Vision magazineAugust/September 2015

Issue 73

Welcome

Welcome to your August/September 2015 Vision magazine. Do you feel you’re missing out as you don’t have access to the internet? Online Today is a great new project to help you get online and make the most of being online and best of all, it’s free! Why not send your first email to us at Vision magazine?

Our focus on technology continues with a round-up of what’s new in accessible technology from our partially sighted expert, Robin Spinks. Find out what Robin thinks of his new Apple Watch and some new affordable and accessible smartphones.

We’d all like the world to be a better place for blind and partially sighted people to live in. Some of our members are volunteering and making some of these positive changes. Let them inspire you.

Plus our audio book review, What Milo Saw, features a nine-year-old boy with retinitis pigmentosa. We have a summery recipe for salad niçoise and in letters cultural visits and golf swings. Why not try something new this summer?

Clare Conley, Managing Editor

News

Support through sight loss advisers

Every 15 minutes someone in the UK will be told they’re losing their sight.

Will you support our campaign next month to make sure that everyone who is losing their sight can talk to a sight loss adviser? Lucy was 21 when she found out she had macular degeneration She says: “I couldn’t get a job, I couldn’t learn to drive, I felt barely able to walk down the street.”

94 per cent of the population assume that people losing their sight will get some kind of emotional and practical support. But right now, just one third of hospitals offer access to a sight loss adviser.

Lucy says: “Now, I’m working in a job that I love and am confident going out. If I’d had a sight loss adviser from the start, I could’ve been saved a lot of pain and upset.”

We’ll be asking people to sign a letter to make sure that everyone who is losing their sight can talk to a sight loss adviser. We’ll also be promoting this message across the country.

You can also:

Watch our film at youtube.com/rnibuk Stay updated with RNIB on Twitter (@RNIB) and Facebook

(facebook.com/rnibuk) Join our campaign, put up a poster, share your experience or

donate: call 020 7391 2073.

Ask the Minister for Disabled People

Do you have a question you’d like to us to put to Justin Tomlinson, the new Minister for Disabled People? We are hoping to get an interview for Vision this autumn. The Minister’s responsibilities include: disability benefits like Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and Attendance Allowance; carers, and Access to Work.

Please send us your questions now by email to visionmagazine@rnib.org.uk or call the Vision messageline on 0845 330 4134.

RNIB campaigner makes Independent on Sunday’s Happy List

Well done to Joyce Anderson, member and campaigner for RNIB, who has been recognised in the Independent on Sunday’s Happy List. This is a collection of 100 heroes and heroines who make Britain a better place to live.

The Independent on Sunday has recognised Joyce for her work on our Stop for me, Speak to me bus campaign, which led to local buses introducing audio announcements. Joyce, who is from Morpeth in Northumberland, was in the Get Involved section of June/July Vision magazine talking about her involvement in our campaign against street clutter.

Employment workshops to help 200 job seekers with sight loss

RNIB and Action for Blind People have launched new employment workshops thanks to a donation of over £49,000 from the ScottishPower Foundation.

There will be 27 workshops,13 in England and the rest in Scotland. The workshops will help over 200 blind and partially sighted job seekers with CVs, application forms, job searching, interviews and guidance on when and how to disclose sight loss to an employer.

Nadeem Ishaq, 42, from Golders Green, is already benefiting from the workshops. Unemployed for over 10 years after experiencing sight loss, Nadeem has learned how to use ZoomText, allowing him to read on computer screens and also had advice on presentation skills, which has led to gaining voluntary roles. He said: “I’ve been able to rebuild my confidence, volunteer and begin applying for paid jobs; all without any fear or hesitation.”

To find out more, in England call 0800 440 2255 or email employmentline@actionforblindpeople.org.uk and in Scotland call 0131 657 8200 or email Elscotland@rnib.org.uk

If you live elsewhere in the UK, please call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk to find out about employment services near you.

High Court rules PIP delays unlawfulRNIB has welcomed a ruling by the High Court in June, that a delay in paying welfare benefits to two disabled people was “unlawful” and “unacceptable”.

The two claimants waited nine months for Personal Independence Payments (PIP), which left them dependent on loan sharks and food banks. RNIB played an important role in supporting a judicial review, providing witness statements and detailed briefs. Our campaigners also made their voices heard outside the Court.

RNIB’s Head of Membership and Campaigns, Steve Winyard, welcomed the result. He said: “Since the introduction of PIP, we have heard from many blind and partially sighted people who have had to endure appalling delays before receiving this vital support. This decision by the High Court is an important step forward in ensuring disabled people are able to access this essential benefit in a reasonable amount of time to enable them to live as independently as possible.”

