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Sylw!The Bulletin of Wales Council for the BlindNo. 14 - November 2004Submit 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 updateOrganising WCBWCB's operations have changed considerably since the time when its constitution was formed. We are consulting on proposals for changes and amendments. Read all about it here: http://www.wcb-ccd.org.uk/English/Consultations/constitution.htm WCB Web Accessibility ProjectThis project, assisted by the Lloyds TSB Foundation, offers free web site accessibility audits for voluntary organisations in Wales. The audits are aimed and helping assisting organisations in making their web sites accessible to visually impaired visitors. If your voluntary organisation is based in Wales and would be interested in receiving a free report on its site, contact richard@wcb-ccd.org.uk or telephone 029 20 473 954. A second service being offered is help with creating your own web site. We can offer initial basic web design; an updating service; hosting on WCB's web space or help with purchasing your own space; help with registering and purchasing your own domain name. This is primarily aimed at WCB member organisations who do not have the time or resources to develop their own sites and would like to have a web presence on a budget. Contact richard@wcb-ccd.org.uk or telephone 029 20 473 954. Survey of Visual Impairment Awareness Training in WalesThe demand for vi awareness training is increasing and there is a lot of discussion around how it should be done, so WCB are about to carry out a survey of vi awareness training in Wales. If you are aware of anyone who delivers training please let us know. Contact Nicola at WCB on 029 20 473 954 or email nicola@wcb-ccd.org.uk for a questionnaire. V.I. Children and familiesAfter meeting together for more than six months under the auspices of the WCB Officer, the Pembrokeshire Group will be launched later this month as an independent group with 21 members. Sian Bowen, the local Disability Sports Development Officer, and Lucy Fowler, the Rehabilitation Assistant, have helped greatly. In Carmarthenshire, a similar group is about to be launched. They have also been meeting for at least six months and are now ready to manage their own programme. Lisa Pudner, the D.S.D.O., Gareth Jones and Howard Jones, the V.I. Advisory Teachers, and Linda Jones, the Rehabilitation Officer, all helped to make this a success. Starting up in Merthyr TydfilThe Disability Strategy being developed by Social Services in Merthyr has made us think about what v.i. people there need. Nicky Malson believes that a recreational and social group of v.i. people would enhance the work already being done by Merthyr Eyelights so he is obtaining funding to start such a group and will start contacting v.i. people in Merthyr soon. His aim is to get the group up and running early in the New Year. Anyone interested should contact him before Christmas. If you know of anyone who would be interested or could benefit from involvement with this group, make sure they contact us. Current Sports ProjectsWCB's Sports and Recreation Officer, Nicky Malson, is working with children and families' groups in Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent and they are currently running well. They meet in Caerphilly Leisure Centre and Abertillery Leisure Centre. If there are any children or families that could benefit from participation in this group who are not already involved, make sure they get to know about it. There is always time and space for more children. Current details of programme and activities are available from WCB. Sports Strategy Implementation GroupThe next meeting of this Group which is overseeing the development of the Strategy is meeting next on December 13th at Coleg Powys. The latest development is a sub-group to loom at the participation of v.i. children in Sport and P.E. in schools. They are analysing the reasons why v.i. children do not take part and what can be done to rectify this situation. V.I. FootballNicky Malson is working with Soccer Sight in South-West Wales, helping to promote the game amongst v.i. people. This includes encouraging spectators as well as facilitating players. More information from Nicky at WCB. Welsh Sports and Recreation Association for the Visually ImpairedApologies for the postponement of the Open Meeting. Plans for re-launching this organisation have been delayed because of work pressures. However a new date has been set - Sunday, 16th January. Keep a look out for more information next month in SYLW. Otherwise contact WCB or FDSW. 2) Consultations and lobbyingImproving Access to the CountrysideBridgend County Borough is has to produce a Rights of Way Improvement Plan by November 2007 setting out proposals for improved access to the countryside. A full survey of the network of public rights of way is nearing completion and the council wants to know what you think. If you have a interest in the future of Bridgend's countryside email rightsofway@bridgend.gov.uk or call 01656 642537 for a questionnaire. Inquiry into Mental Health & Wellbeing in Later LifeThis inquiry will investigate the mental health needs of older people and challenge