TransMedia Link's Blog

Does your organisation provide accessible versions(i.e Braille)of their documents for those who cannot access standard print?

2010-09-21T14:51:00.001+01:00

http://polls.linkedin.com/p/103359/xyzet

Do you think the number of Braille users is in decline?

2010-09-21T14:50:00.000+01:00

http://polls.linkedin.com/p/103367/vhztr

Are you aware of Easyread format which involves translating a document for use by people with learning disabilities?

2010-09-21T14:49:00.000+01:00

http://polls.linkedin.com/p/103496/sbpnr

TransMedia Link features on Royal Mail promotional video

2009-07-14T16:13:00.001+01:00

Accessible accounts? Don't bank on it!

2009-02-11T11:51:00.005Z

Disabled savers are being hit as the number of accounts accessible in branches has fallen by a quarter in the past year.

Many older savers, particularly pensioners, prefer the certainty of paying in their money at a branch. A year ago, there were 1,025 easy access accounts offering in-branch transactions, compared to just 752 today, according to the research by personal finance website MoneyExpert.com. They may not have access to a computer or may have security concerns about banking online.

But their choice of accounts accessible in branches has reduced as banks close them in favour of offering more tempting deals online. Internet savings accounts are much more cost effective than branch accounts for banks and the research showed savers pay a premium for insisting on having a branch facility.

Sean Gardner, director of MoneyExpert.com, said: "There's been a real shift to online banking in recent years. But with savers now so much more uncertain about the safety of their money, having an account that offers the security of being able to physically make transactions in-branch is an obvious plus.

"Older savers, in particular, like the assurance offered by dealing with their bank face to face, but it seems they're being punished with the rates offered."

All the major high street banks offer transcriptions in alternative formats to improve the customer journey for their visually impaired customers, but more can be done to make their finances more accessible. Providing literature in alternative formats in the banking hall for example and sending out transcriptions as soon as possible after the original documents are produced are just some of the ways improvements can be made.

Also banks need to communicate regulatory mailings with their customers in the preferred format to avoid potential legal action.

TransMedia Link works with many banks, building societies and financial institutions to provide a first class service to their visually impaired customers.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you.

Happy Birthday to Lou!

2009-01-05T10:29:00.004Z

Louis Braille - January 4th 1809 - January 6th 1852

Blind people around the world are celebrating the 200th birthday of blind communication pioneer Louis Braille.

The Frenchman gave his name to the revolutionary code of six dots that help the blind read, write and do everyday things that sighted people take for granted.

There are 18,000 UK adults using Braille and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is leading the celebrations of Louis Braille's great achievement throughout 2009.

Braille is not simply used in books - documents such as phone and utility bills, bank statements, lifestyle magazines, shopping catalogues, theatre guides and government reports are regularly transcribed. The list is endless.

David Blunkett MP said: "Braille is a choice.

"For some it means a lifeline to independence, for others, access to literature or information.

"Braille can be hi-tech, or can be produced using old-fashioned means just about anywhere in the world.

"Braille opens up so many opportunities for equality, for independence, and for freedom and privacy: from a simple label on a tin or packet, through to the development of notes for speaking or delivering a statement to the House of Commons.

TransMedia Link can help you with produce your literature in Braille and other accessible formats. Contact one of our Account Managers today for a bespoke solution.

Accessible Doc's...

2008-12-23T10:49:00.005Z

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

Blind Man Seeks Work

2008-12-15T09:43:00.003Z

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

I just called to say…. fancy a dance?

2008-12-12T12:31:00.002Z

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!

Age-related macular degeneration

2008-12-08T10:28:00.001Z

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.

Increase in number of sight tests

2008-12-04T12:31:00.001Z

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?

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

2008-12-03T12:14:00.001Z

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

Shop online - visit our websight!

2008-12-01T12:15:00.001Z

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.

Justice system failing people with learning difficulties, a report suggests

2008-11-25T12:05:00.001Z

The Prison Reform Trust has found that the justice system is failing people with learning difficulties from point of arrest to release from prision.

They want the government to do more by showing that they are committed to the Disability Discrimination Act and reduce the chances of any miscarriages of justice.

The report found:
- Half of those with learning disabilities said they did not know what would happen to them once they had been charged
- More than a fifth did not understand what was going on
- Most said the use of simpler language would have helped them

One way of addressing this issue is to provide documents in Easyread format - a combination of plain English and clipart pictures (some specially commissioned). This format is most commonly used by people with a learning disability, however it is also useful for people such as the elderly or speakers of foreign languages - as most documents contain some words and phrases that can be difficult to understand.

TransMedia Link can translate your document into Easyread within your timescale and budget. Contact us today to find out more.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7736141.stm

User guides for the visually impaired? will a photocopy do?

2008-11-25T08:55:00.001Z

Recently we contacted several major electrical manufacturers to see if their user guides and manuals were available in alternative formats for the visually impaired. The responses were alarming.

"The only alternative is for us to print off a copy of a manual and enlarge it on a photo-copier. We do not provide any other alternatives such as audio or braille."

"Please contact our spares department, I can confirm they also supply user manuals, but whether they are in Braille or not I am un-sure of. Sorry"

It is hard to believe that these formats are not, for want of a better word, more 'accessible' to the visually impaired. You would have thought they would produce these formats for the customer service value alone.

At TransMedia Link we are experts at transcribing manuals, user guides and instructions into audio, Braille and large print formats. Once mastered the guides are held in our transcription library in readiness for call off. Braille, audio and large print copies can be dispatched on the same day as they are ordered to ensure the end user has information as soon as possible.

If you would like more information contact one of our account managers today to see how we can help you. Samples are available on request.
www.transmedialink.co.uk