Spotlight - Essex Blind Charity - February/March 2021 - Essex Sight
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Essex Blind Charity
Spotlight
February/March 2021
ISSUE 100
Contents:
Editorial page 3
Community Support Team page 4
News and Products page 7
Quiz page 10
Technology page 11
App, App and Away! page 13
Entertainment page 14
Answers to Quiz page 15
Please send your articles for inclusion in Spotlight to:
The Editor
Essex Sight
40 Osborne Street
Colchester
CO2 7DB
01206 548196
Email: services@essexsight.org.uk
Items for the next issue should reach the Editor by April 6th
2The Editor writes:
Welcome to the February/March edition of our newsletter. I hope you are
all coping as well as can be during this lockdown. Don’t forget, the
Community team are still working if you need them, just give them a ring or
drop them an email (details at the back of this issue). Some sections, as
you may guess are a little thin due to the current circumstances, but
hopefully you will find the rest of the articles interesting.
On the positive side, vaccines are being rolled out, we are heading into
spring and hopefully we are on the road back to recovery. So stay positive,
stay safe and enjoy this (our 100th) issue of spotlight!
We hope you will find the articles informative and of interest. Please feel
free to share Spotlight with other visually impaired people and their carers.
Everyone who is newly registered in Essex will receive a copy of Spotlight
and they can request their own copy in large print format, memory stick or
by email. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide copies in Braille or on
cassette.
I hope you will all continue to send your contributions, as your stories and
experiences make Spotlight of interest to everyone. You can email articles
to services@essexsight.org.uk
Editor
3Community Support Team by Jonathan Dixon
I thought I had better share this important news first regarding the
community transport schemes and how they can help you get to a
vaccination clinic. All the operators are operating a limited service and
transporting only by minibus. The drivers are maintaining social
distancing so cannot assist passengers on and off the transport.
Transport for Vaccines
Covering North East Essex
Both Harwich Connexions Community Transport and Tendring Community
Transport are helping to support people in the Tendring Area with transport
to get to their vaccination appointments. They are offering transport 7 days
a week, all the patient needs to do is call with their appointment time and
their bus pass number if they have one.
Harwich Connexions Transport – Telephone number 01255 552010
Tendring Community Transport – Telephone number 01255 436962
Covering North East and Mid Essex
Community 360 (Colchester Borough and Maldon District) are providing
transport for members - you can join for £1 when you make the booking if
you are only using them twice (ie for first and second jab). Joining can be
on-line or by phone. The transport charge is £3 for first mile and 50p
thereafter.
Community 360 – Telephone Number 01206 505250
Covering Mid and South Essex
Chelmsford Community Transport only cover the Chelmsford Borough
area, so will pick up clients and take them to the vaccine centre in
Chelmsford, but will not take them outside of the Chelmsford area.
4There is no fee if booked online and there is no mileage charge if the
person travelling has a valid bus pass. If you do not have a pass then
they will give you a price for the journey when you book. The same
applies for a carer travelling with the person.
Chelmsford Community Transport– Telephone Number 01245 477789
Covering South Essex
Brentwood Community Transport have indicated that they will take
members for Covid vaccination, however due to a limited service
currently, they are only operating on Thursdays.
Brentwood Community Transport – Telephone number 01277 228080
Au Revoir
This is a bittersweet issue, as two very important people involved in the
charity have retired.
In December, after 20 years of service as a Director of the Charity, Michael
Fitzpatrick retired. Michael has been a crucial member of the board,
especially with his professional expertise as a Chartered Surveyor.
Before becoming a Trustee of Essex Voluntary Association for the Blind
(EVAB) in 2001, Michael had been contacted by a good friend who was
involved with the charity as they needed someone with some expertise
from the construction industry to help with the development of Read House.
Michael was happy to help and his vast knowledge not only helped in the
development of Read House, but has ensured the charity keep Read
House and latterly the Colchester Sight Centre, in good order.
Thank you for all your work in helping us to help VI people Michael and we
wish you all the best, enjoy your retirement.
5Janet Plant, the General Manager of the Charity retired at the end of
January. Janet was first employed as the receptionist in September
1994. One of Janet’s friends (who was a volunteer at the ‘blind home’ at
the time) approached her as the previous receptionist had left and
everything was a bit of a mess.
Janet said ‘I remember her saying to me that as I’d worked in an office
(some years’ previously before my children were born!) I could help out!’
‘At the time the ‘blind home’ consisted of three different homes each
managed separately. A couple of years’ later a new Director of Essex
Voluntary Association for the Blind (EVAB), felt that he needed someone
to co-ordinate everything and so I was promoted to ‘General Manager’
and was very involved with the planning of the move to the new building
(Read House) in 1998.’
