Megobapp Newsletter
Issue Five September 2005
Welcome
As we embark on this, the September edition of "Megonews", we realise that it is our first anniversary. Our August 2004 copy of "Megonews" was made possible by limited resources provided through Manchester Community Chest. The remaining three issues - four including the present one - has been achieved by the efforts of members - sometimes using their personal resources - and the meagre funds that the group hold. Questions are likely to be raised as to MEGOBAPP's ability to maintain this means of general communication as well as determining its effect on outside bodies and individuals. That, however, is something for the future.
As for now, "Megonews" this quarter will contain less photographs and, for a change, will not be emphasising those numerous hazards faced by visually-impaired people on the streets of Manchester. Instead, our main access item will focus on bus stations in the hope that the City Council will learn from the errors which have occurred elsewhere in the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive area.
Within these pages will look at entertainment, inclusive education, V.I. issues and some technology.
We had hoped we would be in a position to look at responses to the hazard survey. Unfortunately, we feel more responses will be needed before making any assessment.
We hope that you find something stimulating and perhaps persuading you to become involved with MEGOBAPP.
Contact details:
Website:
www.megobapp.org.uk
E-mail: info@megobapp.org.uk
Officers:
Chairperson - Ron Goulden (0161-798-9137);
Secretary - Carole Gausden (0161-681-2654);
Treasurer - Jean Whittaker.
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Bus Station Visit
As mentioned
in the June Newsletter, some of the MEGOBAPP members went to look at
three of the fairly recently developed bus stations in Greater Manchester
on the 7th September. Amongst those visited was the most recently constructed,
state of the art station at Hyde. The group also visited bus stations
at Oldham and Middleton.
The group wished to see whether lessons can be learned from the attempts
of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE), and its
well paid designers, to create a public transport environment for the
whole community, which means taking account of the needs of disabled
transport users.
The failure to make use of colour contrast to highlight the various obstructions ‘stuck out like a sore thumb’, at all three stations. The disabled community, and visually impaired people in particular, have been labouring the point that colour, and the use of contrast in its application is essential to highlight obstructions and also to identify service points. However, those who profess to know best because of their ‘expertise’ and qualifications, have chosen to ignore such advice.
The photograph below shows the obsession with the use of grey and silver. This combined with poor, or nonexistent lighting in some, areas creates a hazardous environment for partially sighted bus users, and things are even worse for those without useful vision.
Oldham has made an attempt to provide some tactile guidance inside the bus station, but it was found to be inadequate as it is impossible to detect this under foot. A ‘pathfinder’ type texture surface could have been used, but Designers seem to pay only ‘lip service’ to the real needs of disabled users, and give us only what they think will keep us quiet.
Though clearer than it was originally, the audible information at the Oldham bus station, is inadequate. Its inadequacy is made worse by the difficulty in locating the buttons to activate the speech. The speakers are set so low that even the smallest adult has to crouch to hear what is said. The photograph here indicates the height of the control/speakers.
Although built more recently,the other two bus stations, still provide inadequate information. At Hyde and Middleton, the ‘talking boards’ have clearer print than Oldham, but the height is by no means uniform. In many instances the bus information seems to cease at 7pm. – but, of course, all VIP’s ought to be tucked up in bed by that time of night.
The audible information fails to provide the frequency of services, nor does it indicate which services are fully accessible.
Although not stated in the audible information, the travel shop at Oldham is outside the bus station. This means those seeking advice, need to cross a reasonably busy road - yet a further poor feature.
At two of the stations there were no identifiable staff readily on hand. Middleton was the only one where the staff were obvious.
Hyde has good features, but was the worst in one aspect. The audible information directs the traveller to wait for a bus at one of the stands A to F. Unfortunately the talking information boards fail to say that there are two each, of stands A, B, C, and D.
A report is to be compiled identifying all the poor features found in the three bus stations. It will be available to anyone who is interested in accessible public transport.
It might
prove interesting to see whether the City Council planners and engineers,
will stand by their principles embodied in their ‘DESIGN FOR ACCESS
2‘ manual, in the construction of the new bus station at Shudehill.
Will usability be built in? Will information be accessible to all? Or,
will the designers be looking to plough the same inadequate furrow as
they have always done.
We feel that the City Council should be pressing for ‘real time’ information, in an audible and clear print format to meet the needs of visually and hearing impaired bus users, as well as ensuring the safe movement of passengers around the complex.
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“REACT” – where is it?
It is now more than twelve months since we were told that there was a slight delay in bringing the “REACT” system at Moor Lane Bus Station, Bolton, into operation, awaiting delivery of the necessary communicating fobs from abroad.
Since then visually-impaired people in numbers were invited to try out the system in February. This was followed by numerous other visually-impaired groups being invited to try the system out in June.
