Megobapp Newsletter
Issue Eleven March 2007
Welcome
May we extend a hearty welcome to this Easter edition of “Megonews”. There is no doubt that the quarter ends are quickly upon us.
And what have we got in this quarter's issue to tantalise those taste buds? Will this issue be as provocative as the previous one? Only time will tell!
There will be the usual snippets, entertainment reminders, an item on Braille, as well as one on key routes and, oh yes, we have a lengthy rebuke from those in high places; but more of that anon.
As far as this time round is concerned, it has been decided to cut back slightly on our circulation to safeguard our resources. This will affect the circulation of cassettes to the numerous Manchester Libraries which has previously involved something in the order of 50 audio cassettes each quarter – none of which have been returned. Having said that, however, there is to be no cut back in the other formats of the newsletter that are distributed.
As often mentioned, we are always anxious to find visually-impaired people (VIP's) in the Manchester area who want to involve themselves in MEGOBAPP. If you are such a person, or, in fact, are aware of a VIP who might be interested, then we would like to hear from you. Just give one of the Officers a ring. You will find their telephone numbers at the end of this item as well as at the end of this newsletter. Alternatively, you can email MEGOBAPP on info@megobapp.org.uk is this is your preferred form of communication. Go on! Be controversial and join us in our quest to bring about improvements.
Officers of MEGOBAPP:
Chairperson: Ron Goulden – 0161-798-9137;
Secretary: Carole Gausden – 0161-688-7223;
Treasurer: Jean Whittaker – 0161-681-8436.
MEGOBAPP Rebuked!
Long standing readers may remember a rebuke by one of the Engineers from MEDC (Manchester Engineers & Design Consortium) which the group received for drawing their attention to the difficulties experienced by VIPs in the area of Piccadilly Gardens.
It would seem that once again MEGOBAPP have ruffled a few feathers with our December copy of MEGONEWS.
The rebuke this time comes in the name of no less a person than the Deputy Chief Executive of Manchester City Council.
Steve Mycio appears to be upset by not only the “Stop Press” item, but also the article about the Visually-Impaired Steering Group (VISG).
The members of MEGOBAPP feel that there are certain points within the lengthy communication that perhaps need to be aired publicly.
Mr. Mycio's first concern seems to be with MEGOBAPP's application for a “Change Grant”. This application was made in the following circumstances:-
For the second year running MEGOBAPP wrote to the Voluntary Sector Policy and Grants Team on the 1 st February 2006 enquiring about possible funding towards their running costs, travel and newsletter production. An undated, Braille response from the Manager of this Section indicated:
“Regarding your enquiry about funding I am enclosing an application form for a Change Grant. Change Grants are for small groups trying to develop a local initiative or meet the needs of a community interest.”
The foregoing advice from the expert in these matters obviously misdirected the Group as we did not receive the grant for running costs, travel expenses and production of the newsletter.
Mr. Mycio suggests that MEGOBAPP did not receive a grant because some members come from across Greater Manchester.
Of those members who do not live within the city boundaries, one works for Manchester city council, another works in the City Centre and a further member is on a Board of Governors of a City school. Despite this, however, MEGOBAPP's “Aims and Objectives” are clearly targeted to the Manchester City area, and travel expenses for members are only paid within the city limits.
There seems to be another set of rules for Deafblind people. The Sensory Impairment Team in Manchester, is actively engaged in consultation with Deafblind UK; They want to identify deaf-blind people across Greater Manchester and are eager to provide transportation in order to swell the numbers at the Manchester Deaf Centre. The centre has also provided much needed support for hearing impaired people for many years, though its Management Board has a number of non-Manchester residents
It would appear that double standards are in play as there is no such support available for the Visually impaired who, like MEGOBAPP , have to “generate” their own funding.
VISUALLY IMPAIRED STEERING GROUP (VISG).
Much of the letter relates to the issues upon which the VISG have been focusing.
Although Mr. Mycio's detailed “explanation” of the VISG's role, would indicate the contrary, MEGOBAPP have been involved since its inception.
Our members have been very much part of the decision making. We have given our time freely to evaluate the V.I. Awareness Trainers and met with the consultants employed by Adult Social Care.
The extent of MEGOBAPP's involvement is perhaps highlighted by the attendance at the March meeting. Of the six visually-impaired attendees, four were members of MEGOBAPP with a further person contemplating joining.
It does seem that Chief Executives are “grasping at straws” in their attempt to marginalize MEGOBAPP.
The executives of the council appear to be satisfied that the VISG has already achieved its goals.
