Accrington & District Blind Society / ELVIN

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Accrington & District Blind Society / ELVIN You can also contact us on 01254 233332

We are a local charity working to enable blind and visually impaired people across East Lancashire to lead full and independent lives at home, at work, at school and at leisure.

30/09/2024

Today was officially the last day for some of our employees. I personally, and also on behalf of the Trustees would like to thank them for the work they have done in making the Society what it currently is. David Anderson, Emma Proctor and Amanda Wharton, the work you have undertaken has been truly transformational. We are truly grateful and wish you all the very best for your future endeavours.

19/09/2024

Yesterday the launched at a Collaborate for Good event in Birmingham, at the Aston University.

Our Founder and Chair, Bhavini Makwana also Chaired the group that developed the Public Facing Pathway.

In her opening presentation, she talked about why a pathway of this kind has been needed for so long, as she drew upon her own lived experience of not receiving any support at all for almost 15 years. “Nobody should ever have to suffer in the way I did, for that long, but sadly they do, and it’s not acceptable. This Pathway will support you in knowing what should be happening at each stage of your eye care journey including being signposting to a variety of services, such as practical, emotional and peer support”.

You can Access the Pathway on the below link,

https://lnkd.in/dm8gd2dm

27/08/2024

For the first time, anyone in a mental health crisis can now call 111 and receive support from trained mental health professionals

The 24/7 service is available for all ages, including children, providing vital help through a single phone line

23/08/2024

Some local pharmacies may have different opening hours over the bank holiday 💊 To find an open pharmacy near you, visit : https://buff.ly/3Gi0JHY

21/08/2024

We’re pleased to share that Professor Stanga from the The Retina Clinic London will visit our head office to give a talk on Friday 27th September from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Professor Stanga is well-known for his expertise in treating retinal conditions, and this talk will be a great opportunity to learn more about the latest developments in eye care.

Whether you’re in the medical field or simply interested in eye health, we think you’ll find this session informative and engaging. For more information on how to attend, please email [email protected] or call 01772 744148. 🧡

18/08/2024

Overgrown vegetation is a hazard for blind and partially sighted people. It causes injuries and prevents us from navigating safely and independently.

17/08/2024

Latest Advances in Digital Technology for the Visually Impaired

Innovation in accessible technology continues to transform the lives of individuals with visual impairments, offering new tools and solutions to enhance independence and accessibility. At RealSAM, we’re excited to share some of the latest advancements that are making a significant impact.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising vision assistance technology:

- Real-Time Object Recognition: AI-powered apps like Seeing AI can instantly recognise and describe objects, people, and text in real-time, providing auditory feedback to users.
- Navigation Aids: Smart navigation systems use AI to provide step-by-step guidance and detailed descriptions of surroundings, enabling independent travel.

Voice-operated devices are becoming more sophisticated and user-friendly

- RealSAM Phone: Our voice-controlled phone allows users to make calls, send messages, and access information using voice commands, eliminating the need for visual interaction.
- Smart Speakers: Devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home respond to voice commands to perform tasks, answer questions, and control smart home devices.

Technology companies are incorporating more accessibility features into their products

- Screen Readers: Built-in screen readers on smartphones and computers provide audible feedback, allowing users to navigate interfaces and read content.
- High-Contrast Displays: Devices with high-contrast displays and customisable colour settings improve visibility for users with low vision.

At RealSAM, we’re committed to harnessing the power of technology to create inclusive and empowering solutions for individuals with visual impairments.

- AI Integration: Our RealSAM Phone integrates AI-driven features like text recognition and talking magnifier to enhance accessibility.
- Continuous Improvement: We actively seek feedback from our community to refine and improve our products, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of users.

To learn more about the latest advancements in accessible technology and how they can benefit you or someone you care about, visit our website or contact our team for personalised assistance.

10/08/2024

If you are blind or partially sighted and looking for a job, keep reading...
Our new Employment workshops provide a friendly safe space to blind or partially sighted people, in which you can explore all aspects of the employment process.
You might want to learn from others how they took up volunteering when unemployed. Perhaps it is accessible job searching you are interested in. Learn from others how they dealt with not getting a job.

The next session is taking place on Monday, 12 August, from 2 to 3 pm on Zoom.

For more information or a friendly chat to find out more contact [email protected] or call Jonathan 07971076440.

10/08/2024

“My cane trainer taught me techniques to keep me safe. If I cannot use them, I will be isolated.”
Sian, Sight Loss Council volunteer

Sight Loss Council volunteer members have been sharing their own personal experiences of overgrowing trees, shrubs and foliage . Nottinghamshire SLC member Sian, who is registered as severely sight-impaired, shared:

“We are taught to navigate our surroundings using our white canes by sweeping the cane back and forth to touch the shoreline, which is the inside edge of the end of the pavement. However, I cannot do this as my cane gets caught in the overgrown weeds at ground level and the bush pushes me over to the other side of the pavement. This means I get disorientated and bump into parked cars. I sometimes miss the kerb and end up in the road. It’s very frustrating and dangerous.

“My cane trainer taught me techniques to keep me safe. If I cannot use these techniques, I will be isolated and have to rely on taxis instead of being independent, using buses and travelling on my own.”

Support Sight Loss Councils and Thomas Pocklington Trust’s campaign to

{Image shows SLC Volunteer Sian's quote in white writing on a dark blue background with Thomas Pocklington Trust and Sight Loss Councils' logos underneath.}

Address

32 Bank Street
Accrington
BB51HP

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 1pm

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