Working Together Across London for People with a Visual Impairment s1

‘working together across London for people with a visual impairment’

LVIF E-Bulletin: 13th May 2016

This Bulletin is also available on our website: http://lvif.co.uk/category/news-bulletins/

2016 meeting dates can be downloaded here:

http://lvif.co.uk/2015/05/lvif-meeting-dates-2016/

NB: Please send articles for inclusion to:

NEWS

Item1: Vision Pioneer Awards finalists

Item2: TfA: Letter to Patrick McLoughlin MP, Secretary of State for Transport, re: the Hendy review proposals to defer 50% of vital Access for All rail projects

Item3: RNIB Newsagent service - free for blind and partially sighted children under 16

Item4: Job Opportunity: TfA Information, Advice and Advocacy Officer

Item5: The National Portrait Gallery needs your help: Focus Group

Item6: VISION 2020 UK working with RNIB to redesign apprenticeships for vision rehab workers

Item7: Newly opened Cycle Superhighways: Update from TfL

Item8: Have your say on Live to Digital theatre

Item9: Find A Guide – the National Guide Runner Database

Item10: JOB OPPORTUNITIES with Disability Sports Coach- Sports Project Officer & Coach Development Officer

Item11: Audio description on TV – time to catch up

Item12: LAUNCH of Wayfindr

EVENTS

Event 1: National Eye Health Week: 19-25 Sept

Event 2: World Sight Day: 13th Oct

Event 3: TfL: Accessible travel customer information research workshop: 8 June

Event 4: Illuminate Freedom's 1st Birthday Celebrations! July 23 - Save The Date

Event 5: Next Steps Career Event (13-25 yr olds): 3rd July

Event 6: Audio Description Tours - Whitechapel Gallery

NEWS

Item1: Vision Pioneer Awards finalists

Congratulations to all shortlisted candidates for 2016

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 13 June 2016 in London.

Campaign of the Year

· No Water,Irenie Ekkeshis

· Eye Heroes

· No One Alone, Blind Veterans UK

· Pavement Parking,Guide Dogs

Innovation Award

• Looking Out For Sight,Wiltshire Sight

• Distance Learning Online Visual Impairment Awareness Training Course,Christopher Grange Visual Rehabilitation Centre

• Wayfindr,Royal London Society for Blind People

• Neuro-opthalmic Visual Impairment in Children Clinic,Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast Trust

Professional of the Year (Adults)

• Roger Clifton, CEO,East London Vision

• Simon Labbett, Rehabilitation Officer (Visual Impairment) atBradford Metropolitan Borough Council and Chair of the Rehabilitation Workers' Professional Network

• Naomi Bell, Eye Clinic Liaison Officer, Vista

• Sister Melanie Mason, Lead Clinical Nurse, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Professional of the Year (Children and Young People)

• Jan Quinn, Young People's Coordinator, Sight Advice South Lakes

• Paula Varney, Family Support Officer, Vista

• Debbie Wallace, Honours Student, University of the West of Scotland

Team of the Year

• St Vincent's School for Sensory Impairment

• 'Sight Loss: What we needed to know' Project team

• Neuro-opthalmic Visual Impairment in Children Clinic team,Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast Trust

• Development team, Goalball UK

• Rehabilitation team, PrioritEyes

For more information please visit:

http://www.ukvisionstrategy.org.uk/vision-pioneer-awards/finalists

Item2: TfA: Letter to Patrick McLoughlin MP, Secretary of State for Transport, re: the Hendy review proposals to defer 50% of vital Access for All rail projects

Following the proposals on Access for All detailed in the Hendy Review, Transport for All, together with Inclusion London, Disabled People against Cuts, Disability Rights UK, RNIB, Muscular Dystrophy Campaign UK and Campaign for Better Transport wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport.

The “Replanning Network Rail’s investment programme” report from Sir Peter Hendy to the Transport Secretary recommends deferring 50% of vital Access for All projects to 2019-24.

"Dear Patrick McLoughlin MP, Secretary of State for Transport,

R.E: Proposals by the Hendy Review to defer 50% of Access for All projects until the next rail Control Period (2019-24)

Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in the world, the accessibility of the UK’s Rail network still has a long way to go.

We are therefore writing to express our dismay at the proposed recommendations by the Hendy review into Network Rail to defer 50% of vital Access for All projects to 2019-24.

