Champions of the blind.STOCKTON-based BlindVoice UK has been supporting blind, visually impaired and partially sighted people across Teesside since launching in 1997. And the support group is now looking to spread its message across the region after signing up for a national initiative designed at transforming eye health, eye care and sight loss services. The UK Vision Strategy is a five-year plan which has been launched to raise awareness of issues surrounding sur·round tr.v. sur·round·ed, sur·round·ing, sur·rounds 1. To extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle. 2. To enclose or confine on all sides so as to bar escape or outside communication. n. eye health. And BlindVoice UK manager, Christine Durnion, and colleague, Linda Oliver, have been designated as champions for the Tees Valley The Tees Valley is an area the North East of England. It can be described as "greater Teesside" and consists of the four unitary authorities created by the breakup of the County of Cleveland in 1996: Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland, and Stockton-On-Tees along with area. "We are all working hard to try and improve eye health across the country," Christine, 53, said. "We want to eliminate avoidable sight loss by encouraging people to get their eyes tested regularly. "We want to ensure that everyone should be given the same treatment no matter where they are in the country." BlindVoice UK was originally started by a group of blind and visually impaired people whose aim was to identify and challenge situations where access for blind and visually impaired people was considered to be inadequate. Over the years it has grown to offer a variety of services and a range of support for blind and partially sighted people at its base on Yarm Road, Stockton Stockton, city (1990 pop. 210,943), seat of San Joaquin co., central Calif., on the San Joaquin River; inc. 1850. One of the fastest-growing U.S. cities during the late 20th cent., Stockton is an inland seaport located at the head of the San Joaquin delta. . "Most people are referred to us," Christine said. "But anybody is welcome to come to us and get some advice and support. "Sometimes it's not just about the person who has lost their sight. "Often families need some help too." Emotional support is given by staff and fellow members of the organisation - often to those who may struggle at first to come to terms with a loss of sight. Practical support is also given at the centre with IT tuition For tuition fees in the United Kingdom, see . Tuition means instruction, teaching or a fee charged for educational instruction especially at a formal institution of learning or by a private tutor usually in the form of one-to-one tuition. and braille Braille (brāl), in astronomy, a small asteroid notable because it has the same atypical geologic composition as the larger asteroid Vesta. lessons both on offer.. One of the most valuable services that the Stockton centre provides is a transcription service. A full-time transcriber is employed to convert books, letters and documents into braille, large text and audio format. And they also offer an unusual greetings card service in which messages are converted into braille for blind recipients. Another important aspect of the centre is a group that meets socially once each week and arrange outings and activities together. They are supported by a group of hard-working volunteers who assist with the centre - while the charity also employs a small number of staff. Linda is perfectly suited to offer advice, guidance and support. The 53-year-old was visually impaired from her late teens and her sight gradually deteriorated before she lost it completely at the age of 28. Linda then faced the tough task of bringing up four children as a single mum. After working as a volunteer at BlindVoice UK, she was later rewarded with a paid job, once her children had grown up a little. She now works part-time for BlindVoice UK as a learning and access officer, teaching braille and IT, helping with the transcription services and offering emotional support to anyone who needs it. "I'm passionate about my job because I want people to get away from the point where they think their life is over," she said. "Often people don't want to know about things like this because they can't accept that they have lost their sight. "For me to work is an ambition of mine. And I'm convinced that most people can continue to live an active life too." To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Louis, titular duke of Burgundy Louis, 1682–1712, titular duke of Burgundy; grandson of King Louis XIV of France. He became heir to the throne on the death (1711) of his father, Louis the Great Dauphin. Braille, BlindVoice UK is holding an event in Stockton Central Library on Saturday Saturday: see week; Sabbath. June 27 from 10-4pm. Advice on eye health will be available and there will also be the opportunity to have a basic and informal free eye test. . Anybody who would like more information on BlindVoice UK can log onto www.blindvoice.co.uk.. CAPTION(S): IMPROVING EYE HEALTH: BlindVoice UK manager, Christine Durnion, who has been designated as one of the champions for the Tees Valley in the UK Vision Strategy |
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