Their plans for a champion for visual impairment for each department was said to be complete. This quote from the minutes of 31 st January contradicts that assertion
“Vicky (the then Chair) highlighted that there are still a few departments that do not have champions in place…”. A position which still applied at the March meeting.
On the question of better provision of information for VIP's, in the form of an accessible A-Z booklet. Whilst Braille copies were produced by a small, visually-impaired Charity, no audio version was produced even though the Physical Disability Service Manager mistakenly assumed that they had.
Where the VISG is concerned, perhaps the Chief Executives are attempting to “teach a granny to suck eggs'.
It would seem that the main purpose of the MEGONEWS article was not understood by those in authority. Its intention was to highlight the gulf between the support and independent control available to the visually-impaired, community and that of other sensory impaired communities.
MEGOBAPP will strive to achieve greater parity for the Visually Impaired in Manchester, even if it means “treading on some council toes”.
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Snippets
We can Work
Tell the world that visually impairment is not a barrier to work.
The European Blind Union is creating an international website to celebrate all the different types of jobs of people who are blind or who have partial sight.
You can contribute too.
If you are:
• a visually impaired person who works;
B) an employer of a visually impaired person;
• an organisation that supports visually impaired people.
A very simple template has been created for you to complete. The information needed is short.
Please have a look at the website that is being constructed for:
• examples of jobs already posted;
• the template;
• how to take part.
This is a great chance to show others what we can do.
www.euroblind.org/jobwebsite/siteintro.htm
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Hotels
Action for Blind People's latest brochure for their Cliffden Hotel, Dawlish Road, Teignmouth, Devon is now available. This hotel specifically caters for visually impaired people. They offer a free place for every 20 people booked in in a party.
For more information call the hotel on 01626 770052, or email cliffden.hotel@actionforblindpeople.org.uk
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Welfare Rights advice
A Welfare Rights Service has been provided by Action for Blind People from their Head Office in London for quite some time. In recent years, their services have also been available from an office in Preston, which has served the North-West region.
During the past month or so, Action for Blind People have opened an office to serve the Greater Manchester residents in their provision of advice on a wide range of Benefits issued. If you need to contact them for advice you can do so by ringing them on 0161-787-9252, or by writing to them at 5 th Floor, Orbit House, Albert Street, Eccles, M30 0LB.
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Cobolt Systems
Cobolt Systems have produced their new catalogue in which there are several new items. These include a Talking Multi-functional Radio, re-introduction of the W20 male voice calendar and the Talking CD Wallet.
For a copy of the catalogue, please ring 01493 700172 or visit their website: www.cobolt.co.uk
Argos Catalogue on CD
The new Argos Catalogue is now available on CD free of charge to any visually-impaired person. You can order by email at: Irwin.bray@soundtalking.co.uk or by telephoning Mariette on 01435 862737.
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Blind Golfer Needs Help
In fact many golfers need help even when their vision is fine, so imagine trying a round of golf when you have little or no sight.
Gary Thompson, 28, is such a person he was born with deteriorating vision. He lost all sight in his right eye at the age of eight and is now registered blind.
Gary was a keen sportsman when he was younger but only picked up a golf club in the last few months and found it to be a great experience. The English Blind Golf Association, who provided a sighted guide to help him navigate the course, set up Gary's first round but now Gary needs sighted guides to be able to continue playing golf.
Gary, who lives in the Whitefield area of Manchester is now looking for reliable Guides, as he wants to play in tournaments but obviously without a sighted guide to help him locate the ball and point him in the right direction it is impossible.
Gary has embraced Golf and has also tried out for the National Disabled Games held in Accrington; he tried for swimming, darts, indoor bowls and snooker.
Email; gazthompson78@postmaster.co.uk
The English Blind Golf Association
If you would like further details of the EBGA you can call them on: Company Secretary Neil Baxter: 01992 525172. Chairman Barry Ritchie: 02476 414166
There is an online membership application form that you can fill in and send them at their website: www.blindgolf.co.uk
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Manchester Job Fair
Once again Manchester City Council will be hosting, what appears to be developing into, its annual Job Fair.
This will take place on Monday, 16 th April, in Manchester Town Hall.
The whole purpose of this event is to give disabled people an opportunity of discovering what work opportunities are available to them, not only within the City Council workforce, but with other employers in the City.
It is anticipated that information will be provided in all formats to meet the needs of the various impairments.
Looking for worthwhile employment? Then why not call in on this event to discover if there is a job or two available for which you have the necessary skills?
