See Fact Issue 36, May 2008

The award winning (NALSVI 2006 Newsletter competition, second place for Content and Presentation), audio newsletter of the keighley and District Association for the Blind. SeeFact is distributed to 627 registered friends of the Association.

Helpline: Keighley (01535) 602354

Contents

Editor: Kevin Baldwin, Chief Executive.
Assistant Editor: Vanessa Bartlam, Personal Assistant.
Designer: Antony Horner, ICT Manager

Registered Office: Keighley And District Association For The Blind, 1 Albert Street (Off North Street), Keighley, BD21 2AT.

Helpline: Keighley (01535) 602354

There is an answer machine if no-one is available at the office, please do not be put off, you can leave your name and number and we will call you back on our return.

E Mail address : enquiries@keighleyblind.org.
Web Site Address : www.keighleyblind.org.

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 108024

Editor's In a Nutshell

"In a nutshell" - Explains the important features of your latest SeeFact.

Go Digital Appeal

Our Centenary Go Digital Appeal has raised £9,944.43 towards purchasing digital equipment to enable us to convert our cassette tape book library onto CD. Also, more good news, because we passed our appeal target the extra funds have been used to upgrade equipment for our computer work.

A big thank you to the Ladies Evening Fellowship of Ilkley Road Methodist Church, Riddlesden, Keighley for sponsoring this issue of See Fact.

The next addition of SEE FACT will be in October 2008

www.keighleyblind.org

Audio Version

This newsletter is also available on standard cassette or CD on reqest. It is important that people receiving a standard cassette copy return it so that we may use it again. If you do not return your tape we will not be able to send you the next issue.

Braille Version

The newsletter is also available in Braille. If you would like a Braille copy please contact our helpline.

E:Mail Version

This newsletter is also available via E:Mail, if you would like to receive your copy via E:mail please send a message to antony@keighleyblind.org. We will never pass your E:mail address onto any third party.

Data Protection Act 1998

If you do not wish to receive information from us please let us know and we will delete your name from our mailing list.

The views expressed in this publication, whether attributed or not, do not necessarily reflect views or policy of The Association. All information is accurate at the time of printing. Reference to any service does not imply recommendation.

What's On

May

Bank Holiday Monday 5th May - Office Closed

Thursday 15th May - 100 Club Draw

Friday 23rd May - VIP Silver Surfer Day

Bank Holiday Monday 26th May - Office Closed

June

Tuesday 3rd June - General Committee Meeting and Lunch

Saturday 14th June - Keighley Street Collection and Go Digital Launch

Monday 16th June - 100 Club Draw, Mary Arnold Award and Volunteers Social Evening

July

Sunday 6th July - Car Treasure Hunt

Tuesday 15th July - 100 Club Draw

Saturday 19th July - Ilkley Street Collection

August

Thursday 14th August - Skipton, Action for Blind People Mobile Sight Loss Information Bus.

Friday 15th August - Skipton Street Collection

September

Monday 15th September - 100 Club Draw

Saturday 20th September - Quiz Night

October

Thursday 9th October - World Sight Day

Tuesday 14th October - Annual General Meeting and Lunch, Edith White Remembrance Award

Wednesday 15th October - 100 Club Draw

Helping and Giving

Car Treasure Hunt

Keighley and District Association for the Blind Treasure Hunt, come and join in the fun Sunday 6th July 2008 starting at 2.00pm in Keighley Scott Street car park.

Complete the route matching the pictures with the clues and then answer the questions, finish will be at a mystery pub. There will be a small prize for the winner. The cost is £2.00 per person all proceeds to the Association. If you would like to enter please contact our helpline any morning to book your place.

Quiz Night

Come and join the fun, Keighley and District Association for the Blind will be holding a quiz night in the Lena Anderton Meeting Room on Saturday 20th September 2008. The quiz will start at 7.00 pm and entrance fee of £4.00 per person, with supper.

100 Club Winners

100 Club Membership is 112 members.

Gift Aid

How to donate to your chosen charity you can donate, Online, by post (cheque), in person, or direct debit. Can you spare just £2.00 per month? Any donation to the Association would help us continue serving our local community for the next 100 years. With a Gift Aid Promise we can collect from the Government an extra 28p in the pound if the person donating is paying tax for example so your payment of £2.00 is worth £2.56 to The Association.

