Megobapp Newsletter
Issue Seven March 2006
Welcome
Hi there, welcome to the March edition of “Megonews”, Issue No. 7.
The winter months are behind us and we can now hope for warmer days – certainly a recipe for happy and generous thoughts.
In this quarter’s copy we will have the regular sections on entertainment, with a further visit to the Shudehill Interchange now that it is open to the public. We will not be looking at a specific area of the City, but will have a glance at the “Design for Access 2” Manual as it might reflect on visually-impaired people - that section of the community that Councillors and Council Officers “shut their eyes” to.
Hopefully, our other “snippets” will provide at least a crumb of interest too to its readers.
Missed some of our previous Issues? You can always overcome this omission by visiting our Website: www.megobapp.org.uk. Alternatively, you may wish to make a point or express a view. You can do this either by telephoning one of the Officers or by contacting us through our email: info@megobapp.org.uk. We would dearly like to hear from you, even if you believe we are not on the ball.
“Megonews” is available in standard print, large print, Braille and cassette.
Officers of MEGOBAPP:
Chairperson:
Ron Goulden; Tel. 0161-798-9137;
Secretary: Carole Gausden; tel. 0161-681-2654;
Treasurer: Jean Whittaker; tel. 0161-681-3684.
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Shudehill Interchange – Here again!!!
Since our last edition of “Megonews” in December we have seen the opening of the Shudehill Interchange. Surprised? No! Many of the doubts and questions raised three months ago were more than justified; in fact, in some aspects, we under-estimated both the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive’s (GMPTE) and Manchester City Council’s (MCC) ability to get things wrong.
Since the opening of the Interchange a reminder was sent to GMPTE drawing attention to previous comments in the hope of perhaps eliciting an explanatory response. Even though the Chairman of the Authority – Cllr Roger Jones – and the Director General of GMPTE – Chris Mulligan – were provided with copies, the response some six weeks or so later has been fairly negative. Like most people that realise they have “cocked it up again”, Cllr Jones (like all the other “big wigs”) has kept a low profile. This from the Councillor who put pressure on a County voluntary organisation because one of its sub groups had the audacity to show the Greater Manchester bus stations in their true light when compared with similar structures in West Yorkshire. With the gagging of that organisation, how else can Cllr Jones be told of their discriminatory attitude other than through these pages.
Returning to reality, we wonder where the positive good points are in this “state of the art” bus interchange which is likely to be considered by many a pathetic attempt at producing an obstacle-free public area. Perhaps compared with the facilities Parker Street bus terminal OFFERS, it is an improvement to have some proper cover as you await the arrival of a public transport vehicle. The staffing levels must also be seen as advantageous along with the Travel Shop on site. Having said that, however, many of the remaining features contain varying degrees of quality from poor to unacceptable.
It would seem that someone in the Executive – or in their Designers – has a “grey” outlook on life not related to their age, in view of the use of light and dark shades of this colour throughout bus stations in general in Greater Manchester. The use of these shades is the Executive / Authority’s way of highlighting hazards and barriers. It is obvious that neither the Designers nor the Authority chose to consult on the real options available to warn visually-impaired bus passengers of likely dangers - doubtless their own Access Officers were not consulted either.
Apart from the seating and obstructions not being suitably highlighted, the attempts to highlight the glazed areas with (you’ve guessed it!) grey goes against the principle adopted in highlighting glazed areas on some bus shelters. Even if the Authorities are somewhat against the use of yellow highlighting on a black background, orange on a purple background is a recommended alternative for these situations.
The use of tactile guidance and warning surfaces are non-existent, and even the surface to indicate an “information point” seems to be incorrectly installed.
The information provided pays more attention to the whereabouts of external features than it does for bus services and their frequency.
The highlighting of seating and supporting pillars by the handrails has again used shades of grey, though even this has not been attempted with the pillars similar to that shown in the photograph below. And this despite being told by Stewart Connell (GMPTE) in December that such obstacles had been suitably highlighted.
At least Cllr Jones may well feel good with the installation of an accessible toilet facility for disabled people, but how accessible is “accessible” to a mobility impaired person? A disabled passenger desperately in need of relief may think they are saved from embarrassment by the location of a signed accessible toilet facility. But, hold your water, are they? Unfortunately, their RADAR key is not acceptable and there is a need to visit the Travel Shop or Office to borrow a key to open the door – all time consuming. They must also be sure that they are not looking for this facility in the evenings when the Travelshop closes its door at 7-30 p.m.
