Newsletter December 2013
Lisburn in Focus
Lisburn in Focus
Rawdon House
45-47 Market Square
Lisburn
Co Antrim
BT28 1AD
Tel: 028 9260 0388
lisburninfocus@rnib.org.uk
www.rnib.org.uk/lisburninfocus
www.facebook.com/lisburninfocus
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Contents:
Lisburn City Centre pavement works ...................... 2
Claim a Christmas Present from Lisburn in Focus .. 3
Finding Your Feet ................................................... 3
Letter to Santa ........................................................ 4
FREE Coffee (or tea) in Twinbrook ......................... 5
Cervical and Bowel Screening information sessions5
Omniplex Lisburn .................................................... 6
RNIB NI Shop Update ............................................ 6
RNIB NI Products and Technology Update ............ 7
Technology Volunteers Request ............................. 8
Circuit Training November - February .................... 8
One to One Mobility Support .................................. 9
Boccia Sessions ..................................................... 9
React ...................................................................... 9
Outlook News ....................................................... 10
Visit to Belfast Christmas Market ....................... 10
Outlook Annual General Meeting .......................... 10
Changes in the eyesight standards for driving ...... 11
Tandem Group News ........................................... 13
Audio Described Performances ............................ 13
Lyric Theatre ...................................................... 13
Grand Opera House .......................................... 13
Braille on domestic appliances ............................. 14
Civil Aviation Authority survey .............................. 15
Lisburn City Centre pavement works
Lisburn in Focus is up-dating the Talking Newspaper on
a weekly basis regarding the Public Realm works in the
city centre. If you do not currently receive the Talking
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Newspaper we would recommend you contact us - or
email them directly lisburn.leo@hotmail.co.uk - to be
added to the distribution list.
Throughout the works TAL (the contractor) can be
contacted on 028 9262 2345 and in the event of an
emergency there is a 24 hour number: 075 5337 8113.
Claim a Christmas Present from Lisburn in Focus
Santa and his helpers have arrived early at the Lisburn
in Focus office and delivered a selection of products
specially designed to help blind and partially sighted
people.
To claim a Christmas present from the following list
please contact the project team on 028 9260 0388 or
pop into the office at Rawdon House, 45-47 Market
Square, Lisburn, BT28 1AD.
Coloured Chopping Boards, safety vegetable peelers,
keyring talking clocks, felt-tip pens, talking calculators,
pocket and A4 diaries, wall calendar, mixed bumpons,
tactile tape measures, Braille/large print pill organisers
and liquid level indicators are all up for grabs!
Finding Your Feet
Finding Your Feet is a specialised residential
programme run by RNIB for blind and partially sighted
people who are finding it difficult to come to terms with
losing their sight. It allows those involved to explore,
discuss and better understand the impact of sight loss.
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The programme offers a range of practical and
emotional peer support designed to help people deal
with the specific challenges that might occur with sight
loss. Information and support are provided through a
number of different interactive discussion groups and
tailored workshops.
The Finding Your Feet programme is suitable for anyone
over the age of 18, who is coming to terms with sight
loss, at whatever stage in their life or diagnosis. A family
member, partner or friend affected by the issues of sight
loss, are also encouraged to attend.
This three day residential is free however participants do
have to make their way to the hotel. This is our second
Lisburn in Focus Finding Your Feet residential and will
take place on Tuesday 25 – Thursday 27 March 2014 in
the La Mon Hotel, Gransha, Belfast.
For more information and an application form, contact
the Lisburn in Focus office on 028 9260 0388 or email
lisburninfocus@rnib.org.uk. Completed application
forms need to be returned by Friday 14 February.
Everyone who applies will be contacted at the beginning
of March to be advised if they have been successful in
securing a place or whether they are on a reserve list for
the course.
Letter to Santa
RNIB is again offering kids the chance to write to Santa
and receive an answer in the accessible format of their
choice. The link below will take you to the web page
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with all the details of what to do. So why not act as a
Christmas elf, spread a little joy and pass this on to
anyone you know who might be interested in this.
http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/livinglearning/p
ages/letter_from_santa.aspx
A word of advice though, don't let the kids ask Santa for
a jet pack they'll just end up disappointed.
Ho Ho Ho…
FREE Coffee (or tea) in Twinbrook
Lisburn in Focus is keen to meet local blind and partially
sighted people and get an opportunity to tell you about
the things we are doing. During 2014 we are going to
host a series of coffee mornings throughout the Lisburn
Council area. Free coffee/tea and scones and buns are
provided!
The first one will be on Wednesday 8 January in
The Coffee House Bistro located at 126 Stewartstown
Road, Belfast next to Lidl Supermarket. We will meet at
11am. If you live nearby and can make it please come
along - it would be great to see you!
Ring us on 028 9260 0388 if you have any questions.
Cervical and Bowel Screening information sessions
Lisburn in Focus in partnership with RNIB NI have set up
two information sessions in early 2014.