RNIB is calling on the Department for Work and Pensions not to start transferring current Disability Living Allowance claimants to PIP, which is due to start from October this year, until the backlog and delays have been eliminated.

If you are concerned about your benefits or want to check that you are getting everything you are entitled to, please call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk

Making your NHS information accessible

We still need you to support our campaign for accessible NHS information. As this edition goes to press, we are waiting to find out what the new NHS information standard will cover.

This means that this issue is still high on the political agenda. Please tell your GP the format you need to receive your health information in, and let us know so that we can keep track of which GPs have been approached. And if you’d like to find out more about this campaign and get involved:visit rnib.org.uk/accessible-information-campaign or call 020 7391 2123.

Lord Holmes speaks at Vision UKLord Holmes of Richmond, the Paralympian gold medal winner who has previously featured in your Vision magazine, gave a key note address at the Vision UK 2015 conference in London, in June.

And our Vision audio book reviewer, Vidar Hjardeng, who is also a Diversity Consultant for ITV News, chaired a People’s Panel of expert speakers who are blind or partially sighted.

The conference is part of the UK Vision Strategy, which is bringing together organisations and individuals involved with sight loss to work together. More than 550 people from across the sight loss sector went to the conference, which is the biggest so far. Visit visionuk.org.uk

Looking Forward offers peer support in Northern Ireland

RNIB Northern Ireland has set up its first two peer support groups, providing counselling support to people aged 60 and over who are living with sight loss.

The groups are part of the Looking Forward project, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, which offers free practical and emotional support to people aged 60 and over who are blind or partially sighted and at greatest risk of isolation or exclusion. There are plans to set up five peer support groups in total and recruit 24 volunteers across Northern Ireland this year.

Kevin Greene, Peer Support Coordinator, said: “ The two groups meet regularly in Finaghy Library and the City Hotel in Derry.

These groups enable people with sight loss to come together to share their personal experiences and support each other in dealing with difficult feelings relating to sight loss.”

Contact the Looking Forward team on 028 9032 9373 or email lookingforward@rnib.org.uk

To find out about counselling and support available around the UK, please call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk

Celebrate braille by wearing dots to raise lots!You can still get involved with our Wear dots... raise lots! fundraising activities this October. Just ask friends, family and colleagues to join you and dress in dots in return for a small donation.

Last year many of our supporters showed off their talent for baking and made dotty cakes, some of them with braille messages on, as well as sporting their dotty clothing.

The Inner Wheel club of Braunton raised a fantastic £200 by holding a coffee morning with dotty cakes, raffle and book sale. Jan Rolfe, who organised the event, said: “My connection to RNIB started when my father, who had retinitis pigmentosa, received talking books. They made such a difference to his life.”

For your free fundraising pack, go to rnib.org.uk/weardots, call 0845 345 0054 or email fundraising@rnib.org.uk.

Museum of the Year 2015 shortlist is audio describedThe charity, VocalEyes, teamed up with the Art Fund to produce audio descriptions of the shortlisted venues for the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year 2015.

Shortlisted venues this year included The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester, the Oxford University Natural History Museum and the Imperial War Museum in London.

You can listen to the audio described introductions, each about 10 minutes long, at vocaleyes.co.uk.

VocalEyes also has a calendar of audio described theatre performances and tours of venues around the UK. Sign up for their newsletter, available in different formats, at vocaleyes.co.uk or call 020 7375 1043.

Technology: Get Online Today

Don’t miss out on free training to get online and learn more about technology. Vision Managing Editor, Clare Conley, finds out what Online Today can offer.

Technology can make life easier, especially if you have hearing or sight problems, but knowing where to start isn’t always easy. Online Today is a UK-wide project that can help you build your confidence, knowledge and skills with free training.

Online Today, is funded by a £5.8million Big Lottery Fund grant. RNIB will work in partnership with 37 other organisations including Action for Blind People, Action on Hearing Loss, Guide Dogs and Sense. The project will run for three years until December 2017 and we are aiming to support 125,000 people with sensory loss.

Kelly Gallagher, a Paralympic gold-medal winning skier, has been partially sighted since birth is supporting Online Today. She explained: “I can’t imagine how different my life would be if it wasn’t for technology and the internet. I haven’t any fears when it comes to racing down the ski slope but without a smartphone I’d struggle to get on the right bus or train on my own or stay in touch with friends and family while I’m travelling.”

“I haven’t any fears about racing down a ski slope but without a smartphone I’d struggle to get on the right bus or train on my own.” Kelly Gallagher, Paralympic gold medallist.

What can I learn with Online Today?

The aim is to give you the information and knowledge you need to learn more about the benefits of being online, how it can help you with everyday living and how to stay safe online.

