Recent articles.
WCB News.
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...]
Health and Social Services: the experiences of VI people.
In connection with some work we're currently undertaking, this report of findings from a survey conducted by WCB is back online. [Full story...]
WCB Blogs
This site hosts now a couple of blogs: one from our Director, Phil, and another from staff in general. [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...]
Contribute to the debate on Citizen Directed Support
Wales Alliance for Citizen Directed Support (WACDS) has been established to progress the introduction of a new model of social care and support in Wales, which aims to give disabled people choice and control over how their services are funded and provided. They are asking disabled people and other interested parties to contribute to the debate by the end of November.
[Full story...]
Reports and Publications.
Growing Food when you have Sight Problems
Thrive, the charity which helps disabled people to enjoy gardening, has produced a new book, 'Getting on with Growing Food' which gives detailed information on how to grow fruit and vegetables when you have sight loss. [Full story...]
New Handbook Raises Awareness of Alström Syndrome
'Alström Syndrome UK', the support group for people with this rare inherited condition, has published a handbook giving more information about it. The guide will be of interest to parents, medical and health professionals. [Full story...]
Focus on Music - For VI Children
London University's Institute of Education (IOE) has published two books which explore the musicality of visually impaired children, and will be of interest to parents, carers and professionals working with these children. [Full story...]
Promoting Disability Equality in the Public Sector
A new report from RADAR, the disability campaigning organisation, gives practical advice and guidance to public authorities on how they can promote and deliver disability equality. [Full story...]
Report considers the role of Braille for people who lose their sight in adulthood
A report commissioned by RNIB looks at the attitudes of people who have lost their sight as adults towards braille, and also considers the perceived barriers to greater uptake of braille for such people. Despite these barriers, it concludes that braille holds an important place which can be maintained, and even strengthened. [Full story...]
Low Vision - The Essential Guide for Optometrists
Guide Dogs and The College of Optometrists have joined together to launch a ground-breaking new book called Low Vision – the essential guide for optometrists. It is designed to meet the need of the optometrist, and recognises the key role that they can play in helping someone come to terms with permanent sight loss. [Full story...]
Sight Loss and Dementia: New Approach Needed
Although sight loss and dementia are common problems in older people (particularly those in long-term care facilities), two new reports by the Thomas Pocklington Trust show that few studies or reports address the needs of people with both conditions. You can read the reports here. [Full story...]
Study Shows that Occuptional Therapists Need Training in Sight Loss
A new study by the Thomas Pocklington Trust explores how the education of occupational therapists could be enhanced to improve services for visually impaired people, and concludes that further education on sight loss would be welcomed by educational institutions and therapists. [Full story...]
BridgeVIS Newsletter
The Bridgend and District Visual Impairment Society, BridgeVIS, produces a newsletter as one of the ways it supports visually impaired people in the area. [Full story...]
Annual Evidence Update on Diabetic Retinopathy Published
The NHS Evidence website has published its annual update of information on diabetic retinopathy, which gives an up-to-date, comprehensive collection of medical information that has been subject to rigorous selection criteria. Topics covered include incidence and prevalence of the condition, risk factors and treatments. You can read the report here. [Full story...]
Report Highlights the Need for Emotional Support
A research report by the Thomas Pocklington Trust shows that the potentially devastating effect of sight loss is linked to an increased need for emotional support, but there is little evidence about how this can be provided effectively. You can read the report on the website. [Full story...]
Guide Dog Week 2009 - Report on Problems of Children & Young People with Sight Loss
The theme for Guide Dog Week in 2009 was children and young people. To read the report which was launched during the week go to the website [Full story...]
Access.
Shopping Buddies Scheme in Rhyl
Following a successful trial, Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council has launched a Shopping Buddies Service at Sainsbury's in Rhyl. The service operates every Wednesday between 11am and 3pm, when volunteers are available to escort customers and help them with their shopping. [Full story...]
National Trust Access Guide Available
The National Trust's Access Guide for 2010 is now available, giving details of the accessibility of their properties in Wales, England and Northern Ireland. [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...]
Blind Children can now SEE Peter Rabbit and Friends™
For the first time, pictures of the characters featured by Beatrix Potter ™ in her Peter Rabbit ™ books are NOW available in an accessible format for visually impaired and blind people. Colin Antwis of Fieldsman Trails Ltd in North Wales has entered into licensing agreement with Chorion, the worldwide merchandising agent for Beatrix Potter, to produce coloured tactile images (on Zytex swellpaper) of the characters featured in the 23 Peter Rabbit books for distribution worldwide. [Full story...]
Ceredigion Talking Newspaper Celebrates 40 Years
Ceredigion's Talking Newspaper has been serving visually impaired people in the area for 40 years. The anniversary was covered by BBC Wales - you can see the film here. [Full story...]
New Website for Accessible Tourism in Britain
An alliance between disability organisations Tourism for All
UK and DisabledGo has resulted in a new website, OpenBritain, which is intended to transform the leisure and tourism choices of disabled people. [Full story...]
Sky helps VI customers get the most out of their TV Service
Broadcaster Sky has launched a new website giving details of the facilities available to disabled customers. [Full story...]
'Access in Flintshire' helps VI people
Flintshire Access has been superceded by 'Access in Flintshire', a voluntary group formed to assist people with sensory impairments or disabilities. [Full story...]
Events.
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...]
Vacation Schemes for Children & Young People with Sight Problems
Action for Blind People will be running a number of week-long vacation schemes for children and young people with sight problems this summer. [Full story...]
