NALSVI Eastern Region Autumn Conference
At Suffolk New College, on 22nd October 2008, NALSVI (National Association of Local Societies for Visually Impaired) held its Eastern Regional Autumn Conference.
Representatives attended from Ipswich, West Suffolk, East Suffolk, Norfolk and Norwich, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire Societies. Also in attendance were reps from RNIB (Royal National Institution for the Blind), Action for Blind People and Vi Electronics.
The programme included information sharing and discussion about how to continue to improve the services and support for blind and visually impaired people in the region. The importance and impact of home visits and other support provided by ‘community workers’ was discussed. New proposals for adapted homes in Ipswich were presented. A remarkable new piece of electronic equipment was demonstrated. The size of an Ipod, it will play hours of pre-recorded music and speech and down load from the internet.
One of the representatives, who is blind, described the IT training he is providing in partnership with Action for Blind People. He is training three volunteers who in turn train members to use internet, send and receive emails and so forth, as well as any sighted person would do.
The vice principal of Suffolk New College described the new building developments at the College. She also outlined the work of the College in preparing for accreditation as an Investor in Diversity. At lunch time many of the delegates were taken on a tour of the College’s flat roof which gave a splendid view of the new College being built and University Campus Suffolk which opened at the beginning of September.
Members of RNIB and the NALSVI chair provided an up-date on the UK Vision Strategy.
It was altogether a very successful day, splendidly hosted by Suffolk New College.
For further information please contact:
Anne Streather, regional chair, NALSVI, 01223 420033
John Booty, Executive Officer, Ipswich Blind Society 01473 219712