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Cordial greetings and welcome to T A F N, a UK based charity and online network of blind & visually impaired people and their partners, who communicate from home via internet voice conferencing.
TAFN Press Room 2010!
Featuring TAFN Publicity and Members in the News, in date order through the year.
Contents
- 1) In January 2010 TAFN featured on Infosound Magazine, in an interview with Richard Wilkin.
- 2) In February 2010 TAFN became an official partner in the Microsoft Britain Works NGO partner programme.
- 3) In April 2010 blind couple Trevor and Melanie, who are getting married in July, featured in The Trimdon Times, and other publications
- 4) In May 2010 Trevor Franklin featured in UK National Newspaper, The Daily Telegraph
- 5) In July 2010 the second TAFN CAMEO Weekend took place and was a huge success.
- 6) Trevor and Melanie Scott got married in July 2010. Congratulations!
- 7) In September 2010, Lillian Stubbs from Bolton got TAFN mentioned in her local society for the blind's newsletter.
- 8) Also in September 2010, Ian White from Devon did an abseil to raise awareness for local disability group "ACE".
- 9) In October 2010, TAFN member Paul Johnson featured in a press article, "Blind Swansea actor's first role is a drag"
- 10) In November 2010, TAFN will be exhibiting at Sight Village London.
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1) In January 2010 TAFN featured in an interview on InfoSound magazine, with Rowland Myers.
The interview was with TAFN Trustee Richard Wilkin.
Listen to the Infosound interview in M3U format
Download the Infosound interview in MP3 format
InfoSound is a first class audio magazine that brings free, accessible, impartial and relevant information to blind and partially- sighted people across the UK.
Visit the InfoSound website, to find out more about it
2) In February 2010 TAFN became an official partner in the Microsoft Britain Works NGO partner programme.
This means we will be now adding Microsoft Curriculum computer skills training to all of our members, in addition to our existing EDCC training. Enquire about TAFN Computer Training by email
3) Blind couple plan to get married!
In April 2010 blind couple Trevor and Melanie (who are both TAFN members) featured in numerous publications because they are getting married soon. Congratulations to the happy couple! From all your friends at TAFN.
- Read the Trimdon Times article, from April 2010, entitled "A blind date with a difference"
- Read "Love wins through for blind couple", from the Hartlepool Mail
- Listen to the audio from a Tyne Tees Television report, about the happy couple
Apart from the above Trevor and Melanie's story was featured in The Northern Echo, and "Take a Break" magazine.
4) 'If you go blind at 60, they're not interested'
On 19th May 2010 Trevor Franklin featured in UK National Newspaper, The Daily Telegraph, with an article of the above title. This does a fantastic job of opening peoples' eyes to the lack of support for older blind people in the UK.
Read the article at The Daily Telegraph
5) Blind people know how to enjoy themselves too!
In July 2010 TAFN held it's second ever CAMEO Weekend, at a hotel in Sheffield. The weekend was a huge success.
Around 60 blind people attended this weekend at once, and TAFN would like to officially thank the staff of the Hilton Hotel Sheffield for their first class service and facilities. Please enquire about TAFN CAMEO weekends via this link
6) Congratulations to Trevor and Melanie Scott!
In July 2010 Trevor and Melanie Scott got married. They are both blind and this featured in an extensive range of press publications.
Here are some of the press links, with publication names and dates:-
- "Blind Sweethearts Tie The Knot", Hartlepool Mail, 20/7/10
- "Blind newlyweds hope to inspire others", Northern Echo, 20/7/10
- "Blind couple marry after meeting on dating site", Metro, 21/7/10
- "Blind Couple Marry" (Video report), Tyne Tees TV, 17/7/10
Congratulations to Trevor and Melanie! From all your friends at T A F N.
Follow this link to see our dedicated described gallery, of photo's from the wedding.
7) In September 2010, Lillian Stubbs from Bolton got TAFN mentioned in her local society for the blind's newsletter.
She forwarded the text to us and here is a copy of the information she sent:-
"TAFN (The Accessible Friends Network) is a UK user lead voluntary group who use email, the Internet, voice conferencing and other resources to improve the quality of life for blind and visually impaired people and their partners, by networking.
This is what one of our members, Lillian Stubbs, had to say about TAFN:
"TAFN enables me to talk to people all over the world via my computer. I'm able to learn how to use my computer, to play word games and much more. When I heard TAFN described as a word conferencing service I didn't want to know. It sounded far too complicated. However, I soon found it wasn't and isn't complicated to use at all. The members of TAFN make you feel so very welcome. It's wonderful chatting to people who have the same problems as yourself. Everyone is in the same boat. People don't dwell on their problems, we all just try to to on with life. I really enjoy the computer tutorials on a Thursday evening. From complete beginners to real techy people, there is room for everyone. No one is ever made to sound like a fool. There is even a cookery page on the TAFN website. It's really handy. The lady who constructs the cookery page is totally blind herself. Any questions Sue, the lady who runs the page, is only too happy to answer them. I enjoy being a member of TAFN, I've made lots of new friends. I get such a buzz when I'm in a room talking to people from America, Ireland, Newcastle, Australia and goodness knows where else. Another favourite of mine is the snip its. This is where two sighted ladies read articles from newspapers and magazines. There is normally also a recipe.
I have only mentioned a couple of events that are on TAFN. There is an event on every day of the week. Most days there is more than one event. A lot of the members get together and play music. Please ring the TAFN Helpline on 0845 838 2369 (local rate) if you would like more information. Volunteers will be pleased to meet and assist you."
8) In September 2010 TAFN member Ian White from Devon, who is blind, did an abseil down Berry Head to raise funds and awareness of local disability support group Brixham ACE, of which he is the secretary.
Read the press release about the event on the South Devon college website
Visit the Brixham ACE website for further information
9) In October 2010, TAFN member Paul Johnson featured in a Welsh press article entitled "Blind Swansea actor's first role is a drag":-
Extract of the article, from This is South Wales, published on Friday 15th October:-
"Blind Swansea actor's first role is a drag"
"IT can be a pretty tough task for any actor learning their
lines for a play. But for one Swansea thespian the challenge
has been more demanding, as his script has been learnt through braille.
Paul Johnson, who has been blind since birth, will perform
his debut acting role when he plays a newly-wed woman in The Legend
of the Pontlliw Werewolf. The 34-year-old said he was a little apprehensive
about taking part in the play at first, as he has never done any
acting before."
Click
here to read the full article
10) We are pleased to announce that TAFN (The Accessible Friends Network), will be exhibiting at Sight Village London. Please watch this space as we will be updating the details of this exciting event soon.
IN the meantime, visit the main Sight Village London website or visit the Describe Online guide to Sight Village London .
Sight Village London 2010 is southern England's largest assistive technology event and is on 2nd & 3rd November 2010.
Our previous members in the news pages, have now been split up to a separate page for each year. Select a link below to read some of TAFN's past publicity:-
2009 TAFN Press Room
2008 TAFN Press
Room
2007 TAFN Prees Room
2006
TAFN Press Room
2005 and earlier TAFN
Press Room