the misconception that mental ill health is a natural part of the ageing process. In an ageing population it is vital to gain a better understanding of these issues. A questionnaire is available for you to give your views and experiences. You can reply online, by e-mail or by post. Responses required by November 19th. For more information or for a copy of the questionnaire, contact Jackie Dix at Age Concern 029-20-371-566 jackie.dix@accymru.org.uk We hope that visually impaired older people will take the opportunity to reply to this request for evidence. National Assembly's South-West Regional CommitteeThe next meeting in public of this Committee will take place on Friday, 26th November, at the Millennium Hall, Laugharne, Carmarthenshire. It runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the subject for this meeting is CHILDCARE. The meeting will focus on a Report of the Assembly's Childcare Working Group (can be seen on the Assembly web-site) but they will also discuss other aspects of childcare. In these meetings, there are always opportunities for the public to ask questions and comment as well as hearing the presentations and discussions. The public will be admitted at 9.30 a.m. and tea and coffee will be available. It would be good if someone were to be present to remind them of visual impairment issues. To book, contact the Assembly booking line on 029-20-898-477 Report on web-site: http://www.wales.gov.uk/subichildren/toc-e.htm#a Review of services for disabled young peopleThe Assembly is planning a review of services for disabled young people. Its Equality of Opportunity Committee has responded to the International Congress of disabled young people which took place in Wales last year. The slogan of that Congress was 'Nothing about us without us'. The main themes of the review are promoting and supporting the independence of young people; customer-focused service provision and age appropriate support and services. the Committee will be looking at the key areas of education, employment and training, transport, housing, equipment, access to information, leisure, poverty and transition to adulthood. The review will consider whether the Welsh Assembly Government's existing policies are adequate and will look at whether provision of services through the medium of Welsh and in rural areas is adequate. It will also identify examples of good practice so that they can be shared throughout Wales. For details of the review see the Committee's web page at www.wales.gov.uk 3) Reports and publicationsBlue Badge SchemeAn advisory booklet explaining the Blue Badge Scheme for disabled car users is now available in audio cassette format. Although your local council is responsible for issuing Blue Badges the audio cassette version of the guidance is available from Road Safety & Sustainable Travel Unit, Transport Policy Division, Welsh Assembly Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ or telephone 029 2082 6503 / 029 2082 6501. SoundaroundThis is an international talking magazine for the blind. This has been produced monthly on audio cassette for 30 years and more recently on the internet for blind and partially sighted listeners all over the world including some in Wales. They rely entirely on donations and are appealing for money. Their web-site is www.soundaround.org SoundingsSoundings is a free monthly magazine - available in print, CD, cassette and online - representing the views of visually impaired people across the UK. It is distributed by TNAUK. Call 08457 258 852, email support@soundings.org , web: http://www.soundings.org . Top Tips for TeachersThe Nystagmus Network has launched a pioneering information pack to enable
teachers to support children with nystagmus. The Teachers’ Pack, with a
foreword by Sir James Galway OBE, outlines the problems resulting from this
complex eye condition and suggests practical solutions for use in the classroom.
The 40 page Teachers’ Pack is available from the Nystagmus Network at the
price of £15. It complements NN’s existing Parent Pack. Tel: 01636 627004, email:
info@nystagmusnet.org 4) EventsIndependent Living SeminarThis will take place in the Copthorne Tara Hotel, London, on November 22nd. The focus of the event will be the future for Independent Living with particular reference to the relevance of Human Rights legislation. They want to attract service users and their families. This is by invitation only and WCB is looking for someone to represent the views and interests of v.i. people in Wales. Responses by Nov.10th please. Please contact WCB 029 20 473 954. Email scie@wcb-ccd.org.uk (source: Social Care Institute for Excellence). Vision 2005 LondonThis is a gathering of experts on blindness and sight loss to take place in April 2005 under the audpices of the International Society for Low-vision Research and Rehabilitation. For more information on the conference themes look at the web-site: www.rnib.org.uk/vision2005 The Cardiff Screen Festival Trials Screenings- 10 to 20 November 2004The Cardiff Screen Festival 2004 are proud to announce that for the first time ever we will be providing screenings for audiences with sight or hearing loss. As part of the Festival's commitment to access for people