Action for Blind People have been asked to carry out a scoping exercise on behalf of the Department of Health on what issues vision impaired people have when accessing GP Practices, from the point of actually needing to make an appointment to actually being in contact with a relevant professional practitioner (e.g. doctor or nurse).This could be an actual face to face appointment, telephone consultation, or receiving patient advice and other documentation in their preferred alternative format.
They would like to know what patients find particularly difficult or challenging when they need to see their local GP or a member of the practice team and are interested in learning any ways in which patients feel their Practice has improved access.
The feedback will be fed into the work of the GP Access Programme as the Department of Health who are looking at ways in which local health providers can improve access and better respond to the needs of particular patients including those with sensory loss.
For more information visit the Action for blind people’s website.
http://www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk
The Department of Health produces many leaflets in alternative formats but more can be done on an individual Practice level.
TransMedia Link can help you become more accessible, visit our website to find out how. www.transmedialink.co.uk
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Monday, 15 December 2008
Blind Man Seeks Work
Today on Radio 4 @ 3.45pm the BBC’s disabilities correspondent Peter White presents the first in a week of programmes about jobs where one would think that being able to see was something of a necessity.
Blind since birth, Peter puts his hand to being a vet, cricketer, rock star, pilot and a spy. The idea behind it is to show that he is more that capable and that his other senses help him to fulfill the task.
“Touch, sound and - occasionally and accidentally - smell are all important,” he is told when he goes along to try his hand at dental work on a horse and then sticking his arm up a cow's bottom. “Being able to see probably helps you put your hand in the right hole,” one vet suggests, but White, with his heightened sense of touch, does better with his first feel of a pregnant cow's insides than most sighted students.
The show sounds very interesting and we can’t wait to hear how Peter gets on. For more information about the show click here.
HR Departments should do more to support people who are visually impaired. From producing Contracts of Employment, training manuals and more importantly health and safety and fire procedures in preferred formats, employers have a duty under the DDA.
The governments Access to Work scheme gives visually disabled people and their employers advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of specific needs in the workplace.
For more information about Access to Work click here
Blind since birth, Peter puts his hand to being a vet, cricketer, rock star, pilot and a spy. The idea behind it is to show that he is more that capable and that his other senses help him to fulfill the task.
“Touch, sound and - occasionally and accidentally - smell are all important,” he is told when he goes along to try his hand at dental work on a horse and then sticking his arm up a cow's bottom. “Being able to see probably helps you put your hand in the right hole,” one vet suggests, but White, with his heightened sense of touch, does better with his first feel of a pregnant cow's insides than most sighted students.
The show sounds very interesting and we can’t wait to hear how Peter gets on. For more information about the show click here.
HR Departments should do more to support people who are visually impaired. From producing Contracts of Employment, training manuals and more importantly health and safety and fire procedures in preferred formats, employers have a duty under the DDA.
The governments Access to Work scheme gives visually disabled people and their employers advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of specific needs in the workplace.
For more information about Access to Work click here
Friday, 12 December 2008
I just called to say…. fancy a dance?
Stevie Wonder is set to become the first ever legally blind contestant on 'Dancing with the Stars'
The singer has confirmed that he has been approached by producers and says he is considering the offer.
"It'd be fun. It's not impossible, but right now it's just a thought," said the 58 year old on a US radio show.
The singer said he was also tempted to appear on the show to shed some weight.
'I think it’d be fun – working on my little stomach thing here and losing some more weight. 'I’d do dancing, I’d win the contest.'
The US version of BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing sees celebrity contestants compete in a variety of dance routines.
Stevie Wonder was born in Michigan, in 1950, the star has been blind since infancy. Being given too much oxygen after his premature birth is thought to have developed a disorder which eventually caused his retina to detach.
Despite this, he began learning to play the piano at the age of seven and by the time he was nine, had mastered the drums and harmonica. So rhythm shouldn’t be a problem.
Hopefully this will encourage more blind and partially sighted people to take up dancing. Who knows they might be able to show sighted dancers a thing or two!
The singer has confirmed that he has been approached by producers and says he is considering the offer.