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Ultra-Cane demonstrated
Thanks to a grant from the City Council's Voluntary Sector Policy and Grants Team MEGOBAPP has acquired an Ultra-Cane. This cane is fitted with two sensors to draw its user's attention to obstructions at a normal level and at shoulder/head height.
It is intended to show this equipment to various groups in the City and, thereafter, loan it for a short period to interested Manchester residents for them to determine its usefulness to their mobility.
As the equipment is somewhat expensive, it could be that interested parties may need to look at possible grant aid before they are in a position to secure one.
If your visually-impaired group would welcome a visit then do not hesitate to contact one of the Officers shown at the end of the Newsletter.
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Key Routes are surveyed
Prior to the Commonwealth Games in 2002, the City Council identified and surveyed a number of what they considered to be “Key Routes” in the City Centre.
These surveys attempted to identify improvements that were called for in order to remove the barriers facing disabled people. Since that time, it is indeed unfortunate that additional hazards have been installed, some for the benefit of Commonwealth visitors by the provision of information points.
Resources have recently been identified to re-visit the “Key Routes” with a view to highlighting their failure to conform to “good practice” within the external environment.
Whilst the Manchester Disabled People's Access Group have been appointed as the lead organisation, it is intended that other disability groups would participate in order to obtain a cross-section of views. For their time, expertise and effort these groups would be suitably rewarded.
The primarily concerns are to develop a methodology which could be used to check the accessibility on specific routes within the City.
The check-list has been tried out on the Piccadilly area and along Portland Street. Many bad features will be brought to light varying from obstructions, poor footways, open steps descending from the footway, lack of controlled crossings, poorly designed crossings, etc.
Controlled crossing over Nicholas Street on the West side of Portland Street is not a well designed crossing in that the tactile on the North side is askew which has the possibility of directing a visually-impaired person using the front edge of the tactile to veer to their left.
The substantial sweep of the radius at some junctions is no doubt inserted for the benefit of motorists, but it certainly reduces the chance of a straight roadside edge of the blistered surface.
The uncontrolled crossing over Dickinson Street is much worse as will be seen by the photograph below. The substantial radius at this junction has produced a tactile front line which is likely to direct a visually-impaired person across Portland Street instead of Dickinson Street.
The second photograph shows one of the obstructions; an electricity box in the line of walk along Portland Street which is neither highlighted nor provided with a tactile warning in accordance with the “Design for Access 2” manual.
In view of the many poor features that are likely to be identified along the various routes, we must be left wondering how far the City Council funds will stretch towards eliminating these. Seeing they have taken the step of asking disabled people to draw the various poor features to their attention, will their failure to remedy these put the Council in breach of their Disability Equality Duty?
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Transport Matters
Metrolink Closedown
The track replacement work on the Bury Metrolink line starts in May, the timetable for the closure appears to be:
May: Partial weekend closures;
End of May: closure of the line from Bury to Whitefield;
End of June: closure of the line from Bury to Crumpsall;
End of July to mid September: closure of whole line from Victoria to Bury.
The track replacement on the Altrincham line will start early July to the end of August with the line closed from Altrincham to Cornbrook.
Metrolink will continue to run to Eccles and in the City centre between Piccadilly and Victoria and as far as Cornbrook over the whole period.
Replacement buses will run for Metrolink customers, providing a mix of express, limited stop and every stop along the routes affected.
Whether the replacement buses will be fully accessible is not clear, but, judging from previous experience, this is somewhat doubtful.
For more details on the Metrolink work call the Metrolink team on 0161-244-1450.
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Metrolink – What can we expect?
As we approach the time when millions of pounds of Government money is to be spent by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive/Authority on the Metrolink system – Phase 1 -, we perhaps need to have a brief look at our expectations when the work has been done and the system opens up again in September.
Whilst there is no doubt an urgent need to upgrade the old track, there is a similar need for action to be taken to obviate the difficulties and hazards confronting disabled people, many of which have already been highlighted in previous issues of “Megonews”.
Is the levelling of the platforms at Stretford with the inclusion of a platform edge tactile warning an indication that all platforms are to be treated in this way? It would make all doors accessible and eliminate the gap and change of level at the front and rear doors.
Will all steps off and on the approach to platforms be provided with the corduroy warning surface at the head and foot?
Will we see the re-siting of obstructions so that they no longer present a hazard by their re-positioning in either the guard rails or against the wall at the rear of the platform? The central platform at Victoria Station and its approach are particularly dangerous to visually-impaired passengers with numerous obstructions and a lack of warning surfaces. Perhaps the inclusion of guide rails to the approach to take passengers round the obstructions, along with the provision of the platform edge warning surface would reduce the difficulties. Will we see any such safeguards?