Here are some examples of the sorts of things you can learn or find out about:

an introduction to using a computer and the internet support to set up an email account and social networking

pages, such as Twitter and Facebook getting the most from your smartphone options for reading with eBooks and downloading audio books. how to use GPS navigation trackers getting the best deals by paying bills online shopping online product demonstrations: laptops, smartphones, ereaders and

tablets. opportunities to try products for yourself.

Where will Online Today training take place?There will be workshops, events and demonstrations of products taking place all round the UK. The Online Today team will also be able to set up home visits too.

Who will carry out the training?A number of Online Today staff are being employed to run workshops and events. There will also be 400 volunteer Online Skills Trainers and another 750 volunteers who will be trained to provide the right support.

“We can help and guide you, even if you’re feeling anxious about technology and getting started.”

Davinder Kullar is an Online Today Officer who is already running training events and demonstrations and working with individuals to enable them to learn about technology. Davinder has retinitis pigmentosa and now uses a cane and has a guide dog.

“I’ve changed the way I’ve done things, including which technology I use, as my vision has deteriorated. I’m the type of person who will always look for a solution.

With OnlineToday, I will take time to understand what someone wants to achieve and explore ways of doing that. We make it really simple – we don’t use lots of technical, jargonistic language – we just focus on what you actually want to do and find ways to help you do that.

I recently worked with someone in his 80s who had been given an iPad by his family. The main thing he wanted to do was to learn how to use it to have a conversation via Skype with his granddaughter who lives in another country. We took it slowly so that he could take his time and practise and eventually he was successful in making his very first call to his granddaughter.”

Find out more about Online TodayCall the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999. They will be able to discuss your needs and identify the support you require.

If you already have access to the internet, you can also visit rnib.org.uk/onlinetoday

Listen to the free Vision podcastYou can listen to Kelly Gallagher and Davinder Kullar speaking to Vision Managing Editor, Clare Conley, on the free Vision podcast at rnib.org.uk/visionmagazine

Tips and options to get online

Find out about computers with accessible software and get advice about grants and other options.

We hope you are feeling inspired to start your online journey. Here are some options and tips to help you on your way:

RNIB Talking computers now available

Are you thinking about buying a new computer to get online? We’ve just launched a new RNIB Talking computer range.

We are working in partnership with Sight and Sound to offer you five high specification computer packages. All competitively priced they include three desktop options, one with touch display and two lightweight notebook or laptop options. The new range comes ready with accessible software installed – either JAWS speech or MAGic magnification.

You can also buy, separately, one or two year telephone support packages, extended warranty and all-risk insurance.

To find out more about the new RNIB Talking computer range, call the Helpline on 0303 123 9999, or visit the online shop at rnib.org.uk/shop.

Buy a recycled computer and RNIB will benefit!

In a separate initiative, RNIB has teamed up with Computer Recyclers UK to offer recycled desktop and laptop computers with pre-installed screen reader and Microsoft Office. The screen reader is NVDA with an Ivona voice, to bring you high quality human-sounding speech.

PCs start at £179 and laptops start at £229 and all include six month warranties and delivery. Upgrade options are available and £60 of every sale is donated back to RNIB. Call Computer Recyclers on 01443 434 675 or visit computerrecyclersuk.com

Do you need financial support?If you are looking for financial support to buy equipment such as computers, RNIB's Helpline should be your first port of call. They can:

talk about the equipment, items and support you might be entitled to from your local authority, employer, education provider or the Government.

help you maximise your income and benefits so that you may be able to afford items you need.

search for organisations that might be able to provide a grant for the items you need. RNIB’s own grants scheme also supports a limited range of items including computer software.

Call the Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk to find out more.

What’s new in accessible technology?Robin Spinks, Senior Manager for RNIB Digital Accessibility Consultancy, rounds up the latest technology news.

How has Google Docs improved accessibility?

Google has recently improved the accessibility of Google Docs, its online system for editing, storing and collaborating on electronic documents. The enhancements will make it easier to use for people using popular screen readers like Jaws for Windows or NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access).

Are there any new apps that could be useful for blind and partially sighted people?

Yes, there’s a new KNFB reader app for iPhone users. You can use it to read things like mail, medication information or menus, for example. The app gives you orientation to help you focus on a document then capture it. The app will then automatically convert it into speech and will also give you a highlighted display on the screen so that if you’ve got useful vision, you can see the text in the font size that works for you.

The new KNFB reader app costs £79. It’s not the cheapest of this type of app that’s available, but it’s the most efficient and accurate one that we’ve come across so far. Currently it’s just for iPhones, but we expect to see the application for other platforms in the future.

In our April/May edition, you told us about the Apple Watch – is it living up to expectations?

I’ve got the Apple Watch Sport 42mm. It’s a companion device so you need an iPhone to use it with.

