Megobapp Newsletter
Issue Twelve June 2007
Welcome
June is quickly drawing to a close and the printers are geared up to start rolling to get issue No. 12 of "Megonews" through people's letterboxes.
Its format will be much as usual: updates on some previous items, Snippets of information, Technology Corner and Entertainment news, a short item on the subject of disability equality and anything else that might crop up in the time we will be putting things together.
"Megonews" is available in standard and large print, Braille and audio cassette. If you know of any visually-impaired person who would be interested in receiving copies of the newsletter, pass their name and address and to one of the Officers shown below, together with a note of their preferred format.
If you have missed previous copies of "Megonews", then these can be viewed on our website: www.megobapp.org.uk.
If, of course, there is a visually-impaired person out there who lives, works or is involved in the Manchester City Council area that would be interested in becoming part of MEGOBAPP, then, again, one of the Officers would want to hear from them.
If, however, your preferred means of communication is by email, you can make contact with us on: info@megobapp.org.uk
The Officers are there by their telephone waiting to hear from you.
Officers of MEGOBAPP
Chairperson: Ron Goulden - 0161-798-9137;
Secretary: Carole Gausden - 0161-688-7223;
Treasurer: Jean Whittaker - 0161-681-3684.
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Updates
Key Routes make a "U" turn
In the 11th issue of Megonews we drew attention to the initiative shown by Manchester City Council in their attempt to provide accessible "key routes" in the City Centre.
A pot of money had been made available to recompense the various disability groups, managed by Manchester Disabled People's Access Group, for their services in carrying out surveys of numerous, specified key routes.
It may be recalled that the question was posed last quarter as to whether the resources would be found to rectify and overcome the numerous barriers likely to be highlighted within the various surveys. The question has been fairly quickly answered: those Managers involved in the project have called a halt to surveys and have opted to arrange workshops for groups of staff concerned with highway issues without necessarily specifying the individual problems experienced by disabled people.
This action no doubt raises a further question: how much of that pot of money (thought to be in five figures) will find its way to the local disability groups, other than that managing the project?
There are obviously many "bad" spots on the limited number of key routes visited, and equally many on those on which a stop has been called. The photograph below is one example. This photograph shows the problems confronting visually-impaired pedestrians on Lever Street, near its junction with Dale Street.
What does all this tell us? We were obviously mistaken in believing that "the leopard can change its spots". Will this be further amplified by the Planning Section's attitude towards the Council policy of increasing the percentage of disabled people in their workforce?
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Metrolink Closures
In our March issue we referred to the closures taking place on the Victoria/Bury section of Metrolink. Much of this line is now at a standstill, and the final section between Crumpsall and Victoria closing on the 23rd July.
Buses are providing an alternative means of transport along the closed sections.
The Altrincham to Cornbrook line will be following suit, with the first section between Altrincham and Stretford closing on the 12 July, with the whole of the line between Altrincham and Cornbrook coming to a standstill on the 27th July.
It is anticipated that the Altrincham line will reopen on the 27th August and the Bury section of Metrolink on the 12th September.
Trams will continue to operate on the Eccles section and between Cornbrook, Piccadilly and Victoria.
By the time the next issue of Megonews is in circulation we will know whether or not the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) have once again failed in meeting their duty by not providing a safe environment for visually-impaired passengers in accessing the system - see edition Nos. 9/11 for some of these issues.
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Letter from New Moston
to: MEGOBAPP,
May I ask whatever happened to the campaign: "Pavement for People"?
In the road where I live after 5 o'clock in the evening, it's an impossible situation as regards accessibility caused by vehicles being parked two wheels up on the pavement. A Community Transport vehicle cannot access my house because of the obstructions in the road which prevents me from being picked up or set down which I am entitled to. As an ageing, disabled person, the lack of access will make me a prisoner in my own home.
Similarly, wheelchair users and people with buggies have to go into the road to pass the vehicles which is a further hazard.
I thought there was a by-law prohibiting parking on the pavement, though I do appreciate it would need an army of officers to monitor this. Nevertheless, I cannot see it being permitted in the City centre.
I wonder if MEGOBAPP could bring this to the attention of the appropriate Council Officer.
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Ultra Cane - a Sonic Aid
As a result of a "change" grant from the Manchester City Council, MEGOBAPP has acquired an Ultra Cane.
What is an Ultra Cane?