Will there be consultation between the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive and the Manchester City Council to reduce the difficulty experienced in crossing the tram tracks at certain points, particularly near stations, by the inclusion of permanently revolving cones on control boxes when there is no tram movement?
In view of the numerous breakdowns with lifts and escalators (which sometimes last for several days), will consideration be given to the inclusion of other means of access for wheelchair users at these stations, i.e. ramps?
Particularly where their multi-destination trams, are we likely to see the provision of some audible announcements for the benefit of passengers unable to access a print format?
Come September we will discover what, if anything, has been done to overcome the problems faced by visually-impaired people using the Metrolink system. Are we likely to be disappointed with the outcome or do the Authority now have a duty to ensure that disabled people are not disadvantaged?
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Solar-powered Bus Shelters
The region's first solar-powered bus shelters are on their way after Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) gave the go-ahead to the environmentally-friendly initiative.
The Authority's Policy Committee have released £100,000 to fit new solar-powered lighting systems to 49 bus shelters across the Region.
Roof-mounted solar panels will generate electricity during the day which is then stored in batteries to light up the bus shelter at night. The lights at the stops are activated by sensors and only come on when there is someone at the stop.
The environmentally-friendly shelters will be the first in Greater Manchester and follow the success of a trial at two bus shelters last year. The 49 shelters chosen have been recently installed as part of the Authority's Bus Shelter Programme.
Whether this will lead to the elimination of obstructions at these sites is not yet known.
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The right to learn Braille
Why am I grateful that my hands were tied into a black bag with a book?
I am reliably informed that there is a great reluctance to teach Braille even to children. Some Local Education Authorities and Local Societies for the Blind are telling newly blind people and parents of blind children that Braille is no longer necessary because computers can read to adults and children alike. And, yes, that is true computers can read to us but when listening we are not reading so without Braille blind people are illiterate.
I was taught Braille at the age of twelve when I went to Special School, that is when the girls who had useful residual vision had their hands tied into bags with the Braille primer so there was no cheating. My sight has gradually deteriorated and without Braille I would have not been able to work as a physiotherapist or run a moderately efficient home. When studying it is sometimes necessary to read and reread a sentence several times so that new words and names can be grasped and the spelling learned, this is not easy with a machine but very easy when reading Braille. Brailled shopping lists, telephone numbers and a variety of labelling mean that I can function independently.
However, reading for pleasure is the greatest bonus, there is nothing like settling down in front of the fire with a book. Talking Books are excellent but quite different from reading to oneself; the reader is interpreting the author's meaning and, occasionally, this is not done correctly.
A child aged seven with the same eye condition as I have has been told he cannot learn Braille until he is totally blind and that, even then, it will not be necessary so his mother has launched a Downing Street petition to Save Braille. http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SaveBraille/ She is anxious to secure as many signatories as possible to the petition; those that feel the campaign is justified are urged to add their names by logging on to this web page.
The earlier a child learns to read Braille the better; high profile people, Peter White, Garry O'Donoghue and David Blunkett all learnt to read as infants and would not have been able to succeed in their professions without the ability to read quickly.
To extrapolate this to a logical but ridiculous conclusion it is not necessary to teach any child to read or write, simply sit them in front of a speech activated computer.
Braille is essential but not to the exclusion of computers, Talking Books and other electronic devices; they are all complementary.
The quiet revolutionary
The following is part of a Third Sector article on Lesley-Anne Alexander and RNIB re-branding.
Lesley-Anne Alexander, chief executive, RNIB Combining with other sight-loss charities for a “coherent strategy”.
Lesley-Anne Alexander does not have a reputation for being the most outspoken of the top 100 charities' chief executives. If anything, she has rather hidden her light under a bushel during three outwardly unspectacular years at the RNIB. But opinions might soon need to be revised.
“There is a hearts and minds exercise to be done within our own sector,” she says. “I'm horrified at the amount of bickering and positioning and politicking that goes on. I'm not going to collude with that.”
In place of strife and competition, Alexander is calling for “a coherent strategy for the sight-loss sector”. That aspiration will start to become reality in April, when the RNIB, Action for Blind People, Guide Dogs and Vision 2020 launch a nine-month consultation exercise to develop a national vision strategy that will encompass optometrists, high street opticians, the Department of Health, talking newspapers, national charities and local societies for the blind. The strategy will seek to identify a message for the whole sector.
This process is a “huge aspiration”, she believes, especially for inward-facing national charities. “We need to make the UK a better place for blind and partially sighted people,” she says. “We have the brains and the resources to do it. But we waste resources in our sector on duplication because of egos, and we need to make sure that we have the needs of blind and partially sighted people in focus, rather than our own.”
