Vision magazineApril/May 2015

Issue 71

Editor’s letter: welcome

Welcome to your special writing competition of Vision. We were impressed by the variety of stories we received for this year’s crime theme – you really are a creative bunch! Find out what inspired our three winners and read extracts of their stories.

With the general election on 7 May, you may still be deciding who you want to vote for but everything you need for the ballot box is in our guide to accessible voting . We also preview the new Apple Watch, review scientist Stephen Hawkings’ memoir, plus all your favourite news, views and a pancake recipe for spring!

We’re excited to launch your new online area, Your Vision Community, later this month. You’ll be able to read and listen to your favourite Vision content, share tips and find out more about your representatives and events near you.

Clare Conley, Managing Editor

News

RNIB on TV

Were you among the millions of viewers to see our first ever primetime TV adverts in February?

In ITV’s Broadchurch, Charlotte Rampling played a barrister losing her sight to macular degeneration. Our advert for sight loss advisers ran during the gripping final episode.

We ran the advert, so that people who don’t know much about us realise that we’re here for them and their loved ones, who are affected by sight loss.

The advert also highlights our need for supporters – campaigners, volunteers and donors in order to continue delivering our vital services for blind and partially sighted people.

Sometimes we use daytime and Freeview channel advertising, because it’s a cost effective way to raise money. This is the first time we’ve advertised on primetime TV, but the link between the storyline and our aim to be there for everyone affected by sight loss was too good to miss.

Watch the advert and share with your friends and familyyoutube.com/rnibuk

Online Today: opening up a world of opportunity We are delighted that the Big Lottery Fund awarded RNIB £5.8million last September - the biggest lottery award we have ever received - to help people with sensory loss get online.

Technology can make life easier when you have hearing or sight problems, but knowing where to start isn't always easy. We're going to make everyday digital skills available to as many people with sensory loss as we can.

We'll help people across the UK gain basic skills and confidence to use technology through home visits, one-to-one sessions, group sessions, drop-in sessions and a line-up of nationwide events. After talking through your needs, our team of staff and volunteers will be able to help you with anything from learning to Skype, using a smartphone or tablet to shop online. Get Online TodayVisit rnib.org.uk/onlinetodayEmail onlinetoday@rnib.org.ukCall the Helpline on 0303 123 9999.

Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest launch accessible bank cardsHave you accidentally used the wrong bank card because you couldn’t tell which was which? Or put your card in the wrong way at an ATM?

We have worked in partnership with RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) and its subsidiary, NatWest, for the launch of debit and savings cards that are accessible for blind and partially sighted people. The cards have received a quality assurance mark, “RNIB Approved”.

The cards have the following features:

Tactile markings and braille on the top right corner to help you identify different debit and savings cards

A notch is cut out of the right hand side of the card so that you know which way to insert it into ATMs and PIN pads

Larger font telephone numbers on the back of the card for partially sighted customers

Ross McEwan, CEO of RBS, said they want to be recognised as a bank that listens to its customers and responds to their issues. It’s really important to me that we make banking as simple and easy as possible for all of our customers.”

To order one of the new accessible cards, pop into your local branch of NatWest or RBS or contact: NatWest on 03457 888 444 or visit natwest.com/accessible And contact RBS on 08457 24 24 24 or rbs.co.uk/accessible

Success for our On my street campaign

In the last edition of Vision, we told you about the next phase of our campaign to clear street obstacles. We’re pleased to announce that Northumberland County Council has committed to carrying out an urgent review into policies relating to street obstacles.

This came about as a direct result of the media coverage secured for the launch of RNIB’s streets campaign report “Who put that there!” The report is calling on all local authorities to review their

policies in relation to the most common obstacles - advertising boards, parking on pavements, bins and recycling boxes, shared space, crossings and street furniture.

Join our campaign to make streets safer

RNIB is calling on all local authorities to adopt a street charter designed in consultation with blind and partially sighted people. If you would like more information, or would like to sign up to the summer fortnight of action please contact the RNIB campaigns team by emailing campaign@rnib.org.uk or call 020 7391 2123.

Help us improve patient care servicesDo you or a friend or family member have diabetic macular oedema, cataracts, glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration?

Although there is a continuing effort to better understand new and evolving eye treatments, there is little information on how to improve patient care and support. In order to address this gap, from March 2015, RNIB will run two separate projects across England; one will look at the patient’s experience – another at the carer’s role from diagnosis through to discharge from hospitals. 

If you live in England and have been diagnosed or provide a caring role for someone with any of the above eye conditions we would like to hear from you. Please get in touch and help us improve services for others. Email maria.dawson@rnib.org.uk or call her on: 020 7391 2124.

Wear dots and raise lots for RNIB in 2015!

This October we're asking everyone to wear dots …and raise lots for RNIB.

By wearing dots you’ll be celebrating braille and helping us to be there for those who need us.

Last year talking book subscriber Joan, organised an event at the weekly Drop In at her local Church in Guildford. She took along some braille books to show people and raised money by selling a variety of homemade "dotty cakes" which went down very well! We’ve also produced special curriculum based lesson plans for use in schools to teach pupils about braille, so if you have children or grandchildren who might want to be involved, please spread the word.

