SITE e-Newsletter May 2011 Issue 26 Welcome to the May edition of the SITE e-Newsletter, designed to bring you the latest information affecting the vision impaired community. We hope that you find it a useful addition to our other services. Please feel free to forward the newsletter to anyone who you think might be interested and encourage them to subscribe. In this issue: 01. News Round Up 02. Books, Games and Apps. 03. Technology 04. Events Diary ++01. News Round Up +Human stem cell trials for blindness A part of the eye that is essential for vision has been created in the laboratory from animal stem cells, offering hope to the blind and partially sighted. One day it might be possible to make an eye in a dish, Nature journal reports. A Japanese team used mouse stem cells - immature cells that have the ability to turn into many types of body tissue. With the right mix of nutrients, the cells changed and began to grow to make a synthetic retina. Ultimately, scientists hope they can use this approach to make endless supplies of retinal cells or indeed whole retinas that can be transplanted into patients with visual impairment. Eventually, it may even be possible to create a whole eye. A US biotech company has already been granted a license to begin human trials of a stem cell treatment for blindness. +UK Fails To Support Accessible Copyright Treaty. The UK government has declined to offer full support to a draft international treaty to allow accessible versions of copyrighted works to be shared across international boundaries, giving those with print disabilities wider access to books. +9th Helen Keller International Award Sense Scotland has announce that Glasgow Caledonian University will be the exhibition venue for The 9th Helen Keller International Award. This years exhibits include an inspiring range of paintings, sculptures and multi-media artworks, selected from entries from across the world. This Glasgow Exhibition Runs: 9th - 26th May, open Monday to Friday 10am-6pm. http://www.gcu.ac.uk/theuniversity/howtofindus/ +The Scottish Accessible Information Forum SAIFis recruiting for new volunteer members.  SAIF is a Scottish Government funded advisory group working to promote and improve accessible information for disabled people throughout Scotland.   As a group dealing with issues affecting disabled people, it is a priority that the majority of members have direct experience of disability.  SAIF therefore strongly encourages the participation of disabled people.  To support this, they provide all their materials in members’ preferred format and organise any support required for meetings.  Theypay for members travel and accommodation when required.   More details and an application form can be downloaded from their website or you can email them your contact details and they will send you out more information.   You can also telephone the SAIF Project Workers, Susan or Steve, on 0141 226 5261 to find out more, or fax 0141 221 9695.   The closing date for applications is Friday 20th May.   +Deafblind Scotland Plots The Future Deafblind Scotland has reached agreement with Kirkintilloch's Initiative to purchase the plot of land needed to build a new Training and Resource Centre in Lenzie. The current accommodation has for some time been totally inadequate to meet the needs of deafblind people and the building of a new centre has become a priority. The hard work needed begins now!  They need to raise £1.4m to make this dream come true!   +Paralympics Ticket applications for the Olympics have now closed, but applications for the Paralympics open on 9 September 2011. http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/DNWA-8GBB2R +Glasgow Life Free welcome visits are now available in Arts Venues, Museums, Libraries and Sports and Leisure facilities throughout Glasgow. Here is your chance to find out what's available for you and how you can get involved. Each visit lasts 30-40 minutes and you will be met by friendly and welcoming staff who will be happy to show you around. Visits need to be booked in advance for both individuals and groups. For more information or to book your free visit go to www.glasgowlife.org.uk/welcomevisits or call 0141 353 8000. +Accessible Transport The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is calling for buses and coaches to be forced to offer passengers the same audio-visual information already required in trains. The Talking Buses campaign is urging the government to expand the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations to require buses and coaches to offer both audible and visual journey information, including next stop and final destination, making them more accessible to blind and visually impaired users: http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/helpus/campaigns/talking-buses/ +Singing Weekend for Visually Impaired People The 2011 Singing Weekend will take place at the Cliffden Hotel in Teignmouth, Devon, UK, from Thursday 28 July to Monday 1 August (four nights). The first session will be at 10am on the Friday and the final session will end at 12 noon on the Monday. On Friday to Sunday we will sing from 10am to Noon, and 4 to 6pm, working on short acapella pieces in three voices. The Music Director will be Christine Richman, who has many years experience working with choirs of visually impaired singers. The weekend is suitable for beginners and experienced singers, and sighted companions are welcome. The cost will be £272, and this includes all meals except lunch. The Cliffden Hotel is at 20 Dawlish Road, Teignmouth, Devon, TQ14 8TE, telephone 01626 77 00 52. When booking, please mention that you will be on the Singing Weekend. Further details can be obtained from Mick