[real-eyes] Fw: Talking books to continue for blind

"Terrie Arnold" <tanderson3@xxxxxxxxx> · Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:10:41 -0500


> Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph (UK)
> Tuesday, September 11, 2007
>
> Talking books to continue for blind
>
> By Staff Copy
>
> A COUNCIL has backed down over plans to cut a talking books service for 
> the blind.  Northamptonshire County Council wanted to end it's £45,000 
> funding of the Royal National Institute for the Blind service.
>
> It provided recordings of books which were sent to people's homes.
>
> After protests from users, the county council yesterday announced it will 
> continue the service.
>
> The council planned to replace the RNIB contract with a new arrangement 
> using free audio book supplier Calibre, however the results of a four-week 
> public consultation exercise in July have seen the council change it's 
> decision.
>
> Cllr Ursula Jones, cabinet member for voluntary sector, communities and 
> heritage, said: "It became clear that some of our customers had concerns 
> about the proposed new arrangements.
>
> "It's clear that Calibre offers an excellent service, but because the 
> consultation has demonstrated the overwhelming support of our customers 
> for the RNIB service, the best way forward is to both retain RNIB's 
> services but also offer customers the option to use Calibre.
>
> "Users of the audio book service will have their subscription renewed on 
> an annual basis and we will work with customers to ensure they are using 
> the service that best meets their needs.
>
> "I would like to thank everyone who took the time to take part in the 
> consultation.
>
> "Customer feedback is a vital tool in helping us to reach the right 
> decisions and in this particular case, it's brought to the fore the high 
> value placed on the services our libraries provide for people with visual 
> impairments."
>
> A spokesman for the RNIB said: "We welcome the council's decision to 
> provide RNIB's Talking Books service subscriptions to blind and partially 
> sighted people.
>
> "This will allow us to continue to supply a much-needed world of talking 
> books to blind and partially-sighted people in and we would like to thank 
> the council for listening to the concerns of it's service users and 
> supporting their right to read."
>
> Last Updated: 11 September 2007 6:28 PM
>
>
> http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Talking-books-to-continue-for.3192534.jp
>
>


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