Whilst the foregoing highlights some of the poor features within the Interchange, things are not perfect externally.
Having said that, however, we must acknowledge any good points. A good feature is apparent at the bus exit points onto the public highway. These are fitted with Puffin-type crossings with revolving knurls. A good (or dare we say(, excellent feature is that the knurls or cones revolve continuously when there is no bus movement. When a bus moves towards the exit, the knurls or cones become stationary and the “red man” appears.
The same cannot be said about the bus entry point at the other side of the bus station. Here there are no audible or revolving knurls and the gradient on the north side might resemble Mount Everest to a person in a wheelchair.
MEDC (Manchester Engineers & Design Consultancy) couldn’t be mentioned without realising that something was wrong. A further poor feature is evident in the uncontrolled crossing from the bus section to the Metrolink platform approach. The photograph below shows this crossing. As will be seen, a bollard has been positioned in the middle of the blistered paving on the Metrolink side which will no doubt prove somewhat painful to VIP’s USING THIS CROSSING IN THE FUTURE. Even the bus station side of the crossing has a bollard situated in close proximity to it, which again would seem to be against the 97/1 Directive. The crossing itself is not absolutely straight, but we are not surprised.
The point of entry onto the Metrolink platform at its eastern side has a post which is highlighted in accordance with DFA2 (“Design for Access 2”) which has some limitation in its usefulness and a corduroy strip is a little excessive in its width even though its depth is questionable.
Where does the blame lie for the shambles? Whilst the initial responsibility rests on the shoulders of the GMPTE or their Designers, the Manchester City Council Planning Dept. must share some of the responsibility. Criticism of the Interchange therefore falls not only on the GPTE Designers but on the MEDC and Planning Sections of the City Council.
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NEXT STOP ANNOUNCEMENTS ON BUSES
A trial is taking place, which if successful, will alleviate that feeling of panic that most visually-impaired people have experienced when travelling by bus. You have asked the driver to tell you when a particular stop is coming up. He/she forgets, and you are put off the bus several stops beyond the place you want, and in completely strange territory.
Transport for London (TFL) are running the scheme, which announces and displays the names of bus stops.
The announcement is automatic and sounds rather like that used on the London underground.
The trial is taking place on the 149 route in North London. TFL are hoping to have it on all 8,000 of its buses over the next few years.
The system works by locating buses by satellite signal, with the buses own speedometer and giroscope taking over when the signal is affected by tall buildings. An announcement will be made whether the bus pulls into a stop or not, and it is hoped that this will increase safety, especially on journeys made after dark.
Peter Barker of Guide Dogs for the Blind, stated that schemes such as this should only be the beginning. He said “TFL, to their credit, have shown that technology works, and is affordable”.
Whilst welcoming the “Next Stop” announcements, in MEGOBAPP’s view, accessible bus travel for visually-impaired people will only be achieved when an audible “real time” information system is installed at every bus stop.
Information on such a system appeared in one of our previous newsletters (“Megonews” Issue No. 2 under ‘Talking Signs are here’”. This copy of “Megonews” can be viewed on our website at: www.megobapp.org.uk
Wayfinder
system in Birmingham city centre
for blind and partially-sighted people
A new facility to help blind and visually impaired people navigate their
way around the heart of Birmingham city centre will be launched in Spring
2006.
The 60 Wayfinder units will be installed around the city centre, providing
users with practical audible information, to confirm their location
and assist them to reach their destination safely.
Most units are being installed on existing street furniture to minimise street clutter and, where no street furniture exists, being fixed into new purpose built stainless steel posts located at the back of footways. Users will carry a trigger card to activate the speaker unit when within range. These triggers will be made available in Birmingham's principal languages. Details on how and where to obtain the triggers will be available shortly.
The total cost of the Wayfinder scheme is £165,000, £65,000 of which was recently agreed by Councillor Len Gregory, Cabinet Member for Transportation and Street Services. Cllr Gregory said: "This is an excellent system, assisting blind and partially sighted people find their way around Birmingham city centre. It will help people more easily find transport in the city, their places of work, shopping venues, public services and visitor attractions, making Birmingham an even more accessible city".