Get your fundraising packTaking part is easy, just register to get your pack filled with posters, balloons and ideas for planning your October events. Go to rnib.org.uk/weardots or call 0845 345 0054 (Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm)

More treatments for diabetic macular oedema?The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has set out new draft guidance recommending the use of Eylea and Ozurdex in certain cases of diabetic macular oedema (DMO).

Clara Eaglen, RNIB Eye Health Campaigns Manager, welcomed the fact that this will increase treatment choices for some patients. However she pointed out that that the guidance is that Eylea and Ozurdex will only be recommended as an option for treating DMO if people have a central retinal thickness of 400 micrometres or more. RNIB will call for NICE to consider its decisions and ask that the treatment is opened up to a wider range of patients.DMO affects some people who have diabetic retinopathy. Around 50,000 people are affected by DMO and this is set to increase with the expected growth of diabetes in the population.

A final decision about the guidance is expected from NICE in June.

Eye health newsNew contact lenses could improve vision for people with AMD

New contact lenses to help people see using inbuilt telescopes were unveiled by Swiss scientists at an international science

convention earlier this year. They have the potential to improve vision for people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the future.

The lenses work in conjunction with glasses. They operate by winking - a wink from the right eye will trigger the lens to zoom in and a wink from the left eye will turn off the telescope.

Small mirrors in the lens bounce light around, expanding the perceived size of objects and magnifying the view, so it's like looking through low magnification binoculars.

“We think these lenses hold a lot of promise for low vision and age-related macular degeneration”, said Eric Tremblay from Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Zurich, who pioneered the invention.

AMD is the most common cause of blindness in people aged over 50 and affects more than 600,000 people in the UK.

Matthew Athey, RNIB Eye Health Information Service Manager, warned that the invention should be tested more widely, though he added that the hands-free aspect of the invention was significant. He added: “It’s useful not to have to use hands for magnifying.”

Find out more about the new contact lensesVisit aas.epfl.ch

Find out more about AMD and other eye conditionsVisit rnib.org.uk/eye-health or call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.

Your voice: winners of this year’s members’ writing competitionFind out who won this year’s annual members writing competition – the theme was crime!

We asked you to get your criminal thinking caps on this year to send us your short stories with a crime theme. We were pleased

to receive 35 entries and would like to thank everybody who took part. Everyone who entered will soon receive a copy of their story, read by a volunteer.

We’d also like to thank our judging panel. Our judges included: Chris Simms, author of the DI Spicer series; Michael Williams, journalist and bestselling author of a selection of books about railways and the media, and Doug Walker, winner of last year’s competition.

Congratulations to the three winners1.The winner is Allan Mabert with “The Great Euro Bake-Off”. A twisted tale of anger, resentment and jealousy!

2.In second place is Henry Shanks with “Nothing But”. A tense courtroom drama.

3. In third place is “The Undertaker” by Mary McClelland. Old grudges are settled in a funeral parlour.

Our winners will each receive a special CD with their story read by professional talking book narrators. Extracts are published in your Vision magazine; and the full stories feature on Vision’s free podcast . There will also be a special programme and podcast on RNIB’s Insight Radio.

Our winner: Allan Mabert

“This was my first step into creative writing, I was totally surprised to win!”

Our winner is Allan Mabert, 64, from, Essex. Allan, who has been blind from birth, based his story on The BBC1 baking competition, The Great British Bake Off, to give readers a familiar background so that the stage would be set and he wouldn’t need too many words to couch the story in.

“The crime theme interested me as I listen to a lot of crime stories on talking books. This was my first step into creative writing, so I was totally surprised to win.

At first, I walked around being Cliff, the central male character in the story and he became very real to me. Then the writing flowed and in fact the problem was that I ended up with about 2,000 words!

In terms of how I physically went about writing it - I have an accessible computer. And I still use braille as I find it very personal, very private. I kept reading it back lying in bed sometimes at night, making alterations, not liking what I’d written. At one point I even felt I was letting the character down slightly because he was more rounded than he comes across. But you have to keep going back and revising and in the end I was reasonably satisfied!”

Well the judges were more than satisfied! They praised the story for its topical theme and thought the emotions of anger, resentment and jealousy expressed in the quotation from Shannon L Alder were very well worked into the plot. Chris Simms added that it was an: “effective portrayal of the lead character's mounting paranoia and a nice twist at the end.”

Do you recognise some of The Great British Bake-Off in Allan’s writing?

The Great Euro bake-off

“Anger, resentment and jealousy doesn’t change the heart of others – it only changes yours.” (Shannon L Alder)

Cliff was very pleased about his wife’s success, of course he was. Things had changed over the last few months but resent the changes? No of course not.

However, the fun when it all started was gone, he felt he was an onlooker to Mel’s exciting exotic life now and his was flattening out. He thought back to the beginning when he and Mel had driven off to the first heats of the contest in their old Fiesta, it was just what he needed after facing the shock of redundancy, gave him a purpose and Mel an outlet from the boredom of her job as an accounts clerk.

He had always known she was a good cook, his waistline was proof enough of that, he gave her ideas for cakes and baking and she magicked them into existence.

He wasn't in the least bit surprised when she won the local heats, went on to triumph in the regional round and finally made the last 12 in the national, televised contest.

How could he be resentful, ridiculous to even think it, but that twinkling, egotistical ‘judge’ Carl Greenwood was proving to be a real fly in the ointment.

