A.D.A READING SERVICES FOR THE BLIND
Tel: 01722 326987
Mrs. A.K. Artus,
6 Dalewood Rise,
Laverstock, Salisbury,
Wilts. SP1 1SF
Free nation-wide service. Aims to help visually impaired
people to enjoy their work and hobbies. Send cassettes plus
items to be recorded and an addressed label for returning the
recordings.
Action for Blind People - Tel: 0800 915 46666
14-16 Verney Road,
London SE16 3DZ
Fax: 0207 635 4900
www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk/
Action for Blind People will give individual and
confidential advice to visually impaired people on what benefits
they are entitled to.
Provide employment and training, hotels, holidays and
recreation, accommodation and care, information, advice and
grants.
National charity working with visually impaired people, friends
and family. The four main areas they cover are work, leisure,
housing and support.
AVON TALKING MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND
Produces on tape a monthly publication consisting of news and
magazine items. Free of charge to adult blind and partially
sighted people.
Mrs M Newport, 7 Park Avenue, Winterbourne, Bristol. BA36
1NH
Tel: 01454 774281
Audio Book Club
Monthly magazine on audiotape
Tel/Fax 01342 714218
http://www.audiobookclub.com/
B&NES CONCESSIONARY TRAVEL
PASSES Tel: 01225 477681.
People who are registered Blind and those who are unable to
drive through visual impairment and who are permanently resident
within the Bath and North East Somerset area are entitled to either
a FREE Travel Pass.
For general helpline information or Concessionary Travel Scheme
leaflets on audio tape or in Braille ring the Concessionary Travel
Team, during office hours on 01225 477681.
Companion Pass available to guides.
BATH MONDAY AFTERNOON CLUB
7 Green Park Station, Bath BA1 1JB
Tel: 01225 446555.
Meets usually on the first Monday of the month at Vision
Bath Meeting Room for a cup of tea and speakers or
entertainers. Transport can be arranged for those who need
it. Programme published in Society's quarterly
Newsletter. Hours – 2.30pm – 4.30pm.
Benefits information - A guide for Blind and Partially Sighted
People
A Benefits Agency guide detailing the range of Social Security
Benefits available to visually impaired people and their families
or carers. It is updated yearly and is available in large print or
tape. Available from local Social Security (Benefits Agency)
offices. The leaflet reference number is FB19
BIG PRINT
A national weekly newspaper. Uniquely designed to report
international and national news. Printed in 14. (twice the size of
normal newspaper print). Available throughout the UK by
subscription. £15.75 per Quarter, £29.50 per half year or £56.50
per year. Credit Cards accepted. Phone or write for a
free sample copy.
BIG PRINT RNIB PO Box 308, Warrington WA1
1JE.
Tel: 0800 124007
email: bigprint@rnib.org.uk
http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/PublicWebsite/public_bigprint.hcsp
BLUE BADGE SCHEME - Tel: 01225
394147
National arrangement of parking concessions for people with
severe walking difficulties and those who are registered
blind. Registered partially sighted may also be considered if
they have other mobility problems. Apply to B&NES Blue
Badge Section (Ann Reynolds) Riverside, Temple Street, Keynsham,
Bristol BS18 1LA
HOME LIBRARY SERVICE
Tel: 01225 787440
Bath Library, 19 The podium, Bath BA1
5AN
kate_castree@bathnes.gov.uk
Home Library Service in Bath
The Home Library Service is a free library service available to
people in Bath who cannot get to their local library.
Story cassettes and CDs, music CDs, jigsaw puzzles and large print
books can all be delivered to your door. Individually
assigned volunteers choose material at Bath Central Library and
then deliver them to your door. To ensure the safety of
readers, all volunteers are CRB checked and referenced before
visiting readers. The volunteer agrees with the reader how
often they would like to be visited and how many items to
bring. If you are housebound and have on-one who can visit
the library on your behalf, you could be eligible for the Home
Library Service.
BRISTOL CENTRE FOR DEAF PEOPLE
Tel: 0117 924 9868
16-18 Kings Square, Bristol. BS2 8JL
Minicom No. 0117 944 1344.
Fax No. 0117 924 4884
Provides information, support and equipment to people who are
deaf and their carers
BSL & HEARING LOOPS AT LIBRARIES
British Sign Language...