One of the interesting features is that it’ll give you navigation information via its Taptic Engine using haptic feedback: taps on the wrist to tell you to turn left or right, for example. Or you can use VoiceOver, the screen reader. It’s also got magnification, which is possibly of less use with a very small display on the watch face.

A handy feature, you can use the Apple Watch as a remote control for slides on an iPad for example, or for controlling Apple TV or a music player. It’s also a fitness tracker. But is it an essential item? No, it’s an extra as you can use your iPhone to do most things. Also, the battery is a limitation as you’ll need to charge it every day.

Are there any other new devices on the market?

Microsoft has launched two new affordable and accessible smart phones: the Lumia 640 Smartphone and the Lumia 640 XL. They

both have larger screens – the 640 has a 5-inch screen and the 640 XL has a 5.7inch, but they’re both affordable devices: about £110 for the 640 and somewhere under £200 for the 640 XL.

They’ve both got built-in magnification, and they also both have a screen reader, Narrator, built into the operating system. What’s significant about this is you don’t need to change the language or speech settings to turn Narrator on. So you can take the phones out of the box and start using them straight away with Narrator or magnification.

Find out more about technology

You can find out more about the KNFB reader app and watch a video about the different things you can do at KNFBreader.com

Visit rnib.org.uk/technology for information and advice on accessible technology and sign up for regular updates.

If you want to get online and learn more about technology, Online Today can help you.

Eye health: understanding dry eyeMatthew Athey, RNIB’s Eye Health Information Manager, explains more about the most common eye conditions.

What is dry eye and how does it affect your sight?

“Dry eye” is a term for a number of things that might go wrong with the tears on the front of your eye. Your eye has three layers of tears that keep it moist and comfortable and get nutrients to your cornea. Every time you blink, these layers of tears are spread across the front of your eye.

Dry eye mostly affects both eyes. It can make your vision slightly blurry, usually only for short periods of time. Dry eye doesn’t usually cause long-term problems with your sight and will only damage the front of your eye in extreme cases.

What are the main symptoms of dry eye?

If you experience the following symptoms, then you may have dry eye:

dry and itchy eyes feeling like there’s something in your eye all the time overwatering - if your eye is constantly tearing up or tears

are falling down your cheeks. This is usually to do with a problem with the oily layer on your tear film, which means that your eye gets irritated each time you blink and then creates more watery tears to wash the irritation away.

What causes dry eye?

Dry eye can be caused by:

getting older, particularly in women whose hormone balance changes, causing dryness

wearing contact lenses arthritis infections in your eyelash roots drugs taken for other problems that may cause tears to dry

up.

What should you do if you think you have dry eye?

Talk to your optometrist. When they carry out an eye test, they can examine your tear film using a microscope. They might test how many tears you’re producing by putting a little thread in your bottom lid, which soaks up some of the moisture. This then gives a rough idea of how quickly your tears are evaporating.

What’s the treatment?

Unfortunately dry eye is an ongoing problem. People manage it by using eye drops, which are essentially fake tears you can buy at your pharmacist. One new development is a treatment that you can spray directly onto your eyelids, which some people find easier to use.

For some people, dry eye will be worse at different times of the year – for example if you’re prone to things like hay fever, dry eye will be worse in spring time. Reading for a long time without a break might also make it worse. If you’re taking eye drops, it’s sometimes good to try putting them in before you watch TV, to pre-empt the dryness.

Find out more about dry eye and other conditionsVisit an online resource centre, set up by people with severe or chronic dry eye, which includes discussion groups and tips, at dryeyezone.com.

For more detailed information on a certain condition, including dry eye, you can download the “Understanding” series, at rnib.org.uk/resources or call the RNIB Helpline to request one in your preferred format on 0303 123 9999.

You can also email or speak to one of the advisers from our Eye Health Information Service about any questions to do with eye health. Contact them via the RNIB Helpline or email eyehealth@rnib.org.uk

Get involved: volunteer with campaigningWhy not get involved in campaigning and work with us to bring about positive change for blind and partially sighted people?Our volunteer campaigners work across a huge variety of issues including: campaigning to influence the local NHS, get cars off pavements, tackle other street clutter, get accessible information, and improve the accessibility of public transport. Two of our volunteer campaigners tell you about their experiences.

“With campaigning, you can do as much or as little as you want.” Dianne Woodford, 47, Beverley: Volunteer Campaign Coordinator

I was a nurse before I lost my sight and I really enjoy helping others. Getting involved with campaigning has given me back my confidence and self-worth and I’ve made friends with lots of other people with sight loss too. You can volunteer to do as much or as little as you want.

