[access-uk] Large Print now in Articles for the Blind

  • From: chairman@xxxxxxxxx
  • To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Sat, 20 Aug 2005 00:25:58 +0100

Greetings,

Please see below, it's self-explanatory.

You may have heard that Royal Mail was planning to extend the Articles
for the Blind Scheme to include Large Print.  It's finally happened!
From 22 August blind and partially sighted people and organisations
working for people with sight problems will be able to send large print
letters and documents free of charge.  (This includes RNIB, Talking
Newspapers and local societies etc.)

Below, you will find Guidelines for using the scheme.

This is great news, meaning that many more blind and partially sighted
people will benefit from the Articles for the Blind Scheme. 

Royal Mail have been looking at how to improve the way in which the
scheme operates, particularly the inconsistencies in the way that
sorting offices across the country interpret guidelines on what is and
what isn't covered by the scheme.  New guidelines have been issued to
all Royal Mail staff. 

If you have any queries about how the Articles for the Blind Scheme
operates please contact the Royal Mail Customer Services Team on 08457
740 740.

Copies of the guidelines are available on RNIB website www.rnib.org.uk
or from RNIB's helpline on 0845 766 9999.

Regards
Julianne

Julianne Marriott
RNIB Campaigns
020 7391 2184 

Guidelines - Articles for the Blind (AFB) 2005

What is the Articles for the Blind Scheme?
Royal Mail have, for a number of years, operated a scheme (Articles for the
Blind) that allows blind and partially sighted people to send certain items
of post free of charge.  The latest legislation covering the provision of
this service is the Postal Services Act 2000.  Royal Mail have extended the
scope of the scheme to include carriage of large print materials from 22nd
August 2005.

Who can use the Articles for the Blind Scheme?
Blind and partially sighted people, individual customers who are blind or
partially sighted and have close-up vision with spectacles of N12 or less.

Organisations working with blind and partially sighted people mailing items
specifically prepared for use by blind/visually impaired individuals. 
This will include national and local societies for blind and partially
sighted people and organisations producing Talking Newspapers/Tape
Magazines etc.

What can be sent by Articles for the Blind?
Only items that have been specially produced or adapted for blind and
partially sighted people may be sent using the service.  The scope of the
AFB scheme has been extended to include large print (minimum 16 point).
Details below of all items covered by scheme:

Books, papers and letters - either embossed or in large print (minimum font
size 16pt).

Computer disks and CDs which have been prepared for blind or partially
sighted people

Relief maps

Spoken audio, video (with added commentary - audio description) and
electronic media.

Talking Books and talking newspapers which are recordings of readings from
printed books, journals, newspapers, periodicals or similar publications,
but not entertainment programmes which are available on radio or
recordings.

Equipment used to play or record audio, video and electronic media i.e.
Talking Books and Talking Newspapers.

Electronic and optical magnifiers

Games, mathematical devices watches, clocks and measuring equipment

Embossed or blank plates and devices for producing tactile information.

Stationery for tactile information for mail

Mobility aids including sticks and guide dog equipment


Items not accepted for posting under Articles for the Blind

Music audio (more than 2 minutes or more than 10% of the total duration)

Printed material in a font smaller than 16 point, unless it is a faithful
copy of information that has been transcribed into braille, tape, CD, disk
or large print, and where it accompanies the transcribed version.


Weight & size of items sent by AFB
The maximum weight limit of any package is 7kg.  The size limits are:

Rectangular packages maximum dimensions - 610mm x 460mm x 460mm.

Cylindrical packages - the length must not exceed 900mm and the length
added to twice the diameter of the packet must not be more than 1040mm in
total.


How does the scheme work?  What do you have to do to use the scheme?
Items sent by AFB will be treated as first class mail.

All mail posted using AFB must have 'Articles for the Blind' on the front
cover, either on a label or in writing.  It must also show an external
return address.

All mail sent by AFB is subject to inspection, so it must be left open, be
easy to open and re-seal or the contents must be visible through the
wrapper (enough that the contents can easily be confirmed as complying with
the specification).  The only exception is heavy or fragile items, which
can be sealed provided prior notification is given via Customer Services.
To arrange for sealed items to be accepted for carriage contact 0845 607
6140. 

It is recommended that personal, sensitive or confidential correspondence
i.e. health or financial information, in any format should not be sent
using AFB as there is a risk that it could fall out of an unsealed envelope
and be disclosed at any point in it's journey.  This type of correspondence
should be sealed and sent as normal, paid-for mail.

How to arrange for collection of items of post being sent by Articles for
the Blind.
Blind and partially sighted customers can arrange a free collection from
their home by calling Customer Services on 08457 740 740.  For a same day
collection customers must call before 12.00pm.  This is subject to local
availability.

Organisations requiring a collection of AFB must comply with the Business
Collections Specifications.


What happens if you are out when your postman tries to deliver an item of
post sent by Articles for the Blind?
In the event that an item of post is undeliverable your Postman will leave
a P739 'While You Were Out' card. 

Surcharges 
Royal Mail will levy surcharges if:
·       the scheme is used by someone not allowed to use AFB
·       an item not covered by the scheme is sent via AFB
Royal Mail will endeavour to avoid levying a surcharge against the
recipient, however, in some cases this will be unavoidable, particularly
where return addresses are not provided on the label.  If return addresses
are provided, then Royal Mail will return items to sender (without
surcharge but requesting that full postage be paid before re-posting).

Queries
If you have any queries about how the Articles for the Blind scheme
operates please contact your local sorting office or the Royal Mail
Customers Service Dept on 0845 774 0740, Businesses should contact 0845 795
0950.

All the best

from:

Colin R. Howard.


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