What the Papers Said

Thanks for the memories. Lila.
Cyclist ride in Tribute to an Inspirational Teacher.
An Insight to Sight Loss.
David raises money for the Blind Centre.
Visually Impaired get Boost for Star Wars Movie.
Thomas ready for Charity Run.
Woman praise work of Blind Centre.
Blind Peoples Needs on the Menu.
The Big Book Ride.
Sport can Enhance the quality of Everyone's Life.

Thanks for the memories. Lila

Anne Hailes writes:
LILA BREMNER has a fund of stories to tell, that's why David Galway of the Blind Centre for Northern Ireland was so keen to involve her in the tape 'Belfast through our eyes'. It features a number of men and women reminiscing about their lives in the city, all of them with facinating memories vivid in their mind's eye.
"I enrolled for an art class and I think the wee girl was a bit surprised when I told her I'd no central sight! Didn't matter, I'm now working on Indian batik using an embroidery circle with masking tape and candle wax and paint and I schuch it all up and I've done a very nice meadow!"
At 86 and full of fun, her's is a busy life. Her week is taken up with day centres, outings, the eating club, or playing Millionaire at one of the Blind Centre's social clubs.
She remembers the Americans parading up the left hand side of York Street and the day an incendary bounced off the scullery roof into the yard. "My mother wouldn't let the ARP in, she thought they were the Germans!"
This is just a taste of different memories included on 'Belfast through our eyes' which is being launched this morning. The Blind Centre for Northern Ireland have produced a valuable piece of history.

For more details -
visit www.bcni.co.uk
or
telephone 02890 500 999.
(With acknowledgements to The Irish News, 12/10/06)

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Cyclists ride in tribute to inspirational teacher

A group of cyclists in Co. Armagh yesterday completed a 50-mile tour to remember the life of an inspirational blind person from the area.
Minnie Clarke, a music teacher from Crossmaglen, was blind from birth and was decorated by Pope John Paul II for her services to the Church.
An active member of the Blind Centre for Northern Ireland during her lifetime, she was also the church organist in Crossmaglen and Glassdrumman. She died in October 2004.
Event organiser Daniel McSherry said Ms Clarke's musical ability was a product of her deep religious faith.
"While the blindness appeared to be a handicap, it was for her the very opposite - a spur to express herself creatively and to make a full contribution to the artistic and spiritual welfare of the community," he said.
Mr McSherry said that she had displayed a commitment, courage, and outstanding musical talent that made her a household name in the locality and beyond.
"Minnie's blindness was a light to us all," he said.
Her contribution to the Church was recognised in 1994 when she was awarded the Bene Merenti medal, a papal honour conferred on lay and religious people for distinguished service.
She had learned to read in Braille and in particular read the Bible in Braille.
Money raised during yesterday's event will go to the Blind Centre, the only locally-based charity for the blind and visually impaired.
The Walking and Tandem Cycling Health Club, which took part in yesterday's event with the Slieve Gullion Wheelers, is made up of blind and visually impaired people.
Chief Executive of the Blind Centre, Deane Houston said that the event was a wonderful gesture in memory of Ms Clarke.
"Minnie was a wonderful lady who I had the pleasure of meeting on many occasions, some of them in her home town of Crossmaglen," he said.
Ms Clarke's sisters thanked those who took part for organising the event "in memory of our dear sister".
(With acknowledgements to The Irish News, 19/9/05)

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An Insight to Sight Loss

People with visual impairment have been sharing their experiences with health and social care staff.
The event hosted by the Southern Health and Social Services Board and The Blind Centre for Northern Ireland was aimed at raising awareness of and highlighting some of the services available for those with sight difficulties.
Participants were able to experience what it is like to live with glaucoma, tunnel and peripheral vision by wearing spectacles which simulate these conditions.
Jim Stewart chair of the Southern Area Vision Forum said: "People with visual impairment encounter many issues in everyday life that everyone else takes for granted, like accessing information or transport. This event was about experiencing what it is like for someone with sight loss, understanding some of the difficulties that we face and raising awareness of our needs amongst staff and other members of the public."
Edel Corr, Quality and Patient Support Manager commented: "As health care staff we always do our best to empathise with the needs of our patients but there is no better way of doing this than actually putting yourself in their shoes like we have been able to do today. By wearing the simulator spectacles we have had a feel for what people with vision problems are dealing with and now when we are treating patients with a visual impairment we will be able to understand and meet their needs much better."
A range of new developments on visual impairment were also highlighted at the event including; A low vision outreach clinic which allows people to be treated at Craigavon Area, South Tyrone or Daisy Hill Hospitals rather than having to travel to Belfast; eye help desks run by the Blind Centre for Northern Ireland which offer information, advice and signposting to those with sight problems and community teams; which offer a wide range of rehabilitation and social work services in each Trust area.
For further information on the event contact Marian Corrigan Southern Health and Social Services Board area -
Tel: 028 3741 4615
(With acknowledgements to Southern Health and Social Services Board Public Relations Unit, 14/9/05)

