London Visual Impairment Forum
Friday 28th March 2014
9.30am for coffee and networking. 10.00am start
Room 5&6, RNIB, 105 Judd St, WC1H 9NE
Minutes
Present:
Peter Corbett (PC) Thomas Pocklington Trust (Chair)
Sharon Schaffer (SS) LVIF
Keith Valentine (KV) Thomas Pocklington Trust
Roy Smith (RS) Thomas Pocklington Trust
Roger Clifton (RC) ELVis
Pam Jarmain (PM) Nystagmus Network
Mo Brace (MB) Sight Action Havering
Mike Brace (MiB) Havering Vision Strategy Group
Jan Petrovic (JV) PrioritEyes
Dean Apps (DA) (LBBD SIT)
Femida Dadabhai (FD) Activeyes Redbridge
Jessica Beal (JB) TfA
Kevin Gregory (KG) Merton Vision
Ian Francis (Metro Blind Sports)
Christine Copeland (Living Paintings)
Stephanie Baines (BlindAid)
Carol Winyard (Blind Aid)
Sylvie Mackle (SM) Camden SIT
Leila Pearce (LP) Pocklington
Pauline Acott (PA) IEDA, Newham SIT
Elizabeth Jones (EJ) Islington Talking News
Robert Harris (RoH) Guide Dogs
Elizabeth Jones (EJ) Islington Talking News
Lorraine Lowther (LL) Sutton Vision
Lindsay Towers (LT) Thomas Pocklington Trust
Leila Pearce (LP) Thomas Pocklington Trust
Amanda Hall (AH) Thomas Pocklington Trust
Steven Franks (SF) ACTION
Stan Lopes (SL) Camden SIT
Miriam Osborne Kingston SIT
Richard Holmes (RH) RNIB
Apologies:
Jackie Venus (VISOR) (Vice Chair)
Mary Hynes (MH) VIC
Toby Davey (TD) VocalEyes
Michelle Baxter –Wickham (Thomas Pocklington Trust)
Roy Benjamin (RB), Merton Sports & Social Club
Sue O’Hara (SoH) (BlindAid)
Richie Walden (RW) (BlindAid)
Becki Meakin (BM) Shaping Our Lives
Phil Ambler (PAm) Thomas Pocklington Trust
Rosie Watling (RW) Appa Me
Julie Turner (JT) Appa Me
Guests:
Martin Sigsworth, Thomas Pocklington Trust.
Alex Gibbons: Interactive
Dan Slaughter: Tottenham Hotspur
Natasha Beauharnais : Georgie Phone
Sophie Achillini: Transport for London
Welcome: Introductions and apologies
Introducing: The Knowledge Exchange Network for the Sight Loss
Sector (KEN): Martin Sigsworth, Thomas Pocklington Trust.
 Thomas Pocklington Trust are partnering with RNIB and the National
Centre for Social Research (NatCen), to organise a series of
workshops across the UK aiming to bring together people working in
the sight loss sector to consider how they can make better use of
research and information.
 They are working with John Slade (RNIB) and the Sight Loss Data
Tool, which enables statistics from each area to be identified.
 The focus is on Social research – public health & wellbeing.
 The objective is to promote use of research as an element of funding
bids, service delivery and strategic planning. The workshops will be
accessible, interactive, FREE and provide opportunities for
networking.
 The next workshop on April 14th is full.
 Places still available at future workshops incl on 14th July in London
To book a place, or if you would like further information, go to
www.pocklington-trust.org.uk/researchandknowledge/ken or
contact Martin Sigsworth (020 8090 9269 or
martin.sigsworth@pocklington-trust.org.uk).
SS to send out KEN flyer with the minutes for cascading through
your networks
Session 1: A Sporting Chance
Interactive: Alex Gibbons
 Interactive is the lead strategic agency for disability, equality & sport;
influencing the provision of access and opportunity to participate in
sport for people with disabilities.
 Inclusive and Active Too programme run in assoc. with Mayor’s
Office; creating opportunities within partner orgs eg. Local
Authorities. Currently have 150 adopted agencies – now looking to
branch out from solely sports activities.
 Also looking to create networks within adopted agencies to share
opportunities and good practice.
 Offer advice and support with funding opportunities, growing
resources, disability awareness training for staff.
 Working on a policy level to ensure that accessibility is being
adopted and implemented.
 Working with TPT, ELVis, Metro on:
 How to make facilities more VI friendly – inc. building
confidence with staff
 Links to other websites offering info on getting out and about
 Advice on rates and deals available to VI people
 Linking with other agencies to provide volunteers
Looking for info and feedback on how people access sport – a tele-survey
to be carried out later in the year – AG to send info to SS for inclusion
in the E-Bulletin when it is available.
