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Tuesday 21 June Listen to 21 June TALKING PHONES: VODAFONE AND ORANGE SERVICES In this week's In Touch, we discover how two of the major phone providers in this country have managed to get on the wrong side of some of their visually-impaired customers. Over the past couple of years we've reported on quite a lot of items on the programme about Talkx, the software developed in Germany which enables certain mobile phones to talk, making them ideal for visually impaired people who can't read the barrage of messages which appear on their screens. The subject came up most recently when we were discussing Orange's decision to abandon 'Wildfire', its talking message and menus service. Vodafone Guest: Mike Duxbury, Vodafone. At the moment only one mobile phone provider, Vodafone, offers Talkx software and service ready-installed on your phone as a matter of course. In Touch will be hearing from people who've been experiencing some difficulty in getting hold of a talking phone from them, despite their good performance in the past. Vodafone Limited PO Box 549 Banbury OX17 3ZJ Tel: 0800 068 6570 www.vodafone.co.uk You can also contact Mike Duxbury directly on 01635 676 599 or email him at: Mike.Duxbury@vodafone.com Orange Wildfire Guests: Rory Heap, wildfire supporter. Anne Hamilton, customer. Kevin Lyon, customer. Johnathon Rose, Orange. About a month ago we reported on Orange's intention to wind up Wildfire, its talking phone service. They were doing this for what they considered sound business reasons, but visually impaired people were angered that they seemed unaware of the problems this would cause for people who had come to rely on the service because of their lack of sight. Well we received a number of assurances on this programme, including the fact that they were looking to install Talkx as an alternative on the phones of blind and partially sighted people, and another assurance that they would deal with these matters for all visually-impaired people, not just those who kicked up a fuss. Orange Tel: 0800 079 0042 http://www.orange.co.uk SIMPLY THE BEST AWARDS Last week, the Royal National Institute of the Blind celebrated those organisations, companies and individuals who make life easier for visually impaired people in the shape of its "Simply the Best" awards. Nominations ranged from sports' centers to software manufacturers, and here to tell us about some of the winners is Mani Djazmi. The Aqua Centre in the Somerset town of Crewkerne won the sport award for making its swimming classes accessible for a blind girl. The programme interviews the blind girl Keziah Fuller and her mother Sue. While the Loughton branch of Toni and Guy won the members award for their help with sighted guides. The programme interviews Allan Mabert and Oreste Lipanni from Toni and Guy. AWARD WINNERS Employment award For excellence in the areas of recruitment, retention or access to work for people with sight problems. Winner - Torbay Council Leisure award For organisations that have made a significant contribution towards opening up television, film, books, theatre, arts, heritage facilities or entertainment for people with sight problems. Winner - Bristol Old Vic Highly commended - Vue Entertainment Sport award For companies and organisations including gyms, sports clubs, leisure centres and outdoor activity centres providing and promoting opportunities for people with sight problems to enable participation and enjoyment of sport. Winner - Crewkerne Aqua Centre, Somerset Product development award For companies and organisations, such as shops, pubs, restaurants, hotels, travel companies etc, who provide excellent customer service for blind and partially sighted people. Winner - Software Express Highly commended - PURE Accessible information award For companies and organisations such as libraries, transport companies, utilities providers, retailers etc. who have improved, developed or promoted accessible information for blind and partially sighted people. Winner - Brewers Fayre Winner - Greater Manchester Passenger Travel Executive Customer Service award For companies and organisations such as shops, pubs, restaurants, hotels, travel companies etc. who provide excellent customer service for blind and partially sighted people. Winner - National Express RNIB Membership awards Awards will be given for the best website, the most helpful individual and the best company nominated by an RNIB member. Individual winner - George Harrison, Athletics Coach Company winner - Toni & Guy, Loughton Website winner - Play.com GENERAL CONTACTS RNIB 105 Judd Street London WC1H 9NE Tel: 0845 766 99 99 (UK callers only - Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) Tel. 0207 388 1266 (switchboard/overseas callers) Textphone users call via Typetalk: 0800 51 51 52 Web: www.rnib.org.uk The RNIB provides information, support and advice for anyone with a serious sight problem. They not only provide Braille, Talking Books and computer training, but imaginative and practical solutions to everyday challenges. The RNIB campaigns to change society's attitudes, actions and assumptions, so that people with sight problems can enjoy the same rights, freedoms and responsibilities as fully sighted people. They also fund pioneering research into preventing and treating eye disease and promote eye health by running public health awareness campaigns. HENSHAWS SOCIETY FOR BLIND PEOPLE (HSBP) John Derby House 88-92 Talbot Road Old Trafford Manchester M16 0GS Tel: 0161 872 1234 Email: info@hsbp.co.uk Web: www.henshaws.org.uk Henshaws provides a wide range of services for people who have sight difficulties. They aim to enable visually impaired people of all ages to maximise their independence and enjoy a high quality of life. They have centres in: Harrogate, Knaresborough, Liverpool, Llandudno, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Salford, Southport and Trafford. THE GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND ASSOCIATION (GDBA) Burghfield Common Reading RG7 3YG Tel: 0118 983 5555 Email: guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk Web: www.guidedogs.org.uk The GDBA's mission is to provide guide dogs, mobility and other rehabilitation services that meet the needs of blind and partially sighted people. ACTION FOR BLIND PEOPLE 14-16 Verney Road London SE16 3DZ Tel: 0800 915 4666 (info & advice) Tel: 020 7635 4800 (central office) Web: www.afbp.org Registered charity with national cover that provides practical support in the areas of housing, holidays, information, employment and training, cash grants and welfare rights for blind and partially sighted people. Leaflets and booklets are available free of charge, including 'Getting on - a Guide to Services for Visually Impaired people'. No SAE required. NATIONAL LEAGUE OF THE BLIND AND DISABLED Central Office Swinton House 324 Grays Inn Road London WC1X 8DD Tel: 020 7837 6103 Fax: 020 7278 0436 Textphone: 020 7837 6103 National League of the Blind and Disabled is a registered trade union and is involved in all issues regarding the employment of blind and disabled people in the UK. NATIONAL LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND Far Cromwell Road Bredbury Stockport SK6 2SG Tel: 0161 355 2000 Minicom: 0161 355 2043 Email: enquiries@nlbuk.org Web: www.nlb-online.org The National Library for the Blind (NLB) is a registered charity which helps visually impaired people throughout the country continue to enjoy the same access to the world of reading as people who are fully sighted. Visit the In Touch Message Board Back to the In Touch page The BBC is not responsible for external websites |
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