Loose Change Box

Do you wonder what to do with all that small loose change that gathers in your pockets and purses? Why not put it to good use, introducing Keighley & District Association for the Blind Loose Change Boxes, a small white cardboard collecting box for the shelf or window sill. A full box holds about £5.00 which we would use to support our services. You can hand in your collection box to the office or we will empty it for you. You will not be required to pay it into a bank, as The Royal National Institute for the Blind requires you to do with their home boxes. From 1st April 2007 to 31st March 2008 donations amounting to £590.23 were received from the boxes compared with £430.87 for the same period in 2007.

Anyone who would be interested in a Loose Change Box please call Nessa on the Helpline (mornings only)

SeeFact File

Edith White Remembrance Award

Mrs Edith White of Steeton passed away in July 2007 having been a General Committee Member, Executive Committee Member, Director and Organiser of Silsden Social Centre for the Blind over a period of 24 years service to the Association.

The Board of Directors decided to name an award in Edith's memory to be decided upon by the board to recognise a person's exceptional service to the Association. As the award will reflect an outstanding contribution made to our work on behalf of local blind and partially sighted people the award will not necessarily be presented every year. The award will be announced to mark World Sight Day in October and will be presented at the Association's Annual General Meeting in October. I can announce that the directors have decided on a worthy first winner of this award and the presentation will be made on Tuesday 14th October 2008 which everyone is welcome to attend.

Crafty Jo

In the last issue of See Fact we asked if any one was available to volunteer at our Friday morning craft class. Well, I'm pleased to say that Mrs Jo Turner of Silsden has kindly offered to help. Jo is already a voluntary helper at the Silsden Social Centre as well as carrying out voluntary work for other groups in Silsden. Also, Jo was nominated for last years Mary Arnold Award.

Centenary Souvenir Booklet

The Association in Partnership with the Keighley News has produced a Centenary Booklet on the history and work of the Association. The booklet includes contributions from The Duke of Devonshire and weatherman Paul Hudson.

To request a free copy please contact our helpline.

Centenary Year Review 100 Years, 21 Events

1. Lena Anderton Meeting Room Refurbishment Work commenced Monday 11th December 2006 Work Completed 15th April 2008

2. Bingley Sight Information Day The Little House Saturday 17th March 2007

3. Centenary Booklet April 2007

4. Centenary Display Airedale Shopping Centre Sunday 27th April to Sunday 27th May 2007

5. Centenary Dinner Keighley Golf Club Saturday 5th May 2007

6. Centenary Year Party at Bingley Social Centre for the Blind Wednesday 9th May 2007 7. Centenary Exhibition Lena Anderton Meeting Room Wednesday 6th June 2007

8. Silsden Sight Information Day St James Church Hall Saturday 23rd June 2007

9. Centenary Morecambe Bay Challenge Saturday 21st July 2007

10. Centenary Display Keighley Shared Church Friday 3rd August to Friday 31st August 2007

11. Centenary Party Bingley Social Centre for the Blind Webster's Fish Restaurant, Baildon Wednesday 8th August 2007

12. Ilkley Sight Information Day Christchurch Saturday 11th August 2007 13. Skipton Sight Information Day St Andrews Church Saturday 8th September 2007

14. Centenary Party Skipton Social Centre for the Blind Baptist Church Centre, Skipton Tuesday 11th September 2007

15. Centenary Party Keighley Social Centre for the Blind Millstones Restaurant, Near Harrogate Thursday 27th September 2007

16. Centenary Party, Crosshills Social Centre for the Blind Webster's Restaurant, Baildon Tuesday 2nd October 2007

17. Barnoldswick Sight Information Day The Rainhall Centre Saturday 13th October 2007

18. Visit by HRH The Duke of Gloucester Lena Anderton Meeting Room Wednesday 24th October 2007

19. Centenary Celebration Concert Keighley Shared Church Saturday 1st December 2007

20. Centenary Appeal Go Digital 1st January 2007 to 12th March 2008

21. Centenary Party, Silsden Social Centre for the Blind Herriots Hotel, Skipton Monday 28th April 2008

Keighley Rotary and Inner Wheel Christmas Party

In the last issue of See Fact we mentioned the falling numbers of Friends of the Association who attend the party and the Rotary Club were interested to find out why. Unfortunately, we did not receive any feedback, however it is not too late to have your say. If you wish to talk about the party, please call our helpline and ask for Kevin.