We’ve already changed a lot in our area including tackling street clutter and making buses easier to travel. Now we’re focusing on shared spaces - where the road and pavement are all on the same level without a raised kerb at the roadside, relying on eye contact between the driver and the pedestrian. Hull had announced plans to introduce even more shared spaces and to take out crossings, as part of changes for becoming a City of Culture.

We voiced our concerns to councillors and people from the planning department and produced a report. And they have changed their minds - they’re going to leave the crossings in. So that shows that campaigning means changing lives – it’s fantastic!”

“Campaigning has given me a new lease of energy”

Phil Lee, 58, Essex: Volunteer Campaign Coordinator.

Through campaigning with RNIB, I’ve taken an interest in things that I’ve always wanted to get involved with. It’s given me something to focus on, built my knowledge up and developed my skills. To put this into perspective, I used to find it quite embarrassing to talk in a meeting but now I am leading training sessions and even chairing meetings.

I’ve been involved with the ‘Stop for me, speak to me’ bus campaign from the start, training bus drivers to consider the needs of blind and partially sighted passengers. I’ve organised events and meetings with the managers of the bus companies and been in touch with BBC Essex.

I’ve also taken part in patient-led assessments at my local hospital and helped to organise a blindfold walk with my MP to demonstrate inaccessible streets for our ‘Who put that there’ campaign.

Campaigning has given me a new lease of energy and the drive to go out and do more. The more I achieve, the more I want to do. If it hadn’t been for campaigners around the country, things wouldn’t have changed.”

How can I campaign with RNIB?

Join our Campaign Supporter Network - we have a network of nearly 7,000 campaign supporters. It’s free to join and you receive our Campaign Update newsletter three times a year, or our bi-monthly campaigns enewsletter, and you can get regular Twitter updates at @RNIB_campaigns

Become a Key Campaigner – we have over 400 Key Campaigners who commit to taking different campaign actions at least three times a year.

Become a Volunteer Campaign Coordinator (VCCs) – we have over 70 VCCs working alongside the Regional Campaigns Officer in their region on local and national campaigns.

How we support youWe’ll keep you informed and offer training and opportunities to engage with other blind and partially sighted people through teleconferences or face-to-face. We’ll also work with you on campaign strategy and getting access to decision makers at local and national level.

Get involved!

Call the Campaigns Hotline on 020 7391 2123

Email us at campaigns@rnib.org.uk or find out more at rnib.org.uk/campaigning

Know your rights: six vital facts about the Equality Act

RNIB’s Legal Rights Service has produced an Equality Act toolkit to help you to understand your rights and challenge discrimination, below is a summary...

1. The Equality Act 2010 legally protects you from discrimination, including disability discrimination.

2. The Equality Act only applies in England, Scotland and Wales. But Northern Ireland has similar legislation called the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) so these vital facts apply across the UK.

3. If you have a certificate as sight impaired, or severely sight impaired, you automatically meet the definition of a disabled person. You also meet the definition if you have a “physical or mental impairment” that has a substantial and long term effect “on your ability to carry out normal day to day activities.”

4. Service providers, organisations and employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments, to avoid putting you at a substantial disadvantage compared to people who are not disabled. This includes making changes to provisions, criteria or practices and providing equipment.

5. If you feel you’ve been discriminated against. The first step should be to make a complaint (or raise a grievance for employment situations). Many disputes can be resolved by making a complaint. However, if this does not work, seek advice from RNIB’s Legal Rights Service.

6. Remember – there are time limits for taking court action. These are three months starting from the date discrimination happened for employment cases and six months for other cases.

For more detailed information:

Our full Equality Act Toolkit and factsheets are available at rnib.org.uk/equalityact For other formats or to contact our Legal Rights Service, call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.

Lifestyle: audio book review of What Milo SawVidar Hjardeng, RNIB Trustee and Diversity Consultant for ITV News, reviews What Milo Saw by Virginia MacGregor.What Milo Saw is about a nine-year-old boy who has retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Milo is described as seeing “through a pinhole” due to having RP, yet he picks up more than other people around him and this is one of the main themes of the book.

Milo lives with mum Sandy and 92-year-old great grandma, Lou. Lou finds it increasingly difficult to look after herself, and the final straw is when she sets fire to the kitchen. And things at home are difficult anyway – with Milo’s father running off with his secretary – so it’s decided that Lou should go to live in the Forget Me Not care home.

The story then focuses on the conditions at the care home, which is ruled with a rod of iron by Nurse Thornhill, and what Milo discovers when he visits Lou there.

Each chapter is told from the point of view of one of four different characters. The narrator, Steven Hodson, narrates all four of these voices; and he’s good at the accents, including Lou’s Scottish accent and Milo’s distinctive voice.