Over twenty years have passed since the rights of disabled people to access goods and services were passed into law – yet still many of us cannot use our local train station. A large majority of stations do not have lifts, tactile paving, audio visual information, induction loops and other fixtures that enable disabled people to use them. It follows that great swathes of the UK rail network are no go areas for disabled people, particularly those with mobility impairments.

The Access for All fund has delivered much needed ring fenced funding to ameliorate this situation and over the years has unlocked parts of our rail network for disabled and older citizens to use, in many cases for the first time. Stations up and down the UK from Cheadle Hulme to Canterbury and from Balham to Blackburn have benefited from Access for All funding.

Therefore the proposed deferment of around 50% of proposed projects and approx. £50 million worth of access funding represents a real backward step in terms of rail accessibility. We need access improvements to happen by 2019 as they were originally planned and expected. It is grossly unfair that disabled and older people are being asked to defer our lives for another five years in order to ‘iron out’ previous Network Rail inefficiencies.

Furthermore we are very concerned that if part of the Access for All budget is indeed deferred for five years, it will mean a reduction in access spending in real terms as costs go up. Additionally, deferred funding often displaces any future additional investment, which is a further reduction.

We are also facing a double blow in the loss of the ‘small scheme fund’ which was used to finance additional access features such as accessible toilets and ticket windows. This fund was crucial for smaller stations that would have never qualified for Access for All funding.

Austerity has already had a disproportionately negative impact on disabled people in UK. Changes and deferments to schemes such as Access for All, that directly benefit us, constitute a direct attack on our rights to participate fully in society.

We therefore kindly request that you:

o Reject the deferment of the Access for All projects that have been proposed by Sir Peter Hendy.

o Guarantee that the Access for All fund will be able to retain and spend its full allocated budget so to improve the accessibility of our rail network.

o Consult over any future changes to the Access for All funds.

We look forward to hearing from you on this important matter.

Yours sincerely,

Faryal Velmi, Director Transport for All

Tracey Lazard, Chief Executive, Inclusion London

Linda Burnip, Disabled People against Cuts

Liz Sayce, Chief Executive, Disability Rights UK

Richard Holmes, Regional Campaigns Officer, RNIB

Nic Bungay, Director of Campaigns, Muscular Dystrophy Campaign UK

James MacColl, Head of Campaigns, Campaign for Better Transport"

Item3: RNIB Newsagent service - free for blind and partially sighted children under 16

Magazines including National Geographic Kids and BBC Horrible Histories now free for young people using RNIB Newsagent

The RNIB Newsagent service, which delivers the latest news, magazines and stories in a range of accessible formats to people with sight loss, is now free for under 16’s.

By working closely with publishers RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) aim to add new titles to the ever growing selection. Current titles in the Newsagent service include BBC Horrible Histories, First News, Aquila and RNIB Blast off! Formats include audio CD or USB, email, or braille.

Alison Long, Senior Manager, Children, Young People and Employment at RNIB, said:

“We are delighted to announce that RNIB’s Newsagent service is now completely free for all under 16’s.

“RNIB believes that reading can make the world of difference and it is vital that all blind and partially sighted children can access the same content as their sighted peers in a fun and creative way.

“Whether that’s the latest book or popular glossy magazine, we’re committed to delivering a great service, straight to the doorsteps of blind and partially sighted children.”

RNIB Newsagent is also pleased to announce their work with National Geographic Kids to produce an audio version of the magazine. The first free audio version of the magazine will be the June 2016 issue (on sale 27 April).

To find out more about our new selection please visit www.rnib.org.uk/reading-choices

To register for RNIB Newsagent, please call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999, or email us at .

Item4: Job opportunity: TfA Information, Advice and Advocacy Officer

£25,500 p.a, prorata 28 hours per week, three year contract Brixton, London

Closing Date: 5pm, 26th May 2016

TfA is looking for someone to work on the frontline of London’s only Information, Advice and Advocacy (IAA) services that are solely dedicated to accessible transport.

You will advise and support disabled and older people to travel accessibly through answering their queries generated via our helpline or email. You will also be an advocate and take up complaints when transport services have failed or let our service users down, working with both IAA and other TfA colleagues to secure the best outcome.