Wednesday 30 January - cervical information session
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Tuesday 4 March - bowel screening information session
Both sessions will be in the Bridge Community Centre,
Lisburn at 11am. If you are interested in attending one
of them ring Lisburn in Focus on 028 9260 0388.
Omniplex Lisburn
If you have tried to book cinema tickets in advance or
even tried to find out what film/s are being audio
described at the Lisburn Omniplex, I am sure it has been
frustrating.
We are well aware that the phone number they asked us
to promote is rarely answered and there is currently no
information about audio description on the website.
It seems that there is no quick or feasible way of getting
the information onto the website as it currently exists so
the Omniplex have suggested that people email
Lisburn@omniplex.ie on a Thursday to find out which
film or films are being shown with audio description for
the week ahead.
I appreciate not everyone uses email but while the
website is being re-designed it is the only practical way
to get clear, up to date information.
RNIB NI Shop Update
Get your gifts this Christmas with the RNIB NI shop.
Grab a bargain with many products on sale on the lead
up to Christmas; particularly phones, watches, and
sensory toys. Give that friend or family member who is
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frustrated with tiny buttons on their mobile, small print in
their diary or calendar, or struggling to see their watch, a
thoughtful gift this Christmas and help make their new
year that bit easier.
Don't forget you can also get tactile Christmas cards for
friends and family at the shop. Packs of six are only
£1.95.
Also, please note we will be closed from 1pm Tuesday
24 December and will reopen at 9am Thursday 2
January. We wish you all a lovely Christmas with many
happy memories!
RNIB NI Products and Technology Update
The first round of iPad taster sessions ended on
Tuesday 26 November. Over 50 blind and partially
sighted people or parents of children have now had the
chance to get an introduction to using the iPad. Several
have reported they have since been flying with their iPad
- which previously sat unused or was a frustration.
We would like to thank all those who have made these
sessions a success, in particular our new technology
volunteers who allowed invaluable one to one assistance
to take place in each session.
More taster sessions are due to start in Derry/Lderry in
the New Year, and places are filling up for the
progressive iPad training courses starting in March
2014. RNIB's 'Switch On to Technology' sessions are
also to be delivered again in the New Year in various
locations.
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These sessions will give you the opportunity to learn
about various new technologies such as mobile phones,
ebook readers and computer tablets for reading, making
calls, and getting on the internet. We will secure dates
in 2014 and circulate these.
Technology Volunteers Request
We will need more volunteers in the new year as we
expand this technology taster and training service. If
you would like to talk about the possibility of volunteering
for this varied and exciting new role please contact
Joanne Williams on 028 9032 9373.
Circuit Training November to February
The Circuit Training class (in Studio 2 at the Lisburn
Leisureplex) started at 10.30am on Thursday 14
November.
Feedback from participants, from the first couple of
sessions, has been really positive. Charlene is tailoring
the class to meet individual fitness levels - so come
along and have a go! We will meet at the Reception and
head on down to Studio 2 from there. Bring a small
towel and drink with you.
There is no session on 12 December as Outlook are
having a visit to the Continental Market in Belfast. There
will be a session on 5 December and 19 December and
then eight more in the New Year - starting back on
Thursday 9 January. To book a place ring
028 9260 0388 or email lisburninfocus@rnib.org.uk
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One to One Mobility Support
Are there places you would like to walk to that you can't
because you feel unsure of the route? Lisburn in Focus
can offer you one to one support via Guide Dogs Mobility
Instructors. You do not need a Guide Dog! The mobility
instructor will spend time with you reinforcing any routes
that you already know a little bit but are not 100 percent
sure of when on your own.
Ring us on 028 9260 0388 to request this service.
Boccia Sessions
A series of weekly Boccia sessions began on Monday 11
November in First Lisburn Presbyterian Church Hall in
Market Square, Lisburn. We meet at 10.30am until noon
each week. The sessions start with some basic skills
and work up to a game.
If you are interested in taking part please call the office
on 028 9260 0388 to book your place or, just turn up!
React
Fobs for the React units are available FREE to any local
blind or partially sighted people. React is an audible
signpost system designed by RNIB for people who are
blind or partially sighted. Each speaker acts like a
signpost, letting the person who triggers it know where
they are.
For anyone outside of Lisburn Council area they can be
bought from RNIB for £25. They are also available to
borrow for the day from the Lisburn Tourist Information
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Centre in Lisburn Square, Lisburn Bus Centre Reception
and Lisburn Train Station Reception.
The Lisburn in Focus team are keen to arrange trials of
the system if you would like to walk it with one of us.
Please call the office on 028 9260 0388 or email
lisburninfocus@rnib.org.uk
Outlook News
Visit to Belfast Christmas Market
Outlook is going to the Belfast Christmas market at
11am on Thursday 12 December. If last year’s
experience is anything to go by, we shall be treated to
an informative tour of the market and given the
opportunity to sample a number of things to eat and
drink.