In simple terms, it is a cane that is generally used to the long-cane length appropriate to the person. However, it is not just a long cane.
The Ultra Cane is fitted with two sensors which are positioned at two different angles. The purpose of the sensors is to warn the user of approaching obstacles in their path. Because of their positioning, the sensors locate obstacles at two levels, i.e. at shoulder/head height and in front of the person at a normal height.
Connected to each sensor is a "button" which vibrate when the sensor is activated. By the user placing the thumb of the hand holding the cane over the two "buttons", they are able to receive a warning of pending obstructions within a distance of up to 8 metres.
There is no doubt that these electronic aids are expensive for a blind or visually-impaired person, costing at least £400. It is therefore important that a prospective purchaser has the chance of experiencing their suitability to the person's need for a reasonable length of time.
Initially, MEGOBAPP would like to show the cane to any Manchester-based organisation of visually-impaired people, with an opportunity later for individuals to borrow it for a pre-determined period of time
Are you involved with a group of visually-impaired people who might wish to avail themselves of this opportunity? We are anxious to hear from such groups.
Please contact one of the Officers if you have an interest.
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Smoking Ban - can it produce barriers?
Over recent years that continental atmosphere has been creeping onto the streets of Britain and Manchester is no exception.
There has been an expansion of the eating and drinking establishments from their premises onto the pavements. Some responsible proprietors have barriered off their tables and chairs; others, unfortunately, have ignored the need to segregate their eating and drinking areas from passing pedestrians. This attitude has certainly presented additional problems to visually-impaired pedestrians.
There is no doubt that many people will be breathing a sigh of relief as they partake of their food in the various establishments throughout the City without that obnoxious smoke enveloping them. Will the smoking ban in eating and drinking areas result in an even greater expansion of businesses onto the footway, so cluttering these areas with tables and chairs overflowing with customers? Apart from the problems that this will create for disabled people, there is the additional danger of accidents occurring as a result of collisions between the pedestrian and those at the tables. If such incidents are to be avoided, much will depend on the attitude and will of the Council's Planning Section. Past experience would suggest that they may lack the desire to apply the necessary pressures. It will be interesting to see this unfold.
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Snippets
The Right To Learn Braille Petition.
This was mention in the last issue of MEGONEWS. It is possible to sign the petition online. The easiest way to do so, is to use the online petitions link on the www.whitestick.co.uk website.
For those who have never tried it. 'white stick' is a most interesting and useful site - well worth a visit.
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Audio Described DVDs
Manchester public libraries loan DVDs, free of charge to VIPs. Who are members of the library. Now that many DVDs are being released with an AD option, there will soon be a greater choice for those who need it.
Unfortunately, to select the AD option, a sighted person needs to be available to read the menu, both when selecting the disk from the library and when using it at home.
Another draw-back is that the library catalogue does not specify whether there is an AD option when putting in a request online.
But, if you can overcome these difficulties, the audio description does make viewing a film, a much more satisfying experience.
150th Birthday Celebration
On 15th June, a lunch party was held at Orbit House, Eccles, to celebrate the 150th birthday of Action for Blind People.
The organisation was founded in 1857 as the Surrey Association for the General Welfare of the Blind, later becoming the London Association for the Blind
There aim was to teach reading and practical trades, such as basket weaving.
In 1991 they became Action for Blind People, and altered the focus of the society to reflect the nature of the needs of VIPs.
The newly recruited team, VIP users and representatives of other organisations, met together for a short presentation and buffet lunch.
The team has been set up to provide support for VIPs in the Greater Manchester Area.
Anyone needing advice on benefits, housing, IT or any other blindness related problem, can contact the team.
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Cinema Ticket Scheme
You can apply for a Cinema Exhibitor's Association card which entitles -you to 2-for-the price-of-1 tickets in participating cinemas if you:
* claim Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
* hold a disabled person's railcard
* or are registered blind.
Ring 0151 348 8020 or get details from www.ceacard.co.uk.
You can also find out about which cinemas provide audio description in your area and get details of films in your area, by telephoning 0845 056 9824 or going to www.yourlocalcinema.com which is the one stop shop for the U.K. accessible cinema. All this information is also available on the RNIB website, which also gives details of audio description on TV, video, DVD, museums and galleries, theatres and sports venues, and they have an email news listing service.