Moving on a few years, the old Head Office in Chelmsford was closed
and in 2002, Janet found herself as the most senior person in charge of
the whole charity!
In 2004 when EVAB became Essex Blind Charity, Janet was also made
Company Secretary. Janet has been involved in the charity at an exiting
time, when it has gone through big changes, including the development of
community services.
We will all really miss Janet, but wish her a very happy retirement.
I am very happy to be able to tell you that I have now taken over the role of
General Manager and will spend my time between Community Services
and Read House.
6News and Products
New Year, New Calendar
In normal circumstances, we would have had many visits or requests for
large print diaries and calendars by now, but fear not, VIP diaries are still
working and have a full range of diaries, calendars, address books,
telephone books, writing pads, pens and many more useful items. You
can order over the phone on 01539 726613. Lines are open 9.00am -
12.00pm Monday to Thursday for payment by card. You can also send
them a cheque made payable to "VIP DIARIES" to:
VIP Diaries
The Bradbury Centre
116 Highgate
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 4HE
RNIB Book Translation Service
Fiona Langstone tells us about her experiences.
‘I received my book back today that I posted off to the RNIB to be
translated from print onto audio. I have not yet listened to it as I’m
currently listening to another book, but the book and the CDs were very
well packaged keeping them safe.
RNIB have kept me informed all the way as to what was happening with it
with regards to the current situation, because I got behind with their
recording when the coronavirus first appeared.
I cannot say what the recording will be like until I have listened to it but I
will be giving an update on that at a later date. I can however say that the
service I received from the translation people at RNIB has been an
excellent service’
7Accessing food and groceries for people with sight loss
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has
recognised specific challenges faced by people with sight loss, among
others. Defra has secured online shopping slots from two major
supermarkets for people whose independence has been challenged by
the lockdown, including those with sight loss.
People in England, who qualify, can be referred to the shopping slots
through RNIB’s Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit RNIB's essential
supermarket information webpage.
Government Disability strategy survey
The Disability Unit at Cabinet Office is developing a National Strategy for
Disabled People, with publication planned for Spring 2021. The Disability
Unit has launched the UK Disability Survey (link below) and want to hear
from as many people as possible.
https://disabilityunit.citizenspace.com/cabinet-
office/ukdisabilitysurvey/consultation/subpage.2020-12-08.8878306270/
They are particularly keen to hear from disabled people, their carers,
friends and family but views from the wider public are also very welcome.
The survey will remain open until 23rd April, and all views will be used to
shape the delivery of the plans they set out in the Strategy with those that
they receive by 13th February informing its development.
How to fill in the survey
The survey is available:
online via Citizen Space, with British Sign Language videos
in Braille
in Easy Read format
What if I am unable to fill in the survey and want to share my views
another way?
8They have made it easy for you to tell them that a parent, carer or any
other person is supporting you. There is a box to let them know that
someone is supporting you with filling in the form.
If you are unable to complete this survey but would like to contribute your
views on the National Strategy, please submit a statement of no more
than 250 words to ducitizenspace@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
RNIB/Miele launch a washing machine designed for VI People
RNIB and Miele have developed a washing machine that has been
designed for a VI user.
The Miele GuideLine washing machine features a unique, tactile control
panel that enables you to easily select the right programme and settings,
ensuring laundry is cleaned to perfection every time.
The GuideLine is easy and intuitive to operate using just a rotary control
and touch panel that also provide a strong visual contrast. The rotary
control uses sound and raised dots to help you quickly select one of the
12 washing programmes, and the unique tactile control.
Audible sounds at different pitches ensure you can easily select the
programme, temperature and other settings that you want.
The higher the selected temperature or spin speed, the higher the pitch of
the sound and an audio version of the instruction manual is included to
help you quickly master the settings and get the most from your
appliance.
At £899 it isn’t cheap, but is comparably priced to other Miele machines
and you are paying for a high end product. A charge of £64.03 covers
home delivery and the installation of your new machine and removal and
recycling of your old machine.
For further information contact the RNIB on 0303 123 9999
9Quiz
Can you guess the missing collective noun?
1. A ...... of crows.
2. A...... of storks.
3. A .......... of owls.
4. A ...... of foxes.
5. A ..... of Jay's.
6. A..... of quail.
7. A ..... of trout.
8. A ....... of porcupines.
9. A ........ of ravens.
10. A .... of snakes.
11. A ... of salmon.
12. A ...... of wombats.
13. A .... of wolves.
14. A ...... of sharks.
15. A ....... of mosquitoes
16. A ..... of herons.
17. A ..... of stingrays.
18. A ...... of sardines.
19. A ...... of hyenas.
20. A .... of otters.
10Technology
Graham Gunning is from Triple Tap Tech https://tripletaptech.org who
advise, help, support, and train people with a visual impairment on
everything to do with technology reviews the new Envision Glasses.