There was no escaping him now, Mel had won the national contest, bit of a surprise to him, but of course he never let her know that it all felt like it was running away from him and he was being pushed into the shadows, how would anybody like to be referred to as ‘the husband’ and never addressed by their own name.

Now Mel was going to represent Britain in the European final, he couldn't be prouder of her but it did mean their holiday to Cornwall would be cancelled and he was so looking forward to that, still can’t make an omelette without cracking eggs and all that.

In second place: Henry Shanks“Winning this prize means I might still have a future despite my age and despite my disability.”

In his story, Henry, 84, from Lanark, Scotland, imagined a woman with sight loss who has been attacked and then has to identify her assailant in a courtroom.

“After I retired around 12 years ago, my ambition was to take up creative writing. I won a couple of competitions quickly but then sight loss intervened and I thought it had put an end to my writing ambitions. That’s why I’m doubly delighted to have won a prize in this RNIB competition because it means that perhaps I might still have a future despite my age and despite my disability.

I was a court lawyer for about 50 years, so I decided to draw on that personal experience for this crime story. The main character

of the story is a retired lady with sight loss – Janet Laird – and it was easier to identify and write about a lady in this situation. When she is mugged, Janet can’t see the assailant clearly but has a strong smell from his breath. She is then very anxious about identifying him in court, due to her sight loss.

As I’m partially sighted, I found a way to write my story out on large A4 sheets of paper, about three sentences to a page. I then use a king size keyboard with giant letters on my computer to edit – I can’t read 12 point font at all. And winning the second prize has been a real confidence boost!”

The judges thought this story was very well written. Last year’s competition winner, Doug Walker particularly identified with this character. He said: “Janet Laird's anxiety about the court case, her nervous fingering of her gloves and her silent weeping after the hearing were very well expressed. As someone with sight loss and a main witness for the prosecution, I could certainly empathise with her situation.”

Nothing ButMiss Janet Laird had thought that when she retired from teaching her life would be free of stress. But here she was lying awake at night, dreading the next day.

Not that this situation had been of her making. It was all because of that young thug. She would never forget that morning in the supermarket car park, in broad daylight too. Then there had been all those police procedures. Even the video identity parade The “VIPER” system. What a strange name! But at least she could manage to pick out that young hooligan from the parade of faces on the screen.

But how will I get on tomorrow in court?

How did that oath go again...?

“I swear by almighty God that I shall tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?”

“Can I really say that in front of the judge and all those wigs?”

Fortunately her memory was still intact, she could still hear his harsh voice and she could remember the flash of the knife in the sunshine and it ripping through the straps of her handbag. She had seen his hood fall off as he pressed against her and she smelled the stale sweat and tobacco from his ginger hair. She had the smell of stale tobacco smoke and sweat in her nostrils.

She had collapsed upon the hard tarmac.

She remembered nothing else.

In third place: Martha McClelland

“I admire people who have courage, like the woman in the story. You have to acknowledge the pain and then go on, and so many blind people do exactly that.”

Martha, 66, who lives in Derry, Ireland, imagined Ireland’s first female funeral director, who comes into contact with a criminal but fortunately, has a very protective guide dog!

“I’ve been waiting and wanting to write seriously for a while but life has been busy with voluntary work and all the other things. But when I heard about the competition in Vision, it galvanised me into action!

I admire people who have courage, like the woman in the story who was blinded in an auto accident. And I think that’s important because you have to just get up and go on – acknowledge the pain, but go on. And so many blind people do exactly that, you know, live their lives and make a contribution and have fun at the same time. I have severe glaucoma and AMD which means I have no vision in one eye and just a halo of peripheral vision in the other.

It was incredibly important to me that it wasn’t immediately apparent that Joan McPhillips, the main character, had a sight problem. She’s a woman in her own right, she always was, she always will be but she has that challenge in her life and she just gets on with her life.

I did nine edits! I think people with low vision tend to find that writing takes you a long time. I use ZoomText on my big computer – my eyesight is deteriorating rapidly at the moment . Then I print things out in 12 point for my partner to read, and then he would highlight it, and then I would edit it. I also took it to my writers’ group to critique.”

The judges liked the way this story managed to have some elements of humour. Michael Williams added: “The story cleverly wove in the theme of sight loss, without it seeming obtrusive or clunky. It also kept me on tenterhooks to the end.”

The Undertaker

Suddenly the labrador under her desk stiffened. Almost imperceptibly, Jasmine's hackles rose. She pressed closer to Joan. The premises lay in darkness and looked closed. Was someone trying to break in?

A faint rattle came from the back door. Joan rose and expertly negotiated her way through the blackness. The back security light outlined a tall, incredibly thin figure. Given Jasmine’s reaction, she knew this was not Charlie returning to work.

Another movement confirmed the unmistakable weasel silhouette of Roddy Kennard, someone Joan knew all too well. Kennard earned universal contempt in the Northwest as a well-known low-life, thief, and drug dealer. He preyed on the community with impunity since his early teens. Arrested on numerous occasions, even for some outrageous offences, he rarely came before the courts. When he did he invariably got off scot-free or with a wrist-slap sentence. Widely suspected of being an informer, his victims bitterly dubbed him “The Teflon Kid”. Public outrage was reaching critical mass.

What could even HE want with an undertaker’s business? No cash was kept there. The market for cadavers was dead since medical science secured legitimate sources of research specimens.”