I would recommend What Milo Saw, my only slight reservation is whether a nine-year old child could really do quite as much as Milo, but maybe I’m being cynical – it was still a good story and listen.

Read What Milo Saw

What Milo Saw is available to borrow from the RNIB Library as a talking book on DAISY or USB stick by contacting the Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or helpline@rnib.org.uk. It’s also available as a digital download from RNIB Overdrive at rnib.overdrive.com

Lifestyle: recipe for salad niçoise

Healthy summer salads needn’t be boring. Tuna and egg add protein to your greens. This recipe comes from Diabetes UK and you can find this and other diabetic-friendly recipes at diabetes.org.uk

Ingredients for 3 servings:

250g (9oz) new potatoes, cut into large chunks 100g (4oz) fine beans, cooked 1 egg, quartered 2 tomatoes, cut into wedges 9 pitted black olives 3 anchovy fillets, halved lengthways grated rind and juice of 1 lemon 2 teaspoons olive oil 150g (5.5oz) piece fresh tuna salt and freshly ground black pepper

To make:

1. Boil the potatoes for 15-20 minutes until just tender, then refresh in cold water to cool.

2. In a bowl, toss together the potatoes, beans, egg, tomatoes, olives and anchovies. Drizzle over the lemon rind and juice, stir and set aside for 10 minutes.

3. Heat a frying or griddle pan until hot, rub the oil over the tuna and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side. Allow to cool for a few minutes then cut into thick slices.

4. Arrange the salad on a platter, season and top with the tuna.

Your letters and tipsStar letter: Cultural visits cheer up hospital tripsI have multiple disabilities including cerebral palsy, hearing loss and sight loss. I’ve had to travel to London quite often recently for hospital visits, and so my husband and I have planned some cultural trips to make the visits a more pleasant experience.

There’s a Magna Carta exhibition on at the British Library that I’d definitely recommend. The Magna Carta is where all our regulations and laws came from, including the Human Rights Act.

However, I would warn other visitors with sight loss that if you use the audio guide handset, the numbers on it aren’t in chronological order for the layout of the exhibits. This means you either have to have a carer with you to point out the numbers you’re keying in, or you just have to go through and hope you’ll find the right thing.

While at the British Library, we also went to see a display about world religions and Christianity and Bibles, which was interesting.

Being interested in coinage, another time we went to an exhibition at the British Museum where you can handle some coins. There’s also a museum in the Bank of England that is well worth going to because there’s an audio guide.

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is particularly good: we asked for a tour there once for our special needs, and they said “No problem!” There were four of us on this tour, and we were guided the safe way around so we didn’t have to climb stairs and risk falling over. They were very aware.

If you’re interested in something and there’s an exhibition on it in London, I’d recommend that you go.Loraine Rogers, Cumbria

Magna Carta: Law, Liberty and LegacyThis exhibition to mark the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, is on at the British Library, Euston Road, London until 1 September 2015.

Tickets cost £5 for disabled people and carers accompanying a disabled person, can go free. You can book tickets in advance at bl.uk or by calling 01937 546 546.

The audio guide handset hire fee is £3 and you can collect them at the entrance to the exhibition.

The world religions and Bible display is in the Sir John Ritblat Gallery, also known as the treasures gallery, on the upper ground floor. These small collections are free to visit.

The British Library has thanked Loraine for her feedback about the tour and promised to look into this for future exhibitions.

Star letter prize

For her star letter prize, Loraine wins one of our new and improved RNIB PenFriend audio labellers. Next edition, the star letter prize is another RNIB PenFriend. So do keep those letters and emails coming in.

Try Apple trainingIn July last year, I purchased an Apple Mac mini and their One to One training package that costs £79 for as many sessions as you need within one year.

I booked a few sessions, but none of the trainers at my local store could train me in Apple’s VoiceOver technology. They tried to persuade me to use the mouse but it was no good as I can’t see the cursor or the text on the screen. So I wrote a letter to the manager of the Milton Keynes Apple store to ask if they could arrange for training for their staff to teach VoiceOver technology. Next time I went to the store, the staff told me that they’d all had the training.

However, a couple of months later I booked another session and found the member of staff allocated to me couldn’t teach with VoiceOver. So you need to remember to specify that you need to use the accessible software each time you book a session to make sure you get someone with the relevant training.

I find it a steep learning curve on new technology but at least I know if I get stuck I can go to the Apple store and ask them what I’m doing wrong!

Padma Cheriyan, Milton Keynes

Learn about your Apple device

Apple offers free workshops to learn the basics about your device if you buy it directly from them.

If you want to go to the next level, the One to One training package that Padma bought costs £79 for a year. It’s only available at the time you buy your product from an Apple store or Apple online.

