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The Newsletter of COTIS
The Confederation of Transcribed Information Services
To promote the provision of information in alternative formats to print
Editor - Linda Pearce, Email:
ontrack@cotis.org.uk .
Project Office, 67 High Street, Tarporley, Cheshire, CW6 ODP. Tel: 01829-733351
(Answerphone)
Reg Charity No: 299024 © Issue 37 - January 2001
Happy 2001!
The start of the new year is a busy one for COTIS as we had to postpone the AGM until 23 January. The difficulties of rail travel forced people to withdraw from attendance. This meant we would not have a quorum so would not be able to take any decisions. The minutes and new committee details, therefore, will be published later and not in this issue of On Track as is usual.
COTIS, founded in 1986 as `The Confederation of Tape Information Services' in order to promote the production of the printed word on to tape, had become aware via the activities of its membership, that tape is no longer the primary vehicle used to transmit information in a form other than print.
Many of our members, users and producers alike, receive and produce braille, large print, tape, as well as a range of electronic material.
As the market place expands, mainly as a result of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), the network of those involved has grown and continues to grow in line with technology. The means of keeping users and producers in touch with these developments is, to say the least, fragmented.
COTIS, in responding to the market place, has opted to change its name to - The Confederation of Transcribed Information Services - reflecting more accurately what its members do and use.
As an umbrella organisation whose members are also affiliated to other format groups like the United Kingdom Association of Braille Producers (UKABP) we are the link to Accessible Information formats.
We are not a Transcription Service that provides material in braille, large print or on tape. Our role is to promote standards of information provision and to put organisations and individuals in touch with each other in order to achieve a common end - access to information as a right in whatever format is appropriate.
Somewhere there has to be a benefit, whether personally or commercially. Our membership covers every sector of information provision, from user, transcription organisations to service providers, so we should all be singing the same tune.
Benefits to the Individual
The opportunity to influence the provision of material.
Direct link to producers.
An awareness of the latest legal requirements.
Direct advice line to Project Office.
The chance to air views through the pages of On Track.
Benefits to Transcription Agencies
A shop window for your services.
Direct links to users.
Guidelines to producing material.
Recognition via a quality accreditation scheme.
Benefits to Service Providers
Direct links to accredited providers.
Guidance on commissioning accessible information.
Direct user feedback.
Any organisation is only as good as the sum of its members in whatever role we see ourselves. Together we all can affect a change to improve the provision and quality of how information is received.
Perhaps the question should read `What can I do?'. The answer is simple: become and remain an active member of COTIS. QED.
Don't delay! If you haven't already done so, send in your subscriptions before the end of February for the year 1 September 2000 to 31 August 2001, so you will not lose the benefits of membership. The rates are still £12 for group membership and £6 for individuals.
by Glenn Critchley, Postgraduate Student, University College Chester.
I have been invited by Colin Antwis to give a brief introduction to myself and my recent involvement with COTIS.
Without going too far back, I graduated in 1987 with an honours degree in Applied Chemistry from what is now De Montfort University, but in my day known as Leicester Polytechnic. Over the next 12 years I worked in the scientific industry in a variety of roles. Initially, I synthesised potential drugs for a pharmaceutical company in Oxford. I then moved north, and became an Analytical Chemist at the Science Park in Manchester. After four years I was suitably experienced to become an Applications Chemist for a scientific instrument manufacturer. In this role I demonstrated products to potential customers, provided training and customer support as well as contributing to and attending scientific meetings. The job had a truly international flavour and enabled me to travel extensively overseas. I met and worked with many talented people from the scientific world. Five years later, I was promoted to Laboratory Manager, a position which was challenging and rewarding.
However, I then undertook a major career re-appraisal and elected to study for an MSc in Information Systems at University College Chester. I was fortunate to be able to start the course on a full time basis in May of last year. The course is modular in nature, and each module is concluded with an assessed assignment.