Listen to the full stories on the free Vision podcastYou can listen to the interviews with our winners and the full stories, read by professional talking book narrators, on the free Vision podcast at rnib.org.uk/visionmagazine or if you don’t have access to the internet, call Soulla Pourgourides on 020 7391 2243.

Listen to special programme on Insight RadioThere will be a special programme featuring the content of Vision’s podcast, on RNIB’s Insight Radio which is scheduled to broadcast at 3pm on 10 April. Check insightradio.co.uk for more information or listen on FreeView Channel 730.

Join a telephone book clubAnd if you enjoy reading, remember that you can join one of RNIB’s telephone book clubs for free as one of your member benefits. To find out about this and your other member benefits, contact the membership team on 0303 1234 555 or email membership@rnib.org.uk

Get involved: make sure you get your vote in the general election

The right to vote independently and in secret, is a cornerstone of democracy. We want to make sure elections in the UK are accessible to all blind and partially sighted people. Unfortunately many local authorities fail to make all the necessary accessible voting arrangements at polling stations.

How can you make sure you can vote independently and in secret?

Local authorities are legally required to ensure that the following things are in place. You can get involved to help us ensure that voting is accessible to you and other people with sight loss. Contact your local Electoral Officer (through your local council) and ask them what they plan to do to make sure that:

every polling station has the correct tactile voting templates and large print ballot papers.

staff know how to help voters in the correct use of the tactile voting templates and large print versions of the ballot papers.

the tactile voting templates correctly fit the ballot papers. the large print versions of the ballot paper are readily available

for voters to use, not just displayed as posters on the wall, which would be inaccessible to someone with partial sight.

Are you registered to vote?20 April: deadline to registerIf you're not already registered to vote, call your local council before 20 April and speak to someone in the elections office or register to vote online. Registering online is fairly quick and easy, however we believe the confirmation is then sent by letter in the post. So after registering online, it would also be a good idea to ring your local council election office and ask them to let you know what your preferred format is.

21 April: deadline to request a postal voteIf you’d like to request a postal vote, contact the local elections office before 21 April.

Contact the Campaigns teamIf you need any support contact the campaigns hotline on 020 7391 2123 or email campaign@rnib.org.uk

Get involved: join our campaign for accessible health informationLet’s ask 20,000 times for what we need!Are you sick of not being able to read your own health information? A new NHS information standard soon to start rolling out means there’s never been a better time to ask for your information in an accessible format.

Too many blind and partially sighted people are still missing out on vital health information about medical appointments and test results because they are not getting it in a format they can read.

What is the new NHS information standard?The NHS is introducing a new information standard which will cover health and local authority social care services, including rehabilitation services. The Care Quality Commission will carry out inspections which will include provision of accessible information

The new standard underpins the existing obligation under the Equality Act 2010 on service providers (including the NHS) to provide information in accessible formats.

The new standard sets out the following requirements for all NHS providers:

1. Ask you what format you need to receive information in2. Keep that information on your health record3. Make sure they provide your information in that format.

What do we need to do now?Tell your health service provider - GP, hospital and eye clinic - what format you need your information in. This June, NHS providers have to start putting the new standard into practice and they have a maximum of 12 months to do it. By May/June 2016 all NHS providers will have to meet the new rules. With the new standard coming in, it’s crucial your care providers have an official record of your information requirements.

Get involvedVisit rnib.org.uk/campaigning or call the campaigns team on 020 7391 2123.

Eye health: understanding cataractsMatthew Athey, RNIB’s Eye Health Information Service Manager, explains conditions and treatments.

What are cataracts?Cataracts are a very common condition where the lens of your eye, which is normally clear, becomes cloudy. A lens that has turned cloudy is said to have a cataract. The worse a cataract gets over time, the more misty your vision will get.

What are the main causes of cataracts?Getting older is the biggest cause.Other reasons include:

Diabetes Having an accident involving your eye or eye surgery for

other conditions Medications, such as steroids And other conditions, like retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

What are the main symptoms?Cataracts usually develop slowly. Most people notice that their sight is gradually becoming cloudier, so it’s a bit like looking through a frosted window. If you wear glasses, you might feel as though your lenses are dirty, even when they’re clean. You might have increasing difficulty seeing the edges of stairs, or reading small print, for example.

The other symptom that people may notice is a glare from bright light. So it may be difficult to see in bright sunlight. Or headlamps may dazzle if you’re driving at night. You may also notice a change in your colour vision - things might look more yellow.

Sometime these changes happen so slowly that you may not notice and only find out that you have a cataract when you go for an eye test.

What is the treatment for cataracts?The only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens implant. Cataract surgery is available free on the NHS.

Do you have to treat cataracts immediately?No, having a cataract won’t do any damage to your eye the longer you leave it there – it will just make your sight more and more cloudy as time goes on. So you should discuss with your optometrist the best time to have the surgery. Most people choose to have cataracts removed when the change in their vision starts to cause difficulties in their everyday life.

What’s the surgery like and how long does it take?Cataract surgery usually takes about 30 to 40 minutes and most people usually go home from hospital a few hours later. It’s usually done with a local anaesthetic, which means you are awake during the operation but you won’t feel any pain.

You’ll wear a patch over your eye for the first day and then cover your eye at night for a week. And you’d normally recover within a week.

Do you take any drops after surgery?Yes, after the surgery you are given two drops: an antibiotic and a steroid (anti inflammatory) drop. You have to take them both for around two weeks.