Daily Living Shop, Latest Items

Go Digital Appeal

Centenary Year 2007 Go Digital Appeal Launch

Saturday 14th June 2008.

Why not come, see and hear how the Association's General and Appeals Committees have used £7,997.16 to make a difference to the lives of local blind and partially sighted people.

The digital recording equipment will be demonstrated between 10.00 am to 12.00 noon in the first floor Sight Centre, 31, Scott Street, Keighley (behind the library). Light refreshments will be available in the ground floor, Lena Anderton Meeting Room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q Are you a branch of the Royal National Institution for the Blind?

A NO. We receive no funding from the RNIB. We are an independent local organisation.

Q Are you the Keighley Blind Home?

A NO. The name of the organisation is the Keighley & District Association for the Blind.

9th Mary Arnold Award 2008

Mrs. Mary Arnold was a volunteer with the Association from 1947 until her passing away in January 2000. Mrs. Arnold was Centre Organiser of the Keighley Social Centre for the Blind and a Committee Member since 1974.

The Committee of the Association decided to make an Annual Award in memory of Mary who was a strong believer in the work of volunteers and the valuable contribution they make to voluntary organisations. We are looking for nominations from a registered Blind or Partially Sighted Friend of the Association telling us about a person who has given their time freely and without obligation and has made a difference to the life of a blind or partially sighted person. That person may be a volunteer with another organisation who delivers services to the organisation.

Any relative or paid worker, such as Home Care, Social Worker G.P. etc would be excluded from the award.

So, we need you to send in your nominations which will be decided by an independent panel made up of members of the Keighley Lions Club. The award panel requires as much information as possible about how the nominee has made a difference to your life, so we would like a minimum of 75 words the more you say about the person the easier it is for our panel to decide on the merits of the nomination. To nominate someone please contact Kevin on the helpline. All nominees will receive a certificate which will be presented by the family of the late Mary Arnold, with the winner receiving the Mary Arnold Award and a replica shield to keep. Previous nominees (excluding winners) can be nominated again.

The presentation will take place during the Volunteers Social Evening on Monday 16th June 2008 in the Lena Anderton Meeting Room starting at 7.00 p.m. All nominees will be expected to be available on the evening. Last years winner was Mr Robert Nicholson of Keighley.

I am sure a lot of us know someone in the community who deserves recognition, so let's be hearing from you.

The closing date for nominations is the 30th May 2008

VIP One-to-One I.T.

We’ve Gone Digital!

Thanks to the efforts of those who helped raise funds for our Go Digital appeal. We have now been able to purchase the equipment to convert our 1,000 audio books on cassette, to CD.

With organisations such as the RNIB and Calibre converting their catalogues to MP3, this seemed the best way forward for us. An MP3 disc can be played on a computer, a MP3 compatible CD player, or a portable MP3 Player. Most DVD players can also play MP3 files.

The main advantage of an MP3 disc is that it can hold 12 hours of audio. This means we can put 4, 3 hour audio books onto one CD, even a 22 hour audio book would require only 2 discs.

We've also been able to purchase equipment that allows us to record, and publish the audio edition of See Fact ourselves.
Which we hope to do for the next edition of SeeFact.

As a result of your support, we have been able to purchase the following:-

A computer and software capable of handling the large audio files, and editing audio recordings. Attached to the computer is a storage device capable of storing twelve thousand hours of audio.

To copy the cassettes onto the computer we purchased a high speed cassette digitiser. The digitiser can copy a 90 minute cassette onto the computer in 6 minutes, allowing us to copy a 3 hour audio book in 12 minutes.

So that we can demonstrate MP3 players, we purchased two accessible players. The Victor Reader Vibe is a personal CD, MP3 and DAISY book player. The Victor Reader Stream is a MP3 Player, DAISY Player, Text File Reader and Voice Recorder. A Review of the Victor Reader Stream appears on page 13, a review of the Victor Reader Vibe will appear in a later issue of SeeFact. .