In this article, Graham talks about the new Envision glasses, the latest
innovation in wearable technology.
Over the last couple of years Envision have established themselves as
one of the best OCR apps. Now Envision have decided to bring the
features of the app to a wearable device.
The Envision glasses are a light and simple design and cost £3268. The
glasses come in two parts, you have the frame and the camera leg. The
frames connect to the camera via a circler connection which clicks them
both into place.
There are 2 frames available, one with lenses and one without. On the
CAMERA leg you have an 8- mega pixel wide lens camera which sits in
front of the frames. Just to the right and behind the camera is a touch
pad. Near the back leg is the speaker and Inside the Leg is the power on
and off button. At the back is a USBC charging port. There is WIFI and
Bluetooth also available.
Like the app there are a range of categories that are designed to best
assist you in everyday life. The Glasses have 4 categories that you can
chose from. These are Read, Identify, Find and Call. Read is where you
will find the options for scanning text and handwriting.
You have Instant text, scan text and batch scanning to select from.
Identify will identify objects and colours. Find will help you find people,
objects and exploring your surroundings. Call is a new feature specifically
for the Envision Glasses. This allows you to get sighted assistance from a
person of your choice by adding them as an ally.
11I have been using the Envision Glasses for a month now and I am really
enjoying them. I like the fact that the Envision Glasses are a standalone
device and is not relying on the app to do all the processing.
You will need to pair up the glasses to the app when first setting them up
but apart from that the glasses will be able to do all the features hands
free.
For me, the best features of the glasses are the call and explore mode.
Having the ability to get sighted assistance is great. Explore mode is
another handy feature. Having the glasses able to tell you what is in front
of you makes life a little easier when navigating. The main negative of
the glasses is the battery length.
You will get 5 to 6 hours of battery life which is not much if you are
wearing them constantly. The cost is a concern, but it is in the same price
range of other wearable devices like Orcam.
All in all, The Envision Glasses are a great device and gets 4 out of 5 top
tech ticks.
For more information on the envision glasses contact Sight and Sound
Technologies on 01604 798070
https://www.sightandsound.co.uk/product/envision-glasses/
12App, App and Away
The AWARE app by Sensible Innovations helps visually impaired people
explore their surroundings.
It offers turn-by-turn descriptive navigation for users who can place their
phone in their pocket and listen as the app announces places they pass.
Users can tell the app where they want to go, and it’ll tell them when
they’ve arrived at their destination. Aware also provides an audio
description of locations, such as a store’s layout.
How does the AWARE app work?
The AWARE app works with Sensible Innovations Electronic Stickers to
provide indoor directions and descriptions crafted with a visually impaired
focus. The AWARE app is built with large fonts and high contrast or a
Braille display for those who prefer to read and is completely audible for
non-visual users.
The audible function is also handy for anyone who wants to receive
locations specific information without having to look or swipe a smart
phone screen.
Unfortunately, we could not find many reviews on this app and those that
we did find were not that informative.’works great’ or ‘good app’ really do
not tell you much and as the developer is based in Springfield, (Illinois not
Chelmsford!) all the examples they use on their website are from, you
guessed it, the grand ol’ US of A! However, Aware is free for iOS and
Android, so if anyone would like to test it out and let us know how useful it
really is, please do and we can put it in a future issue.
13Entertainment
Vocal Eyes
Vocal Eyes allow you to experience art and culture through audio
description. Bringing arts, theatre, museums, galleries and heritage sites
to life for blind and partially sighted people.
The Interval is their weekly online listing of accessible arts and cultural
events and content available online. It includes events in the next two
weeks and content you can watch/listen to anytime.
Check out their website for more details and their weekly selection of
accessible cultural experiences https://vocaleyes.co.uk/
Research into audio description of live theatre
Adelaide based audio-describer Kari Seeley is carrying out research for a
PhD project into audio description for live performance. She is recruiting
blind and visually impaired people who use audio description to take part
in online research interviews to find out more about your personal
experiences using the service.
The interviews will take place on Zoom at a time convenient for you. They
will last around 60 minutes and you will receive a written transcript of the
interview. Participants must be 18 or over, have a visual impairment and
have used audio description at a live theatre performance to take part.
Please email Kari for more information and to register your interest.
