News:

Libraries:

  • Public libraries for social, digital and economic inclusion: Summary of the CILIP Public and Mobile Libraries group biennial conference which aimed to show how libraries support social, digital and economic inclusion. CILIP conference
  • Libraries taskforce: The national Libraries Taskforce has been criticized for excluding campaigners and frontline staff from its steering group. It is also claimed that the body is ‘hamstrung’ by having to report to the department of digital, culture, media and sport (DCMS). Libraries Taskforce
  • Alternative delivery models: alternative delivery models are examined and the Libraries Taskforce toolkit is highlighted as an aide to help authorities who might want to consider alternative delivery options. Alternative delivery
  • Libraries supporting the use of patient and public information: high quality health information for patients and the general public. A suggestion that libraries and librarians are the right people to support the creation, provision and signposting of patient information. Libraries and health information

International

  • Draft Action Plan on Copyright Limitations and Exceptions: The World Intellectual Property Organization has provided draft action plans, one each for libraries, archives, museums, educational research institutions, and persons with other disabilities than sight impairment.Details here

Sight and vision issues:

  • Wearable tech helps people with vision loss to read print: TheU.S.pilots wearable technology which consists of a tiny camera in a pair of glasses, an earpiece and a clip-on base. When a user points to the text, the glasses scan the words and speak them into the user’s ear. Wearable Tech
  • Dutch train stations now accessible for the visually impaired: 30m Euros has been spent on making Dutch train stations accessible to blind or partially sighted people. Dutch train stations
  • Nissan electric cars to make noise to warn pedestrians of their proximity: The noise is especially important for blind or partially sighted pedestrians, allowing them to better listen for the sound of approaching electric vehicles. Replacement engine noises
  • Tiny tube used to treat glaucoma patients in New Zealand: a new procedure has been developed to insert a tiny gel tube into the eye to allow fluid to drain away and reduce pressure build-up. Glaucoma treatment
  • Recognising depression in low vision patients: what can be done to help and support those when a low vision diagnosis causes depression. Recognising depression
  • Improvements to voter registration service: an audit of the ‘register to vote website’ has generated a number of recommendations to improve accessibility. Improved accessibility
  • Audio Book Group founded in Cromer, Norfolk: readers discuss a chosen book of the month after listening to it on CD or memory stick. Book group for the blind or visually impaired.

Share The Vision is a partnership of UK libraries and library organisations that work together to improve the accessibility of library services for blind and other print disabled people.

More information is available from the Chair, Mark Freeman, or 01642 526481. Contributions for the bulletin can be sent to Mark at the email address above.

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