with disabilities, 4 of this year's biggest films will be screened either with audio description only (AD Only) or with both audio description and soft subtitling (AD & SS) using the DTS-CSS system. For further details on the films or screenings please go to www.cardiffscreenfestival.co.uk or contact Rhian at Tel - 029 2033 3301, email - rhian@sgrin.co.uk. 5) Other resourcesOpportunity WalesThe services that Opportunity Wales provides to small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are a mixture of professional eCommerce advice, subsidised hands-on support and funding. The combination of these three practical elements allow SMEs to turn the hopes for their business into real solutions, resulting in opportunities for growth and business transformation. They produce their information in accessible formats. Contact Opportunity Wales on 0845 8500 888 or visit http://www.opportunitywales.co.uk Welsh finds its voice on the computerWISPR, Welsh and Irish Speech Processing Resources, has released a first version of its Welsh voice for speech synthesisers. The text-to-speech voice may be downloaded. Technical instructions are at http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ar/cb/wispr/0.1/ReleaseNote.txt . More details from Canolfan Bedwyr on 01248 383 293, email cbs602@bangor.ac.uk Stay in TouchA guide to telephones and services for older and disabled people. This brochure lists equipment for those with poor hearing or sight. limited mobility, difficulty speaking, dyslexia or learning difficulties. It also provides information on the services offered for older and disabled customers and sources of further help and advice. It is also available on tape, in large print and braille and on the web. Phone: 020 7427 2460 E-mail: Web-site: www.ricability.org.uk Winged Fellowship Trust - Holidays for VI PeopleThe Winged Fellowship Trust has just launched its brochure of holidays for VI people for January to June 2005. Breaks are specially tailored for visually impaired people, sighted guides are available for all breaks, and many trips accept guide dogs. Holidays are available in the UK and abroad, and categories include sun, interest, sightseeing activity and adventure. A brochure can be downloaded from the website, www.wft.org.uk , or contact the bookings office on 01539 735080. 6) MiscellaneousAssembly Post - Facilitator Needed for Reference GroupThe Equality Committee is seeking a facilitator for a reference group of disabled young people in Wales. This group will advise the major review of services for disabled young people. A reference group will be set up to advise and guide the Equality of Opportunity Committee throughout its review which is expected to last about two years. They are looking for someone who is experienced in working directly with disabled young people on both an individual and a group basis and be committed to the participation and autonomy of disabled young people. They must also have a thorough understanding of the issues affecting disabled young people in Wales, the services available to them and the organisations that represent them. For full specification contact: Roger Chaffey, 029 20 898 409 or email equality.comm@wales.gsi.gov.uk. Deadline Nov. 8th. Handheld Video MagnifierThe Bierley MonoMouse is 'a revolutionary device that restores the ability to read'. This computer-mouse-shaped device connects to the TV allowing the user to scan printed texts for viewing enlarged on the screen. It's portable and durable and costs just £99. More info at http://www.bierley.com or telephone 01664 474 056. Royal London Society for the Blind - Use It Again projectThe RLSB Use It Again project supports VI organisation, schools and individuals throughout the third and developing world. There is a great need for white canes, braille watches/clocks etc. amongst these groups. Contact suewalker29@hotmail.com for information on how to donate. (Source: New Beacon). 7) RemindersRehabilitation Officer SeminarBooking forms have now been sent out detailing the Rehabilitation Officer Seminar, An Introduction to Working with Children, Tuesday 9th November, Coleg Powys, Llandrindod Wells. Deadline for bookings is Friday 5th November. Any queries please contact Vicky Richards on 029 20 473954 or email: staff@wcb-ccd.org.uk UltraCane WorkshopOn behalf of WCB, Sound Foresight Ltd, the creators of the UltraCane, are presenting a workshop for Rehabilitation and Mobility Officers on Tuesday 30th November, 1-4 pm at the Penglais Campus, University of Wales Aberystwyth, fee £10. Please contact Vicky at the office on 029 20 473954 or email staff@wcb-ccd.org.uk to register your interest. Booking forms will be issued shortly. Arts Disability Cymru Name LaunchedThe organisation known as Arts Disability Wales is changing its name to Disability Arts Cymru. The new name was launched at a celebratory event in the Grand Theatre Swansea on october 20th. This organisation has been promoting equality for disabled people in the arts since the early 1980s. Its contact details are now : Sbectrwm, Bwlch Road, Fairwater, Cardiff, CF5 3EF. E-mail: arts.disability@btconnect.com Web-site: www.artsdisabilitywales.com
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