Some library staff are trained to a basic level of BSL at Bath,
Keynsham, Saltford and Midsomer Norton. They will be happy to
try and help with your enquiry. Please note
this service may not be available at all times of the
day.
Hearing loops are available for use at Bath
& Weston and Saltford libraries - just ask a member of staff
for assistance.
COMPUTER FACILITIES AT LIBRARIES
Supernova software for visually
impaired people is installed on computers at all of
our libraries (except the mobiles). Find out more -
introduction to Supernova Software.
Large Keyboards are available for use at
Bath, Keynsham, Saltford and Radstock.
Black & yellow keyboards are available for
use at Bath and Saltford.
Track balls are available for use at Bath,
Keynsham and Radstock.
Please note: booking these facilities in
advance is strongly advised so we can make sure they are available
when you visit.
Find out how here...
CADWELL
17 Trusthams, Broadwindsor,
Beaminster,
Dorset DT8 3QB
Recording Services for Blind People: Any printed material
recorded on tape (religious or political material within
reason). Service is free but donations welcomed. Send
S.A.E. for further details - 20 minute free cassette for blind
people.
Tel: 01308 868500
CALIBRE - Tel: 01296 432339
Cassette Library of Recorded Books
Aylesbury, Bucks, HP22 5XQ
http://www.calibre.org.uk/
Free postal lending library of books recorded onto ordinary
standard cassettes. Members use their own cassette
recorders. A doctor's certificate is necessary.
Telephone or write for application form and a sample sheet of
books.
CAMERTON CLUB FOR THE BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED
- Tel: 01225 446555
Meets on the first Thursday of the month at Camerton Village
Hall. Speakers or entertainers and tea. Transport can be
provided for those who need it. Hours - 2.30 - 4.30pm.
CENTRE FOR DEAF PEOPLE - Tel: 0117 924 9868
16-18 Kings Square
Bristol BS2 8JL
Provides a range of services which allow deaf and hearing
impaired people to remain living in their own homes/communities and
to enhance quality of life and independence. Also supports
carers who have deaf/hearing impaired users.
'COME GARDENING' - Tel: 0118 988 5688.
Magazine and Cassette Library for blind gardeners.
Quarterly magazine in Braille or on C90 cassette.
The Library is available only to subscribers to 'Come Gardening'
and is free once a subscription is received. Subscriptions
are available only to registered Blind or Partially Sighted
from:
Tim Spurgeon, Susan Twigg,
The Geoffrey Udall Centre,
Beech Hill, Reading,
Berks BG7 2AT
DEAFBLIND UK HELPLINE - Tel: 01733 358100
Deafblind UK
100 Bridge Street
Peterborough PE1 1DY
HELPLINE 0800 132320
http://www.deafblind.org.uk/
A new helpline for deafblind people and their carers.
Operators are specially qualified in the field of deafness and
blindness. The calls are free
FOSSEWAY VISUALLY IMPAIRED BOWLING CLUB
Tel: 01761 415326
Colin Moore
13 Nightingale Way,
Midsomer Norton, BA3 4NL
Gas Care
Tel: 0645 555 404
Tel: 0800 850 900 (for advice on appliances)
Tel: 0800 111 999 (gas leak emergency number)
For customers with special needs: specially designed appliance
controls, advice booklets, cassette tapes for visually impaired
customers, talking bill service, free gas safety check on
appliances, visit from a Home Service Adviser to give
advice, priority attention for repair work
etc. Register by ringing your local gas office for
application form or call National Gas Care Team on 0845 955
5404. Gas leak emergency no. 0800 111 999.
GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND ASSOCIATION
Tel: 01392
825205
http://www.gdba.org.uk/
Anyone aged over 16 who is visually impaired, resident in the UK
and with mobility difficulties may apply to the GDBA for a guide
dog.
Guide Dogs for the Blind Assoc. Holidays
Tel: 01539
735080
Fax: 01539 735567
GDBA Holidays cater for all visually impaired people (not just
guide dog owners) of all age groups. Holidays are graded to suit
fitness and ability. Financial assist may be available for people
who would not otherwise be able to participate. Shap Road Kendall
Cumbria.
Hatts Coaches
Tel: 01249
740444
Holidays With Care
http://www.hattstravel.co.uk/
KEYNSHAM TALKING NEWSPAPER
Tel: 0117 986 4087
Contact: Mrs Mary Burnard
Free weekly taped newspaper covering Bath & Wansdyke
area. Free.