Mobile Sight Loss Information Service to visit Powys in March
Action for Blind People's Mobile Information Service will be visiting various locations in Powys between 23rd and 25th March to demonstrate equipment and products, and to offer free and impartial advice on sight loss.
[Full story...]
Technology.
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...]
Low Vision Aids Competition
A competition to design an innovative low vision magnifier has been launched at the Low Vision Aid Award microsite. [Full story...]
Windows 7 boasts improved accessibility features.
Microsoft's newest operating system, Windows 7, has accessibility high on its list of priorities. [Full story...]
"Reading with Confidence" published.
The provision of low vision aids to children in Wales will be extended to include electronic magnifiers. A report by WCB made recommendations to the Low Vision Service. [Full story...]
Opportunities.
IT Assessor required in Ceredigion area.
Wales Council for the Blind (WCB) in partnership with Ceredigion Association for the Blind is seeking an ICT Development Officer for Visually Impaired People to cover the Ceredigion area.
[Full story...]
Come on Board Project.
‘Come on Board’ are setting up a Housing Specific database in Wales and are looking for volunteers who would like to become Board members of Housing Organisations. [Full story...]
Turn2Us - grants for individuals
Turn2us is a registered charity that helps individuals access money available to them through welfare benefits, grants and other financial help. [Full story...]
‘An Eye for Talent’ – Welsh Employers Wanted
Blind in Business, the organisation that helps visually impaired graduates compete equally with sighted candidates for jobs, has launched a year long, UK-wide campaign called ‘An Eye for Talent’. The campaign will educate employers about the blind and partially sighted talent pool available and will encourage them not to scale back their recruitment of visually impaired people during the recession. [Full story...]
Other resources.
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...]
Free Audio Publications from 'Sound Talking'
Sound Talking, which is the commercial arm of National Talking Newspapers and Magazines, provides publications from M&S, Argos, Sainsbury's and Waitrose in audio CD, free of charge. [Full story...]
3D Films Can Cause Problems for People with some Eye Conditions
Following the recent release of the film 'Avatar' a report in the Daily Telegraph suggests that people with eye conditions that impair stereoscopic vision may find it difficult, or even impossible, to experience 3D. [Full story...]
Cash Counts - for Parents of Disabled Children
Families with disabled children face enormous financial challenges, so it is vital that they get all the benefits to which they are entitled. The charity 'Contact a Family' has launched 'Cash Counts' an online service which helps families to negotiate the complex benefits system. [Full story...]
CIB Launch Fund Raising CD
A charity record, 'What Colour is the Wind' performed by Welsh singer Mike Doyle, will be used to raise money for Cardiff Institute for the Blind. [Full story...]
'How to Look Good Naked' features a Visually Impaired Woman
In the Channel 4 programme 'How to Look Good Naked' on Tuesday 2 February, Gok Wan gave style advice to a visually impaired woman. For more information, see the programme website. [Full story...]
Practical Advice on Daily Living Equipment
The Disabled Living Foundation has a website, 'Living Made Easy', which gives impartial advice on daily living aids for disabled people. [Full story...]
Home Heat Helpline - Help for Disabled People
The free Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 offers practical advice for people concerned about paying their energy bills. The Helpline is staffed by specially trained advisors who can give advice on grants and how to save money on your heating bills by making your home more energy efficient. [Full story...]
'Living with Retinitis Pigmentosa' DVD
RP Fighting Blindness, the registered charity dedicated to finding a treatment or cure for retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and supporting people with the condition, has produced a film about living with RP. [Full story...]
Priority Services for Disabled Customers of Energy Suppliers
Visually impaired customers of energy suppliers can sign up for their 'Priority Services Register' which gives access to a range of free services. [Full story...]
Directory of Voluntary Organisations in the Vale available On-line
The Vale Centre for Voluntary Services has recently launched a Directory of Voluntary Organisations that provide health, social care and well-being services in the area. You can access it from the VCVS website. [Full story...]
'Keep Well This Winter' Campaign
The 'Keep Well This Winter' campaign will be running again in Wales, providing older people with information on how to keep healthy and warm, and how to access the benefits available to them. For more information, including details of events in your area, go to the website. [Full story...]
New Teaching Pack will help Children with Low Vision
The Welsh Assembly Government has launched a 'Low Vision Toolkit' which is designed to help children and young people with sight problems to make the best use of their sight. Thought to be the first such teaching aid in the world, it will be provided free to all specialist teachers working with visually impaired children across Wales. [Full story...]
Audio Description available on BBC iPlayer
Around 25 hours per week of the BBC's audio described programmes are now available on their video-on-demand service, the BBC iPlayer. [Full story...]
Message Board Launched for People with Diabetes
diabetessupport.co.uk is an on-line message board allowing people to exchange knowledge and experiences about the condition. [Full story...]
'Patient Opinion' of the NHS
Patient Opinion is a new NHS website enabling people to find out about patients' experience of the NHS - and contribute their own stories. [Full story...]
Health Talk Online - Personal Experience of Illness
An award-winning website lets you share in other people's experience of health and illness. [Full story...]
Guides for Parents of Disabled Children
Working Families, the charity which helps children, working parents and carers and their employers find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work, has produced several documents of interest to parents of disabled children. [Full story...]
Miscellaneous.
Blindness fears for Caerphilly woman.
A beauty queen hopes to win the Miss Wales crown before a rare eye disorder robs her of her sight. [Full story...]
ISA Vetting & Barring scheme
The Independent Safeguarding Authority Vetting & Barring Scheme was launched on 12 October 2009 introducing safeguards to further enhance the protection of children and vulnerable adults: [Full story...]