A high speed cassette duplicator, with the ability to make three copies of a 90 minute cassette, at once. This machine allows us to copy 25 cassettes in 45 minutes.

A growing number of people are requesting the newsletter on CD, a CD Duplicator was purchased. The CD Duplicator allows up to 7 CDs to be duplicated at once.

We have also purchased equipment to enable us to make recordings, including microphones, a mixing desk, an audio compressor/expander, digital recorder and studio quality speakers.

With the surplus we were also able to purchase some additional items of equipment. Including the Nemo Hand Held Video Magnifier. Around the size of a paperback book, it has a built in screen that can magnify and inverse text. Its size means it can easily be carried around or taken on holiday. A review of the Nemo will appear in a future edition of See Fact.

We were also able to purchase the RNIB's Mercury Computer system, a full review of the Mercury appears on page 11.

VIP Silver Surfer Day

Friday the 23rd of May, is VIP Silver Surfer day. Silver Surfer day is a national initiative, to introduce the over 50's to computers. Anyone who is over 50 and registered blind or partially sighted, is invited to attend a one hour taster session on using a computer.

If you've never a used a computer before, we have software that will talk you through every step. If you've used a computer in the past, and would like to return computers, we have software that will magnify, and read out the contents of the screen.

Places are limited so if you'd like to book a place, please ring the helpline and ask for Antony.

New Telephone Number

The telephone number for the computer information service has now changed from 01535 680845, to the main helpline number 01535 602354.

In April we had a new telephone system installed, which now allows us to transfer calls between offices. The new system also allows us route calls over the internet, and save money by taking advantage of very cheap call rates.

RNIB Mercury Computer System

Buying a computer for the first time can be a daunting prospect. How much memory do I need? Which is the best processor? Should I go for windows XP or Vista? If you're Blind or Partially Sighted the whole thing is made more complex, as you'll most likely need some type of screen reader, or magnification software.

The RNIB’s Mercury Computer system aims to make the process a lot simpler, by providing you with everything you need to get started, including screen reading and magnification software.

The PC is a DELL Optilex 330 . With an Intel 1.8Ghz Dual Core Processor and 1GB of RAM, plus an 80GB Hard Drive. A 17 inch Monitor comes as standard, though there is the option to upgrade to a 19 Inch model. A high visibility keyboard is also included, this has white text on a black background, it would have been nice to be able to choose the colour combination of the keyboard. Also available, as optional extras are a Epson V100 Scanner and Canon BJ IP2500 printer. A set of stereo speakers are also included, whilst these are fine for listening to your screen reader, if you want to listen to music on your computer, you will most likely want to upgrade them.

All the software and drivers for the printer and scanner are installed and registered. In addition to Windows, the following software packages are also included:-

Setting the computer up was no different to setting up any other computer. A quick start guide tells you what plugs to plug in where, though this is only available in standard print. I would have liked to have seen a large print getting started guide. The rest of the documentation is provided on 16 CDs, and takes you through all the stages of using your computer.

I did have a minor problem with the display when I first switched the computer on, Windows was only displayed on part of the screen. Whilst this was easily solved by selecting Auto Adjust from the monitors menu system, most blind and partially sighted users would have difficulty accessing this menu.

The Mercury Access Software is both a screen reader and screen magnifier. It is a cut down version of Dolphin’s Supernova screen reader and magnifier. Many of the more advanced features of Supernova are missing, though this won't bother most users. The only feature I would have liked to have seen included was the ability to highlight the mouse pointer and cursor. The user can choose from a number of predefined colour schemes, including yellow on black, white on blue, inverse, and green on black. There is no option to define your own colour scheme, as there is in Supernova.

There are several magnification modes including full screen (default), split screen, and magnifying glass. Magnifying glass only magnifies the area underneath the mouse pointer.

Speech users can customise the speed and volume of the speech, though it is not possible to change the voice. The amount of detail that is spoken can also be customised.

Technical support is provided by the RNIB's technology team, so when contacting support the person should understand the problems faced by Blind or Partially Sighted computer users.