Is there anything you should avoid after surgery?For the first week to 10 days after surgery, you should avoid:

rubbing your eye swimming strenuous exercise contact sports and heavy lifting, wearing eye makeup.

You should also take extra care when it’s windy or dusty outside and when washing your hair. Getting soapy water in your eye isn’t a good idea!

What happens if you have cataracts in both eyes?Normally people would develop cataracts in both eyes. Sometimesone eye may be worse than the other. In this case, you’d have surgery on this eye first, then recover from that before having the other eye treated. It’s usually worth waiting until you’ve had both eyes treated before getting new glasses.

Can you drive if you’ve got cataracts?Yes, as long as your level of vision is within the legal driving limit, you should check this with your optometrist.

What do the Understanding series of brochures cover?Our Understanding series go into more detail about eye conditions and treatments. For example, Understanding Cataracts gives more detail about how your eye works, the operation itself and the recovery.

Find out more about cataracts and other eye conditionsYou can download the Understanding series at rnib.org.uk/resources or call the RNIB Helpline to request one in your preferred format on 0303 123 9999. See also the service directory at the end of the magazine.

You can also email or speak to one of the advisers from our Eye Health Information Service about any questions to do with eye health. Contact them via the RNIB Helpline or email eyehealth@rnib.org.uk

Know your rights: are you paying too much tax?

RNIB has a free and confidential tax advice service, supported by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), to help with tax-related issues.

How we can helpTax can be very confusing, we can help by providing a quick guide to tax and can advise you on the extra allowances you might be entitled to.

Over 17,000 people have received tax advice since the service started, and we’ve found £1.5 million in unclaimed tax allowances, tax credits and VAT exemptions for customers.

Personal allowanceFrom 6 April 2015 most people can earn up to £10,600 a year before paying any income tax. This is known as your Personal Allowance. Those born before 6 April 1938 receive a personal allowance of £10,660.

Blind person's allowanceThe Blind Person’s Allowance, £2,290 in 2015-16, is added to your tax-free personal allowance. If you are registered as blind you need to phone HMRC and ask for the Blind Person's Allowance – it’s not added automatically. You can backdate the allowance up to four tax years and transfer it to your spouse or civil partner from the date you were registered.

Married couple’s allowanceIf you’re married or a civil partner and one of you was born before 6 April 1935, you can claim Married Couple’s Allowance, which could reduce your tax bill by up to £835.50 a year, depending upon the amount of tax you pay.

New marriage allowance – a tax break for married couples and civil partnersFrom 6 April 2015, a spouse or civil partner who pays no income tax can apply to transfer £1,060 of their unused personal allowance to their spouse/civil partner. This would reduce their tax bill by £212. It will only apply to basic rate taxpayers born after 5 April 1935.

Tax on savings incomeBanks and building societies will usually deduct tax from your savings interest, unless the money is in a tax-free ISA. The rules are complex, but from April 2015, if your taxable income is less than £15,600 you can complete an R85 form to get the interest paid gross and you may qualify for a tax rebate.

Call RNIB and try our benefits calculatorRNIB has a special arrangement in place with HMRC to support blind and partially sighted people with tax issues and to help resolve problems. Call RNIB on 0845 330 4897 or 0151 702 5721 or visit rnib.org.uk/tax

Use our online benefits calculator to check which benefits you are entitled to at rnib.entitledto.co.uk

Technology: preview of new Apple Watch

Robin Spinks, Senior Manager for RNIB Digital Accessibility Consultancy, previews the new Apple Watch expected to launch this month.

What is a smart watch?A device to be worn on your wrist like a traditional wristwatch but it effectively functions in similar ways to a smart phone. A number of companies have launched smart watches and Apple is due to launch its new watch in the UK this April.

Do you have to have an iPhone to use an Apple Watch?The Apple Watch is designed to be a companion device for someone with an iPhone or an iPad, rather than a standalone device.

How big are they? There will be a choice of sizes and styles with a 38mm and a 42mm face.

Why would you have one?Opinion is divided about this: some people think you just need a phone and that this is just another way for Apple to make money. But the idea is that having a device on your wrist, as opposed to in your pocket, will allow you to have a more personal style of interaction.

Another view is that if you have a phone in your pocket there might be certain things you want to do without taking it out. For example, if you were being given directions by your phone to try to find a street, cafe or a meeting place for example. Your watch would be able to give you spoken directions more discreetly as you would be wearing it rather than holding it in your hand.

Could the Apple Watch be useful for blind and partially sighted people?The Apple Watch will include VoiceOver and Zoom capability but we haven't at the time of writing, had the opportunity to test the final version.

The Apple Watch contains a piece of technology called the Taptic Engine which produces haptic feedback - so the back of the watch will pulsate onto your skin. This could mean that you might be able to have an application that delivers left or right signals to you or tells you to continue going straight on, simply by delivering a vibration at the back of the watch.

How will you operate the watch?It will have a touch screen but remember that the actual screen will be very small as it’s a watch.

The key control mechanism is something Apple is calling the “digital crown”. Essentially it’s like the crown on a traditional watch which you would pull out and rotate it in order to change the time. The digital crown will allow you to scroll through applications on the watch and also to perform other functions.

Find out more about technologyYou can watch a video and find out more about the Apple Watch at apple.com

Visit rnib.org.uk/technology for information and advice on accessible technology and sign up for regular updates.