If you would like to attend, please contact
David Mann on 028 9260 7894 or email
Davidmann5@btinternet.com
David plans to travel up on the 10.08am train from
Lisburn, but if anyone wants to go by another route a
rendezvous point in Belfast will be agreed.
Outlook Annual General Meeting
The Outlook AGM took place on Thursday 21 November
in The Wallace (formerly The Point).
Twenty five people came and heard short reports from
Katie Leach (Chairperson), David Mann (Secretary) and
James Judge (Treasurer). There was then an
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opportunity for those attending to give feedback and or
suggestions for the coming year before the Committee
stood down and the election process took place.
There are eight Committee members for 2013-2014;
Katie Leach, David Mann, James Judge, Audrey
Kempton, Joanna Toner, Margaret Mann, Geraldine
Dougal and Lesley Kirk. Office bearers will be elected at
the first Committee Meeting.
The Committee welcomes feedback at any time
regarding their activities so please do not hesitate to get
in touch with Lisburn in Focus on 028 9260 0388 and we
will pass it on.
Changes in the eyesight standards for driving
Are you aware that new minimum eyesight rules were
introduced in March 2013? Before you drive or ride a
vehicle you must meet the new standards. Good
eyesight is crucial for driving and if you can’t meet the
standard in your driving test you will fail and DVLA will
revoke your licence.
The NHS advises you to have a sight test every two
years. However in some circumstances your optician
may advise you to have more regular tests, for example
if you have diabetes, are 40 or over and have a family
history of glaucoma or are 70 or over.
Drivers are encouraged to have their eyes tested every
two years and must always wear glasses or lenses if
needed. You MUST tell DVLA if you have a problem
with your eyesight.
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Group 1 – Cars and Motorcycles – Drivers must
 Be able to read a car number plate (with the aid of
glasses or corrective lenses if needed) from a
distance of 20 metres.
 Have a visual acuity of at least Snellen6/12. This
means that the driver can read, from 6 metres away,
characters which a person with normal (or Snellen
6/6) vision can read from 12 metres away and
 Have a horizontal field of vision of at least 120
degrees. This means, when looking straight ahead
and without turning your head or eyes, a driver must
be able to see 60 degrees to both the left and right.
Group 2 – Buses and Lorries
 For these drivers, there will be a new less stringent
visual acuity standard for the “weaker eye” when
each eye is separately examined. This means a
Group 2 driver must have a visual acuity of at least
Snellen 6/7.5 (see above) in the better eye and of at
least Snellen 6/60 in the other eye.
 If you need to wear glasses to reach this standard
they must not have a corrective power greater than
plus (+) 8 dioptres.
If you are in any doubt that you can meet the
eyesight standards it is essential that you arrange
an appointment with an optician
For the full information on eyesight standards and driving
go to:
www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules or
www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving
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Tandem Group News
The weekly Thursday evening group has stopped
meeting over the Autumn and Winter. Instead we will
meet on alternate Saturday afternoons in February and
March from 10.30am until 12pm.
The four dates are;
1 and 15 February and
1 and 15 March
As it is not guaranteed that there will be enough pilots for
every stoker, you may not get out on a bike for the full 90
minutes.
Anyone interested in taking part will be made most
welcome and all fitness levels are catered for. New
cyclists will be given a helmet. Wear comfortable
clothes and have some way of tucking loose trouser
bottoms into socks or cycle clips. If you want any more
information please ring Lisburn in Focus on
028 9260 0388.
Audio Described Performances
Lyric Theatre
028 9038 1081 or www.lyrictheatre.co.uk
Forget Turkey 2, 9 January 2014
Philadelphia Here I come, 6 March 2014
Grand Opera House
028 9024 1919
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Sleeping Beauty (panto), 7 January 2014
Fiddler on the Roof, 15 February, 2014
Dreamboats and Petticoats, 15 March 2014
Singing in the Rain, 14 May 2014
Dirty Dancing, 7 August 2014
For more information about Audio described
performances visit www.nisightlines.co.uk
Braille on domestic appliances
When a domestic appliance is purchased requiring
braille or tactile markings ;
Step one - inform the retail supplier i.e., Curry's , Dixons,
John Lewis etc. - that Braille is needed
Step two - the supplier will then go to the manufacturer
with that information
Step three - manufacturer will then send domestic panel
to Miss Emma Braines to carry out the work
Step four - brailled/tactiled panel with large print and
Braille instructions returned to manufacturer.
Step five - manufacturer to send on to the retail supplier
or end user
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If you have any other enquiries please feel free to
contact Emma on 07766558513 and she will do her very
best to help.
Civil Aviation Authority survey
The Civil Aviation Authority has recently launched a
survey on the experiences of passengers with a
disability and older consumers travelling by air, looking
at the quality of support provided by UK airlines and
airports.
Below is a link to the CAA’s press release, which
includes a link to the survey itself.
http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=14&pagety
pe=65&appid=7&mode=detail&nid=2311
Please fill this in if you have time.
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