Conclusion

The basic computer system sells for £850, considering the specification of the computer and the included software I feel that the package is good value for money.

As the Mercury Computer system is aimed at people new to computers, you can’t buy the software separately.

If you want to use mainstream applications rather than specialised software, then the Mercury computer is an ideal choice.

Remember though, this is a cut down version of Supernova and won’t necessarily work well with applications other than those supplied.

If you would like a demonstration of the Mercury Computer System, please telephone the Helpline and ask for Antony

Victor Reader Stream

There are a wide variety of portable MP3 players on the market, but other than the very simple players that just play all the tracks that are stored on them, only giving you a choice between random playback and sequential playback. Most are not accessible to blind or partially sighted users.

The Victor Reader Stream, is a fully accessible MP3 player, that allows you to navigate by album, or artist (depending on how you’ve set it up) and choose the track you wish to listen to. The Victor Reader Stream is more than just a music player, it can also play DAISY talking books, read text files and record short memo’s.

About the size of a pack of cards, the front of the Victor Reader Stream features a numeric keypad, most of the Victor Readers functions are accessed via this keypad. Six additional buttons allow you to set bookmarks, Jump to a specific location in a book and a sleep key. The sleep key will switch the unit off after 15 minutes, useful if you have the habit of falling asleep whilst listening to the player. On the left hand side of the unit is the power switch and volume control. On the right hand side of the unit are two sockets for an external microphone and headphones. The top of the unit features a SD card slot, USB Port, and power/charger socket. The buttons are tactile and well spaced. With the exception of those on the numeric keypad, all the buttons have a unique shape, helping to make identification easier. If you forget what a button is for, the unit can be put into key describe mode, where the name of each button will be announced as it is pressed.

The unit has a built in speaker, which is useful for listening to status information, such as when the unit is on charge. But it is too quiet for general listening, a pair of in the ear headphones is supplied, if you already have a favourite pair of headphones you can plug these into the unit.

The unit has no display, and is self voicing. A male voice is used for navigating around the unit, whilst a female voice reads text documents. Whilst the speed of the voices can be changed, it is not possible to change the voices themselves.

Content on the Victor Reader Stream is stored on a SD memory card, sadly a SD card is not included, but a 2GB card costs around £20. To transfer content to the Victor Reader Stream, you need a computer, and to be comfortable creating and copying data to folders.

The Victor Reader Stream can play both DAISY books, and books recorded in formats such as MP3 and WAV. DAISY books have the advantage of offering extra navigation such as the ability to navigate between chapters, pages, headings, paragraphs, lines, sentences, words and characters (depending on how the book has been designed).

The built in text to speech engine means the Victor Reader Stream can read plain text files, and HTML documents. Documents can be navigated by paragraph, line, sentence, word and character. With HTML documents being navigable by heading. Unfortunately it is not possible to read Word documents, unless you convert them into text files first.

Music files have to be manually organised into folders. The Victor Reader does not recognise the ID3 tags of MP3 files containing artist, album and genre information, that most MP3 players use to organise tracks. When navigating music tracks, the folder name, and track file name is announced, so you need to ensure your tracks have sensible file names, rather than just track 1.

A built in microphone allows voice memos to be recorded. Excellent for dictation, or a meeting between two people in a quiet room. Though I think it would struggle with a meeting or lecture. An external microphone can be plugged into the unit for a better quality recording.

Conclusion

The Victor Reader Stream is a very versatile device, anyone who wants to listen to music, audio books or documents on the move will find it useful. The poor quality speaker does let the unit down, though there are plenty of travel speakers available on the market.

I would have liked to have seen a SD Card included with the unit, or even better for the unit to have a built in hard drive, as most MP3 players in this price range have.

You do need to have a computer, and be comfortable with creating folders and copying files to and from folders to make use of this device.

The Victor Reader Stream is available for £190 (excluding SD Card) If you would like a demonstration please telephone the helpline and ask for Antony.

Have You Ever Had to ask Someone What is Happening on TV?

Audio description (AD) provides an extra commentary in the space between the dialogue, describing action taking place on the screen.   Audio description is available on digital BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five.  The BBC aim to have 10% of its output Audio described by the end of 2008.