"It'd be fun. It's not impossible, but right now it's just a thought," said the 58 year old on a US radio show.
The singer said he was also tempted to appear on the show to shed some weight.
'I think it’d be fun – working on my little stomach thing here and losing some more weight. 'I’d do dancing, I’d win the contest.'
The US version of BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing sees celebrity contestants compete in a variety of dance routines.
Stevie Wonder was born in Michigan, in 1950, the star has been blind since infancy. Being given too much oxygen after his premature birth is thought to have developed a disorder which eventually caused his retina to detach.
Despite this, he began learning to play the piano at the age of seven and by the time he was nine, had mastered the drums and harmonica. So rhythm shouldn’t be a problem.
Hopefully this will encourage more blind and partially sighted people to take up dancing. Who knows they might be able to show sighted dancers a thing or two!
Monday, 8 December 2008
Age-related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the UK. It is a form of macular disease that affects the eye's retina. An estimated 500,000 people in the UK suffer from AMD, 40% of these are over the age of 75.
There are two forms of AMD – dry and wet. Dry AMD means visual cells simply stop functioning. Wet AMD is by far the most aggressive form of the disease. The condition is caused by the growth of new blood vessels under the centre of the retina. These can leak fluid, causing scar tissue to form and destroying central vision in a period of between two months and three years.
The condition causes sufferers to have problems reading, seeing small objects and distorted vision. Objects may take an unusual size or shape. Although peripheral vision is retained, central vision is blurred or distorted. Development of the condition can happen quickly or develop over several months. It generally involves both eyes, although they may not be affected at the same time or to the same degree. People with the condition may become very sensitive to light or actually see lights that are not there.
For many who have this medical condition they will find it difficult to read or have access to any printed material. Having information such as household bills, bank statements and letters provided in formats such as large print or audio is an invaluable part of any sufferer’s life. It is important that companies realise just how important offering information in alternative formats is to people with a visual impairment.
There are two forms of AMD – dry and wet. Dry AMD means visual cells simply stop functioning. Wet AMD is by far the most aggressive form of the disease. The condition is caused by the growth of new blood vessels under the centre of the retina. These can leak fluid, causing scar tissue to form and destroying central vision in a period of between two months and three years.
The condition causes sufferers to have problems reading, seeing small objects and distorted vision. Objects may take an unusual size or shape. Although peripheral vision is retained, central vision is blurred or distorted. Development of the condition can happen quickly or develop over several months. It generally involves both eyes, although they may not be affected at the same time or to the same degree. People with the condition may become very sensitive to light or actually see lights that are not there.
For many who have this medical condition they will find it difficult to read or have access to any printed material. Having information such as household bills, bank statements and letters provided in formats such as large print or audio is an invaluable part of any sufferer’s life. It is important that companies realise just how important offering information in alternative formats is to people with a visual impairment.
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Increase in number of sight tests
Statistics taken from General Ophthalmic Services (GOS): Activity Statistics for England and Wales, Year Ending 31 March 2008 shows in England the number of NHS sight tests came in at 11.048 million, an increase of 563 thousand (5.4 per cent) on the previous year. Between 2002/03 and 2007/08, there was an increase of 1.386 million (14.3 per cent).
NHS Information Centre Chief Executive Tim Straughan said “A sight test has the potential to transform a person's quality of life and our figures show that the number of tests has increased by nearly 1.4 million since 2002-03."
"A main objective of General Ophthalmic Services is to provide eye care for those who need it most, such as children, people on low incomes and those aged 60 and over. The increase in the number of tests, issued vouchers and ophthalmic practitioners shown in our reports suggests such services are reaching those people.”
Even though these services are reaching more people, is there an increasing awareness that people with a visual impairment are entitled to receive any literature they require in an alternative format? Anyone with a sight impairment (no matter how small it maybe) should have the choice of how they choose to receive any correspondence.
We need to remember, these statistics are for those only entitled to NHS tests, how much has it really increased?
NHS Information Centre Chief Executive Tim Straughan said “A sight test has the potential to transform a person's quality of life and our figures show that the number of tests has increased by nearly 1.4 million since 2002-03."
