Common Sense's profileCommon SensePhotosBlogListsMore  |  Tools Help |
|
|
July 31 UK Support group for Patching!!This has been set up by another parents who deals with patching: http://health. groups.yahoo. com/group/ eyepatch_ uk/ or email eyepatch_uk- subscribe@ yahoogroups. com "The group will hopefully support each other through the difficult days and discuss any issues relating to patching". April 26 Recommended Websites.Below are website that other parents and blind adults have recommended having a look at: http://whitestick. co.uk/ "Welcome to my Website, which has been set up to assist the Visually Impaired computer user locate information and services relating to blindness. The proverbial whitestick or cane used by so many blind and partially sighted people offers assistance to whoever uses it. The tool may give a visually impaired person the confidence to go out and about by themselves. The whitestick.co. uk website is designed for ease of use and to offer guidance to any visually impaired web user to give them the ability to go out and try something new in the information technology world." http://tafn. org.uk/ "The Accessible Friends Network is a user-led U K voluntary group who use email, the internet, voice conferencing & other resources to improve the quality of life for people who are registered blind (who may also have other disabilities) & their partners, by networking. We provide support, raise funds and organise activities online, and people with v i access technology skills are particularly welcome to meet or join us. We are now a UK Registered Charity No. 1108043." http://www.cobolt. co.uk/ "Products for the Blind - Visually Impaired - Suppliers of audible products - Cobolt UK" http://www.sightand sound.co. uk/ "Our aim is to bring you the most technologically advanced equipment and software for the blind and visually impaired at prices designed to match all budgets and to meet the diverse spectrum of individual needs." http://www.blazie. co.uk/ "Blazie leads the field in providing complete solutions to government, corporate and private customers in the UK. We specialise in delivering speech and Braille access in the most demanding technical environments. We do this by applying the substantial experience of our team in the following areas bullet point Assessment services bullet point Technical trials bullet point Jaws script development bullet point End user training bullet point Technical support bullet point Hardware service & repair bullet point Web accessibility consultancy bullet point Awareness training for professionals" www.visionofchildre n.org
(more emphasis on x-linked ocular albinism OA1 than on oculocutaneous albinism
OCA)
February 22 Useful ResourcesCommon sense
Initial diagnosis:
RNIB Website has eye conditions. www.rnib.org.uk Also has a “parents place” forum – internet list. Also, gives away a free toy once a month if a parent reviews it.
‘Show me what my Friends can see’ Sonksen and Stiff 1991 (we have a copy we can loan).
Look National Federation of families with children with a visual impairment. Telephone: 0121 428 5038
National Blind Children’s Society Offers grants for equipment, plus other stuff. Also is a provider of large print books
www.viscotland.org.uk info for parents, children etc
Statementing and Education:
Department for Education and Skills Email: dfes@prolog.uk.com Phone: 0845 602 2260 Offers free SEN code of practice, plus SEN toolkit. SEN - A guide for Parents ref. DFES 0800/2001
IPSEA (Independent Panel for Special Education Advice). Helpline: 0800 018 4016 (24 hours)
Braille Books and Products:
Clearvision Lending Library Has Braille and moon books to borrow. Telephone: 020 8789 9575 Web: www.clearvisionproject.org.
National Library for the Blind This has Brailled books for older children and adults. Web: www.nlb-online.org E-mail: enquiries@nlbuk.org Customer Services: 0161 406 2525 Lots of products, books and they offer free books also.
Books, games, household stuff, some weird stuff
National Federation for the Blind Web: www.nfb.org Address: 1800 Johnson Street Phone: 410-659-9314 Fax: 410-685-5653 Lots of helpful stuff! Braille books, free stuff, products, canes, household stuff,
American Foundation for the Blind Contact information: Books, products, conditions, the Braille Bug, etc
Birmingham school of education Where the research centre for visual impairment is. www.educatio.bham.ac.uk/research/victar/index.htm
Other Stuff:
Pip Squeekers Squeaking shoes for little ones Web: www.pipsqueakers.com
Vivelle Web: www.vivelle.co.uk Great stuff to make tactile pictures. They sent free stuff for us, and may well do more.
Dorset Scrapstore Address: Three Lanes End Puddletown Dorchester Telephone: 01305 849444 Email: enquiries@dorsetscrapstore.org.uk Excellent place to get stuff for games, pictures etc. You pay £5 a year to join, then load up a bin bag with stuff, and pay £5 for it. Excellent place to go! www.big-print.co.uk a large print newspapaper.
www.calibre.org.uk audio tape lending library
Poole Toy Library Contact - Julie Borthwick 01202 261929. We have fliers for anyone interested. They have stay and play sessions, and loan toys.
Online discussion forum for parents with V I children, plus blind adults. www.pvic@yahoogroups.com
We also have a list of general charities who may offer support and advice, plus a list of charities who offer grants for items for visually impaired children. Please let us know any others that we have missed!
About Common SenseCommon sense is a parent-run support group open to parents and carers of children with a visual impairment, and an arena for children with a visual impairment to make new friends.
The story of how Common Sense came about is very simple. I am Mum to a 4 ½ year old boy called Lucas who is completely blind. It is rare for a young child to have a severe visual impairment and as most parents with children with special needs appreciate, sometimes it is easiest to share your journey with parents who understand. There is no charity set up in the South West for visually impaired children and the national charities focus mostly on older people who have lost their sight. As important as support for parents is friendship between children with a visual impairment. Their world is different to a sighted child's world and we think it is important for our children to have both sighted and visually impaired friends.
We have adjoined ourselves to the Dorset Association for the Blind, who are kindly sharing their charitable status with us, and who are helping with initial funding, support, and future fund-raising.
We have already held general meetings and organised a very successful music workshop for the children. We are looking to become as active as families would like us to be. We are planning summer picnics and visits, swimming sessions, soft play sessions and more general meetings.
We welcome anyone who feels they need some support, who wants their children to make friends with other visually impaired children, or who feel they have something to offer other parents. Any ideas for activities would also be greatfully received! |
|
|