If you have any further questions, please contact Kari on
kari.seeley@adelaide.edu.au
14Answers to quiz
1. Murder
2. Muster
3. Parliament
4. Skulk
5. Scold
6. Covey
7. Hover
8. Prickle
9. Conspiracy
10. Nest
11. Run
12. Wisdom
13. Pack
14. Shiver
15. Scourge
16. Siege
17. Fever
18. Family
19. Cackle
20. Raft
15Contact details
Helpline and office 01206 548196
(Carol Massey, Christine Pratt, Denise Sanders and Steve Massey)
Eye Clinic Liaison Officers 01206 548196
Christine & Denise (Colchester + Tendring hospitals)
Read House 01255 673654
(Tina Cox, Administrator)
Read House is the residential care home run by Essex Blind Charity in
Frinton on Sea. The home specialises in the care of elderly people with
sight problems. We offer permanent and respite care (short breaks) by
staff who have all been trained in visual awareness. The Home is
situated on the seafront at Frinton on Sea, a short distance from the town
Centre with its friendly local shops.
If you would like to find out more about Read House or receive an
Information Pack, please contact Tina.
How you can support us
Essex Blind Charity produces and distributes Spotlight free of charge.
However, donations in time or money are always welcome. If you are a
UK taxpayer please consider filling in our gift aid form so we can claim
back the tax paid on your donation, thereby allowing us to make even
better use of your donation.
If you are writing or redrafting your will please consider leaving us a gift.
Your support will enable us to continue to provide and develop the
services we provide for people with sight loss throughout Essex. Thank
you.
16Gift Aid Declaration
On behalf of Essex Blind Charity
Registered Charity No. 1103732
The Gift Aid Scheme enables charities to make more of your donation by
reclaiming the tax you have already paid. In order for us to make this
claim on your donation(s) please complete this form and return it as soon
as possible
Thank you!
Please treat the enclosed gift of £…...............as a Gift Aid donation.
I confirm that I have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or
Capital Gains Tax for the current tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at
least equal to the amount of tax that all charities and Community Amateur
Sports Clubs that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for the current tax
year. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not
qualify. I understand the charity will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I
have given.
Title……Forename(s)…………………………Surname………………..........
Address……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
………………..……………………………………………………………………
………………………..…………....................................................................
Post Code………………………………..
I would like Essex Blind Charity to treat all donations I have made
since 1 July 2012 as Gift Aid donations until I notify them otherwise.
Signature……………………………………… Date.................................
Please return your completed form to:
Essex Blind Charity
Read House, 23 The Esplanade
Frinton on Sea, Essex CO13 9AU
17Are you on our mailing list?
If you are not already on our mailing list for ‘Spotlight’ and would like to
receive a regular copy, please complete the form below and return it to
Carol Massey at Essex Sight, 40 Osborne Street, Colchester CO2 7DB
Name…………………………………………………………………..
Address……………………………………………………………….…………
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Tel……………………………………………………………………….
How would you prefer to receive your copy?
Large Print……… Memory Stick………..Email..........................................
We would like to add your contact details to our database so that we may
from time to time send you details of developments to our services,
events taking place in your area and other information we feel may be of
interest to you.
If you would prefer us not to do so, please tick here…………………
We will not pass your details to anyone else without your permission.
You may request us to remove your details from our database at any
time.
18Useful Telephone Numbers
Colchester Eye Clinic contact numbers
To book or change a NEW appointment only
01206 286870 / 286871 / 286872
To enquire about or change a date for SURGERY only
01206 286874 / 286875
To book or change a FOLLOW UP appointment only
01206 286860 – Mr Sheldrick and Mr Mukherjee
01206 286863 – Mr Patel and Mr Bansal
01206 286856 – Mr Dimitriou
01206 286769 – Mrs Shenoy
For any enquiry relating to Secondary Optometry
01206 286868
For any enquiry relating to Orthoptics
01206 286866
For the EMERGENCY EYE CLINIC only
01206 286882 – we do not accept self-referrals unless the patient is
already under our care or has a pink card for the same condition.
If anyone would like to contact the department by email the address is
chu-ftr.ophthalmologydepartment@nhs.net
19Essex Sight Centres
Due to the pandemic, we are only able to offer a drop in service at
our permanent sight centre in Colchester. Please ring to make an
appointment.
Colchester Sight Centre
40 Osborne Street
Colchester
CO2 7DB
Open Mon - Fri 10 am to 4 pm,
Saturday 10 – 12pm
Tel 01206 548196
For more information contact Essex Sight Office on 01206 548196.
Email: services@essexsight.co.uk
For information about permanent or respite residential care, contact:
Tina on 01255 673654
Email: info@essexblind.co.uk
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