Marr, email mick.marr@btinternet.com telephone 0207 602 2475. ++02. Books,Films, Games and APPs +First crime writers rich list The first crime writers rich list has been released, based on recorded sales, box office returns, licence fees and company accounts. The British writers were soundly beaten by their American counterparts in terms of income but it is clear that fittingly, even deceased crime authors like Ian Fleming and Agatha Christie are still making huge sums. +Android Guide A website dedicated to exploring apps, programs and advice for blind and visually impaired users of Android– Google’s operating system for mobile devices – has been launched by the online assistive technology store at Guys. http://androidaccess.net/ +Film Review as previously described in last months eNewsletter audio description is best suited for fairly low energy productions . where better to start than last years one hundred and twenty seven hours, danny boils first offering since the hugely successful slumdog millionaire. like boil himself stated its an action film about a guy who cant move and is based on the autobiography of all round outdoors man aaron ralsden of who was infamously trapped by a boulder for five days. the movie however is not so foolish, boils direction and screenplay works wonders portraying ralsdens emotional torment giving lead james franco the performance of his career allowing the viewer to truly empathise wit his absolutely awful predicament. Visually impaired audiences can be satisfied in knowing that the incredible cinematography is complemented with rich sound editing and a surprisingly strong. for any of you squeamish out there be thankful for an aural description because the make up and effects of the amputation are so good it caused several viewers at the telluride film festival in colorado to feint and another have a panic attack. one hundred and twenty seven hours is a million miles apart from boils iconic films of the nineties, trainspotting and shallow grave, for example, this movie proves he hasn't lost any of his directing style or enthusiasm for challenging projects, and as far as I am concerned was unfortunate to miss out on so many industry accolades. Article provided by eNewsletter subscriber Iain MacMillan. +AI Squared's ZoomReader app The much-anticipated ZoomReader app from Ai Squared is now available from the iTunes App Store. Priced at£11.99 , ZoomReader lets you magnify and read printed text by first taking a picture of an object like a book or menu, then converting the image into text using Optical Character Recognition technology. ZoomReader will then read the text back to you. ZoomReader also offers a magnification tool with the ability to change background and text colours. Early reactions from those who have downloaded this app have been lukewarm at best. Many have been disappointed that an app produced by one of the leading providers of assistive technology for the blind and vision-impaired contains such basic errors as unlabelled buttons. Some have also been disappointed by the actual performance of the app as a text scanner, reporting that it is no better than some apps already available. AI Squared have been quick to respond to criticism, and have emphasised that the app is not intended for the blind, and that some sight is necessary to get the best results. Blind Bargains have published their initial observations on using ZoomReader, which are worth reading if you are thinking about buying this app. You would also be well-advised to spend some time reading the discussions about ZoomReader on the VIPhone and aiphone mailing lists. ++03. Technology +The New operating System from Apple The new operating system Mac OS X Lion will be launched this summer. +Open Marketplace Launched For Assistive Technology Ideas An ideas marketplace for new open source assistive technology projects has been launched by a group of academics and developers with funding from JISC, the technology agency for UK colleges and universities. The REALISE project ( http://www.realisepotential.org ) is an open, three-stage tool for creating new software technologies to make it easier for people with disabilities to use the internet, computers and mobile devices. ++04. Events Diary 14 May "Just Try It" Challenge 10k, Strathclyde Park DeafBlind Scotland challenge 10k walk on Saturday 14th May, at 1.30pm. Now in its 4th Year, "Just Try It" dares participants to wear blindfolds and ears muffs as they undertake a 10k walk with a partner who can keep them safe.  This is no ordinary event, its a challenge and an experience that will never be forgotten. Contact Ruby Shah, Information Officer
Direct dial: 0141 777 6111
Email: Information@deafblindscotland.org.uk 16 June 2011 - VISION UK 2011: featuring Techshare Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Westminster, LondonContact: ukvisionstrategy@rnib.org.uk 19-25 June DeafBlindness Awareness Week25 June RP Fighting Blindness Annual Conference and AGMEuston, London.The event programme is at http://brps.org.uk/newsevent.php?tln=newsevents&newseventid=55You can also download the newsletter, including back issues, from our website. SITE is a charity registered in Scotland. Charity No. SC 0366056. Registered address: SITE, Centre for Sensory Impaired people, 17 Gullane Street, Partick, Glasgow G11 6AH. SubscribeIf you wish to subscribe to the SITE newsletter please send an e-mail to info@sitescotland.org with the word 'Subscribe' in the subject header. UnsubscribeIf you wish to unsubscribe to this newsletter please send an e-mail to info@sitescotland.org and include the word 'Unsubscribe' in the subject header. Working together to develop opportunities for the visually impaired community++Newsletter ends