Always open to input and ideas on how to improve accessibility and
identifying the gaps: contact: alex.gibbons@interactive.uk.net
MiB: raised issue of lack of audio description at football matches
ACTION: SS to introduce AG to Toby Davey from VocalEyes
Tottenham Hotspur Foundation: Dan Slaughter:
 TH Foundation is the footballs club’s charitable trust.
 The Foundation runs a pan-disability football programme in
partnership with London & Middx football assocs. for 8 yrs.
 London wide programmes are being run too.
 Partially Sighted Centre of Excellence for 12-16 yr olds – with
possible route through to England team.
 London Player Development Centre for B1 players – compete
nationally (at Royal National College in Hereford).
 Strong relationship with London FC (Blind football team for adults)
who won the league this season, for the first time! Looking to find
venue in London to hold matches.
 Working in partnership with RLSB – to match young people with the
sport of their choice.
 Also run a mentoring programme for other sports.
With regard to Tottenham Football Club accessibility:
 Audio description of matches at Spurs is available through pre-order.
 Awareness Training has been provided for stewards – The
Foundation is looking to roll this out to other clubs.
Contact: dan.slaughter@tottenhamhotspur.com Tel: 020 8365 5137
ActivEyes Redbridge are running Blind Tennis sessions from 3.455.15pm every Tuesday at Redbridge Town Hall. All welcome (including
family, carers) 8 yrs+
Contact: femida.seeingitourway@gmail.com
(NB also holding a visit to Ilford Cineworld on 29.3.14 when the audio
description will be played over the audio system (rather than over
headphones) for the first time at this cinema).
Session 2: GeorgiePhone: A guide to the smart phone alternative
for non-techies: Natasha Beauharnais
 Designed by husband and wife team, both registered blind.
 Designed to be slower, gentler alternative to other smartphones.
 GeorgiePhone, developed by Screenreader.net, is a Software
package,
 downloadable onto a normal android phone : 4.1 (or more) with
Jellybean - Samsung Galaxy S3 & S3 mini handsets are
recommended.
 Cost £199 or available with a phone for £30-50 per month – Note: a
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cheaper, stripped down version, is in the pipeline, enabling the user
to pick and choose their apps and package.
GeorgiePhone has bright clear buttons that speak and you don’t
have to be techie to use it!
It can tell you where you are, what street you are in, where the
nearest shops, pub, doctor or bus stop is and how to get to it.
GeorgiePhone will tell you when the next bus is due and, as you
travel, it will announce the next stop as you approach it.
You can listen to lots of books, music and radio podcasts and even
make notes so you don’t forget things. It is also able to scan
documents.
It can identify your location so that family/carer knows where you
are.
You can record landmarks into the phone, which will then direct you
each one, enabling independent travel/navigation.
Info and settings can be updated and amended online, by either the
user or their spouse/carer.
Training is provided (for a small fee).
Various apps were demonstrated.
Demonstrations can booked for your organisations.
‘GeorgiePhone tutorials’ are also available on You Tube.
For more info contact: Natasha@georgiephone.com
TEL: 01733 700948 or 0800 999 3358
Session 3: TfL: Transport for London's accessibility campaign,
‘Come on Board’: Sophie Achillini, TfL
Following research with older and disabled customers last year, this
campaign has been put together to promote access to TfL’s services and
the availability of assisted services.
SA’s presentation, including all contact info, is circulated with these
minutes, and available on the LVIF website :
http://lvif.co.uk/category/resources/
ACTION: SA to send SS details of wi-fi access available on tube
network and where Wi-Fi stickers/notices are displayed.
ACTIONS: SA to raise these issues:
Road Crossings:
 Crossing times available at pelican crossings,
 Lack of barriers on dual carriageway crossings
 Absence of audio (beeps) during crossing time (NB. If
crossings are too close together audio is not used as it is
deemed confusing)
 New style fascia on the crossing sign (eg Richmond)
Bus Stops:
 Identifying the number of the bus you want if there are several
at the bus stop (NB. TfL are in the process of training and
retraining their bus drivers re disability awareness)
 Bus Drivers not opening the front door of the bus at a stop.
 No room for guide dogs!
 TfL website – pinch zoom not working on new website.
Tube:
 Help Point buttons need to be higher up and at entrance/exits
 Being directed by the Help Button to ‘find the Ticket Office’ is
not helpful!
ACTION: ALL to send further issues to SS who will collate and send
to SA for feedback
Note: Travel Support Cards can be printed from TfL website
Session 4: LVIF Communications:
Cashless Bus Working Group update: Robert Harris (Guide Dogs)
 Cash fares will not be accepted on buses from 6 July 2014 (if not
before). Oyster cards, debit cards, etc , will be accepted.
 This will not affect Freedom Pass users.
 An Emergency Fare Ticket will be in operation for those with
insufficient funds on their Oyster card.
 Those with cash only will be issued with an One Journey Ticket, which
is available for one trip only (unless you are deemed to be a vulnerable
person – in which case you will be encouraged to carry a Travel
Support Card).