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Talking Glucose Meters
It is understood that BBI Healthcare are able to offer free Sensocard Plus Talking Glucose meters to diabetes patients In the U.K. This is the first time a talking meter has been given out free of charge and they are keen to pass this information on to visually-impaired patients in the hope of relieving the financial burden that goes with buying one of these meters.
To receive a free meter the patient's healthcare adviser should first contact BBI Healthcare to request a "free meter voucher".
Once the voucher has been filled in correctly and returned to BBI Healthcare, a Sensocard Plus Meter kit will be sent out completely free of charge. Test Strips are available on prescription from the patient's healthcare adviser. The meters are being given out at no expense to the NHS.
For further information you should contact BBI Healthcare on 01792 229333 or email: info@bbihealthcare.com.
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One Million Signatures wanted
The European Blind Union office has sent out an email asking for help in reaching one million signatures for the rights of disabled people in Europe.
Although important steps have been taken towards the social inclusion of disabled people there are still many issues to be resolve.
In 2007, European Year of Equal Opportunities for all, the European Disability Forum is running a one million signatures campaign in an attempt to achieve a stronger an more effective European legislation.
They are hoping that Blind people everywhere and their families and friends will give their signatures to this cause.
The collection of signatures will run until 30 September 2007 and you can sign online on the European Disability Forum website: www.1million4disability.eu
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Winter Rebate on energy bills
RNIB is promoting a scheme in partnership with British Gas, which could help blind and partially sighted customers to save up to £90 on their energy bills this winter.
The British Gas winter rebate consists of two separate payments - £60 payment for gas and £30 payment for electricity, providing you are a British Gas customer. This is on top of the government winter fuel rebate.
Who qualifies?
This is a limited offer available to British Gas customers only, in receipt of one of the following benefits:
* Disability Living Allowance
* Attendance Allowance
* Income Support
* Pension Credit
* Housing Benefit
* Council Tax Benefit
* Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
* Child Tax Credit (annual household income must be £14,600 or less)
* Working Tax Credit (annual household income must be £14,600 or less)
* Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (must also be in receipt of Constant Attendance Allowance)
* War Disablement Pension (must also be in receipt of Mobility Supplement or Constant Attendance Allowance.
How to apply: Customers can contact the British Gas Winter Rebate team on 0845 601 2006 and have their gas or electric reference number ready. They should say they have been referred by RNIB.
Lines open: 8am - 8pm Monday - Friday
8am - 6pm Saturday
Referrals can also be made to the RNIB "here to HELP" team by telephone or email. Telephone: 0845 330 4897; Email: rnibhelp-project@rnib.org.uk
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Disability Equality Schemes
With effect from December 2006, Local, Transport and other public bodies have a duty to ensure that disabled people have similar opportunities to those available to the rest of the community. This duty extends across a broad spectrum, covering employment, harassment, removal of barriers, etc., even though this may call for additional finances to be made available.
The Duty required that, following consultation with disability groups, the Authority was required to produce a Disability Equality Scheme by December 2006 setting out their objectives, which would be reviewed after twelve months.
Six months down the line are we aware of a change in policy?
The Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) for its part brought together six "critical friends", from various parts of the county who were representatives from disability organisations. The discussions of the summer of 2006 produced several access issues on which GMPTE would focus:
* Concessions;
* Information and Communications;
* Behaviours and Harassment;
* Door to Door Travel;
* School Transport;
* Stations, Stops and Vehicles;
* Consultation and involvement;
* Employment practices;
* Buying in services.
Whilst these are somewhat attractive on paper, will there be any real improvement in attitudes and practices over the coming months and years.
The Manchester City Council (MCC) for its part appeared to produce its Disability Equality Scheme (DES) at the appropriate time, but without any apparent specific consultation with disability groups; they obviously felt they were adequately equipped to represent their views.
The documentation issued in support of their Scheme highlighted some of the Council's policies on disability issues.
As an indication of meeting its duty under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), emphasis was made of the "Design For Access 2" Manual. It totally failed to acknowledge the fact that, although the "Design For Access" Manual was originally launched over seven years ago, there are a number of its requirements that are ignored by Planners and Engineers. Will this additional responsibility on Local Authorities to ensure that disabled people are not disadvantaged provide disability organisations with a tool to assist them in their endeavours to remove the barriers they currently face.
Similarly, there are other procedures in place to improve access for disabled people. The Key Routes project is yet another Scheme highlighted in this connection (please see "Updates").