Telephone No. 020 74914117
http://www.talkingbooks.co.uk/
KEYNSHAM/SALTFORD SUPPORT GROUP
Tel: 01225 446555
Meets at St John Ambulance Headquarters, 14 Rock Road, Keynsham
from 2.30 - 4.30pm (Second Tuesday of each month). Guest
speakers and tea. Transport can be
arranged.
KINGSCOMBE CENTRE, DORSET
Tel: 01300 320684
Environmental education centre that run holidays for visually
impaired people. Some of which are subsidised.
LISTENING
BOOKS
Tel: 020 7407 9417
Fax: 020 7403 1377
Formerly The Listening Library. Audio book service for
those unable to read due to special needs or disability.
Annual subscription £50. Individual members receive one
of their special tape players and as many of their 4,500 titles as
they wish to hear. Group membership for organisations
£100.
LIVING PAINTINGS TRUST
Tel: 01635 299771
Queens Isabelle House
Unit 8, Kingsclere Park
Kingsclere, Newbury, Berks. RG29 4SW
http://www.livingpaintings.org/
Aims to bring the world’s great works of art to life for blind
and partially sighted people. The Trust develops albums which
each deal with ten works of art. The albums consist of an
audio cassette of each of the chosen subjects giving an evocative
description of the work, the artist, their style and the period in
which they lived. Accompanying each of these is a
‘thermonform’ a raised diagrammatic representation of the
work. Ring for free introductory pack.
'LOOK'
Queen Alexandra College,
49 Court Oak Road,
Birmingham, B17 9TG
Tel: 0121 427 9800
Practical help, support and advice to families with visually
impaired children.
MACULAR DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP (Bath)
Gerald Wheeler, Chairman,
5 Rode Hill, Rode, Bath, BA3
6PS.
Tel: 01373 830708
Meets at the Blind Resource Centre, 7 Green Park Station, Bath
on a monthly basis. (Last Tuesday in the month at
11am).
www.maculardisease.org
MONTH IN BATH
Tel: 01225 330861
Mrs Jackie Hilton,
60 Greenway Lane, BA2 4LW.
Information and review on concerts and other events
A monthly Bath talking newspaper and information tape
combined. The service is free to visually impaired people in
and around Bath
- Local news and sport
- Information about new talking books
- Shopping guide
- Gardening advice.
Chippenham
Mr & Mrs Hargreaves
Telephone No. 01249 651603
Frome
Mr Fone
Telephone No. 01373 462658
Warminster/Westbury
Mr & Mrs Thomas
Telephone No. 01985 213739
Tel: 0161 406 2525
Tel: 01225 477534
9-10 Bath Street, Bath
Trimbridge House, Trim Street Bath
A list of toilets for disabled people throughout the country is
available. RADAR keys are available free to registered blind
and partially sighted people living in B&NES.
British Retinitis Pigmentosia Society
Tel: 01280 860363 or 01280 860195
www.brps.org.uk
Tel: 0207 388 1266
Whether you are looking for a specialist hotel or a good travel
agent who can find you a mainstream holiday abroad, or if you
simply want to find a reasonably priced bed and breakfast at the
seaside, RNIB Holiday Service can help you to put your travel plans
together.
The RNIB Talking Book Service
Tel: 0845 762 6843
www.talkingbooks.co.uk
The RNIB Talking Book Service provides the widest range of
titles, but the tapes need to be played on special equipment. A
fact sheet and further information on how to join the service is
available from the RNIB. They supply a special Talking Book player
on loan.
Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)
224 Great Portland Street. London WIN 6AA
Tel: 0845 766 9999
http://www.rnib.co.uk/
SENSE – (the national deafblind & rubella Association)
11-13 Clifton Terrace Finsbury Park, London N4 3SR
SENSE West
Tel: 0117 961 8661
35 Britannia Road,
Kingswood, Bristol BS15 8BG
http://www.sense.org.uk/
SOUNDAROUND
Tel: 020 87413332 or Tel: 0800 9176008
National magazine for blind people with national and
international news, competitions, quiz games, forum for listeners
and 'penpal' spots. No charge for service but listeners are
requested to make a donation towards the cost.