The city council has worked in partnership with many other agencies on this project, including The Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB), Birmingham Focus on Blindness, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Queen Alexandra College, National Federation for the Blind, BBC Birmingham and others. Many of these organisations have been represented by people with a visual impairment.
Rob Legge, Chief Executive of Birmingham Focus on Blindness, said: "Sight loss is a frightening and traumatic experience that affects almost every aspect of a person’s life! Our aim is to help the 30,000 children and adults in Birmingham who have sight loss to achieve a better quality of life. Wayfinder goes a long way to achieving this. For people with sight impairment, travelling around the city independently is a major problem, so Birmingham Focus is delighted to be working with Birmingham City Council and others on the Wayfinder project."
Following the launch, the city council will be encouraging users to give their views on Wayfinder to enable the system to be fully adapted to their needs.
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Design For Access 2 – is it a myth?
In the early 1990’s the Architects Dept. of the City Council, along with Manchester Disability Forum’s Access Group, produced an Access Manual to assist officers in carrying out good practices in the built and external environment. Their document was wholeheartedly endorsed by the Council much to the delight of Mary Kearns, the Access Officer involved.
In the late 1990’s the Architects Dept. decided a re-vamp was called for which was undertaken by the Architects Dept., a Planning Access Officer and members of the Disabled People’s Initiative Access Group who looked at the Manual and produced a revised version.
In 1999 Councillor Pagel considered it would be a good idea to adopt the revised version as a Council policy and told the Council they would be launching it on that basis. In May 2000 it was launched with all due pomp and ceremony declaring it as the blue print to “making Manchester the most accessible City in Britain” – no, Europe, or was it the world that was the target.
In January 2003 “Design for Access 2” Manual was launched with amendments and additional explanatory notes. In some instances, perhaps less consideration may have been given to some issues of concern to blind and partially-sighted people.
Whilst the Manual indicates that all the members of the Access Review Forum were involved, the Visually-impaired groups, in fact, weren’t. As the City Council “couldn’t afford to produce” a taped copy of the documentation, it was decided to show some solidarity.
Putting to one side any reduced consideration of issues relating to blind and partially-sighted people, we are here, almost six years down the line from that May day, sat scratching our heads and wondering when Councillors are going to wake up to the fact that their policies, promises and visions are mere “pie in the sky” and are side stepped or ignored by their officers.
What has been achieved for the benefit of visually-impaired members of the community in the past six years?
Although the Manual calls for the highlighting and the inclusion of textured surfaces around obstructions, no such action was taken when numerous bollards were included in the Piccadilly area development (see “Megonews” Issue 1 – Piccadilly Gardens). When the question of highlighting obstructions was discussed in the early 1990’s, it was agreed that posts causing an obstruction should have highlighting bands at different levels; in 1998 it merely called for “bands” to be provided, whilst in 2003 it calls for “bands” then defines it as a 150mm band at a height from 1500mm (five feet in old money). It is obviously felt that visually-impaired pedestrians do not have restricted growth nor are partially-sighted people wheelchair users.
Although the 97/1 Directive indicated that no obstructions should be sited adjacent to pedestrian crossings, engineers seem reluctant to bother about this (see “Megonews” Issue 4 – On the Street…) Like many other obstructions in the City Centre, anti-vandal textured surfaces are used which, instead of a bruise when collided with, produce lacerations.
The DFA2 tells us that “A” boards and other obstructions on the footway are illegal, but little seems to have been done to remove them.
The area around trees in the City Centre acts as a warning of their presence, but, unfortunately, due to the poor drainage, these become water logged in the inclement weather.
If it is wrong for others to clutter the footway why is it permissible for the Council to do so with their large planters? The photograph here shows one of these planters on the stepped approach to Central Library which houses the visually-impaired unit.
The previous article will illustrate the lack of consideration that is shown in this and some other areas towards non print readers in the provision of accessible signs. Birmingham are by no means the first City to provide this kind of technology; whether this, or a more proven technology be beneficial to Manchester, we may never know if the Council’s current attitude towards visually-impaired people is anything to go by.