 A huge publicity campaign is imminent.
 All those using cash will be issued with a explanatory leaflet.
 A Driver awareness campaign is also being mounted.
ACTION: RoH to attend the ‘feedback’ event in October and
feedback to LVIF
 Campaign Update: Care Bill: Richard Holmes (RNIB)
Freedom of Information requests show 43% reduction in rehab support
over past 10 years.
RNIB has been campaigning for The Social Care Bill to:
 move away from a time limited definition of support
 update and maintain accurate VI Registers
These campaigns were not successful (however, there is a facility to
maintain the Registers in the Children & Families Bill)
The focus is now on looking at the regulations:
 Campaigning for a clearer reference to Care as it would effect a VI
person – ie away from emphasis on personal care, to assistance with
shopping, for instance.
 These discussions are still ongoing with the DoH
 Probably up for consultation in late May
 Assessments – how VI is viewed in terms of being ‘critical’
ALL: Look out for, and respond to, the consultation in late May. A
‘once in a generation’ opportunity to affect change
Note: there is currently NO rehab officer in Brent
 News, Events & Good Practice: A Round Robin of member
organisations’ news and activities
PrioritEyes: Providing services in Havering, which has been very difficult
to take up due to their use of a procurement agency. This has resulted in
them not being able to take up the service as swiftly as they would have
wished! ACTION: TPT, ELVis, and PrioritEyes to link up on this issue
Living paintings: CC introduced the tactile paintings service and new
resources. CC will be speaking at the LVIF meeting in June.
Islington Talking News: Indebted to Age UK who are referring people to
the talking news. They are receiving more referrals from them than they
do from their Sensory Team. ACTION: Islington Vision Strategy Group
to link with EJ to address this
TPT: RS reported that awareness amongst VI people on the services
available in their locality is low. Talking Newspapers need to be promoted
to reach and inform people. PC is working to access the Registers in
each borough to contact the people on it. Using Talking Newspapers to
contact these people would be a useful ongoing activity.
TPT volunteering team will be talking at the LVIF meeting in June
Empowerment team: looking to establish a VI parliament (along the lines
of the current Learning Disability Parliament) in Kingston.
TPT now have 3 twitter feeds – so do keep track of all the things that are
going on
ELVis: Vision Strategies and Action Plans are now adopted in each of the
7 ELVis boroughs. Thanks were extended to SS for all her work on this.
ELVis is working with Healthwatch in a couple of boroughs to obtain
views on Health services, supporting the local society in Redbridge,
providing an Additional Rehab service, and administration to enable the
Redbridge Sensory Team to contact everyone on their Register.
RC attended the Visionary CEO conference this week, where he was one
of only 2 visually impaired CEOs – a situation that is called on to be
addressed.
Sutton Vision: Has been working with Vision Strategy Group in Sutton
Camden SIT: DISC has been disbanded. The Sensory Team has
depleted staff, need a Rehab Worker for deaf.
Been working with Camden Vision Strategy Group – with thanks to TPT.
ACTION: Link with TPT (and ELVis?) to find a common approach to
working through the procurement process
Sight Action Havering: Working with TPT and ELVis to deliver the
Vision Strategy.
Havering Vision Strategy Group: Issue is lack of ownership, possibly
due to a reluctance to put financial resources in.
METRO: Winter Paralympic Games: congratulations to VI medal
winners! Note: Metro National Athletics Championships
Venue: Mile End Stadium in Tower Hamlets. Date: 14/06/2014
Newham SIT: Working with TPT and ELVis to deliver the Vision Strategy
BlindAid: ‘Southwark project’ pilot in Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham:
linking to provide activity workshops in Southwark Resource Centre.
Planning to roll out to other boroughs.
Nystagmus Network: Annual Open Day happening in Leicester on 28th
June. Last year ‘Wobbly Wednesday’ was a huge success – this year will
be on 5th Nov.
Barking & Dagenham SIT: PiP applications are taking ages to get to
assessment stage, and one client was asked to remove his dark glasses
and subjected to humiliating assessment activities.
Currently advertising for a ROVI
TfA: Pan London Mobility Forum yesterday: concerns about planned cuts
to tube staff. Good news with the Turn up and go system. Cross Rail: step
free access has now been adopted as their preferred method. New
campaign around patient transport to be launched imminently.
Hackney SIT: Living with Sight loss being run in Hackney, Newham &
Tower Hamlets. One Touch: self- defence for VI people – very good
sessions – available to be rolled out in your area – google One Touch.
Best wishes were extended to Roy Benjamin for a speedy recovery
AOB: None
Finish
Next meeting: 27th June 2014: Rooms 5&6
Sessions include:
 Introductions to: Living Paintings’ Touch to See Book Clubs and
Pocklington Volunteer Schemes
 Transport for London: update on Come on Board campaign
 The Care Bill: Key points, Timetable, VI implications, consultations,
actions