I really think we should keep this discussion away from the personality and personal preferences of the presenter. For one thing it's wrong to assume that what Peter likes or doesn't like does or doesn't make it on to the show. He's not, after all, a guide dog user nor never will be and yet the programme is often accused of doing too much about guide dogs at the expense of other things. like most of us, Peter is embracing new technology when he can see practical applications and benefits from doing so. Like many of us, he's finding it a step learning curve. But I have never found him resistant to including anything in the show regardless of whether or not it interests him. He's a professional journalist and broadcaster. Do people think that Terry Wogan likes every record he plays or refuses to play ones he doesn't regardless of their popularity. Of course he doesn't. -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Graham Page Sent: 24 July 2006 23:47 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: More Sight Village and In touch Hi Ray. I must agree with you. all people, including old people, are having to deal with new digital technology whether sighted or not and this needs to be considered. The issue of Braille is regularly discussed here. I think that, increasingly, not being able to read Braille puts working visually impaired people at a serious disadvantage. If people cannot feel braille because of problems with their fingers then fine, not being able to read may be an almost unavoidable problem. I certainly have no issue with that. Telling people they don't need Braille though is garbage. I challenge Peter White to do his job effectively without Braille. Braille displays and note takers are very expensive but the ability to take whole braille books away with you on the train and read them is something that a sighted person takes for granted. If the technology is reliable, this is altimately of more use than something that keeps crashing no matter what the potential These kind of issues are also important and could be raised on in-touch, but I think, looking over a full year of programming, no one could accuse in-touch of giving too much weight to technology. If Peter White doesn't like the subject, are there any visually impaired people with a more positive view that are presenters who could do the odd technology related show instead? Regards Graham. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ray's Home" <rays-home@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, July 24, 2006 8:36 PM Subject: [access-uk] Re: More Sight Village and In touch Yes, I think the facts around visual impairment and blindness are pretty well established and HMSO has been mentioned, and within their publications the oldish OPCS survey for one has lots of relvevant info. RNIB itself has done quite a few surveys and reports over the years too. In Touch will have ready access to these sources and other material. Interesting that, as far as I know, RNIB doesnt have a very accurate idea of how many Braille readers there are in the UK. That's particularly relevant to death-blind people and I believe I recall one or two features In Touch has done around deaf-blindess in the not too distant past. I say, and with no great enthusiasm, that In Touch might be right to be mindful of older people and those who are not into I T. I think the programme is going to have to address such issues as the more rapid move to digital media. Reluctant many maybe to make the move, but nonetheless reports on addressing this issue by inovations in computer tech, training, and national and local initiatives, will make for interesting features which I hope we'll hear something of soon. My little contribution to the Sight Village thread was motivated by such an interest. I must say the programme stil has an air of blind welfare department about it, at least to me, but maybe I'm not getting old gracefully enough! From Ray I can be contacted off-list at: mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf The facts and statistics are all available in an HMSO Publication. George. -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Derek Hornby Sent: 24 July 2006 17:30 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: More Sight Village Ian says: "Fact, the vast majority of people over 65 have no independent income and live on their state pension. Fact, While it's true that some older people have embraced technology, the vast majority simply don't get or haven't had the opportunity. Fact, the vast majority of people of that age who lose their sight have things more central to their lives to worry about than computers like using their electric kettle safely, feeding themselves, getting out and avoiding isolation. Finally what evidence do you have to the contrary?" Non, that is why I am not making unproven assumptions. There is no proof all of the above it true, just as there is no proof that all of the above is false. But anyway this is going off topic and is more suitable for a political debating list. 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