Apple advises that if you need training that involves accessibility features, like VoiceOver, you need to identify that when you sign up for the training and when booking each training session. Apple got in touch with Padma to make sure she got training suitable for her needs.

To find out more about the training Apple offers for its products, visit apple.com or call customer services on 0800 048 0408.

Talk to children about living with sight lossI’ve been totally blind since 1982 and for about 30 years, I’ve been talking to children at independent schools about living with disability and sight loss. I’ve addressed in total more than 1,000 audiences of ages ranging from seven to sixth form.

I talk to children about how blind people can live a normal life. I show them different equipment I use, the most popular being my guide dog – a big German Shepherd who is an absolute softie. He always steals the show!

I’m soon going to be retiring, but I don’t want my efforts to go to waste, and I’m keen that someone else take over. I’m offering an established lecture practice with a suggested script, customer base and an extensive range of demonstration equipment to an interested person at a purely nominal and negotiable charge.

I hope I can find someone to take over – I think this is a project for which there’s a great social need.

Roger Elgood, Cleveland

Contact Roger on 012 8762 6924 or email insight@elgood.ndo.co.uk

Take a swing at blind golf!I’ve had retinitis pigmentosa (RP) since 1976. As a keen sportsperson, I started looking for a new challenge when I was diagnosed and got involved with England & Wales Blind Golf. It’s allowed me to carry on playing sport as well as making a lot of friends and challenge myself.

You will need a sighted guide for golf. Because the ball is static it stays on the ground and learning to improve your golf swing is the same if you’re sighted or not. My daughter was my guide so it has been a family affair!

If you’re interested in blind golf – whether or not you’ve played before – do contact us. If your sight disability qualifies you to become a member, we can offer you six free lessons with no obligation. There’s also a continuous training programme run three to four times a year, paid for by the association. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it – so why not give it a go?

Barry Ritchie, Coventry

Try golf or another sportIf you’re interested in joining England and Wales blind golf, visit blindgolf.co.uk, follow them on twitter at @EWBlindGolf or call the New Members Secretary, Derek Field, on 01276 512 538.

For UK-wide information on golf and other sports for people with sight loss, visit britishblindsport.org.uk or call 01926 42 42 47.

Walter’s self-help group is in YateIn your last edition of Vision magazine we featured a letter from Walter Poole about a local self-help group that he had found very useful and enjoyable. Gaye Williams, who set up the group four years ago, would like to clarify that the group is held in Yate, South Gloucestershire, as she has been receiving calls from people all over the Gloucestershire area.

Would you like to set up a local group?Gaye told us that she's happy to share tips and speak to anyone else who may be thinking of setting up a new local group for people with sight loss. Gaye is on 01454 321 749.

Find out about groups and services in your areaVisit sightlinedirectory.org.uk or call the Helpline on 0303 123 9999.

Your community: member news

Growing your community of membersThank you to everyone who shared ideas to help shape your future community following our interview with Fazilet Hadi, RNIB Director of Engagement in the last edition of Vision Magazine. We heard your thoughts and suggestions at forum meetings, via conversations with member representatives and your calls to the membership team.

Collectively, you’ve helped the steering group – made up of member representatives, campaigners and Action Connect – start to shape a new community. The overall aim is to involve more people, offer more opportunities to connect with others and give members opportunities to support other blind and partially sighted people. This could be through campaigning, volunteering, fundraising or even just to have the opportunity to talk to people in a similar situation.

We’re now in the process of refining those plans and we’re aiming to sign off the proposal for the new community in October at an additional UK member forum meeting.

Please do continue to share your thoughts with the membership team in the meantime. Email membership@rnib.org.uk or call 0303 1234 555.

Play a part in building your new online areaWe are still working with members to develop your online area, Vision – Your Community. To ensure maximum accessibility, we’ve extended the testing period. This means the online area is not yet live. We’ll let you know when the site is live in a future edition of your Vision magazine. Meanwhile, we welcome your feedback in building this special online community.

Remember, whether you register to become an online member or not, you can still enjoy Vision magazine in the version you choose,. We’ll also use feedback and discussions from the online area to plan the best content for all of our members.

If you’d like to know more about the online area, contact your membership team on 0303 1234 555 or email membership@rnib.org.uk

Come along to a member eventWe’ve mentioned previously that we are trying out some new member events in the North West of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

On Saturday 26 September we’ll be hosting a sports and leisure taster day at St Vincent's school in Liverpool. You’ll be able to try something new like cycling, goalball, sound football, curling and braille chess.

And we are also offering members in the North West the opportunity to come along to a member forum at the Vision Hotel in Windermere on 28 November. And there’s even the option to get a big discount and stay for the whole weekend for members in the North West.