74 Glentham Road, Barnes, London W13 9JJ
www.soundaround.org
SPORT
Tel: 01926 424247
You do not need to give up sport if you are having trouble with
your eyesight, British Blind Sport can put you in touch with a
local club or contact for whatever sport you want to take part in
for example, bowls, cricket, football, judo, archery, golf.
You name it you can do
it.
http://www.britishblindsport.org.uk/
Bath V1 Bowls Club - Visually Handicapped
(Venue not suitable for wheelchairs) All ages. Every
Friday 2.00pm - 4.30pm. Venue: Indoor (Sept-Apr) Bath Leisure
Centre, North Parade, Bath. Outdoor (Apr-Sept) Bloomfield
Bowls Club, Wellsway, Bath.
Contact Colin Moore
13 Nightighale Way, Midsomer Norton, Radstock BA3 4NL
Tel: 01761 415326
Weston Bath Bowls Club - Mr Mike Gill - 116
Newbridge Hill, Bath BA1 3QB
Tel: 01225 426666778
Midsomer Norton Cricket Club
Visual/hearing impaired
Contact Alistair Leeson
8 Florida Terrace, Midsomer Norton. BA3 2AE
Tel: 01761 235920
Avon Sports and Leisure for the Visually Impaired
We play with a size 3 white football
Goal ball, a game invented to suit blind players
Contact Eileen or Steve Carpenter
Tel: 0117 9517035
Minerva Bath Rowing Club
Suited to people with sensory impairment. Age 14+
Venue: Toll Bridge Road, Bathampton, Bath
Contact: Minerva Bath Rowing Club
TALKING NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION UK (TNAUK)
A national service for people with visual impairment or other
disabilities. All tapes playable on normal household cassette
players. Over 150 publications including TV & Radio
programmes. Tapes posted regularly on returnable basis.
Free postage for persons unable to read N12 type. High
quality recordings. Over a million tapes distributed
annually.
For an application form – Telephone No. 01435 866102.
www.tnauk.org.uk
TOC H in Keynsham
"Tea and Chat" afternoons at the Wansdyke Room, Saltford Hall on
Saturdays from 2.45 to 4.30pm. Transport can be arranged
–
Telephone Daphne Dawes 01225 873022
TORCH TRUST for the BLIND
Torch House,
Torch Way, Market Harborough,
Leics. LE16 9H2
Tel: 01858 438260
http://www.torchtrust.org/
Torch produces Christian literature in Braille, giant print, and
on tape that encourages Christian fellowship among visually
impaired people worldwide.
A wide range of literature available for purchase and also to
borrow.
The Bath Torch Fellowship Group meets on the second Saturday of
each month (except August) from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Oldfield Park
Baptist Church Hall, Moorland Road. The meeting consists of
an informal Christian service followed by afternoon tea.
Transport is provided. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Further information can be obtained from the Bath Torch.
Secretary Mrs June Green, 4 High Street, Bathampton, Bath, BA2
6SY
Telephone No. 01225 311238.
The Midsomer Norton group of the Torch Trust meet on the first
Saturday of the month, 3 p.m. at St John's Church Hall.
Contact: Mrs. J. Johnson, 97 Radstock Road, Midsomer Norton, Bath,
BA3 2AU.
Telephone No. 01761 413559
www.torchtrust.org.uk
THE TWO TOWN TALKER
Tel: 01278 458330
A magazine tape with a difference! Lively magazine
produced by visually impaired people. To obtain your monthly
free copy contact:
University of Bristol Summer Schools for Visually Impaired Adults
For further information contact Glynis Williamson, Access
Unit
Tel: 0117 954 5710
Vision Bath
Tel: 01225 446555
email: all@bwsbps
website: http://www.bwsbps.org.uk/
7 Green Park Station, Bath, BA1 1JB
General Manager: Sandra Niven
Registered charity (formerly Bath & Wansdyke Society for the
Blind and Partially Society) providing support to visually impaired
people in Bath and North-East Somerset. Services include
information and advice, a resource centre with a range of useful
aids to daily living, talks and social gatherings, home befriending
for the housebound, quarterly newsletter, audio-book library, etc.
Parking and level access at entrance.
VOCALEYES enables blind and partially sighted people to
experience the joy of the arts through high quality
audio-description relayed to the visually impaired person through a
discreet headset.