In the ensuing four months silence has prevailed. Is it a sign that the GMPTE are having second thoughts? Are they realising the error of their ways? Have they come to realise that they have been taken in by the publicity? No doubt all will be revealed in the coming months.
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Inclusive Education
In the last quarter's "Megonews" we had anticipated a visit from Jenny Andrews; whilst she did not consider it appropriate, we did receive a visit from Tony Bowyer.
Tony's remit was specifically directed towards educational issues for visually-impaired children from the time of pre-school facilities and up to 16 years old.
Although he had only joined the City Council's Education team some nine months previous, he had had a great deal of experience in the field of education of visually-impaired children before taking up this particular post.
How deeply and how thoroughly will the Local Education Authority (LEA) approach the education of visually-impaired youngsters within the local framework will remain to be seen.
There is no doubt that some of the requirements of visually-impaired children in both the primary and secondary sectors will differ from those of other impaired youngsters. Will these "special needs" be globally available or at certain specific locations? Apart from it being appreciated that the requirements of visually-impaired students differing from some other impairments, the requirements amongst visually-impaired students may also greatly differ because of their level of impairment.
There were several questions which were raised which may or may not be addressed in the Schools for the Future policy.
Will parents be able to choose any school in their immediate location? Or will there be area locations or a central location for V.I. youngsters? or will youngsters with various impairments be grouped together in an area or central location?
Will those involved in teaching V.I. children have a good knowledge of braille?
Will there be a full range of equipment available to produce documentation in an accessible format and to enable students to access information, i.e. scanners, CCTV's, embossers, speech/magnification software, etc?
Will there be the provision of teaching braille where this is appropriate or requested?
Will mobility training be incorporated within the curriculum?
Will there be the opportunity of participating in an accessible form of sport?
Will the actual buildings be user friendly for a V.I. person, i.e. free of obstructions, colour contrasts to identify differences and locations, guidance rails, warning textured surfaces, braille/raised characters on doors, audible information, etc?
It is obvious that, to meet these requirements across the City could involve substantial resources. It is likely, therefore, that the LEA will be looking at ways in which to lessen the burden on their budgets.
Perhaps in a future "Megonews" we may look at the options and consequences that may be adopted in the LEA's efforts to achieve their inclusive education policy.
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The Council and Visually-impaired Community
In October of last year Councillor Pagel met with MEGOBAPP when the development of a strategic plan for visually-impaired people was discussed.
In February of this year we had a meeting arranged in Manchester Town Hall involving visually-impaired people, Council staff and representatives from organisations providing a service to visually-impaired people. The purpose of this was to highlight the issues relevant to the V.I. community in Manchester. Out of this came the establishment of a V.I. Steering Group, formed to direct the focus of the Council through a newly-formed V.I. Sub Group (involving representatives from Council Departments and some outside bodies providing services).
It was firmly established that the controlling influence on taking the strategy forward was lodged with the V.I. Steering Group.
Since its formation in March, the Steering Group have met three times.
Its main emphasis so far has been on the provision of a V.I. Awareness Training programme, a means of speeding up the referral procedures for those developing a visual impairment, the provision of communications and information in an accessible format (including the Council's A-Z) in addition to Housing and other issues.
MEGOBAPP, along with others, has been playing an active role in the process, despite its dependence on its members realising the apparent attitude of the City Council towards supporting V.I. groups. Whilst substantial resources seem to be made available to other disability groups, those concerned with V.I. issues, are left very much in the cold as far as the City Council is concerned.
Resources seem to be made available to other sections of the disability community to cover the cost of office accommodation and administration costs, whilst groups of V.I. people must rely not only on their members' time and energy to administer the group, but on their home space and equipment for the storage of information. This added pressure is more likely to create a "burn out" rather than "fan the flames" of an improving environment.
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Large Print Goes Free
For some time now the Royal Mail has been looking at a possible extension to the "Articles for the Blind" scheme. The result of their consideration of the Scheme has recently been announced.
As from the 22nd August blind and partially-sighted people and organisations working for people with sight problems will be able to send large print letters and documents free of charge. This will include organisations such as the Royal National Institute of the Blind, Talking Newspapers and Local Societies, etc.
This is, of course, great news in that it takes away the confusion that some have found in determining whether or not large-print documents fall under the Scheme. This will also mean that many more blind and partially-sighted people will be able to benefit from the "Articles for the Blind" Scheme.
Royal Mail have apparently been looking at how to improve the way in which the Scheme operates, particularly the inconsistencies in the way that Sorting Offices across the country interpret guidelines on what is and what isn't covered by the Scheme. New guidelines have been issued to all Royal Mail staff.
Any queries as to how the "Articles for the Blind" Scheme operates should be directed to the Royal Mail Customer Services Team on 08457 740 740.
