December Newsletter No. 343

Access to front list large print titles via Ingram iPage

30,000 large print titles are available for the UK market via Ingram iPage, with a mixture of front and backlist titles and genres and bindings. Benefit from next business day delivery when ordered before 12PM and a £100 voucher when you spend £200. Open an iPage account here:

https://getstarted.ingramcontent.com/

Need a title in large print that isn’t available? Send us a request:

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/a89817e17cba422c9e0c663818820377


Dr Who brought to life for visually impaired fans

The world of Doctor Who has been brought to life for blind and visually impaired people thanks to a fundraising campaign by a fan from Bradford.

Louis Moorhouse, 22, lost his sight as a child as a result of complications from cancer.

The lifelong Whovian raised nearly £25,000 for charity Living Paintings to help create tactile images and accompanying audio of the show’s world.

Mr Moorhouse said it was “amazing” to know other fans would benefit.

The charity has created tactile and audio resources for blind and visually impaired children and young people to help them “create a picture in their mind and ‘see’ through touch,” a spokesperson said. The packs are free and include audio descriptions to help people guide their fingers over raised images of the show’s iconic characters, props and sets.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-67582931


Join a Facebook network for partially sighted or blind people

RNIB Connect Voices is a UK-wide online group hosted on Facebook that encourages and helps blind and partially sighted people to hear about opportunities to get involved with their work and the work of other organisations.

The group, which is open to anyone above the age of 18, currently has over 900 members where opportunities such as surveys, focus groups and invitations for feedback are shared every month.

Involvement is totally optional and non-committal.  To join, follow this link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/connectvoices

Not on Facebook, no problem.

You can hear about opportunities on:

  • Our website Connect Voices Network – RNIB – See differently
  • A segment on RNIB Connect Radio on Freeview channel 730 or RNIB Connect Radio

Monthly RNIB General Newsletter: Let’s get connected (rnibenews.org.uk )

Alternatively, if you have any questions please feel free to contact the Involvement Team at [email protected]


How revolutionary changes are making braille better than ever

Braille is nearly two centuries old, but, rather than being supplanted by new technology, advocates say the script is having a new lease on life.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/nov/20/magic-touch-how-revolutionary-changes-are-making-braille-better-than-ever


RNIB reveals Eye Care Support Pathway

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has unveiled the Eye Care Support Pathway, a new framework to support people with eye care needs and sight loss, which has gained cross-sector support.

The UK-wide pathway aims to ensure that patients have timely access to information, advice and support throughout their eye care journey

https://www.aop.org.uk/ot/professional-support/optical-organisations/2023/11/16/rnib-reveals-eye-care-support-pathway


National Eye strategy needed

Action is urgently needed to address an eye health emergency in the UK and prevent hundreds of people from needlessly losing their sight every year, according to new research.

More than two million people in the UK are living with sight loss, which costs the UK economy £36 billion per year, and without a National Eye Health Strategy people are not getting the treatment they need in time. As part of the strategy, community optometrists would play a primary role in detecting, treating and managing both minor and urgent eye conditions, reducing reliance on GPs, A&E departments and easing the pressure on the NHS. Full details:

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/health/hairy-biker-dave-myers-calls-28107086