Y Pwyllgor Diwylliant, y Gymraeg a Chwaraeon

Adolygiad Polisi: Cyfraniad y Celfyddydau a Chwaraeon at Adfywio Cymunedol

Royal Natiomal Institute for the blind (RNIB)

Dear Ms Butler, RNIB Cymru are pleased to have the opportunity to respond to this important policy review on behalf of the 120,000 people who are blind and partially sighted in Wales. Accessibility is a vital issue to us and we are concerned that arts and sport are not generally accessible to all. We are able to work with the Welsh Assembly Government and Local Authorities to provide expert training and advice about accessibility. If we can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Yours sincerely, Kate Hughes Political Affairs Officer RNIB Cymru   RNIB Cymru’s Response To: The Contribution of Arts and Sport to Community Regeneration December 2003 _____________________________________________________ Background RNIB Cymru represents the 120,000 people who are blind and partially sighted who live in Wales through campaigning, support and services. Our pioneering work helps anyone with a sight problem - not just with Braille, Talking Book and computer training, but with imaginative and practical solutions to everyday challenges. We fight for equal rights for people with sight loss and fund pioneering research into preventing and treating eye disease. RNIB Cymru seeks to ensure that people with a sight problem have equality of access to all aspects of leisure, culture and entertainment, but in particular cinema, theatre, performing arts, sports venues, museums, art galleries and heritage sites, television, radio, video and DVD. We strongly advocate that people with sight loss should have equal access to sport. Information should be made available in accessible formats RNIB Cymru is able to assist the Welsh Assembly Government and partners in this initiative by providing information in either language in modified print, electronic, large print, braille and on tape. Introduction RNIB Cymru are pleased to have the opportunity to respond to this important consultation. We are very concerned that there is insufficient accessibility to arts and sport and hope to see this improved as a result of this consultation. Progress has been made in some areas, for instance we are involved with the National Museum of Wales’ production of audio guides for people with sight loss. Inclusion is the principle policy in our work and the best place for inclusion to begin is in the local community. The barriers to accessing arts and sport need to be challenged at every level to ensure equality and inclusion. Information provision is a key issue because it is important that people are informed about arts and sports events, for instance if a new sports club is set up. People with sight loss need to be able to access this information, for instance by advertising in talking newspapers and using clear print. Information should be provided in accessible formats: Braille, audio, disk and large print. The Culture Strategy - Creative Future: Cymru Greadigol RNIB Cymru would like to add our support to the statement from "The Culture Strategy - Creative Future: Cymru Greadigol" that culture is not a luxury in our lives, nor a mere embellishment of the material tasks of our daily existence. It is the texture of our living. This is a statement that applies to everyone and it is important that cultural events, displays and exhibitions are accessible to all. Social Inclusion Our Community Services Team works with people with sight loss, the majority of whom are unable to fully participate within their communities. This exclusion happens at many levels from education and employment to health and social care. There are many factors contributing to this such as inaccessible information, poverty, mobility, lack of confidence and low aspirations. Communities First is a new and exciting initiative from the Welsh Assembly Government to improve the quality of life and opportunities to people who live in some of the most disadvantaged communities within Wales. RNIB Cymru has received funding to identify the main barriers to social inclusion for people with severe sight loss, and then develop the priorities for action to overcome these barriers. People with severe sight loss in Wales regularly experience frustrations and difficulties in many areas of daily life, which sighted people, take for granted. There are over 120,000 people in Wales with serious sight loss, the majority being over the age of 75. With an older population that is becoming more prevalent in Wales we could see numbers rising by nearly 40% within the next two decades. It is vital that people with sight loss are empowered. Inclusion in arts and sports is a key part of this. This can be done through ensuring that they are accessible. Social Inclusion in Arts A barrier to the inclusion of people with severe sight loss is providing information in a visual medium only. Arts can be audio described to ensure that they are accessible to everybody. Blind and partially sighted people need information in accessible formats in order to make informed choices and lead independent lives. As highlighted in the Survey of Arts in Wales and Visual Impairment undertaken by Richard Bowers for Wales Council for the Blind, "not being able to get up-to-date accessible information leads to people missing out of having decisions made on their behalf." There needs to be a commitment to providing information that is accessible to blind and partially sighted people. We would encourage the use and promotion of RNIB’s See it Right guidelines and where possible to encourage organisations to adopt clear print guidelines within their house style. We would also promote the use of other guidelines such as Mencap’s Guide to Accessible Information "Am I making myself clear?" Action plans that address equal opportunities issues, are vital to provide accessible, sustainable, consistent service. In terms of the list of issues that should be covered in such a plan, we would also like to see consultation with disabled people - both users of services and potential users built into action plans. Such consultation should evaluate and inform the development of services, as well as informing the development of policies, such as a equal opportunities action plan. We feel the Culture, Welsh Language and Sport Committee, in collaboration with disability organisations and charities such as Arts Disability Wales, can play a vital role in disseminating information, training and best