Tag Archives: blind people

“The Selected Poems of K Morris” is now available in braille from the Royal National Institute of Blind People

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On 15 November, I wrote a post in which I said that my “Selected Poems” would soon be available in braille, from the Royal National Institute of Blind People, (RNIB), https://kmorrispoet.com/2019/11/15/my-selected-poems-will-soon-be-available-in-braille-from-rnib/. I am pleased to announce that “The Selected Poems of K Morris (Braille edition) was delivered this afternoon (Saturday 30 November).

I am, of course, delighted that visually impaired people (those who read braille, for by no means all sight impaired individuals do so), will have the option to enjoy my poetry in this format. In addition, text to speech is, of course enabled on all of my books, meaning that those who (like me) are unable to read print, can listen to my Kindle titles.

For links to all of my books please visit my blog’s “About” page, https://kmorrispoet.com/about/.

The hidden History Contained in Pages

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There is much history in books, if one looks carefully enough. By this I do not mean those works concerned with history itself, nor am I refering to historical fiction. Rather I am referring to passing references, such as that contained in the 4-volume edition of John Buchan’s “The Thirty-Nine Steps”, which resides on the top shelf of the tall pine bookcase in my bedroom. The book’s title page reads
“… printed and published by the National Institute for the Blind, Great Portland Street, London W” and carries the date of 1938.

The National Institute for the Blind has, for many years, been the Royal National Institute of Blind People, and its head office is today located in Peterborough.

On turning over the title page, the reader comes across the following
“The price given for this book in the National Institute’s books catalogue represents the actual cost of production. The book is sold to libraries and institutions for the blind in the British Empire, and to blind persons resident in the United Kingdom, or in any part of the British Empire at one-third the catalogue price”.

The British Empire has, of course long ceased to be. However contained within the pages of the braille edition of “The Thirty-Nine Steps” I find a reminder of a vanished age.

I would be interested to learn of any books owned by this blog’s readers which contain interesting historical data. Please do comment below.

Kevin

Guide Dogs Not Allowed IN

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The following email (reproduced below) about the discrimination faced by guide dog owners is self explanatory. As a guide dog owner I am saddened and angered by the fact that 75 percent of guide dog owners report having been refused access to a taxi when accompanied by their guide dog. I am saddened but not surprised because the same thing has happened to me on several occasions (I.E. taxi drivers flouting the law by refusing to carry me when accompanied by my guide dog Trigger). If you live in the UK please do take the time to write to your Member of Parliament regarding this issue. The original email can be found by following this link http://emails-guidedogs.org.uk/LDK-3KHFD-E85B5CNX2A/cr.aspx. Please note, the links in the email reproduced below don’t work (for the working links please visit the original document linked to above).

 

Many thanks,

 

Kevin

 

Email From Guide Dogs For The Blind Association

 

Dear Kevin

 

“My biggest problem with refusals comes from taxi drivers. I used to have a very tough two hour commute to work. The taxi part of the journey was the shortest

bit travel wise, but it always ended up being the bit that held me up the most because I was having to spend time facing drivers who wouldn’t take me with

my dog. It made an already stressful situation really stressful and upsetting…it’s good that my contract was flexi hours otherwise I’m sure I would have

been sacked for being late all the time – it happened so often.” Guide dog owner, Northamptonshire

 

Earlier this year we carried out a survey of over one thousand assistance dog owners. The results were shocking.

75% of guide dog owners

who responded had been refused access to a business or service at some stage because they were accompanied by their dog, and nearly half had within the

last year.

Take action to help us stop this from happening.

 

This is why we’ve launched an important new campaign called ‘Access All Areas’ which aims to ensure guide dog and other assistance dog owners are able to

gain access to businesses and services with their dog, as is their legal right.

 

A guide dog owner and guide dog about to get into a taxi

 

Amongst guide dog owners the most frequently encountered place to be refused access was taxis and private hire vehicles. You can help us tackle this problem

 

by taking our new online action.

 

Thank you for supporting this vital new campaign.

 

Best wishes,

 

Rachael

“Dalliance; A Collection Of Poetry And Prose” Is Now Available In Braille

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On returning home yesterday evening I was excited to open a package from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and find it contained my book, “Dalliance; A Collection Of Poetry And Prose” in Braille. Although “Dalliance” is available as an ebook with text to speech enabled, allowing visually impaired people to read it, I wanted my own copy in Braille and requested that RNIB transcribe “Dalliance”. It is a wonderful feeling to hold a braille edition of “Dalliance” and know that the book will be made available for other Braille readers to borrow.

RNIB advise that “Dalliance” will be added to the library catalogue, (http://www.rnib.org.uk/services-we-offer-reading-services-rnib-national-library-service/library-catalogue). This does not appear to have happened yet. It is however early days and I am sure the book will soon be available for RNIB library members to access.

(”Dalliance; A Collection Of Poetry And Prose” can be found on Amazon by visiting http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dalliance-collection-poetry-prose-Morris-ebook/dp/B00QQVJC7E. A print edition is also available from me. For enquiries regarding the print edition please email newauthoronline (at) gmail dot com).

A Snippet Of Conversation

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Have you ever overheard a conversation about yourself, failed to speak up and, later wished that you had done so?

Some time ago I was strolling along with my guide dog when I overheard an elderly lady remark to her companion,

“He’s blind”.

In retrospect I should have come back with the quick fire response,

“But he’s not deaf”.

I did, however hold my tongue. There is, as is said in the north of England, “nowt so queer as folk” and the above snippet of conversation acts as living proof of this fact.

 

Kevin

Apple

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As a blind person I find the iPad accessible. With the assistance of Apple’s in-built screen reader, voice-over I am able to use the device with few problems. One aspect I have never mastered is the on screen keyboard. The keyboard is usable by people with little or no sight (tap once with voice-over enabled and you hear the name of the key announced. Tap twice and the key is activated). Despite it’s accessibility the on screen keyboard is, in my experience somewhat cumbersome from the perspective of the visually impaired. Consequently I use an Apple Bluetooth keyboard with my iPad. Once paired the keyboard works well enabling the user to enter text without having to contend with the device’s on screen keyboard.

Approximately a month ago the Bluetooth keyboard stopped working. I changed the batteries and it began functioning again. However about a week later the keyboard once more ceased working. Again I changed the batteries and it started functioning once more for a brief period. When the same problem happened for the third time I took the keyboard into the Apple store in Liverpool’s Paradise Street. The Apple representative quickly diagnosed that the keyboard had gone to the great Apple heaven in the sky and replaced it with a brand new (working)! One. Prior to visiting the store I had envisaged protracted explanations and a long wait before my issue could be resolved so I was pleasantly surprised with the speedy and efficient response of Apple. In these days of poor customer service it is refreshing to experience first rate treatment. I take my hat off to Apple.