British Computer Association of the Blind
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CQ WW CW contest sponsorship
A major Project of the British Computer Association
of the Blind (BCAB)
Blind and partially sighted people are being left behind when it comes
to information technology Computers and internet connections can be more
beneficial to them than for sighted people.
Many blind and partially sighted people experience social isolation.
This results from difficulties in getting out of their homes, finding
their way around, and getting information including communicating with
other people.
Take, for example sending a letter. This presents huge challenges for
blind people. Difficulties include: Writing the letter, correcting it,
getting an address on to an envelope, putting on a stamp (the correct
way up!), finding a post-box and getting to it. When a reply comes, some
one must be found to read it.
Blind people just love email. It can be read out immediately through
speech synthesis, and replying is just the press of a key. The vast amount
of information on the world wide web can replace a personal library of
unreadable print books. Information technology has so much to offer blind
people.
The "EyeT4All" programme is being developed to show blind
people what is possible, to enthuse them, and point them in
the right direction with affordable solutions and training.
The work so far has included seeking and evaluating suitable solutions.
This has involved evaluations according to a template indicating usability
and affordability. The programme will not give a theoretical technical
approach, but a practical solutions based presentation. A small pilot
based on a limited product range, has been run. A one day presentation
has been defined and developed. The
programme will be rolled out across various locations in the Autumn. Links
have been established with local voluntary societies for the blind who
are keen to host the days.
All this cannot possibly happen without money. Over £20,000 has
already been raised but we need to carry on raising funds to enable this
project to benefit as many of the 2 million vision impaired people in
the UK alone we can reach.
Terry Robinson, himself totally blind and a member of BCAB for over 30
years is once again seeking sponsorship for his entry in this year's CQ
WW CW (Morse Code) amateur radio contest. This event takes place for 48
hours during the weekend of 26 - 27 November. In brief, the object is
to establish two-way contact with as many stations throughout the world
as possible on six frequency bands. Terry will be
taking part from his home in Glasgow, where he made 1870 contacts in the
same event last year. This year, with deteriorating conditions, but hopefully
with an improved station, Terry will be seeking sponsorship per contact,
all money raised will go to the Eye-T 4 All project. To add a bit of fun,
sponsors are invited to guess Terry's final score - the closest guess
will win a copy of our new "Missing Persians File" CD, otherwise
known as "Guide Cats II".
The scoring for this event is quite complex, the number of contacts made
is only loosely related to the final score. Contacts within Europe score
1 point, whilst those to other continents score 3. Apart from being divided
into countries, the world is divided into 40 zones and it's possible to
contact each country and zone on each of the six bands.
The final score is the number of points accrued through contacts, multiplied
by the number of countries and zones contacted on all bands. Last year,
Terry scored just
over 700,000 points for his 1870 contacts.
Please complete the form below and send it to Terry Robinson, 82 Albert
Rd., Crosshill, Glasgow G42 8DR, or (preferably) complete the form electronically
at www.bcab.org.uk
Many thanks for your support.
Terry Robinson
Sponsorship Information:
Name:
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Amount per Contact:
Maximum number of contacts sponsored:
Maximum amount sponsored (if fixed amount):
Guess score:
To save bank charges, it would be better if moneys were paid to me in
the first instance, so I can make fewer, larger payments directly to BCAB.
To this end, payment may be made electronically to Mr Terry Robinson,
sort code 07 01 16, account: 39292223;
by PayPal, via terry@describe-online.com;
or by cheque payable to T Robinson sent to
82 Albert Rd., Crosshill, Glasgow G42 8DR.
DESCRIBE ONLINE - MAKING IT EASIER THROUGH TEXT
Terry Robinson B.Sc
82 Albert Rd.
Crosshill
Glasgow
G42 8DR
Tel: 0141 423 2683 - Mobile: 07771 610002
Web: www.describe-online.com
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