practice to arts and sports organisations. RNIB is very willing to share our research and guidance and to work together where appropriate. We recognise that guidance is needed in particular areas. For example, information on arts events and activities often doesn’t reach blind and partially sighted people. We often receive enquiries from arts organisations for example about how to market services to blind and partially sighted people and would be happy to discuss these issues. Social Inclusion In Sport Loss of sight can seriously affect a person’s quality of life. Everyday activities such as travelling, shopping, cooking, cleaning, dealing with correspondence can become increasingly difficult. People who have sight problems are more likely to have accidents and experience a decline in health and sense of well-being. RNIB Cymru has identified the following barriers to the inclusion of people with sight difficulties in physical / recreational activities. Visually impaired children and young people find it difficult to access competitive games - the speed at which these are played makes it very difficult to see the ball / other equipment. Wherever possible, alternative physical activities should be found - and fully sighted pupils should be given these options in order to make sport an inclusive activity. Schools and sports centres have to balance social inclusion (participation in physical exercise) with health and safety issues. It is therefore imperative that guidance is given to providers. Over 60,000 people in Wales with sight loss are living below the poverty line. The cost of transport can be prohibitive in getting out and about. Accessible Information is a key issue for individuals who are blind or partially sighted. All individuals have a right to information in their preferred format, this is even more important for health issues, including information about sports / recreational activities. It is difficult to participate in activities when you do not know that they exist. Over 120,000 people in Wales cannot read standard newsprint even with corrective glasses. Getting around is a major challenge, 52% of all people with severe sight loss need help to get out. Pavements need to be properly maintained, well lit and free from obstructions (such as overhanging hedges, bollards and A-Boards). RNIB Cymru, working with the Joint Mobility Unit, is able to give advice and guidance on accessible environments. Attention to clear signage, colour contrasts and good, controllable lighting is vital to make the leisure and recreational environments user-friendly for people with a sight difficulty. Transport presents an additional barrier for people with visual impairments in accessing health opportunities. Many timetables for trains and buses are not accessible. They often have drivers who do not understand that people with a visual impairment need more time to get on, find a seat and get settled. Finding the correct stop to get off can be very difficult. Even, on some buses, physically getting on the vehicle can be difficult. This makes access to public places, hospitals, clinics and fitness centres very difficult. Other barriers to access include the variety of activities available, the times and places of those activities - and the fact that many of them rely upon the participant being sighted. It is often difficult for people with a visual impairment to 'keep up’ with the speed of team games and activities. All front-line staff in health care establishments and in sports and leisure environments should feel comfortable that they can cater for the needs of people with sight loss. We believe that visual awareness training, including how to guide a person who is blind, is essential for all members of staff who may come into contact with a person with a visual impairment. It is essential that we raise awareness and provide guidance to policy makers as well as training for coaches, trainers and other front-line staff to give them confidence in working with people with visual impairment. RNIB Cymru conducted research into social inclusion in 2002, this included respondents talking about their experiences of using local leisure facilities. There were mixed responses on the amount of support provided by staff. One respondent commented that with the help of staff braille instructions had been fitted to the controls of a piece of equipment in the Gym. However one respondent commented that she had initially been refused entry to a gym unless a sighted person accompanied her. Many people with visual impairments find getting out and about difficult. There is a general dearth of qualified mobility instructors working with children in Wales - and no course in Wales to train them. Consideration of delivery of mobility training across Wales should form an important part of this strategy. RNIB Cymru sees the involvement of volunteers, including volunteers who themselves have a visual impairment, as an essential component to improving access to sports for people with visual impairments. Volunteers could be involved in a 'buddy’ scheme to support people with visual impairments who feel unable to participate fully in their chosen activity without some form of support. Volunteers who are suitably qualified / skilled could also participate as coaches, trainers or in other front-line roles. This would increase their skills and also allow for a greater participation by the local community. Providing accreditation for Centres working with people with disabilities would give our clients some guarantee that, should they wish to participate, their specific needs will be catered for. Working in partnership with out-of-school clubs could encourage young people to participate - e.g. through Guides / Scouts. The leaders of these groups would need support and training. As well as working with mainstream providers, there are over 60 clubs and societies of/for blind and partially sighted people working with these organisations at a local level could lead to further participation of adults with sight loss. Conclusion In conclusion, RNIB Cymru is grateful for the invitation to be involved in this important consultation. Our responses, above, are a brief outline of the issues we feel to be important in for our client group in relation to sports and arts in Wales. We would, however, welcome the opportunity to meet with members of the Welsh Assembly Government to address any queries they might have and to provide additional information and examples to back-up our responses.