In the final analysis it must be concluded that it is easy to promise improvements, but one must question whether some of these were idle promises that were never intended to be honoured.
RNIB TAPE LIBRARY
The tape
library has traditionally provided books on cassette. Originally the
non-fiction titles were recorded for students, but many people have
used the library for special interest reading.
The books can be kept for as long as they are required and are available
to the student to be used in the classroom on a ‘Walkman’
type player.
Although the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) tried unsuccessfully to impose a charge of £1 PER CASSETTE in 1993, the service has been free to any visually-impaired person who wished to use it.
The books on cassette are now to be transferred to the “DAISY” format - a compressed CD which requires special equipment to play it.
This means that anyone who needs to access books for their studies, will now have to pay.
If you have your own “DAISY” player, the subscription to borrow books is £50 per year, If you need to loan a machine it is £70.
The machines are expensive to buy (£4-500) and most are by no means portable.
An RNIB spokesman stated that it was not envisage that students would pay their own subscriptions. He suggested that the payment should come from public funds or from the disabled student’s allowance. Most students already have a “shortfall” in their finances after they have paid for the equipment etc. made necessary by their disability.
Books on cassette can still be ordered until June.
It would
appear that the above is the first step in the process of completely
merging the library services of both the RNIB and National Library for
the Blind (NLB).
NLB have recently circulated all its readers indicating that a change
is to take place to library services by both RNIB and NLB. This change
will reach fruition in the next two years as a result of discussions
that have already taken place between the Trustees of both Charities.
It is pointed out that both the RNIB and NLB provide a range of library services because they are aware that blind and partially-sighted people are often frustrated at the totally inadequate provision of books and other reading materials in formats like Braille, large print or audio by publishers and mainstream libraries. When the library services of both Charities are combined, it is suggested that there will be a wider choice of titles and formats available.
Whilst no changes to the service are anticipated during the next year, one must wonder whether the merging will result in there being additional costs incurred by those accessing the services.
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RNIB Withdraw Handling Charge
As from the 3rd April customers of the RNIB will find a change in the charges raised by the Charity.
The handling charge of £2.50 per order brought in not too long ago is to be discontinued as from that date following adverse feedback from customers on the subject.
Further changes, however, are to occur at the end of April. There will be the introduction of a direct debit payment system for the purchase of products, magazines, transcriptions, etc. and an improvement in the choice of payment methods.
Alongside these changes will be one in the delivery charges. These will be based on the value of items attracting postage costs: up to the value of £10 there will be a £1 delivery charge, £10 up to £30 £2.95, £30 and above £4.95. There may be a courier cost for high value items, large orders, special deliveries or for security and insurance reasons.
Single copies of leaflets will not be charged for but some higher priced books and training packs will continue to be charged for and there will be a delivery charge. For bulk purchases of some leaflets, a small fee will be charged according to a sliding scale.
For more information visit www.rnib.org.uk/customers or ring Customer Services on 0845-702-3153.
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Entertainment Corner
We are now into the Spring/Summer season for the Royal Exchange and
Library Theatres. No doubt those readers who require them have secured
the brochures they need for both Theatres in their preferred format.
The brochures will provide you with an indication of the performances which will be audio described as well as giving you a brief introduction to what you can expect.
If you have overlooked getting your copy, you may not be too late.
Audio Described Performances
Royal Exchange Theatre
“Separate Tables” by Terence Rattigan; Saturday, 29th April, at 4 p.m.
Set in a Bournemouth hotel in 1953, the year of the Coronation and the end of food rationing, Rattigan uses public spaces to reveal the private lives of the residents and staff. On the surface we see characters from another era, but, once their public faces are stripped away, we become a fly on the wall and some surprising secrets and moralities are revealed.
“She Stoops to Conquer” by Oliver Goldsmith; Saturday, 17th June, at 4 p.m.
“When a girl finds a fellow’s Outside her taste, she then sets about guessing the rest of his furniture.”
When is an inn not an inn? When is a barmaid not a barmaid? Why does a stepfather lie about his stepson’s age? Why does the son’s mother end up in a horse pond? How can you be sure of marrying the right person?
Goldsmith’s rare roast beef of a comedy is heaving with hilarious characters and a cacophony of confusions.