Our Technology Support Squad volunteers can help you set up new equipment, fix problems and help you use technology and gadgets. Contact them via the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email technologysquad@rnib.org.uk.Listen to this interview on the free Vision podcastYou can listen to Robin Spinks speaking to Clare Conley, Managing Editor of Vision, about the Apple Watch on the free Vision podcast at rnib.org.uk/visionmagazine

Lifestyle: audio book review of My Brief History by Stephen HawkingVidar Hjardeng, RNIB Trustee and Diversity Consultant for ITV News, reviews My Brief History, a memoir by Stephen Hawking.

Since Eddie Redmayne won the Oscar for his role as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything, I’ve been interested in the life of the eminent scientist. I then happened to come across this autobiography of Hawking, who was a mathematics professor at Cambridge for 30 years, which was published a couple of years

ago. Actually, I also wondered if the memoir was the book that the film was based on, but in fact the film was based on an account written by Hawkings’ first wife, Jane.

My Brief History makes interesting listening though, if you are interested in Hawking’s life from his own perspective. It’s about Hawking’s own personal cosmos, from his boyhood in London, working through university life, academia and including the moment when he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease aged 21. It came across as an intimate and candid listen. There was also a personal touch with Hawking himself introducing each chapter and then Matthew Brenher reads the rest. I found this effective.

Read My Brief History My Brief History, narrated by Matthew Brenher, is published by Random House and available on CD or as a digital download. Visit randomhouse.co.uk for more information or order it from your local bookseller.

Read other titles from RNIBPlease note that My Brief History is not currently available from RNIB but if you’re interested in reading other titles by Stephen Hawking, we do have others available including A Brief History of Time, A Briefer History of Time, and The Universe in a Nutshell.

Contact the RNIB Helpline on 030 31239 999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk for more information.

Lifestyle: shop online with RNIB

We are launching our new RNIB online shop in April. You can browse, find out more and buy products and publications online.

We have taken your feedback into account to make a number of improvements to the new online shop. These improvements include:

1. It’s easier to manage your VATMany of our products have been specially designed which means blind and partially sighted people, or anyone buying on their behalf, will not pay VAT on these products.

The new online shop has a simpler process to declare your VAT eligibility at time of ordering. This accessible ‘tick’ box then recalculates the price to pay at checkout to ensure you pay the right price first time - no more requests for VAT refunds.

2. Read product reviews and add your ownYou will be able to read other people’s product reviews and add your own. This is so important for many of us buying online, as it helps us make a better decision on the right product for us. So, next time you buy, remember to leave a review to help others.

3. Get a more personalised experienceYou will also get a more personalised experience on the new RNIB online shop. You will be able to get information on related products that other customers bought or looked at. This can save you time when considering accessories or supporting products. And you can add your preferred format for the product instructions at the same time as buying.

Shop online or contact the RNIB Helpline

Our online shop will feature new product launches, seasonal shopping and more to choose from. Visit today at rnib.org.uk/shop.

Of if you don’t have access to the internet, you can call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 for assistance with choosing and buying products.

Lifestyle: recipe for American-style blueberry pancakesDo you fancy pancakes for brunch or dessert? Then read on! Please note this recipe uses a calorie-free sweetener called Truvia

and if you prefer an alternative sweetener, you’ll need to check the guidelines for use as quantities may vary. This recipe comes from Diabetes UK and you can find this and other diabetic-friendly recipes at diabetes.org.uk

Ingredients for 4 servings: 3 eggs, separated

115g (4.05 oz) plain flour

1 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon of Truvia

150ml (1/4 pint) semi-skimmed milk

zest of 1 orange

juice of ½ an orange

pinch of salt

150g (5 ¼ ounces) fresh blueberries

a little oil, for cooking

fat-free Greek yogurt, to serve (optional)

Instructions:1.Place the egg yolks, flour, baking powder, Truvia, milk, orange zest and juice into a bowl and mix into a smooth batter.

2.Put the egg whites and salt into a clean, grease-free bowl and whisk into stiff peaks. Fold the egg whites into the egg yolk mixture. Lightly crush most of the blueberries with the back of a fork, keeping a few back for serving. Fold the crushed blueberries into the batter.

3.Heat a heavy-based frying pan or griddle and add a little drizzle of oil. When hot, add a ladle of batter, cook until the top of the pancake begins to bubble, then turn it over and cook until both sides are golden brown. Repeat until all the batter is used up.

4.Serve stacked with the remaining blueberries and a dollop of fat-free Greek yogurt.

Your letters and tipsVision star letterDrawing with my heart

I have recently published a book of 60 cartoons about love in all its guises, called Love Bites! I’m 85 now and was a professional cartoonist for more than 50 years but stopped drawing for 10 years when my sight deteriorated – I was registered blind in 2001.

I started drawing when I was evacuated during the war to a farm, which was owned by a wealthy major. I used to make drawings of the farmyard and the major spotted that I had a talent and kindly paid for art lessons. Later on, I went to art school at Saint Martin’s and managed to go to night school to carry on when I was conscripted into the army for a couple of years. I was then a freelance cartoonist for my career.

However, after being registered blind in 2001, I didn’t do any drawing for 10 years because of depression. But then I went to Blind Veterans UK, which used to be called St Dunstan’s, and they encouraged me to start up again. They showed me all different sorts of things to do and all sorts of mechanical aids and help.