In addition to TV, audio description is also available on some DVDs, and in some Cinemas and Theatres.  AudioFact on Page ?, has a list of audio described performances at Bradford Theatres.

To receive audio description you will need either an Audio Description compatible Freeview box, or TV.  Satellite (Freesat or Subscription) or Cable.

Freeview

Not all Freeview Boxes and TV's are audio description compatible.  A list of compatible boxes and TV's is available from www.tinyurl.com/4b66en

Sky

If you have a Sky set-top box, you already have AD. To turn it on:

  1. Press the Services button on your remote control.
  2. Select System setup and press OK, or press 4 on the remote.
  3. Select Languages & Subtitles and press OK, or press 3.
  4. Select the function you want to turn on, then press the left or right arrow key to change the status from Off to On.

The channel Numbers are BBC 1 - 971, ITV1 - 993, Channel 4 – 994

Cable

If you have a Virgin Media set-top box, you already have AD. To turn it on:

  1. Press the Home or Guide button to see the menu.
  2. Select Settings (press 8).
  3. Select Change Display and Audio Settings (press 4).
  4. Scroll down the list to Audio Description, then press the right arrow key to enable it.
  5. Press OK to store the settings.

Virgin Media has separate AD channel numbers for the following: BBC One - 851; BBC Two - 852; ITV1 - 853; Channel 4 - 854; Five - 855. All other channels appear on their normal numbers

SeeFact Sheet

New Postal Prices.

As from the 7th April 2008

Gardeners World in West Craven

The Garden Gate Association is a registered charity with a contact point at Barnoldswick Community Centre. The Garden Gate Association operates an allotment and garden overlooking the Leeds and Liverpool Canal accessed from Avon Drive on Barnoldswick Coates Estate. The plots have raised beds with easy ways around the site for wheelchair users. Many of the tools provided are designed by disabled gardeners. There is an area for sitting out and having a chat and a brew. A poly tunnel for potting your own plants and a greenhouse for use by the gardeners. Even an on site eco style toilet. The present allotment holders would like to encourage blind and partially sighted people to join in and would welcome suggestions on the best way to achieve this such as:

If you think this project may interest you please contact: Hugh Lawrence on Barnoldswick (01282) 817036

Nice One Bruce

During a storm in January part of the gable end of the Association's Sight Centre collapsed. Fortunately there was no loss of life or damage to other people's property. The Sight Centre was closed for two months for repairs disrupting the work of the Association and Keighley and District Talking Newspaper who use the Centre for their recordings of The Keighley News on tape. Mr Bruce Howden, Treasurer and Trustee of Talking Newspaper and his wife Angela maintained the Talking News service under difficult circumstances and should be praised for there efforts. So we are saying Nice one Bruce!

Holiday Hotels

The following hotels cater specifically for blind and partially sighted holiday makers. All these hotels offer different services - most welcome sighted friends and relations as well as guide dogs. If you have any special requirements it is a good idea to notify the hotel in advance to help them cater for you.

Blackpool - South Shore - The Henderson Hotel (Mr & Mrs Connolly)
Tel: 01253 341217

Devon - Teignmouth Cliffden Hotel (Action for blind people)
Tel: 01626 770052

Jersey - Westlea Centre for the Visually Handicapped (Jersey Blind Society)
Tel: 01534 864689

Lake District - Windermere Manor (Action for blind people)
Tel: 01539 445801

Somerset - Weston Super Mare - Lauriston Hotel (Action for blind people)
Tel: 01943 620758

Sussex - East Preston - Honeywood House (Royal Blind Society)
Tel: 01903 770339

Wales - Llandudno - Belmont Hotel (Royal Blind Society)
Tel: 01492 877770

The RNIB Hotel Guide 2006 features over 100 hotels and guest houses recommended by blind and partially sighted people from B&B's to 5* star hotels in popular destinations across the UK. The guide is available at a charge of £5.99 from RNIB customer services on 0845 702 3153 in different formats of clear print, braille, audio tape and disk.