So, what is an Information System? A modern definition is: a complex interaction between people, computer hardware and software, which accepts incoming data or information that is processed, generating output of new information and knowledge. Often the terms Information System (IS) and Information Technology (IT) are confused or used interchangeably. This is incorrect. Whereas IT refers specifically to hardware and software of computer systems, an IS includes not only IT but also encompasses the interaction of people with computer hardware and software.
Enough of that for now, except to say that so far on the course, we have delved into ethical and legal issues surrounding Information Systems, as well as alignment of Information Systems with organisational strategy. We also had the opportunity of developing a web site on a subject of our choice, in which I explored the nature of accessible web sites to be inclusive of people, despite any temporary or permanent impairment or disability. See [Invalid link].
It was this interest and my involvement with RNIB, as a volunteer reader at the RNIB Regional Transcription Centre, Northwest, that acquainted me with the activities of COTIS and their recent name change from Tape Information to Transcribed Information. I was invited to undertake the re-development of the COTIS web site, which is intended to reflect the new role of the organisation. For expediency I have tentatively started the ball rolling by updating the content on the existing web site.
I would welcome all feedback to my email address posted at the foot of each page. I have also managed to incorporate the longer-term work into my MSc studies by undertaking a feasibility study of the proposed web site project as an assignment for the Systems Analysis and Design Module. To turn the web site into reality I have also written a project proposal, which recommends that the web site be produced as one of the objectives of my MSc dissertation. I hope to present a summary of these two reports at the forthcoming AGM. Naturally, I welcome all feedback from COTIS members (and, not least, from the examiners at University College Chester!). The dissertation itself has to be an original piece of Information System research and is a compulsory part of the MSc. It is also intended that the experience gained from the dissertation will be documented and form the basis of a COTIS guideline on how to develop an `inclusive' web site that truly reflects an organisation's core values and culture. This is clearly a learning experience for me as well as COTIS, as it explores the far-reaching implications of its new name.
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking Mandy White, Sheila Jones, John Proudler and Colin Antwis for their time, enthusiasm, co-operation and encouragement and to wish all fellow COTIS members a very Happy New Year!
Contact:
Glenn Critchley, Postgraduate Student, Information Systems MSc, University
College Chester. Email:glenn.critchley@bcs.org.uk
Our AGM, scheduled for 18 November 2000, had to be postponed due to insufficient numbers to be quorate.
The rescheduled date of 23 January 2001 in the RNIB Armitage Hall starting at 1.30 pm was circulated to you all in a separate mailing. We hope that the new date will have allowed a few more people to attend, especially if the problems of rail travel have eased.
Also, in an effort to remove the barriers that stand in the way of members attending meetings, in particular the AGM, we have made representations to the Charity Commission to allow us to use a teleconference link to members across the UK.
If this is permitted, members will need only to register their preferred telephone number in order to attend future AGMs. To take part, instead of giving up half a day or even a whole day to attend, we will only need to allow one or two hours. Teleconferences should make life safer and also incur less cost, both in time and money.
Watch this space!
The National Museums of Scotland, or NMS, are working towards providing a more accessible service for visually impaired visitors. For this reason NMS is producing its two-monthly current events leaflet, `Highlight', in a range of alternative formats - in large print, braille, on tape and computer disc as well as in standard print.
The National Museums of Scotland include the Royal Museum in Edinburgh, with its international collections of decorative art, science and technology, and the natural world. Next door the new Museum of Scotland uses the Scottish collections to tell the story of Scotland from its geological beginning to the present day. Then there are the newly refurbished National War Museum of Scotland at Edinburgh Castle and the Granton Research Centre, also in Edinburgh. Beyond Edinburgh are the Museum of Flight in East Lothian, Shambellie House Museum of Costume near Dumfries and The Piping Centre in Glasgow. In 2001 the Museum of Scottish Country Life will open at Wester Kittochside, near East Kilbride.