"A main objective of General Ophthalmic Services is to provide eye care for those who need it most, such as children, people on low incomes and those aged 60 and over. The increase in the number of tests, issued vouchers and ophthalmic practitioners shown in our reports suggests such services are reaching those people.”
Even though these services are reaching more people, is there an increasing awareness that people with a visual impairment are entitled to receive any literature they require in an alternative format? Anyone with a sight impairment (no matter how small it maybe) should have the choice of how they choose to receive any correspondence.
We need to remember, these statistics are for those only entitled to NHS tests, how much has it really increased?
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Today, 3rd Decemeber, is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
A staggering 10% of the worlds population, or 650 million people, live with disabilties. The aim of today is to raise awareness of disabled people's rights at national and international levels.
The theme for this year is 'Dignity and justic for all' and will involve communities participating in forums, discussions and information campaigns to help raise public awareness.
It is hoped today will provide practical actions that will go some way to break down the barriers associated with disability and also help celebrate the aspirations, skills and achievements of people with disabilities.
For more information go to www.un.org/disabilities
A staggering 10% of the worlds population, or 650 million people, live with disabilties. The aim of today is to raise awareness of disabled people's rights at national and international levels.
The theme for this year is 'Dignity and justic for all' and will involve communities participating in forums, discussions and information campaigns to help raise public awareness.
It is hoped today will provide practical actions that will go some way to break down the barriers associated with disability and also help celebrate the aspirations, skills and achievements of people with disabilities.
For more information go to www.un.org/disabilities
Monday, 1 December 2008
Shop online - visit our websight!
Several newspapers are running stories about online shopping today. According to a survey carried out by business advisory firm Deloitte, total online spending will reach £4.7 billion this year—a 10% rise on 2007. 81% of retailers now offer an online service. “Online retailing is still growing, showing more resilience to the current economic storm,” said Anish Patel, Deloitte's director in retail consulting.
With that in mind, it’s worth thinking about your website’s accessibility to people with sight, hearing, mobility and cognitive impairments. “Accessibility” in this context is defined by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) as “the degree to which anyone can access and use a website using any web browsing technology”. Alternative format web browsers use a wide range of alternative approaches that are different from traditional mouse-and-screen-based browsers—typically allowing navigation using speech, large print and even Braille output.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the international standards organization for the World Wide Web, publishes extensive Content Accessibility Guidelines explaining how to maximise websites’ compatibility with these browsers. Essentially, these try to separate content from style, so the essence of your site remains accessible regardless of how it’s accessed.
In 2006, the topic reached front-page headlines when America’s National Federation of the Blind (NFB) sued mass merchandise retailer Target, alleging that it violated Californian disabled-rights law because its website was not operable by persons with a disability. The court ruled in favour of the NFB, laying down a precedent for corporations to be held liable for failure to make their web site accessible.
How long until a similar case is brought on this side of the pond?
TransMedia Link are accessible format specialists and can ensure your website is available to everyone. Contact us today.
With that in mind, it’s worth thinking about your website’s accessibility to people with sight, hearing, mobility and cognitive impairments. “Accessibility” in this context is defined by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) as “the degree to which anyone can access and use a website using any web browsing technology”. Alternative format web browsers use a wide range of alternative approaches that are different from traditional mouse-and-screen-based browsers—typically allowing navigation using speech, large print and even Braille output.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the international standards organization for the World Wide Web, publishes extensive Content Accessibility Guidelines explaining how to maximise websites’ compatibility with these browsers. Essentially, these try to separate content from style, so the essence of your site remains accessible regardless of how it’s accessed.
In 2006, the topic reached front-page headlines when America’s National Federation of the Blind (NFB) sued mass merchandise retailer Target, alleging that it violated Californian disabled-rights law because its website was not operable by persons with a disability. The court ruled in favour of the NFB, laying down a precedent for corporations to be held liable for failure to make their web site accessible.
How long until a similar case is brought on this side of the pond?
TransMedia Link are accessible format specialists and can ensure your website is available to everyone. Contact us today.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)