The Late Lena Anderton of Keighley

"Build this Vision"

Mrs Lena Anderton of Farish House Flats in Keighley, aged 89 years, passed away in October 2004, whilst in hospital. Lena was a weaver by trade and was a member of the Keighley Social Centre for the Blind for a number of years. Lena was partially sighted and was very hard of hearing and valued her privacy so it came as a unexpected surprise when Lena left The Association it's largest ever gift in a willin April 2005. The Board of Directors and General Committee have decided to use the gift in the following way:-

Lena left The Association this gift so that future generations of LOCAL blind and partially sighted people could benefit.

If you would like further information on how a gift in your will can help future generations, please contact our helpline.

SeeFact Rights

These are national entitlements irrespective of whether you live in local authorities covering Bradford, Lancashire or North Yorkshire.

Registered Blind People

Registered Partially Sighted People

For more information on these entitlements please contact our helpline.

What's What

Registered Office

1 Albert Street Keighley, BD21 2AT, Telephone Helpline Keighley (01535) 602354

Monday to Friday (Excluding Public Holidays)
08.30 am to 12.30 pm (No Appointment Needed)

Monday to Thursday (Closed Friday)
1.00pm to 4.30pm (By Appointment Only)

Answer machine at all other times Home visits by arrangement.

Social Centres for the Blind

Meetings, Speakers, Entertainment, Outings

Bingley

Meetings every Wednesday afternoon. 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
St. Wilfrid's Church Hall, Gilstead.
Transport can be requested.

Contact : Robert Nicholson, Centre Organiser.
Telephone : Keighley (01535) 602841.

Cross Hills

Meetings first Tuesday afternoon each month. 1.30 p.m. To 3.30 p.m.
Anchor Housing, Townend Close, Cross Hills.
Transport can be requested.

Contact: Kevin Baldwin, Acting Centre Organiser.
Telephone: The Helpline

Keighley

Meetings every Thursday afternoon. 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
Lena Anderton Meeting Room, Scott Street, Keighley
Transport can be requested.

Contact: Celia Allen, Centre Organiser
Telephone: The Helpline.

Skipton

Meetings every second and fourth Tuesday afternoon.
Soroptimist Rooms, Otley Street, Skipton.
Transport can be requested.

Contact: May Howard, Centre Organiser
Telephone: Skipton (01756) 795342

Silsden.

Meetings last Monday afternoon each month 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
Silsden Methodist Church, Wesley Place, Silsden.
Transport can be requested.

Contact : Kevin Baldwin, Acting Centre Organiser
Telephone : The Helpline.

Daily Living Shop

Daily Living Items. Low Vision Equipment, such as Magnifiers, Video Magnifiers (CCTV).
The Sight Centre, Scott Street Keighley

We are an official RNIB Distributor of equipment Please telephone in advance so that we can ensure a guide is available. If unable to travel to our shop, our mobile display on selected ranges can be requested, when equipment may be demonstrated in the comfort of your own home.

Contact: Kevin or Nessa
Helpline: The Helpline

Helping and Giving

Contact: Kevin Baldwin or Nessa Bartlam
Helpline: The Helpline

VIP One-to-One IT

Computer Tuition, Support and Information The Sight Centre, Scott Street, Keighley.

Contact: Antony Horner, Manager
Helpline: The Helpline

Braille Transcription Service

The Sight Centre, Scott Street Keighley

Contact: Antony Horner
Helpline: The Helpline.

Benefit Information Service

Confidential information includes, Benefit Entitlement Assessments, support completing Benefit Claim Forms or preparing Review and Tribunal Appeals.

Contact: Kevin Baldwin.
Helpline: The Helpline.

Special Needs Grants

Contact: Kevin Baldwin.
Helpline: The Helpline.

Arts and Crafts Group

Lena Anderton Meeting Room, Scott Street, Keighley. Friday, 10.00am to 12.30pm

Contact: Kevin Baldwin.
Helpline: The Helpline.

Library

The Sight Centre, Scott Street, Keighley

Audio Library Standard Cassette, CD and Large Print Book Library Over 1000 Books on standard cassette, 55 Books on CD, 25 Large print books, 16 Childrens Audio Books, 3 on CD and 13 on standard cassette.

