Recent articles.
WCB News.
David or Goliath? How does the public view charities?
Large charities are seen as more wasteful and having a poorer understanding of their beneficiaries than small ones, according to a new poll.
Research organisation nfpSynergy surveyed 1,000 people last November. Fifty-one per cent of those polled said the statement "they are often wasteful in how they spend money" applied to charities with annual incomes of more than £10m.
[Full story...]
WCB seeks Volunteer Trainers and Training Assistants
Wales Council for the Blind (WCB) is looking for volunteer trainers and training assistants to help us deliver our OCN-accredited Awareness Training in Visual Impairment to a wide variety of groups including care workers, leisure centre staff and police officers. [Full story...]
Consultations and Lobbying.
Welsh Assembly Consultations available On-line
You can access all current WAG consultations by clicking here. See the full story for details of consultations of potential interest to visually impaired people. [Full story...]
Disability Hate Crime to be investigated by EHRC
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is to investigate whether public bodies are fulfilling their legal obligations to prevent disabled people from being harassed, and anyone who has experienced such crime is being asked to let the commission know about their experiences. [Full story...]
Independent Commission on Social Services in Wales – next stage underway
Following the receipt of written evidence, the Independent Commission on Social Services in Wales is about to hold meetings with service users and carers. [Full story...]
Petition for the continuation of Wayfinder GPS for VI People
The Wayfinder Access System used GPS to make blind people more independent by informing them about their surroundings and allowing them to walk any route they wanted. However, following the acquisition of Wayfinder by Vodafone, the system has been discontinued. Disability Wales has launched an on-line petition to ask Vodafone to reconsider this decision. [Full story...]
Reports and Publications.
Polls Apart - report on accessibility of 2010 General Election published
The results of SCOPE’s survey of the accessibility of the recent General Election have been published in the report ‘Polls Apart 2010’. SCOPE has been carrying out this survey for every UK election since 1992. The report reveals that little progress has been made since the 2005 election in improving access for disabled people.
[Full story...]
Sight loss registration rules 'not fit for purpose'
New research commissioned by the Thomas Pocklington Trust, and based on a database compiled by Welsh Low Vision Services, has concluded that people with sight loss may be denied support because of outdated rules written over half a century ago. [Full story...]
Review of Accessible Air Travel Published
The Civil Aviation Authority has published a review of the implementation of European legislation on the rights of disabled passengers when travelling by air. The review has identifed a number of areas of confusion, for example, regarding arrangements for assistance dogs. [Full story...]
Dead in the water
More than one-third of charity applications for grants were ineligible, a study shows. [Full story...]
'Crack the Code' ... to Sight-Read Braille
'Crack the Code' is a puzzle book designed to introduce sighted parents, learning support assistants and anyone else to sight reading basic grade Braille. Produced by Clearvision children's braille library and Lindon Lodge School, the book introduces all the letters of the alphabet, numbers and simple punctuation, and takes a couple of hours to complete. [Full story...]
'Doing Well, Doing Better' - New Standards for Health Services in Wales
On 1 April 2010, new standards for health services in Wales came into force. The updated framework of standards, ‘Doing Well, Doing Better – Standards for Health Services in Wales’ sets out what is expected of all health services in all settings, and emphasises the importance of taking account of the needs of disabled people - for example, providing information in accessible formats.
[Full story...]
'Light for Sight' - New Initiative promotes the importance of lighting for sight loss
The Thomas Pocklington Trust has launched a new initiative to promote the importance of good lighting as an aid for sight loss. Building on earlier research which showed that most visually impaired people were unaware of the improvements that better lighting could bring, the 'Light for Sight' framework sets out eight key goals for housing. [Full story...]
Guide Dogs Launch Guide to Services for People with Sight Loss
The Guide Dogs Association has launched a directory of services available for people with sight loss, in association with the UK Vision Strategy. It includes a section covering Wales. [Full story...]
Access.
Touch Tours of the Wales Millennium Centre
The Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay has introduced a new 'Touch Tour' of the building for visually impaired people. The tour includes a live description, and the opportunity to experience different parts of the building. [Full story...]
Channel 4 increases audio description
Channel 4 is increasing the amount of audio description on its programmes to 20% by January 2011. [Full story...]
Cardiff taxi driver fined for refusing to take guide dog
A Cardiff taxi driver who refused to accept a passenger with a guide dog when she tried to travel back from an equality event in Cardiff Bay has been fined £200 with £215 costs for breaking disability laws. [Full story...]
Les Miserables - Audio Described Performance
The 25th anniversary production of musical 'Les Miserables' will be at Bristol Hippodrome in July and includes an audio described performance. [Full story...]
Disabled Persons Railcard cuts the cost of travel for VI people and a companion
People who are registered as having a visual impairment are eligible for a Disabled Persons Railcard, giving one-third off the price of most rail fares. If travelling with an adult companion, they can claim the discount as well. [Full story...]
Blue Badge Facilities Online
The Directgov website now includes an interactive map which allows you to find Blue Badge parking bays, accessible toilets, mobility centres and other information of interest to disabled people for locations across the UK. [Full story...]
Events.
Welsh Synthetic Voice Launch at Eisteddfod on 4 August
The Welsh Synthetic Voice (automated speech software) will be launched at the Eisteddfod on 4 August. The software will enable visually impaired Welsh speakers to access vital information from the internet. [Full story...]
Guide Dog Week 2010 - countdown has started!
This year's Guide Dog Week will be held from 2nd - 10th October, with a theme of 'extraordinary partnerships'. In preparation, Guide Dogs staff, supporters, volunteers and guide dog users are taking photos which illustrate this theme. [Full story...]