A considerable improvement in the accessibility of Council websites is envisaged. However, the designers of the recently-produced Library website were obviously not aware of this intention ( see "Snippets") .
The consultation opportunities provided by way of the Access Review Forum are also mentioned. Here again, the practicalities of this would seem to fall well short of the process envisaged, both as regards feedback and regularity of meetings. Will an alteration to its title bring about a change?
With merely five months to go before the twelve months review, we wait with baited breath for the next instalment of imaginative writing.
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Hear the News
National Talking Newspapers and Magazines, an independent charity, have launched an entirely new service. From Tuesday 12th June, blind and print-disabled listeners have been able to download audio versions of national newspaper and magazine titles that have been recorded in the charity's studios based in Heathfield.
Initially, the 50 most popular titles recorded by the charity will be available but Marketing Manager Simon Courcha promises that, "Extra titles will be added regularly with the aim of including all 230 titles over the coming months."
The audio files can either be listened to online by visiting the website or downloaded to be played later on MP3 players. Each file is 45 minutes long and individual articles can be chosen from a play-list. This gives subscribers the opportunity of being selective in the articles that they listen to, just like sighted people would skim through a newspaper and choose what to read.
Gilly Grimshaw, PR Officer says that, "this facility is another important step towards the charity fulfilling its goal of providing print disabled people with the same level of access and choice to news and information that is enjoyed by sighted people. The charity now provides a wide range of formats for delivering news and information not only to the UK, but also to print disabled people around the world."
Alan Pickering CBE, a long time satisfied subscriber to NTNM, enjoys many titles some of which help him with his job in personal finance. "I like to think that listening to The Economist, Financial Times, and Investor's Chronicle keeps me employable," he says.
To introduce the audio download service there will be a 20% reduction off the normal price of £59 p.a. until 31st August 2007. This makes the cost only £47 for the year, which is less than œ1 per week. To find out how to receive this, or any of the services provided by NTNM, please call the customer care team on 01435 866102 or visit the website, www.tnauk.org.uk.
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New initiative to increase employment opportunities for disabled people
Employers should make use of the wide pool of resources and skills that disabled employees have to offer according to John Hutton, Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions. He has announced a new initiative, 'Employ Ability', which will highlight the benefits of employing disabled people and dispel some of the myths.
With over 600,000 vacancies in the British economy waiting to be filled, Mr Hutton believes that employers may be missing out on talented and motivated staff if they refuse to look at disabled workers as a solution to their staffing needs.
Mr Hutton said:
"I believe we need to go further in getting employers themselves to do more in supporting both recruitment and retention of disabled people.
"However, we will not succeed in changing the attitudes of employers by simply placing additional burdens on them. It has to be about enabling them to see and benefit from the huge potential that disabled people have to offer and the difference that they can make to an employer's bottom line."
Mr Hutton said that Government has played its part in helping disabled people to be 'work-ready' - through programmes such as New Deal for Disabled People and Pathways to Work - and employers should make more use of this workforce, which the Employ Ability initiative will help them to do.
Employ Ability will be piloted in the four cities of Leeds, Bradford, Manchester and Liverpool from September before being rolled out nationally next year and will:
- Challenge negative assumptions about the skills and talent disabled workers, and those with long-term health conditions have to offer and address misconceptions of risk (such as that adaptations to the workplace for the disabled employee are costly - in most cases the costs are negligible or cost nothing)
- Build the confidence of employers in recruiting and retaining disabled workers and promote best practice examples of how this is being successfully done to the benefit of business.
- Improve employers' access to practical information, making it easier for them to locate relevant sources of advice and support for their situation.
Employ Ability will advise employers not only on best practice in recruiting disabled employees but also in retaining current employees who become disabled while in the job - this is necessary in order to prevent those employees from having to leave their job.
Disabled people cannot be ignored as part of the solution if the government is to meet the target of an overall 80% employment rate and eradicating child poverty in Britain. The current employment rate of disabled people is 50% compared to 74% for non-disabled people.
Increasing the number of disabled people in mainstream employment will also help towards achieving equality of disabled people in society overall, which is one of the ambitions of the government.
Technology Corner
Windows XP withdrawal
It is understood that Windows XP will not be readily available on licence to companies such as Dell, Toshiba, HP, etc., for them to install this software on their products.