Contact: Nessa Bartlam for a catalogue (Mornings Only)
Helpline: The Helpline

Rented Flats

Scott Street Keighley, Independent Living Flats in Keighley

Contact: Kevin Baldwin
Helpline: 01535 602354

Adult and Community Services

Bradford Metropolitan Council.

Sensory Needs Service , Morley Street Resource Centre, Bradford.

Contact: Duty Officer (am only)
Telephone: Bradford (01274) 435001.

North Yorkshire County Council

Harrogate/Craven, Health and Sensory Impairment Team

Contact: Caroline Taylor or Gary Edmunds,
Rehabilitation Officers, Telephone: Harrogate (01423) 553120/553121

Lancashire County Council

Adult and Community Services, Sensory Impairment (East Zone) Burnley.

Contact: Rehabilitation Officers.
Telephone: Burnley (01282) 425961.

Audio Fact

Here are some useful local and national contacts of audio news and leisure.

Craven Cassette (Craven Herald and Dalesman).

Contact : Peter Longbottom
Tel: Skipton (01756) 792837.

Fully Digital Recordings

Keighley and District Talking Newspaper (Keighley News)

Contact: Bruce Howden.
Tel: Keighley (01535) 648644.

Available on Standard Cassette

Pendle Voice (Barnoldswick and Earby Times).

Contact: Maureen Child
Tel: (01282) 812954

Available on Standard Cassette

Ilkley Talking Newspaper

Contact: Lorraine Hockey
Tel: Ilkley (01943) 600869

Available on Standard Cassette and Compact Disk.

Talking Telegraph (Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Contact: Michael Tomlinson
Tel: Bradford (01274) 571074

Available on Standard Cassette

Calibre

Calibre based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, is a Lending Library of books recorded unabridged onto ordinary standard cassette and MP3 disks. They currently have 7000 books including some 1000 titles for young persons.

For further information telephone Aylesbury (01296) 432339.

Available on Standard Cassette and MP3

Bradford Theatres Audio Described Performances

Alhambra

Equus - Saturday 3 May 2008.

Revival of the shocking 1973 play by Peter Shaffer starring Simon Callow and Alfie Allen.

Touch tour time to be confirmed.
Pre-show notes from 2.15pm.
Show starts at 2.30pm.

Shout! The Swinging 60's Musical - Wednesday 14 May 2008

New musical featuring more than 20 hit songs from sixties.

Touch tour time to be confirmed.
Pre-show notes from 7.15pm.
Show starts at 7.30pm.

South Pacific - Wednesday 4 June 2008

Classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical starring Dave Willets and Helena Blackman.

Touch tour time to be confirmed.
Pre-show notes from 7.15pm.
Show starts at 7.30pm.

The Wedding Singer - Saturday 28 June 2008

New musical based on the hit film, featuring a host of brand new songs in a tribute to the eighties era. Stars Jonathan Wilkes.

Touch tour time to be confirmed.
Pre-show notes from 2.15pm.
Show starts at 2.30pm.

Doctor Dolittle - Saturday 5 July 2008

Stunning musical about the man who can 'talk to the animals', starring Tommy Steel in the title role.

Touch tour time to be confirmed.
Pre-show notes from 2.15pm.
Show starts at 2.30pm.

Please note that this show is not yet on sale. Expected on sale date February 2008.

St Georges Hall

Buddy - Saturday 1 November 2008

Musical tribute to Buddy Holly, featuring all his well-loved hits.

Touch tour time to be confirmed.
Pre-show notes from 4.45pm.
Show starts at 5pm.

Tickets for audio described performances are at the discounted price of £10 per visually impaired patron. One companion per person may also be purchased at £10, and further tickets are at the standard show price. For more information and bookings, please contact the box office on 01274 432000.

Tapesense

Tapesense is a non-profit making mail-order service for Blind and Partially Sighted People. There is no limit to how many times you may order from them, but please telephone to ensure stock is available. Orders can be taken over the phone for payment by Credit or Debit Card, or by post for payment by cheque or postal order.

To place an order, or for more details telephone 020 7357 9298, or write to The Persula Foundation, Unit 3 & 4, Gallary Court, Hankey Place, London, SE1 4BB

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