Stephen Fry Guide Cats tweet</h1> <article> <h1>Stephen Fry Guide Cats tweet</h1> <p>Broadcaster and well known technology fan Stephen Fry has tweeted about our Guide Cats CDs. Mr Fry has more than 5.5 million followers on the popular micro-blogging platform that allows updates of 140 characters or less.</p> <p> </p> <p>The tweet, which read "Seriously silly! Guide Cats for the Blind raise funds for @WeAreBCAB - a charity for blind people <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FOZ5XlE95&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH5WE20EKx9Lndwim5eXSEOSM290w" target="_blank">http://t.co/OZ5XlE95</a>", was retweeted hundreds of times in the hours that followed. The Guide Cats CDs page of the BCAB website was visited more than 5000 times, and we sold a record number of CDs in such a short space of ...</p> </article> <article> <h1>2013 programme of events</h1> <p>BCAB is planning an exciting programme of events and webinars during 2013. Planning is in the early stages, but here's a glimpse of what's in the pipeline.</p> <p>A themed event focused on a specific application or product range. Topics under consideration include Google products, Windows 8, and Wordpress.</p> <p>A short series of webinars using Serotek's Accessible Event. These hour long webinars will focus on a particular application, with Skype (including GWConnect and smart phone apps) being a likely contender.</p> <p>TechABreak, along with our AGM and gala dinner, will be held in October. It will be another packed ...</p> </article> <article> <h1>BCAB to be involved in parliamentary reception</h1> <p>BCAB will be involved in a parliamentary reception at Port Cullis House in the spring of 2013 to highlight digital inclusion matters.</p> <p> </p> <p>This comes off the back of conversations we have had with Helen Grant, MP, who has proved very supportive and is helping us market the event to other MPs.</p> <p> </p> <p>We will be using the event to raise concerns we have regarding the Digital by Default strategy. More details will appear on the website as developments occur.</p> </article> <article> <h1>TechABreak 2012 seminar notes</h1> <p>The TechABreak 2012 weekend was a terrific success. More than 40 people took part, including several new BCAB members.</p> <p>The social highlight of the weekend was the gala dinner, with Ryan Kelly as special guest speaker. A favourite amongst BCAB's many Archers fans, Kelly was hugely entertaining company.</p> <p>The technology seminars were the main event of the TechAbreak 2012 weekend. Helpful notes from the following seminars are now available in the BCAB members' area:</p> <ul> <li><a href="#" target="886" content_type="14">Windows 8 with Mike Halsley and Saqib Shaikh</a></li> <li><a href="#" target="887" content_type="14">Android with Robin Spinks and Neil McCulloch</a></li> <li><a href="#" target="890" content_type="14">NVDA with Barry Toner</a></li> <li><a href="#" target="892" content_type="14">Mac OS X with Mike Townsend</a></li> </ul> </article> <article> <h1>BCAB trustee election results</h1> <p>The BCAB Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on 13th October 2012. The election of the board of trustees took place during the AGM, with a number of changes taking place.</p> <p>Pam Griffiths and Neana Lawson stood down from the board before the election. BCAB Chair Léonie Watson formally thanked them both for their contributions during their time as trustees.</p> <p>Léonie Watson was returned as Chair, David Boden as Treasurer, and Guy Whitehouse as Company Secretary. Mike Townsend was also returned to the role of Honorary President.</p> <p>Jeff Bashton was welcomed as a new trustee, joining Andrew Hodgson ...</p> </article> <article> <h1>BCAB innovate technology procurement</h1> <p>We recently received an enquiry from someone trying to improve the questions to be included in tendering documents used in technology procurement contracts. The concern was that the questions currently used did not adequately cover the accessibility and usability of the technology being procured. In the enquirer's case this had led to printers being purchased which were not usable by some staff.</p> <p>An examination of sample local government contracts revealed that there did not seem to be any standard questions, whether adequate or inadequate. We contacted the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and they could not provide any ...</p> </article> <article> <h1>TechABreak weekend sold out</h1> <p>TechAbreak October 2012 is set to be an incredibly popular event. With a month to go before the weekend gets under way, it's completely sold out!</p> <p>The weekend has a terrific line up of presenters, covering all the latest technology topics. Seminars include Android smart phones, iPhones and iPads, Windows 7 with NVDA, Mac OSX, and Windows 8.</p> <p>With Ryan Kelly joining us as special guest speaker at the gala dinner, and humanware demonstrating its latest product range, there really will be plenty for everyone throughout the weekend.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Guide Cats sales reach £51,000</h1> <p>With help from BCAB's friends and supporters, sales of our Guide Cats CDs have just passed the £51,000 marker!</p> <p>Funds from the five CD collection contributed to BCAB's <a href="#" target="43" content_type="14">EyeT4All project</a>, and will help us provide the match funding needed to win grants in the future.