If such strident views have not reverberated around the sector until now, it is perhaps because Alexander has been busy carrying out a minor internal revolution at the RNIB head office in London's King's Cross.
Alexander is also changing the RNIB's public face. Its name will change from the Royal National Institute of the Blind to the Royal National Institute of Blind People this summer. “The existing name is great, but it does narrow what people think of us,” she says. “We've done market research with our members, and some of the criticism we had is that we've been a bit aloof. We want to make sure people understand that we're here for them.” The organisation's strapline will also change to 'Supporting blind and partially sighted people', and its “man with stick” logo will be ditched for a leaf design.
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Whilst MEGOBAPP supports the change in name to Royal National Institute of Blind People, there could be concerns at the “big Charities” combining. Who will be determining the direction? It is anticipated that those “with the biggest pen” and therefore the greater influence will be non-visually-impaired people.
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Entertainment News
Brochures
Even though the local theatres are well into their Spring and Summer brochures, it is still not too late to secure a copy in your preferred format.
Both the Manchester Library Theatre (Marketing section – 0161-234-1919) and the Royal Exchange Theatre (marketing Section – via 0161-833-9333) should be able to meet your requirements.
Audio Described Performances
April
12 th : “Chapter Two”; at Manchester Library Theatre; 7.30 p.m.
14 th : “Chapter Two”; Manchester Library Theatre; 3 p.m.
28 th : “Triumph of Love”; The Royal Exchange Theatre; 4 p.m.
May
2 nd : “How the other half Lives”; Oldham Coliseum; production time not known.
9 th : “Absurd Person Singular”; The Bolton Octagon; production time not known.
June
7 th : “Someone Who'll Watch over me”; Manchester Library Theatre;
8 p.m.
9 th : “Someone Who'll watch over me”; Manchester Library Theatre;
3 p.m.
23 rd : “The Tempest”; The Royal Exchange Theatre; 4 p.m.
July
21 st : “Pretend you have Big Buildings”; The Royal Exchange Theatre;
4 p.m.
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Manchester Art Gallery
The Art Gallery is situated on Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3JL.
The Manchester Art Gallery produces regular sessions for visually-impaired visitors to benefit from the exhibitions available. To find out when these are available you can ring the Art Gallery on 0161-235-8888 or visit their website at: www.manchestergalleries.org
Alien Nation - 17 March-7 May
Alien Nation explores the relationship between science fiction, race and art. Twelve contemporary artists use extra-terrestrial forms to explore racial difference and as a metaphor for the threat of the outsider. Alien Nation is an in IVA and ICA touring exhibition supported by Arts Council England and the Esm@ee Fairbairn Foundation.
Audio described tour for visually impaired people: Thurs. 19 April, 10.30am-12 noon. Free, no need to book.
Exhibition tour: Thurs. 19 April, 1 - 1.45pm. Join the curator John Gill for an informal tour around the exhibition. Free, no need to book.
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Cornerhouse Cinema
The Cornerhouse Cinema is situated on Whitworth Street, at the foot of the Oxford Road station approach.
They regularly screen films which have a pre-recorded audio description.
Ring the Box Office on 0161-200-1500 to ascertain when the audio-described films are showing.
It is understood that, if there is sufficient take up, an audio-described filming can be arranged by cinema staff.
And Finally
That's about it for this quarter. We hope you have found something of interest within these pages. If you find any of its contents controversial, why not tell us and let us have your views, which if you wish can be produced in the next issue with or without your name.
MEGOBAPP is a self-organised group of visually-impaired people who live, work (waged or unwaged) or have a particular interest in the area controlled by Manchester City Council. We are always anxious to recruit members, particularly residents or workers from the Manchester City area. If you feel you would like to know more, or would like to involve yourself with the group, you can contact one of the Officers shown at the end of this Newsletter or you can email us at: info@megobapp.org.uk And don't forget, if you would like to know what has appeared in earlier editions of “Megonews”, then you can catch up on these by visiting our website at: www.megobapp.org.uk
We hope to be back on the “news Stands” at the end of June. Perhaps at that time we could look at the Manchester City Council's Disability Equality Scheme and ponder whether their Chief Executive will be conducting business from one of Her Majesty's establishments.
Officers of MEGOBAPP:
Chairperson: Ron Goulden - `0161-798-9137.
Secretary: Carole Gausden – 0161-688-7223.
Treasurer: Jean Whittaker – 0161-681-3684.