“Mirandolina” by Carlo Goldoni; Saturday, 22nd July, at 4 p.m.
“Women
have all sorts of methods for conquering men, but when in doubt –
pass out.”
A beautiful, independent and feisty young woman inherits an inn and
is immediately surrounded by fawning men, including a mean-fisted marquess,
a coarse count and a sex-starved servant. Bored with the attention and
yearning for an honest husband, Mirandolina rises to the challenge of
persuading a woman-hating wag how to love women – with surprising
consequences.
Manchester Library Theatre
“A Day in the Death of Joe Egg” by Peter Nichols; Wed., 26th April, at 7-30 p.m. and Sat., 29th April, at 3 p.m.
Ten years struggling to care for their brain-damaged ten-year old daughter has taken its toll, and the marriage of art teacher Bri and his frazzled wife Sheila is in crisis.
“Speed-The-Plow” by David Mamet; Wed., 14th June, at 7-30 p.m. and Sat., 17th June, at 3 p.m.
When Fox comes up with a brilliant idea for a blockbuster movie, he and Gould think they’ve made it. For one blissful day the world seems about to open its arms to embrace them. But then Gould’s temporary secretary Karen comes into the frame, and the road to success is suddenly not so smooth after all.
David Mamet’s satirical dissection of Hollywood is the writer at his very best, with the dialogue brimming with wit and energy.
Some Helpful Venues
MEGOBAPP members have found that some Manchester venues are always willing to provide assistance to visually-impaired visitors. It is, of course, always essential that the venue is contacted beforehand for the necessary arrangements to be made.
Amongst the venues particularly mentioned by members are:
The MEN Arena. They have been very helpful to visually impaired people providing some services that are not generally available.
G.Mex, too, are also wiling to “lend a helping hand” if contacted well in advance of a visit.
Manchester Science and Industry Museum provide many opportunities for visually-impaired visitors to discover about our history and workings. Again, Friends of the Museum can be arranged to guide blind and partially- sighted people around the exhibits.
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PRODUCT RECOMMENDATON FROM A MEGOBAPP MEMBER
There are a wide selection of DAB Radios on the market, but for a VIP
there are a few things to consider before finally
Making your mind up to purchase one.
Is it easy to tune into a station?
Are the controls easily identifiable?
Has it got all the features you want?
If you are looking for a DAB Radio with a tape player, it is worth considering the BUSH CXDAB201, BOOMBOX.
The DAB, FM/AM Radio has CD and tape players. The radio has manual tuning, and up to ten pre-set stations, and is mains or battery operated.
I received this radio as a gift for Christmas and I can recommend it
to any VIP. The controls are easy to identify by their shape and size.
Although I cannot see the menu screen, I was still able to pre-set my
favourite stations myself.
Because it was a gift I am not able to say how much this radio cost, but I can tell you it was bought from Argos. If you want more information you can contact the product support on tel. 0800 873 0079 or Internet www.bush-radio.co.uk
Happy listening
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And Finally
That’s about it for this time round. We hope you found something either interesting, useful or stimulating in this edition of “Megonews”, and, if all three apply, then we are truly gratified.
“Megonews” is expected to be out again at the end of June with what we could refer to as our “Summer Edition”.
It is anticipated that at that time we will, amongst other things, be attempting to identify those crossings (apart from zebras) which VIP’s find not only a deterrent to their need to get out alone, but hazardous to those who “bite the bullet”. At the same time we will be looking for those freestanding obstacles we can bump into on the City Centre streets.
MEGOBAPP is a small organisation which is always anxious to expand its member base with a view to ensuring that the comments expressed and the issues pursued represent a consensus of opinion of VIP’s involved in some way with the area controlled by Manchester City Council.
Interested? The next three meetings of MEGOBAPP will take place on:
Friday, 19
May at 2 p.m.;
Friday, 9 June at 5-30 p.m.
Friday, 14 July at 5-30 p.m.
All in Committee Room 4 of Manchester Town Hall. If you are visually impaired, why not come and join us to voice your views over a cup of coffee.
Contact Details again:
Chairperson: Ron Goulden – 0161-798-9137;
Secretary: Carole Gausden – 0161-681-2654;
Treasurer: Jean Whittaker – 0161-681-3684