I then had the idea for this book, Love Bites. Working on the book, getting close to it and putting my other glasses on, I was in a different world. All you’ve got to do is keep your spirits up somehow – and drawing helps to keep mine up. My wife says I draw with my heart and with the help of angels. It’s quite true: I put a lot of feeling in the drawings.

Fred Jefferies, Hertfordshire

Get a copy of Love Bites

Fred’s book of illustrations, Love Bites, is available in A4 hardback for £9.99 from all good bookstores or Amazon. For more information call Graham Robson, Marketing and Publicity Assistant at Book Guild Publishing on 01273 72 09 00 or email graham@bookguild.co.uk

Get in touch with Blind Veterans UKBlind Veterans UK provides a range of free services for ex-Service men and women – you don’t have to have lost your sight while you were serving. Find out more by visiting blindveterans.org.uk or call 020 7723 5021.

Star letter prizeFor his star letter prize, Fred wins one of our new and improved PenFriend audio labellers.

The star letter prize for June/July Vision is 25 per cent off any product from RNIB’s shop. Visit rnib.org.uk/shop or call 0303 123 9999.

Golf has helped me to believe in myself

Have you thought about playing golf? Joining a golf society and finding that I have a talent for golf has given me the confidence to just believe in myself. It was also a chance to meet people similar to myself and to become more confident in meeting new people. It’s helped me to realise that although I have sight loss, it doesn’t have to stop me from doing other things in my life.

I’m 28 now and have some vision in my right eye. I first heard about blind golf from a social worker who used to visit me when I was at school..I joined the Scottish Blind Golf Society when I was 15 years old and now I’m captain of the society.

Blind golf works with a caddy – you go with a sighted guide and depending on your level of vision, you have assistance with lining up to make your swing and to take your shot. The guide will then tell you where the ball’s gone and they will guide you to where it’s landed.

We’re looking for blind and partially sighted golfers - particularly more women and young people - to join us at the Scottish Blind Golf Society. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first time playing golf or if you’ve played golf for years. We’re setting up a coaching programme this year so that everyone has an opportunity to get better, no matter what level they play at.

Cameron McDiarmid, Edinburgh

Fancy a round of golf?

For UK-wide information on golf and other sports for people with sight loss, visit britishblindsport.org.uk or call 01926 42 42 47.

If you’re in Scotland, you can contact The Scottish Blind Golf Society at scottishblindgolf.com or call Robin Clayden on 01383 73 77 17 – they organise golf across Scotland, in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fife and the Grampions and the keener members compete around the UK and overseas. You can also contact The Scottish Blind Golf Society at scottishblindgolf.com

Benefits of a CEA cinema cardI decided to get a Cinema Exhibitors’ Association (CEA) card after reading a letter in Vision a while ago. The CEA card means that you can take a companion with you for free – you buy a full price ticket but most people would go Dutch.

A friend got me the form from the cinema. I sent a cheque and a recent passport photograph of myself to the address given and they sent back a little card, the size of a bank card, with my photograph on the front and the date of expiry – it lasts for 12 months. I also wanted to let other members that the price has gone up a little recently, so it’s now £6 for an annual card.

It means you can keep up to date with films, which appear to have been quite good recently.Jean Appleton, London

Get your own CEA cardTo apply for an annual cinema card visit ceacard.co.ukCall 023 9224 8545 Or post a form with cheque to CEA Card, PO Box Waterlooville, P07 6ZN and as Jean mentioned it costs £6.

Waitrose: a great help

I heard that people with sight loss often have negative experiences with retail outlets so I wanted to report my good experience at supermarket, Waitrose.

Just before Christmas I needed to stock up on shopping, so I called my local Waitrose branch the day before I intended to go and asked for assistance. I lost my sight when I was a child in a car accident - I now use a white cane, so need assistance with things like shopping.

When I turned up at the helpdesk the next morning, I could tell that there were some staffing issues, as they were so busy with it being so close to Christmas. Nevertheless, an assistant came to me very quickly, and off we went on our shopping trip. I had two or three different assistants along the way but they were all really helpful, and gave me all the information I needed: special offers and use by dates and so on.

When I finished my shopping, we found that the tills had crashed! But again they sorted things out. I’ve been back to the shop since Christmas and the service has always been good.Monty Clode, Torquay

Tips for shoppingYou can find some more tips for shopping in our Confident Living Guide to Shopping – the Confident Living series is available from rnib.org.uk/resources or by calling the Helpline on 0303 123 9999.

Your community: member news

You are invited to RNIB’s 2015 AGM

You are invited to attend RNIB's Annual General Meeting (AGM). It will take place on 23 July 2015 in Birmingham.

The AGM gives members an opportunity to ask the Trustees and management team questions about RNIB’s annual report and accounts for 2014/15 and also about RNIB’s work generally. All members of RNIB are entitled to attend.

The AGM takes place at 10.30am in the Aston Business School, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET. If you would like to attend, please contact Angela Flanagan on 020 7391 2359 or email governance@rnib.org.uk. Please note that you need to confirm if you would like to go, by 2 July 2015.

Connect with other members in your new online areaWe’re excited to launch Your Vision Community, our new exclusive online area for members of RNIB this spring.