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Entertainment News
A new season of theatre in Manchester is now with us. Brochures in braille, large print and audio tape are available from both the Manchester Library Theatre and the Royal Exchange Theatre. Why not give them a ring and put in a request for a copy in your preferred format. Ring Manchester Library Theatre Marketing on 0161-234-1919 or Royal Exchange Marketing on 0161-651-6784. They will be pleased to hear from you.
Meanwhile, audio-described performances in both Theatres are planned for the coming season.
Library Theatre:
Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel runs from 16 September to 15 October, with audio-described performances on Wednesday, 12 October at 7-30 p.m. and Saturday, 15 October at 3 p.m.
It's harvest time in 1930s Donegal and five courageous sisters searching for happiness face an uncertain future in this beautiful and haunting drama.
The Price by Arthur Miller runs from 21 October to 19 November, with audio-described performances on Wednesday, 16 November at 7-30 p.m. and Saturday, 19 November at 3 p.m.
What is the price of success? the price of self-sacrifice? the price of survival? Arthur Miller's riveting drama confirms him as one of the greatest voices of twentieth-century theatre.
Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist by Neil Bartlett, adapted in twenty-four scenes with several songs and tableaux with music by Richard Taylor.
Audio-described performances take place on Thursday, 8 December at 7-30 p.m., Tuesday, 13 December at 2 p.m., Tuesday, 17 January at 2 p.m. and Saturday, 21 January at 2-30 p.m.
Victorian London is brought to life in this faithful adaptation of Dickens' novel.
Royal Exchange Theatre:
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare runs from 7 September to 22 October with an audio-described performance on Saturday, 1 October at 4 p.m.
Shakespeare's immortal tragedy of star crossed love which threatens to overturn a city. On the sun-baked street of Verona, the feud between the Montagues and Capulets breaks out in violence and strife. When the children of both families, Romeo and Juliet, meet and fall in love, a chain of events is set in motion which transforms the population of the whole city.
All the Ordinary Angels by Nick Leather, runs from 26 October to 19 November, with an audio-described performance on Monday, 14 November at 7-30 p.m.
This brand new comedy tells the story of Manchester Ice Cream man, Giuseppi Raffa who decides its finally time to come in from the cold and retire and sets his two sons in competition with each other. Over the next twelve months - from the fall of the Berlin wall to the fall of Maggie Thatcher - Rocco and Lino will compete to see who can sell the most ice cream. The winner will gain the family business, the loser will be left with nothing. Supported and obstructed by Rocco's wife Bernie and Lino's girlfriend Lulu, the fight for the hearts and money of the people of Manchester becomes a serious business.
Harvey by Mary Chase runs from 22 November 2005 to 7 January 2006, with an audio-described performance on Saturday, 17 December at 4 p.m.
When Elwood P. Dowd starts to introduce his imaginary friend, Harvey, a six foot one inch invisible rabbit, to guests at a society party, his sister, Vita, has seen as much of his eccentric behaviour as she can tolerate. She decides to have him committed to a sanatorium.
What Every Woman Knows by J. M. Barrie, runs from 10 January to 25 February, with an audio-described performance on Saturday, 21 January at 4 p.m.
A hundred years ago, somewhere in Scotland, the Wylie family discover a burglar, who wants more than riches and keeps coming back without taking anything. Attempts to protect their plain sister, Maggie, lead to an adventure in politics, love and the discovery that Maggie can more than look after herself.
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Manchester Art Gallery
The end of their summer season is now with us but there is still time to pop in to experience the atmosphere associated with such an outstanding venue.
Guides and information relevant to the various displays are available in large print and on audio cassette. If an art gallery is virgin territory to you, why not pay it a visit?
Manchester Art Gallery is situated at the junction of Mosley Street and Princess Street, with a ramped entrance just off Mosley Street in Nicholas Street.
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Public Library Catalogue Revealed
VIP’s can use the Manchester City council website to find whether audio or large print books they wish to borrow, are in the library stock.
I have found the most direct route to find a particular book is as follows –
Dial up website www.manchester.gov.uk
Scroll down to the link for Libraries
On the Libraries
page you need the link called ‘SEARCH THE CATALOGUE’
Then click on the link marked ‘Large Print and Spoken word’
Scroll down until you find ‘Large print and spoken word search’ which will say Search using key words. When you reach the words ‘Text input box 1’, press enter and type 2 to 4 words in the box. Ie. Flowers for the Judge Press enter..
There is a search hint next, but scroll down to Submit button 1 Search catalogue – press enter
A list of Adult spoken word titles will appear, followed by the equivalent books in large print.
The specimen title above (Flowers for the Judge) appears as: Adult cassette title Flowers for the Judge. Author Allingham, Majery
Link to More details
Year 1990.
All cassette, CD and large print copies of the exact title will then be listed, followed by books which have some of the key words in their name.
