic Manor, Gwent, Wales. Contact: info@dwac.demon.co.uk

5) Other resources

Copyright and Accessible Information

A new Act of Parliament has come into force which removes the need to gain permission from authors and publishers to make documents accessible. Read more at http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/publicwebsite/public_cvipsact2002.hcsp

One Format

www.oneformat.com is an online resource to help users change the appearance of web pages on their browsers. The user can select from a range of colour schemes and text sizes.

Safer Recruitment.

This is a reminder that all voluntary organisations need to check whether they require disclosure checks for staff and volunteers. The CRU, run by WCVA, is now active. Registration is free and so are disclosure checks for volunteers. For more details on how to register and use the service visit the WCVA Web site at www.wcva.org.uk

'Batcane'

Revolutionary new cane for blind and partially sighted Wins "Design Application of the Year Award". Read more at http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/rehabwales/news.html#batcane

Canllaw Online

This information resource for young people is available online at http://www.canllaw-online.com . They produce an annual guide for young people called WISE. It's available in a range of formats.

Disabled Living Foundation - database of assistive technology.

'The only comprehensive database of disability equipment/Assistive Technology in the UK.' www.dlf.org.uk

6) Miscellaneous

Dance

WCB's Sports and Recreation Development Project is working in co-operation with Community Dance Wales to help tutors develop dance tutoring skills for working with visually impaired people. This will enable local dance projects to accommodate v.i. people with an interest. Tutors from all over Wales are to take part in an awareness and skills training session in Brecon in December. The training session will be followed by a practical half-day session with visually impaired people. Are you a visually impaired person who would be interested in taking part? Do you know of a visually impaired person who would like to know about this opportunity? Please publicise this through your own network and by word of mouth.

Contact Nicola Jones at WCB 029-20-473-954 or email nicola@wcb-ccd.org.uk

7) Reminders

Participation in Research

Are you a carer for a person who is visually impaired? If so, the University of Bangor would like to hear from you. More info at http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Consultations/carers_strategy.htm

Open 4 All Campaign

The Disability Rights Commission needs to hear about your experiences of inaccessible venues and public places. Contact Jemima Broadbridge, Press Officer, DRC 020 7211 4113. Email open4all@drc-gb.org

(Related information: 'The Arts in Wales and Visual Impairment' at http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/artsconf/conf2002-survey.htm)

Diversity Database

BBC Cymru Wales has created a 'diversity database' as a source of potential contributors for their programmes. The aim is to reflect the full diversity of Welsh society by introducing a wide range of names and faces including those from disadvantaged groups. Contributors must be willing to take part in programmes to talk about their expertise, areas of interest, events or life experiences - not necessarily about issues relating to disability. Contact: Alun O. Ellis on 01248 374 974.

END

Wales Council for the Blind,
3rd Floor, Shand House,
20, Newport Road,
Cardiff CF24 0DB,
Wales UK.

Tel: 029 20 473 954
Fax: 029 20 470 777

Email: staff@wcb-ccd.org.uk
Website: www.wcb-ccd.org.uk

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