In your new members online area you will be able to:

Listen to and read current and popular Vision magazine content

Get updates on local news and events Connect with your member representatives Contribute to and post on discussion boards and polls.

This spring, we’ll send you an invitation with a step by step guide of how to join Your Vision Community.

Do you need support to visit your online community?

If you’d like support to enable you to visit Your Vision Community online, contact our Technology Support Squad on 0303 123 9999 or email technologysquad@rnib.org.uk

Do you need to update your email address or contact details?

If you need to update your membership contact details to provide a new email, postal address or to change the way you’d like to be contacted, call your membership team on 0303 1234 555 or email membership@rnib.org.uk

Trying out new ideas for your forumsWe’re currently trialling some new events and ideas for your forums as part of our plans to develop a larger community of members. We’ll be rearranging new dates and events in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North West of England. So if

you live in those areas, we’ll be sending you invitations soon – do look out for them. Dates for forums in other areas will stay the same.

If you would like to find out more about your member forums, please contact your membership team on 0303 1234 555.

AdvertisementsPlease remember that advertisements are placed by organisations independent of RNIB and their inclusion does not mean that RNIB has endorsed the products and services they offer.

OptelecNew Compact Plus HD£325 + VAT

Reading comfortably againThe Compact Plus HD is the latest high definition handheld video magnifier from Optelec designed to improve your reading experience. It helps you to continue to read, and ensures that you remain independent.

The Compact Plus HD is available to purchase on a 14 day money back guarantee. Call Freephone 080 8090 8090or buy online: optelec.co.uk

Sight and Sound TechnologyDesigned for your lifestyleIntuitive and fully-featured video magnifier provides brilliant image quality in a compact and portable design!

Enjoy freedom and independenceDiscover the freedom of independently reading and viewing the details that matter... in the home, office, classroom or on the go.

Features Lightweight and foldable Easy to use, bright controls Customisable high-contrast colours Save to SD card PC Connectivity

Learn more about getting back to the things that matter most.

Call 01604 798070 to arrange a FREE no-obligation home demonstration

Starting from £1,595

For more information: call 01604 798070 quoting ref: VISQ215

Email info@sightandsound.co.uk

Now you can buy online at sightandsound.co.uk

Sight and sound: making life clearer

Humanware: See things. DifferentlyProdigi DesktopThe clever new Prodigi will simply amaze you. Exciting modern technology at one tap of your finger with magnification and speech.

Simple – smart – affordableReading with Prodigi is so easy, comfortable and enjoyable

Prodigi is so smart, it displays scrolling text for you to read. Alternatively you can choose to listen whilst Prodigi reads it for you.

Prodigi is so affordable and you can choose from three different versions: Desktop, Duo and Tablet. Prices start from £895.

Diamond Edge Technology provides unbelievably sharp, clear text. Call us today to test drive a Prodigi and see the difference for yourself

Speak with Jessica, Charlotte or Maria on 01933 415800 to arrange your free demonstration.

humanware.com/prodigi

Service directoryYour Vision magazineSend a letter Post a letter to Vision magazine at RNIB, 105 Judd Street, London, WC1H 9NE or email: visionmagazine@rnib.org.uk or telephone the Vision messageline on 0845 330 4134.

Listen to the free Vision podcast Or find out more about Vision at rnib.org.uk/visionmagazine

Try another version of Vision If you need to change your contact details or to receive Vision in a different format – it’s available in large print (16 point), braille, CD or Daisy CD and email, please contact the membership team.

To advertise in Vision: Contact Landmark Publishing on 020 7520 9474 or email sharon@lps.co.uk

Dates for your diary: Member forums in 2015East of England: 18 April, 7 July and 8 DecemberEast Midlands: 21 August and 31 OctoberLondon A: 3 June and 27 OctoberLondon B: 11 April, 1 July and 26 NovemberNorth East: 9 April, 8 August and 18 DecemberSouth East: 8 May and 5 September South West: 13 June and 1 October West Midlands: 30 May and 11 September Yorkshire and the Humber: 16 May and 20 October

Contact RNIBThe membership team is on 0303 1234 555, email membership@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/membership

Helpline Get eye health information, emotional support, benefits advice and product information. Call 0303 123 9999, email helpline@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/ask Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.45am – 5.30pm and calls cost no more than a standard rate call to an 01 or 02 number.

FundraisingFind out how you can support our work. Call 0845 345 0054email fundraising@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/donate

VolunteeringGive a little time, make a big difference. Call 0845 603 0575, email volunteering@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/volunteering

CampaigningCampaign on the issues that matter to you. Call 020 7391 2123, email campaign@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/campaigning

Free guidesYou can download guides at rnib.org.uk/resources or orderthem in your preferred format free of charge. Call the Helplineon 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk

The Understanding series is for people who want to understand more about their eye condition. Titles in this series include: CataractsCharles Bonnet syndromeDry eyeEye conditions related to diabetesGlaucomaNystagmusPosterior vitreous detachment

Retinal detachmentRetinitis pigmentosa.

The Starting Out seriesis for people who have recently been diagnosed with an eye condition. Titles in the series include: Benefits, concessions and registrationEducationEmotional supportHelp from social servicesHousingMaking the most of your sight.

The Confident Living series is for people who want to make the most of living with sight loss. Titles in the series include: LeisureLiving SafelyManaging your moneyReadingShoppingTechnologyTravel.

Copyright RNIB April 2015.

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