As well as exhibitions at these museums there are, at various times of the year, talks, tours, open days, handling sessions, art and craft workshops, plays, concerts - and even flying displays! The NMS is looking at ways of making some of these events more accessible to people with visual impairment.
If you would like to be put on the mailing list for receiving a copy of `Highlight', please give your name and address to Christine Thompson, Education and Access Liaison Officer, National Museums of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF;Data protection: any personal details that you supply in response to this invitation will be used solely for sending you your copy of `Highlight' in your preferred format. Your details will not be made available to any third party.
Presentation cases - free to good home!
Available: 40 presentation cases, A4 size. They will take an A4 booklet and 4 cassettes. If you are interested, in the first instance please telephone Linda Pearce on 01733-375051 or email: lpearce@rnib.org.uk .
The Graff Induction Loop
The MiniLoop® is aimed at the individual with hearing difficulties. The
hearing aid wearer switches their hearing aid to the `T' position, which
connects to the Telecoil (a small loop of wire in the hearing aid). This
receives magnetic signals from the MiniLoopR for the hearing aid to convert to
sound of a better quality than that from the microphone in the hearing aid. The
MiniLoopR provides privacy without the need to shout. It also helps any
organisation comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, which requires
provision of facilities for hard of hearing people to have the same service as
people without hearing difficulties.
For further details, telephone Graff on 01636-893036 or email:
sales@graffelectronics.co.uk.
by Linda Pearce, Editor
On Track brings to your attention details about equipment, materials and services that COTIS feels will be of interest to you. Please note that this is for your information only. COTIS is not endorsing them or making any recommendations. Equally, reviews are personal comments by the writers of the articles.
Please remember - if you would like to submit an article or send details of
any forthcoming events which may be of interest to COTIS members, the latest
dates by which material should reach the editor are:
18 September for October's issue,
6 January for January's issue and
1 May for May's issue.
© Written permission to use any On Track article or other COTIS
material to be obtained from
The COTIS Secretary, Project Office, 67 High Street, Tarporley,
Cheshire, CW6 0DP, tel: 01829-733351 (answerphone)
or from the On Track editor.
Past copies can be obtained from the COTIS Office in Tarporley.
1996
Writing Audio Guidelines for Visually Impaired People by William Kirkby. (Jan)
The Latest on Acoustic Fingerprint Guides by Julia Ionides. (May)
Insight into the Role of a Rehabilitation Worker by Julie Franks. (May)
1997
Wandlebury Park Pre-Visit Pack review by Lynne Hester. (May)
Essex County Council Libraries Postal Cassette Service by Simon Wallace. (May)
A Glimpse of the Future by Stephen King. (Sept)
Keeping up with Change by Wendy Davies. (Sept)
1998
Third Name Link (Israel) by George and Elsie Hedger. (Jan)
COTIS in Scotland by John Proudler and Linda Pearce. (Jan)
More support for labelling by Jeanette Crookes. (May)
Who's a pretty girl then? The Parrot by Sandy Easton. (May)
The Dog Rose Trust by Julia Ionides. (May)
Digital is better - or IS it? by John Proudler. (Sept)
Universal Design and Communications by Julia Ionides. (Sept)
1999
Digital is better - or IS it? a reply by Richard Hutchinson. (Jan)
Digital dilemma by Dave Inness. (Jan)
Calibre at 25 by Elizabeth Twining. (May)
The Accessible Marches by Julia Ionides. (May)
Setting up a University Recording Service by Jane McLarty. (Oct)
Experiences at `The Pines', Bishop Castle by Denise Collier. (Oct)
2000
The Blind Centre for Northern Ireland by Deane Houston. (May)COTIS, Project Office, 67 High Street, Tarporley, Cheshire, CW6 0DP, United Kingdom.
Telephone: +44 (0)1829 733351
Email: administrator@cotis.org.uk
COTIS President: Sir John A. Wall - Charity Number 299024
COTIS Web Site last updated 24th June 2005