The next event for Yorkshire and Humber will take place in York on 20 October and will focus on technology with specialist companies and advice available.

AdvertisementsPlease note that advertisements are placed by organisations independent of RNIB and their inclusion does not mean that RNIB has endorsed the products and services they offer.

OptelecThe new Clear View CComfortable reading starts with the C.

Do you have sight difficulties? Would you like to continue enjoying craftwork or reading your favourite newspaper?

The Clear View C enables you to continue with the activities you enjoy the most. This unique C-shaped video magnifier is designed to improve your reading experience without restricting you in space and movement.

To request further information or a demonstration at your home call Freephone 080 8090 8090 or browse online at optelec.co.uk

Sight and SoundSight and Sound is introducing the Smart Beetle for braille access on the go.

The Smart Beetle is the perfect complement to your smartphone or tablet. Small enough to hold in your hand, operate up to six devices at once.

Use it as a traditional braille display or use the braille keyboard like a QWERTY keyboard with their patented Bluetooth keyboard function.

Order the Smart Beetle before 30 September 2015 with the introductory price of £799.00 including a free carry case. (Normal RRP of £875.00)

Sight and Sound is also introducing the Blaze ET, which offers power users more advanced functions via the addition of a full numeric keypad for entering text, playback navigation, and additional functions like file management, writing memos and performing calculations as well as the optional Sense dictionary programme.

Order the Blaze ET before 30 September 2015 and receive a 10 per cent discount and a free dictionary (normal RRP of £525.00).

For more information or to request a free demonstration, call 01604 798 070 or email info@sightandsound.co.uk quoting reference: VisQ32015.

HumanwareTrade in your old CCTV and save up to £150 when you purchase a Prodigi from HumanwareProdigi gives you back the joy of reading:

Comfortable and simple to use with no fatigue. No clumsy X/Y reading table to move back and forth. Diamond Edge Text for unbelievable clarity. Prodigi can read out aloud. Everything a traditional CCTV can do and much more.

Don’t miss out on our special Trade In offer, call today on Freephone 0800 587 2589 for more information or to arrange a free no obligation demonstration.

NatWest launches accessible bank cardIt’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference.NatWest is pleased to introduce the only bank card approved by RNIB. NatWest and its subsidiary Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) have launched accessible debit and savings cards with tactile markings, braille characters and large font.

To order accessible cards, pop into your local branch, visit natwest.com/accessible or call on Minicom: 0800 404 6161 or 03457 888 444.

Service directoryYour Vision magazineSend a letter Post a letter to Vision magazine at RNIB, 105 Judd Street, London, WC1H 9NE or email: visionmagazine@rnib.org.uk or telephone the Vision messageline on 0845 330 4134.

Listen to the free Vision podcast Or find out more about Vision at rnib.org.uk/visionmagazine

Try another version of Vision If you need to change your contact details or to receive Vision in a different format – it’s available in large print (16 point), braille, CD or Daisy CD and email, please contact the membership team.

To advertise in Vision: Contact Landmark Publishing on 020 7520 9474 or email sharon@lps.co.uk

Dates for your diary: Member forums in 2015East of England: 8 DecemberEast Midlands: 21 August and 31 OctoberLondon A: 27 OctoberLondon B: 26 NovemberNorth East: 8 August and 18 DecemberSouth East: 5 September South West: 1 October West Midlands: 11 September Yorkshire and the Humber: 20 October

Contact RNIBThe membership team is on 0303 1234 555, email membership@rnib.org.uk

or visit rnib.org.uk/membership

Helpline Get eye health information, emotional support, benefits advice and product information. Call 0303 123 9999, email helpline@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/ask

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.45am – 5.30pm and calls cost no more than a standard rate call to an 01 or 02 number.

FundraisingFind out how you can support our work. Call 0845 345 0054email fundraising@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/donate rnib.org.uk/donate

VolunteeringGive a little time, make a big difference. Call 0845 603 0575, email volunteering@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/volunteering

CampaigningCampaign on the issues that matter to you. Call 020 7391 2123, email campaign@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/campaigning

Free guides

The Understanding series is for people who want to understand more about their eye condition. Titles in this series include: CataractsCharles Bonnet syndromeDry eyeEye conditions related to diabetesGlaucomaNystagmusPosterior vitreous detachmentRetinal detachmentRetinitis pigmentosa.

The Starting Out seriesis for people who have recently been diagnosed with an eye condition. Titles in the series include: Benefits, concessions and registrationEducationEmotional supportHelp from social servicesHousingMaking the most of your sight.

The Confident Living series is for people who want to make the most of living with sight loss. Titles in the series include: LeisureLiving SafelyManaging your moneyReadingShoppingTechnologyTravel.

Copyright RNIB August 2015.

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