Major exhibition will celebrate World Sight Day on 14 October 2010
Sight Support have announced a dual-sensory exhibition to be held at the Swalec Stadium, Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Thursday 14 October, World Sight Day. [Full story...]
AFBP's Mobile Information Service to visit Merthyr, Trelewis and Ystradgynlais in August
Action for Blind People's Mobile Information Service will be visiting Wales in August, giving visitors the opportunity to try the latest technology and gadgets for visually impaired people, and get impartial advice from the AFBP team. [Full story...]
'Finding Your Feet' - Places Available
Action for Blind People is running a series of 'Finding Your Feet' week-ends for people who are finding it difficult to come to terms with losing their sight. Events are held at the organisation's Vision Hotels in Devon or the Lake District. [Full story...]
Sensory awareness trip to Chester Zoo on 30 July
Vision Support Family Group is organising a trip to Chester Zoo on Friday 30 July. For more information, visit their website. [Full story...]
Diabetes Week 2010 dispels myths and encourages healthy lifestyle
Diabetes UK's annual fundraising and awareness week was held last month. This year's event aimed to dispel some of the myths surrounding the condition, and raise awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. [Full story...]
National Glaucoma Awareness Week, 7-13 June
It is estimated that at least 1 in 50 people aged over 40 are at risk of having glaucoma, one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in the UK today, and the shocking reality is that 50% of people with glaucoma are currently unaware of their condition. During this week, the International Glaucoma Association's aim was to raise awareness of the groups at particular risk, and encourage people to have regular eye tests. [Full story...]
Summer School Activities at the Royal National College for the Blind
The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) in Hereford has organised a range of summer activities for visually impaired people, including a multi-activity adventure week, braille training, and a course on prepating for university life. [Full story...]
'Eye to Eye' Conference improves support for VI children and young people
The 'Eye to Eye' conference, organised by Guide Dogs and the National Blind Children's Society, will take place in Birmingham on 28 - 29 October. It is aimed at connecting young people with visual impairment and their families with professionals from the clinical, social and education fields. [Full story...]
National Eye Health Week Website Launched
The UK Vision Strategy has launched its website promoting National Eye Health Week 2010. This sector-wide campaign, which runs from Monday June 14 to Friday June 18 2010, aims to promote the importance of eye health and the need for regular sight tests to people of all ages and from every walk of life. [Full story...]
Vision Support launch new range of activities in Wrexham
Over the next few months, Vision Support will be launching a range of activities for visually impaired people in the Wrexham area, including a Fishing Club and the 'Summer Strollers' walking club. [Full story...]
Technology.
Guide Dogs Launches 'Technowatch'
The Guide Dogs charity has launched a new service, Technowatch, which provides visually impaired people with information about the latest technology to help them get around - and gives them the chance to provide feedback on the products. [Full story...]
RP Fighting Blindness produces new Technology Guide
The website for RP Fighting Blindness, the organisation for people with Retinitis Pigmentosa, includes a new technology guide. It describes accessible products which can make life easier, including computers, mobile phones, kitchen equipment and music tuition, and gives links to related sites with more information. [Full story...]
Opportunities.
Find Visually Impaired Sports Clubs in your local area
The Disability Sports Wales website includes a facility which helps you to find a sports club in your area. [Full story...]
Visually impaired choir wanted to sing new works
Vision Support, the organisation which provides services and support to visually impaired people in North Wales, is aiming to form a choir to sing the music of composer Gary Chilton. [Full story...]
WCB supports a new opportunity for helping young people with sight problems.
In 2005 WCB was pleased to be the original partners with the Field Studies Council to offer young people a residential week-end course at their outdoor centre at Dale Fort, Pembrokeshire. FSC are now looking for new partners to develop this work further. [Full story...]
Other resources.
NALSVI becomes Visionary
NALSVI, the National Association of Local Societies for Visually Impaired People, has been renamed 'Visionary' - although the aims of the organisation remain unchanged. [Full story...]
Newport's Disabled Children Web Pages Updated
The pages of information for children with disabilities on Newport City Council's website have been updated, to provide a wide range of relevant information to parents and carers. [Full story...]
Peter White's Disability Blog
Peter White, the BBC Radio 4 presenter, now has a Blog on the 'You and Yours' website, which will be covering disability issues in alternate posts. Subjects discussed recently include the new government's attitude to disability. [Full story...]
'Look Up' - Information on Eye Care & Vision for people with Learning Disabilities
'Look Up' is a service provided by the charity SeeAbility to give information and support on vision and eye care for people with learning disabilities, their families and carers, and professionals working in this area. [Full story...]
British Gas 'Essentials Programme' helps some VI People
Visually impaired people who are over 70, claim Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance or Pension Credit, and are customers of British Gas may be eligible to benefit from a free range of services, products and advice as a result of a partnership between the company and RNIB. [Full story...]
NHS Direct Wales improves service for people with eye problems
NHS Direct Wales receives over 4,000 calls per year from people with eye problems. A new scheme will improve service to these people by ensuring that they are referred to the most appropriate place and specialist, following the newly agreed national pathway for ophthalmic patients with conditions requiring unscheduled (acute) care.
[Full story...]
Miscellaneous.
Parents warned of the dangers of detergent capsules
Parents are being warned to keep washing detergent capsules away from children after an increase in chemical injuries at a London eye hospital.
If the capsule breaks, it releases a harmful alkaline solution which can cause scarring or even blindness.
[Full story...]