Occasionally you will accompany service users to meetings with transport providers in order to resolve problems, and work to keep our range of information resources (digital and hard copy) up to date.

Building up and maintaining an advanced level of knowledge of London’s transport network, in particular how it can be navigated accessibly – alongside a passion to assist disabled and older people to get out and about is essential to this important role.

For information and to apply, please download the Job Pack

http://www.transportforall.org.uk/news/work-for-us-information-advice-and-advocacy-officer

Item5: The National Portrait Gallery needs your help: Focus Group

Vocaleyes and the National Portrait Gallery are looking for participants to take part in a focus group to help develop the Gallery's services for blind and partially sighted people. We are looking for participants who are London-based and have an interest in museums and Galleries and available for a few hours at the end of May. As a participant you will be offered an incentive, refreshments, and any travel and access costs will also be met.

Please register your interest with

Item6: VISION 2020 UK working with RNIB to redesign apprenticeships for vision rehab workers

Much needed ‘Trailblazer’ apprenticeship could revolutionise the rehab sector.

The rehabilitation profession could soon see an increase of new workers thanks to the Government’s major shake-up of the apprenticeship system.

RNIB and VISION 2020 UK are working with 14 sight loss and eye health sector employers to redesign the rehabilitation apprenticeship model.

To combat the dwindling numbers of people entering the rehabilitation profession, the Government hopes changes to work-based apprenticeship training will boost figures.

By 2020, the Government has pledged to employ three million apprentices, including apprenticeships in the rehab sector. For this ambition to be realised, employers are being asked to redesign what apprenticeships should look like for their sector.

For further information please go to:Trailblazer Appreticeships

Item7: Newly opened Cycle Superhighways: Update from TfL

RE: the recent opening of two new stretches of London’s Cycle Superhighways.

The North–South lane opened on Friday 29 April, with another section of the East-West route opening at Parliament Square last week. The lanes provide a safer environment for people to cycle by reducing the risk of coming into contact with vehicles and making junctions safer.

North–South (CS6) The final section of the two-way lane hasopened over Blackfriars Bridge with the full length of the route now running from Elephant and Castle to Stonecutter Street near Holborn Viaduct.

The project has provided a substantially segregated cycle track making cycling safer, introducing innovative designs at junctions, such as a dedicated green time for cyclists outside Palestra and at Ludgate Circus to preventcollisions with turning vehicles. The lane also now connects with CS7 and East-West. However, there are still some minor works being undertaken on the route.

There are bus stop bypasses located along this route at:

Blackfriars Road – northbound bus stop U (St. George’s Circus)

Blackfriars Road – northbound bus stop V (Pocock Street)

Blackfriars Road – northbound bus stop SA (Southwark station)

Blackfriars Road – northbound bus stop SD (Stamford Street)

Blackfriars Bridge – northbound bus stop C (Blackfriars station south entrance)

New Bridge Street – northbound bus stop J (Blackfriars station north entrance)

Farringdon Street – northbound bus stop M (Fleet Street / City Thameslink station)

Farringdon Street – northbound bus stop HS (Snow Hill)

Farringdon Street – southbound bus stop HT (Snow Hill)

East–West (CS3) The first section of the route is in use between Great George Street to Royal Mint Street after the final stretch opened at Parliament Square. Further works are set for completion by the end of October to extend the lane to through the parks to Lancaster Gate.

There are bus stop bypasses located along this route at:

Tower Hill– eastbound bus and coach stop TB (Tower of London)

All Hallows Lane – eastbound coach stop

Victoria Embankment – bus and coach stop (Temple station)

Victoria Embankment – bus and coach stop (Temple Avenue)

Victoria Embankment – westbound bus and coach stop Y

Victoria Embankment – Westminster Pier tour bus stop

Victoria Embankment – Westminster Pier tour bus stand

Item8: Have your say on Live to Digital theatre

Arts Council England, UK Theatre, and the Society of London Theatre are surveying people in England in order to understand their experiences with digitally distributed live theatre. They are interested in the views of people who have attended live and encore screenings, such as National Theatre Live, as well as those who have viewed live theatre online. Also they want to hear from people who have not viewed any live screenings. They hope you'll take a few minutes to participate.

This is your chance to put forward the case for both pre-show introductory notes and audio description for digital theatre screenings.

Please fill in the survey to help them learn more about your experiences with digital screenings of theatre.