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David raises money for the Blind Centre

East Belfast man David Bramston has helped to raise an impressive £250 for the Blind Centre for Northern Ireland.
The money was raised as part of his company's corporate social responsibility programme based in England. The cash will go towards helping blind, partially sighted and visually impaired people all across the province.
If you would like to volunteer or get involved in fundraising activities and would like more information, please contact Jane McDowell on 02890 500 999
or
visit the website www.bcni.co.uk.
(With acknowledgements to East Belfast Community News, 4/8/05)

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VISUALLY IMPAIRED GET BOOST FOR STAR WARS MOVIE

Breakthrough in big screen technology
Visually impaired movie fans will be able to enjoy an amazing experience at a special charity showing of the latest blockbuster STAR WARS.
They will be able to take part in the film extravaganza as never before thanks to new hi-tech audio description equipment.
Each customer will be given a pair of headsets which will enable them to hear all the fantastic sound effects and follow scene movements as they happen on-screen.
The revolutionary new system, called the Cinema Access Programme, was launched recently across the province.
It has opened up cinema-going for 5,500 people across Northern Ireland who are partially sighted or visually impaired.
Golden Skins crisps are hosting the charity screening of Star Wars III: The Revenge of Sith at the Village Cinemas at Belfast's Odyssey on Thursday, May 19.
This final episode in one of the world's favourite
sci-fi films is probably the most highly anticipated film of 2005.
The event will raise much needed funds for the Blind Centre for Northern Ireland.
A limited number of tickets are available for sale through the Blind Centre on 02890 500 999.
(With acknowledgements to the Belfast Telegraph, 11/5/05)

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Thomas ready for charity run

Cookstown man Thomas McDonald has been counting up the miles recently - and his efforts should all be worthwhile when he competes in this year's London Marathon.
For Thomas will be raising funds for national deaf/blind charity SENSE - and a large proportion of the money raised will be staying locally with the Blind Centre for Northern Ireland.
The 51-year-old, a member of Cookstown Harriers, is hoping to raise as much money as possible for the cause, and says competing in the London Marathon will fulfil one of his lifetime ambitions.
"It's always been a dream of mine to compete in the London Marathon", he told the MAIL.
"I've been running for 25 years myself, both during my time in Johannesburg, South Africa - and with the London Marathon celebrating 25 years as well, this year is a special one to be taking part in".
Thomas has quite a history of long distance running, having already competed in several marathons and ultra marathons.
"But London has a special feel about it," he said, "and to be raising money for charity in Northern Ireland as well makes it twice as special for me."
The Blind Centre for Northern Ireland is a local charity working to enhance the quality of life of local visually impaired and blind people and field officer Jackie Cotton works in the Mid-Ulster District.
"I'm one of ten field officers in Northern Ireland," she explained. "We work in partnership with the local Health and Social Services Trust, Homefirst, to provide a Homecall service, which can help with shopping, reading important letters, filling forms and also providing emotional support."
Jackie is involved with the local "Insight" group which meets on the first Monday of each month at Cookstown Adult Centre (3pm).
Anyone who wishes to support Thomas can contact him on 028 867 60058.
(With acknowledgements to The Mid-Ulster Mail, 3/2/05)

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Women praise work of Blind Centre

Two visually impaired Ballymena women have spoken of help and support they get from a vital service provided by the Blind Centre.
Pat Boland and Josie McCormick are both visited by the Blind Centre Field Officer Viv Muir as part of the Home Visiting and Befriending Service.
Josie McCormick, who was born with a rare condition called aneridia and lost her sight through glaucoma, has recently started a counselling course - with help from the Blind Centre.
She said, "I went through a bad time at the beginning of the year and Viv helped me to get through by encouraging me get involved in social activities."
Pat Boland, who lost her sight due to Macular Degeneration, was equally impressed.
She explained: "It is a very good service and Viv visits me once a week. She is always there for me."
Pat and Josie were both delighted to hear that the Blind Centre has been given a financial shot in the arm, courtesy of a grant from Lloyds TSB Foundation.
For further information on the work of the Blind Centre, call 9050 1888.
(With acknowledgements to the Belfast Telegraph, 11/11/04)