Tel: 0870 902
0002
WOODSIDE FAMILY CENTRE
Tel: 0117 967 0008
Woodside Family Centre is run by SENSE, the National Deaf, Blind
and Rubella Association, with the close involvement of Look West
Parent Resource
YOUNG RNIB
Newsletter, comprehensive information and advice service
to parents and professionals working with visually impaired
children and young people, including those who have additional
needs.
Tel: 020 73881266
HELPLINE 0845 766 999
Hotels/Residential homes for Visually Impaired Guest:
Blackpool - the Henderson Hotel
1 Wimbourne Place, South Shore, Blackpool FY4 1NN
Tel: 01253 341217
Organises in-house entertainment and day trips. Discounts for
groups are negotiable.
Burnham-on-sea - RNIB Katherine Chambers House
97 Barrow
Road,
Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset TA8
2PG
Tel: 01278 782142
Fax No. 01278 782673
CLACTON-ON-SEA - ST. ANNE’S HOLIDAY HOME FOR BLIND-DEAF
PEOPLE
26-28 Harold Road,
Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. CO15 6AJ
Tel: 01255 420595
Can organise transfers from the station. Trips sometimes
organised
www.clacton-on-sea.net/Organisations/st_annes.htm
Conwy - Llys Onmen Home for Blind People
325 High Street, Bangor,
Gwynedd LL57 1YB
Tel: 01248 353604
Apply to North Wales Society for the Blind.
Eastbourne - Palm Court Hotel
Burlington Place Eastbourne. BN21 4AR
Tel: 01323 725811
Fax 01323 430236
Halifax - Halifax Society for the Blind Holiday Home
Guests must come with a guide.
3 Wards End, Halifax, HX1 1DD
Tel: 01422
352383
http://www.holidaycare.org.uk/
Harrogate - RNIB Tate House
Tel: 01423 885192
28 Wetherby Road,
Harrogate, HG2 7SA
Hurstpierpoint - Little
Torch
Tel: 01273 832282
4 Hassocks Road,
Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex.
Guests can be met at Hassocks station.
www.touchtrust.co.uk
KINGSCOMBE CENTRE, DORSET Tel: 01300
320684
Environmental education centre that run holidays for visually
impaired people.
Llandudno - Belmont
Hotel
21 North Parade,
Llandudno. Gwynedd LL30 2LP
Tel: 01492 877770
Fax No. 07492 872171
This hotel is run by Henshaw’s Society for the Blind. Local taxi
firm is used to pick up from the station. Volunteer guides
sometimes available. In-house entertainment every evening. Regular
day trips with local Coach Company.
STIRLING - Sir Andrew Murray House
Mrs May Messer
Co-ordinator
Tel: 01786 880465
0777 3002473 (Mobile)
Purpose-built bungalows with five self-catering suites with en
suite facilities, guests must be accompanied by carer. Accommodates
up to 12 people.
Teignmouth - Cliffden hotel
Dawlish Road,
Teignmouth, Devon. TQ14 8TE
Tel: 01626
770052
The Cliffden Hotel is owned by Guide Dogs for the Blind but may
be used by visually impaired people and their carers who are not
guide dog owners out of season. Can arrange transfer to and from
station, volunteer guides are available, has in-house
entertainment, excursions available, discounts available out of
season. Specially designed swimming pool.
Windermere Manor - Hotel Windermere Cumbria
Rayrigg Road, Windermere,
Cumbria LA23
1EF
Tel: 01539 445801.
The Windermere Hotel is owned by Guide Dogs for the Blind,
people who are visually impaired but not guide dog owners can use
it and their carers out of season. Transfers can be arranged
to and from the station, volunteer guides are available, has
in-house entertainment, excursions arranged, sporting facilities
available, group discounts for out of season guests.
UTILITIES
EDS ENERGY (Formerly SWEB)
Customers with Special Needs - Large print bills or a
security password are available or bills may be sent to a third
party. These and other services are available to customers
who join EDS Special Needs Register. Ask for 'Code of
Practice on Services for the Elderly and Disabled', available from
EDS. Call: Susy Drew and Pete Pearce
Telephone No. 0800 3289010
www.edsenergy.com
WESSEX WATER
Tel: 0845 6002600
http://www.wessexwater.co.uk/
Special Customer Care for customers with special needs
(including visually impaired). Customers need to contact
Wessex Water to register with them.
