Campaigns

Access to information events - Cardiff

Summary: Find out about your rights to access to information.

Cardiff event - 4 March 2008

Our Cardiff access to information event included the launching of a report “Turning Policies into Practice” at the Senedd, the home of the National Assembly for Wales. Over 15 blind and partially sighted people and their companions were joined by around 21 local service providers including local authorities, health providers and private companies to discuss the importance of accessible information.

Blind and partially sighted people

During the morning local blind and partially sighted people talked about problems they face getting information they can read. The group also explored their rights under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

"A lovely day. I learnt a lot of things I didn't know and it was good to share with everyone. There was lots of understanding and empathy." Verna from Cardiff

Service providers

Around 21 local service providers spent time exploring their DDA obligations and found out more about the information needs of blind and partially sighted people.

The two groups then came together for a Question and Answer session with a panel made up of service providers and service users chaired by Ruth Marks, Director of RNIB Cymru. The group discussed how companies should be keeping records of their customers’ format requirements and the importance of staff training. One service provider asked for advice from blind and partially sighted people about the provision of statutory notices that they had to include in local newspapers.

"I found the Q&A panel session very useful; hearing real experience is always a bonus” Linda, Cardiff Library.

Report launch

The group then moved over to the Senedd and were welcomed by Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones for the launch of “Turning Policies into Practice”. The report found that although 96 per cent of organisations in Cymru were aware of their obligations to provide accessible information under the DDA only 57 per cent were able to provide information in audio tape to their blind and partially sighted customers.

You can download the full version of the report

This event was one in a series of access to information events and will be included in a report we will be producing during Summer 2008.

Back to Access to Information events page

Content author: campaign@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 02/07/2008 10:08

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