Sight Village - London

[Anne Klepacz]

Sight Village London is a one day exhibition showcasing technology, support and services for people with a visual impairment. It's happening on 4th November at Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London W8 7NX - you can find more information about the event at
www.qac.ac.uk/sightvillage-london/home.htm
May be worth a visit for anyone wanting to see what the latest technology has to offer, and what other services there are for anyone struggling with work or study.
Anne

[rosemary johnson]

I went to this - did anyone else?
Happened to meet up with Anne, largely by chance. Very good to see a familiar face and have a bit of a chat.
(Odd how it happens - I was talking to one of the people on the RNIB stall, and reallised the piece o paper she was holding had a familiar logo. "Is that one of ours...?" Oh yes, she said, she'd just been talking to Anne; she went that way.)
Lots of stuff on display, from talking computers to loadsa magnifiers, tactile portraits and super-large print kids' games, talking newspapers, demos of learningn to read Moon (alternative to braille).
A few years ago, I joined the mailing list of an organisation called BCAB (British COmputer Association of the Blind) and have read lots of interesting discussions, and picked up lots of tips about overcoming computer/web site problems. I found their stand and met a couple of people I'd only known by email addresses.
ANd I'm not the proud possessor of a set of their CDs of "Guide Cats for the Blind".
Can thorougly recommend these to anyone who wants cheering up a bit! - or as fun Christmas pressies from friends who like a laugh.
They are collections of humourous poems and songs, some about cats, some about other animals (poor lonely hedgehog who no-one wants to hug...) and lots of other things. Title track is from a cat's point of view - about the futility of trying to give them a new job:
"...... I only work from Mammon
YOu think you've found a new friend
You've lost a plate of salmon.....
....... of one thing I am certain
The best place for a blind man
Isn't half way up a curtain......"
hat else? - Oh, mercifully, the tea and cake stall! And unfortunately, rather a lot of camera flashguns. You'd have thought organisers of an expo of kit for people with eye problems would know better than to have people popping flashguns all over the place, wouldn't you? I have made Representations about it.
Still sorting through a pile of leaflets.
Rosemary

[Anne Klepacz]

It was good to see you there, Rosemary!
Sight Village has been a regular event in Birmingham for quite a few years (usually in July). This was the first time it had been organised in London. I was impressed by the huge range of helpful technology there. And although some of it is still quite expensive for individuals to buy, it's the sort of thing that Access to Work can organise for people who need adjustments made for them at work. Several eye charities also had stands at the exhibition, so I'm investigating whether the KC Group can have a stand at future Sight Village events. Anything that raises the profile of keratoconus is useful!
Anne