Microsoft have indicated that as from the 31st January 2008, these large PC companies will no longer be able to buy licences to be installed on their machines. They do, however, say that withdrawing XP licences will have no implications for the long-term technical support for the product.
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Technology Giant -
Helps Blind "See" Web Video
Technology giant, IBM, is soon to launch a multimedia browser to make audio and video content accessible to people with visual impairments.
The A-Browser will give blind and partially sighted people the same control over multimedia content that sighted people have using the mouse.
The A-Browser is the creation of a blind Doctor employed at IBM's research laboratories in Tokyo.
She was becoming increasingly frustrated by the amount of web content she was unable to access.
For the time being, she and her team are concentrating on content that is compatible with Real Player and Windows Media Player.
Screen Readers and self-talking browsers are not able to deal with video and animation, some of which start playing as soon as a page is loaded.
This often interferes with the speech-synthesised speech output from the screen-reader software.
Using the A-Browser, a visually impaired person can control media content by using predefined shortcut keys, rather than having to, look for the control buttons using the mouse.
The browser also allows video to be slowed down, speeded up and can accommodate an additional audio description or narration track which is often included to make films and television programmes more comprehensible to blind people.
It is estimated that there are more than 160m blind and partially sighted people around the world who could benefit from such a development.
IBM has not yet decided whether the A-Browser will have a worldwide launch or whether it will be introduced in selected countries first.
(Taken from Henshaw's "Hello").
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Entertainment News
The Summer period in local theatres is now with us, a time when theatre shows are few and far between. However, both the Manchester Library Theatre and Royal Exchange Theatre will have their new Autumn and Winter brochures available for distribution to theatre-goers. These are produced in various formats (Braille, large print and audio). Could you do with a copy to keep you up-to-date with what is on offer. Give the respective Marketing sections a ring: Manchester Library Theatre - 0161 234 1919; or the Royal Exchange Theatre - 0161 839 9333 and ask for the Marketing Section.
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Audio Description
Manchester Library Theatre:
"Private Lives" by Noel Coward: Thursday, 27 September at 7-30pm, and Saturday, 6 October at 2-30pm.
Royal Exchange Theatre:
"Henry the Fifth" by William Shakespeare; Saturday, 29 September at 4pm.
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Manchester Art Gallery
The Art Gallery, which is situated at the junction of Mosley Street and Princess Street is user friendly to its visually-impaired visitors.
A guide can be provided and some exhibitions have audio descriptions.
Give the Gallery a call to find out any suitable exhibitions, book assistance or ascertain the audible guides that can be borrowed.
Give them a ring on 0161 235 8888.
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Audio Described Films
Films with audio description are now readily available.
The Cornerhouse Cinema provides such facilities on a fairly frequent basis. Give the Box Office a ring on 0161 200 1500.
Other local cinemas are able to provide audio description to some films. You can find if a cinema near you is offering this by contacting the number and website shown in "Snippets - 'Cinema Ticket Scheme'".
Touchdown Dance Weekend Workshops and Classes
Touchdown Dance has a reputation for providing dance workshops in community settings.
The weekend workshops are full of inspirational dancing with teaching by Touchdown Dance company members. The weekends are a well-recognized "M.O.T" for the body and are suitable for visually impaired people and people with other disabilities. Touchdown also run a weekly Creative Dance workshop for adults.
For booking and further information please ring the office on 0161 912 5760. Email: info@touchdowndance.co.uk.
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And Finally
That's about it for this time round. There has bee a delay due to computer problems (we were always more reliable with the pen and paper).
We hope you have found something of interest and thought provoking whether you agree with it or not (we certainly know where some disagreements will lie).
The next edition of "Megonews" will be taking us into our fourth year, but whether these will continue as quarterly or occasional issues has not yet been determined.
We are extremely anxious to recruit more visually-impaired people who reside, work (waged or in a voluntary capacity) or are involve within the City of Manchester area. If you support our endeavours or feel a change in direction is called for, then why not get aboard and make your influence felt. Just give one of the Officers a ring, they would enjoy talking to you.
Just a reminder that previous copies of "Megonews" can be viewed on our website:www.megobapp.org.uk.
Officers of MEGOBAPP:
Chairperson: Ron Goulden; 0161-798-9137.
Secretary: Carole Gausden; 0161-688-7223.
Treasurer: Jean Whittaker; 0161-681-3684.