</p> <p>If you like the idea of household celebrities performing silly songs and poems, then the <a href="#" target="7" content_type="14">Guide Cats collection</a> is for you. The full five CD collection is just £25, and you'll also be helping BCAB help blind and partially sighted people use computers and technology effectively in their daily lives.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Mike Townsend on Radio 4 In Touch</h1> <p>BCAB's Mike Townsend joined Peter White and the Radio 4 In Touch programme on Tuesday. The topic was Georgie, a new suite of apps for Android smart phones, created by Roger and Margaret Wilson Heinz and distributed by Sight and Sound.</p> <p> </p> <p>Drawing on his experience of many different smart phone solutions, Mike reviewed Georgie and a similar product from Synaptec Systems. Listen to Mike's review and the rest of the programme on the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/b01l7sq6">BBC iPlayer</a>.</p> </article> <article> <h1>The Archers' Ryan Kelly to speak at TechaBreak 2012</h1> <p>We're thrilled to announce that Ryan Kelly will be our special guest speaker at TechABreak October 2012. Kelly, best known for his role as Jack "Jazzer" McCreary in The Archers, will join us for the Saturday night gala dinner.</p> <p>TechABreak October 2012 is a weekend of technology seminars, social fun, and a little bit of BCAB business. Seminar topics will include Android smart phones and Apple iDevices, Windows 7 with NVDA and Windows 8, and Mac computers.</p> <p>Excitement for TechABreak October 2012 has definitely jumped up a notch with the news that Ryan Kelly will be there. Book your ...</p> </article> <article> <h1>All those in favour say "EyeT"</h1> <p>Following discussions with BCAB Board members, Conservative MP Helen Grant has pledged to help us to champion the rights of blind and partially sighted people not to be left out of the governments drive to favour online provision over other ways to provide services.</p> <p>To date, she has asked Ed Vaizey. the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport atPrime Minister’s Question Time:</p> <p>1. what recent assessment he has made of the extent to which the principles of digital inclusion are taken into account by his Department's website.</p> <p>Mr Vaizey replied that his department ensures the ...</p> </article> <article> <h1>BCAB & RNIB Windows 8 seminar at Sight Village</h1> <p>With help from our <a href="http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/">Awards for All</a> lottery grant, Kevin Russell will be heading to <a href="http://www.qac.ac.uk/sightvillage/6-1.html">Sight Village</a> in Birmingham on behalf of BCAB. He'll be there for the whole of the two day exhibition, reporting on all the latest technology news for blind and partially sighted people.</p> <p>Léonie Watson will also be teaming up with Steve Griffiths on Wednesday 18th, to present a seminar on Windows 8 and the Narrator screen reader. The joint RNIB and BCAB seminar will be at 2pm in Room 1, so don't forget to <a href="http://www.qac.ac.uk/sightvillage/6-4-SVevents.asp">register your interest</a> in good time!</p> <p>BCAB won ...</p> </article> <article> <h1>Léonie Watson on BBC Radio 4 In Touch</h1> <p>Léonie Watson will join the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/intouch/">Radio 4 In Touch</a> programme tomorrow, to challenge the organisers of the <a href="http://www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk">National Diversity Awards</a> about the inaccessibility of their website.</p> <p>A BCAB member raised concerns, after receiving an email about the awards that was completely inaccessible with a screen reader. Further investigation found that the website for the awards was also inaccessible, causing problems for blind and partially sighted people, as well as people with other disabilities.</p> <p>Léonie joins host Peter White tomorrow at 8.40pm, to discuss the problem with a representative from the National Diversity Awards.</p> </article> <article> <h1>BCAB at the Vision 2020 conference</h1> <p>Dr. Mike Townsend, Hon. President of the British Computer Association of the Blind, Took part in the Vision 2020 landmark conference at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre London June 12.</p> <p>Mike stated that technology is absolutely vital for blind and partially sighted people to engage in twenty first century life. The British Computer Association of the Blind has run a very successful series of “taster” days introducing over 1500 novices to the benefits of technology with 97 per cent of clients achieving all the tasks such as getting information, emailing, and reading print material all in one day.</p> <p>Affordability is ...</p> </article> <article> <h1>BCAB announces new AGM and flagship event plans</h1> <p>BCAB is delighted to announce plans for our flagship annual event and AGM. It will be held at the Apollo hotel in Birmingham, from the 12th to 14th October 2012.</p> <p>TechABreak October 2012 marks a change for BCAB. Sight Village Plus was our flagship annual event for many years, but with fewer BCAB members attending Sight Village each year, we decided to try something different for 2012.</p> <p>With multiple technology focused seminars, the AGM and a gala dinner (with guest speaker), it's a fantastic combination of knowledge sharing, socialising, and opportunities to influence the direction BCAB takes over the ...</p> </article> <article> <h1>BCAB awarded Supporting Change grant</h1> <p>BCAB has been awarded £9700 under the Supporting Change fund by Big (<a href="www.biglotteryfund.org.uk">The Big Lottery Fund</a>). This grant is an extention of our very successful EyeT4All project. The purpose of the grant is to evaluate EyeT4All and prepare for its future. We will analyze the statistics we have gathered from venues and clients. We will make some venue visits to see how the taster Days were received locally and discover how clients have fared since.