Lobbying vs self-help

[Louise Pembroke]

well I was thinking the starting point would be to talk to the RNIB and point out the problems with the badges avaibale from the local teams and the problems with their suggested symbol stick and ask whether they might consider a new design [if they make them and supply them to local teams] and take it from there.
I think, size, luminous background colour, the symbol with reduced vision in words underneath it too would make it really easy for others to see or us to point to.
Then of course educating the local teams and maybe something could be sent to all councils I dunno but that's my thinking so far

[Anne B]

How much do the RNIB know about KC?
Maybe we should put together a list of situations where a person with KC could use a badge, along with a intoduction to our condition.

Anne

[Sweet]

Hey Anne!

That is a good idea! I think that they know quite a bit about KC but not from our point of view! They now have us listed on their eye conditions page on their website.

Sweet X x X

[Louise Pembroke]

Anne I like your idea that's good, get writing on that!

Here are mine;

When I've had to take my lens out I can't then see labels, bus numbers, tube indicators. Without my lens I have to ask for help with navigating, walking down steps in somewhere dark like a cinema, shopping, reading, writing in the correct place, food/board menus.

I find it hard to judge distance and can get in the way of people coming towards me very fast especially on skateboards/bikes.

Light, can sometimes be blinding, walking down a whole road with my eyes half shut worrying I will walk into someone

At the same time I find it hard sometimes to ask for assistance because I'm not obviously visually impaired [dog/stick/disfigured eyes]. When I have to ask for help I feel obliged to explain as I get worried others won't believe me [this happened to me as a teenager]. If I could just whip out the badge [only when I need to], pin it on and take it off again that would make me feel safer during those times and make it easier for me to ask for asistance. The symbol would be recognised and even the term underneath it would spell it out, the bright background colour would make it visible, and I could even point to it if required.

[Pat A]

A badge would be useful in the work environment too - I frequently visited different offices - and ended up in the "gents" more than once when told that the ladies is "over there" or " down the corridor". Can't find my hotel room 'cos I can't read the numbers on the doors (or the key!). And hotel room lighting - they have special rooms for the physically impaired...but not for the visually impaired. I've scalded my self on hot taps - and had cold showers too! Just a recognition that we may need a little help and someone to make sure eveything is OK would help - the badge would make that so much easier.

[Louise Pembroke]

Thanks Pat good examples, can anyone else offer more?

[Louise Pembroke]

Is the KC group a charity, or are there any intentions to get charity status? This would open more funding doors?

Also; http://www.aaabadgesofquality.co.uk/charities.htm

Anne, I've made up a paper prototype, lets contact the RNIB after Jan 1st.
Vic is going draw it on her PC and post it in due course too

[John Smith]

Hi Louise,

Yes, we are indeed a charity. You're certainly right that the charitable status helps with funding!

[Anne B]

Excellent. Looking forward to the challange ahead

Anne

[Vic]

OK, so here's a rough idea of the design that Lou had in mind - my Paint skills are not all that advanced and one of you techie computer people could probably make it look better



The idea was for the background to be fluorescent yellow (fluorescein colour, heehee) but I couldn't work out how to do that on the computer. And there were a few different ideas for the wording. The badge would be about 2 inches in diameter.