Unfortunately the information is only as good as the person who enters it. Although not specified on the catalogue information, you may find that the copy of an audio book is abridged. The Library’s policy is only to buy unabridged books, but they sometimes get abridged books donated and put them into stock. It has been pointed out to them that sighted readers might get a little vexed if presented with a book which was a third of the original.
Some library assistants find it difficult to understand that two cassettes do not constitute a full length book, and will probably suggest a variety of reasons why you are being presented with an abridged copy.
Although searching for a book sounds rather complicated, it is less stressful than holding up a queue of people while you ask the assistant to search the software for your book request.
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Technology Corner
Apology:
In the June edition of "Megonews" we carried a short article on a relatively-inexpensive speech/magnification software and referred to this as "Outlook". Unfortunately, this was incorrect; it should have referred to this as "Lookout".
Apologies and "red face" behind us, let's see what we have in this Section this time round.
Webbie
In the above-mentioned article of June, reference was made to a search engine called "Webbie" and one of our members has been trying it out.
Free Web Browser
A web browser developed by UMIST and part funded by Guide Dogs for the Blind, is available as a free download. Or, if you prefer, you can have it, plus the manual, on CD for £10.
This website also offers ‘Lookout’, an inexpensive screen reader.
WEBBIE removes all illustrations and logos, and sorts columns on website pages into continuous text. It is easy then to scroll down the text, where each link is given a number.
To get WEBBIE onto your computer dial up www.screenreader.co.uk.
Click onto the link for Brochure .
Scroll down to the link for WEBBIE and see if it would suit your requirements.
Although I have had no formal IT training, I found this browser easy to learn. It is obviously more cumbersome than ones used by sighted people, but I can get around most websites fairly quickly with WEBBIE, and would recommend it to ‘techno Luddites’ like me .
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Ultracane
The "Ultracane" has been six years in the making. It was originally nicknamed the "Batcane" because it was inspired by the way bats get around in the dark.
The basic idea was taken and visually-impaired people were consulted. Their ideas were incorporated in the final product.
The "Ultracane" is now on sale and being demonstrated around the country.
What does this mobility aid offer? As intimated, it uses ultrasonic echoes to identify what objects are in the vicinity. This includes objects at head height such as wing mirrors attached to lorries.
In addition, it gives that feedback in a tactile form. There are two buttons which can be covered by the user's thumb which will indicate whether an object was at head or a lower level according to the vibration of either button and the severity of the vibration gives an indication of its distance from the cane.
It is said the "Ultracane" requires little practice. It is suggested that 73 per cent of users feel confident within just a week.
The "Ultracane" is a hard wearing, carbon graphite collapsible cane. It is available to various sizes from 105 cm (41 in.) to 150 cm (59 in.) There is also a choice of tips available.
The "Ultracane" is marketed by Sound Foresight Ltd., BBIC, Innovation Way, Barnsley, S75 1JL; Website: www.ultracane.com; E-mail: info@soundforesight.co.uk.
It is understood that the cost of this mobility aid is set at £399 - not a give-away price
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Latest News from Dolphin
Pocket Hal in final stages of testing.
Pocket Hal
is a full screen reader, based upon the desk top edition of Dolphin's
Hal screen reader. Pocket Hal offers users full speech support, as well
as Braille support for the PDA’s (Personal Digital Assistant).
This allows blind and low-vision users to access the same mainstream
technology as that enjoyed by fully sighted users. Pocket Hal users
will be able to access a word processor or spreadsheet, send and receive
email or check their schedules on a calendar whilst away from the home
or office and on the move. Pocket Hal gives access to Pocket Word®,
Pocket Excel®, Pocket Outlook® and Pocket Internet Explorer®,
as well as many other applications including MSN and phone services.
Recently reviewed within “AccessIT”, Pocket Hal is currently
in the final stages of beta testing and was due to be released this
month (September). When released, Dolphin and Dolphin dealers will be
offering a range of PDA packages and Bluetooth devices for customers
and incentives to existing Dolphin customers.
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And Finally
That's it for this quarter's "Megonews". We are sure you will have found something of interest or informative in these pages.
We will be back again at the end of the year when some of this Issue's topics may be re-visited.
We are then likely to be back on the streets of Manchester to identify some of those hazards which presently place the City down the pecking order as far as accessibility is concerned in this country, let alone Europe.
If there are any questions you would like to raise with us why not contact us. Visit our Website at www.megobapp.org.uk to complete our Hazard survey or look at previous Newsletters.
Alternatively, email us on info@megobapp.org.uk.
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Current Officers of MEGOBAPP:
Ron Goulden
(Chairperson); Damien O’Connor (Treasurer);
Joseph Innocent (Secretary); Steve Jones(Publicity Officer
Please make contact with us if you wish to become involved.
Website: www.megobapp.org.uk
E-mail: info@megobapp.org.uk
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