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Blind people's needs on the menu

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) comes into force this week. It is intended to improve the right of access to jobs, goods, facilities and services for people with disabilities.
The DDA will have a major impact on people with sight loss by making a wider range of printed material available in braille, LARGE PRINT and audio formats. The Point Bar and Grill has commissioned the Blind Centre for Northern Ireland to produce its menus in braille for visually impaired customers.
Local restaurateur Bryan West said, "The Point Bar and Grill is pleased to be taking the lead in improving accessibility for visually impaired people and we hope others will follow our lead. The Blind Centre provided a professional and cost-effective service."
The Blind Centre for Northern Ireland is the local charity for people with sight loss, and its Communication Services department, in addition to transcribing local magazines into audio format for visually impaired people, provides a commercial audio and brailling service.
Communication Services manager, David Galway explained, "The Blind Centre, which has a fully equipped digital studio and a computerised brailling unit, has wide experience of transcribing printed material into alternate formats for organisations in the public, voluntary and commercial sectors.
"The enhanced provisions of the DDA will result in more organisations requiring the transcription of printed material into alternate formats and the Blind Centre is well placed to meet this need. Our commercial transcription service subsidises the society's services that have a direct impact on the lives of visually impaired people".
(With acknowledgements to the East Belfast OBSERVER, 2/10/04)

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The Big Book Ride

The Blind Centre for Northern Ireland is also hard at work arranging a tandem ride of the Province, with four of their friends - Mark Lewis, Ian Goodearl, Janey Goodearl and Kath Booth, two of whom are visually impaired.
They will be backed up by Darryn Dunn and Vicky Tolchard, who will follow behind in a support vehicle. The Big Book Ride, as it will be known, will cover 350 miles, and will start at the City Hall on Friday 1st October and finish on Thursday 14th back at the City Hall (World Sight Day).
The team will be meeting with schools on route to explain the purpose of the event and to get the support of the children, teachers and parents. The cycle ride will pass through Belfast tomorrow (Friday) and Bangor on Saturday, 2nd.
(With acknowledgements to the East Belfast OBSERVER, 2/10/04)

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Sport can enhance the quality of everyone's life

[Press Release from the Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure]
The Permanent Secretary of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Aideen McGinley, today emphasised the importance of making Northern Ireland's cultural assets available to all members of society.
She was speaking at a major conference, organised by the Blind Centre for Northern Ireland, at The Share Centre in Lisnaskea which was examining ways of developing opportunities for making sport and leisure activities across the Province more accessible to people with disabilities.
Dr McGinley said: "Northern Ireland's Cultural Capital, in terms of its people, its product and services and its infrastructure, has a very important contribution to make to the quality of life in the Province. Everyone in our community must have the opportunity to experience and appreciate the excellence of our cultural assets.
"However, to enable as many people as possible, including those with disabilities, to enjoy them to the full, it is essential that they are made more accessible. My Department is fully committed to working with people and organisations, such as the Blind Centre, to do just that."
She continued: "The challenges for disability are not only physical. Disabled people are also forced to battle with the barriers that exist in the minds of others. That is why it is important to raise awareness of the particular needs of those with disabilities and to provide more opportunities to encourage and enable them to participate in sport and other leisure activities", she added.
Dr McGinley pointed to the Special Olympics in 2003 as a success story for raising the public's awareness of disabled sport. She said: "We as a society have reaped the benefits in terms of increased community awareness and understanding of inclusion. Therefore it is vital that we build upon this legacy which we hope to do in 2006 when the National Games will be hosted in Belfast."
She also gave the delegates some examples of work already undertaken by the Department which were aimed at the blind or visually impaired. This included the provision of adaptive technology in libraries, the organisation of suitable events at Northern Ireland's major museums and, in the arts sector, the introduction of audio description in many theatres.
Dr McGinley was welcomed to the conference by Deane Houston, the Chief Executive of the Blind Centre for Northern Ireland which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary.
(With acknowledgements to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure website 3/9/04 - www.dcalni.gov.uk/pressReleases)

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