</p> <p>A key output will be "EyeT4All--a sustainable future" report. Technology is always changing. Since we designed EyeT4All, PC's are no longer the most popular ...</p> </article> <article> <h1>BCAB applies for BBC charity appeal</h1> <p>Kevin Russell is leading BCAB's application to appear on the BBC's weekly <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/charityappeals/">Radio 4 charity appeal</a> programme. The BBC has been supporting UK charities since 1923, by providing broadcast time on its flagship BBC 1 and Radio 4 networks.</p> <p>If successful, BCAB will have the opportunity to put together a short radio appeal. It will enable us to raise awareness about the association, and appeal for donations from Radio 4 listeners.</p> <p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/BCABNewsbytes">Subscribe to the BCAB Newsbytes feed</a>.</p> </article> <article> <h1>BCAB meeting with Helen Grant MP</h1> <p>Léonie Watson recently met with Helen Grant MP at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portcullis_House">Portcullis House</a> in London. The meeting was an opportunity to promote BCAB's work, and discuss ways in which BCAB could work with Helen to promote digital inclusion for blind and partially sighted people.</p> <p>The meeting came about because BCAB trustee Clive Lever questioned Helen about digital inclusion at an event held in her constituency. Clive later met with Helen to tell her about BCAB and our activities, and suggested a meeting with Léonie as the next step.</p> <p>The meeting between Léonie and Helen was extremely positive, and ...</p> </article> <article> <h1>BCAB plans forthcoming TechABreak weekend</h1> <p>BCAB is currently in the early stages of planning its next flagship event for members. It will involve meeting together for a weekend of seminars on the latest technologies, sometime in the Autumn of 2012.</p> <p>Early seminar topic ideas include using Windows 7, an overview of Windows 8, and what's new across the mobile smart phone range. Topic ideas are very welcome though, so please email <a href="mailto:pam.griffiths@bcab.org.uk">Pam Griffiths</a> with your suggestions.</p> <p>We will also be holding our AGM and an evening gala dinner during the weekend. We'll be posting regular updates to Newsbytes to keep you informed as ...</p> </article> <article> <h1>Love Guide Cats? Why not share the love!</h1> <p>Do you enjoy listening to the Guide Cats series? Did a particular track on the recent albums stand out to you in any particular way? Why not share this with the world to help BCAB promote the cause?</p> <p>There are several ways you can do this. Why not post a message on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/23512477047/">Guide Cats for the Blind Facebook wall</a>, or use the links below to put a rating or comment on Amazon or iTunes?</p> <h2>Share the love on Amazon</h2> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guide-Blind-Songs-Poems-Barker/dp/B001IPXQFC/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332606209&sr=301-1">Guide Cats for the Blind on Amazon</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Missing-Persians-File/dp/B001HU9BM0/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332606413&sr=301-1">Missing Persians File on Amazon</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cat-Nav-Guide-Cats-Blind/dp/B002G7D9E4/ref=sr_shvl_album_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1332606209&sr=301-2">Top Cat, White Tie & Tails on Amazon</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cat-Nav-Guide-Cats-Blind/dp/B002G7D9E4/ref=sr_shvl_album_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1332606209&sr=301-2">Cat ...</a></li> </ul> </article> <article> <h1>BCAB at the CSUN conference</h1> <p>With help from the <a href="http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/">Awards for All</a> lottery fund, Derek Naysmith and Léonie Watson attended the <a href="http://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/sessions/index.php">27th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference</a>, on behalf of BCAB. The purpose of the trip was to promote BCAB and the advocacy work we've been doing around web accessibility, and to seek out new products and innovations of interest to BCAB members.</p> <p> </p> <p>Léonie gave a presentation on BS8878 Web Accessibility Code of Practice, the national standard developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI) with involvement from organisations including the BBC, IDM, Opera and BCAB. She also took part ...</p> </article> <article> <h1>BCAB applies for EyeT4All trademark</h1> <p>In 2011 we registered BCAB as a UK trademark. We wanted to protect the BCAB brand and the excellent reputation the British Computer Association of the Blind has built up over the past forty years or so.</p> <p>With the success of the <a href="#" target="43" content_type="14">EyeT4All project</a> still fresh in our minds, the board of trustees felt that EyeT4All would be a perfect umbrella brand for many of the association's future activities. To this end, we've begun the process of registering EyeT4All as a UK trademark as well.</p> <p>The application has passed initial scrutiny by the <a href="http://www.ipo.gov.uk/">Intellectual Property Office (IPO)</a>, and ...</p> </article> </main></body></html>