National Information Forum award Winners 2006

Every year the Forum presents their "Getting the Message Across Awards" to organisations or individuals who have devised innovative, effective, appropriate or exiting ways of providing information to disadvantaged people.

The 11th annual Getting the Message Across awards,
16 October 2006

Hosted by: The Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB)Presented by Professor Ram Gidoomal CBE, the Forum’s PresidentThe awards, of equal merit, acknowledge excellence and imagination in the provision of information to disabled people and others severely disadvantaged by lack of information.

British Telecom already has an outstanding record of tailoring its services to the needs of its older and disabled customers, providing support and information through a dedicated Age & Disability Action unit and website.

This new initiative seeks to extend the use of broadband technology to customers disadvantaged by the ‘digital divide’. BT research suggests that as many as 23 million adults might be digitally excluded by 2025 unless more is done to encourage use of the internet. This is becoming increasingly important as more and more services are provided online, resulting in people without access to this new technology being disadvantaged in day-to-day living.

BT’s response has been to use the new Age and Disability Action website launched in March 2006 (www.btplc.com/age disability) to include an online step-by-step guide for older and disabled customers to understanding and ordering broadband, with specific examples of its benefits. The site offers high levels of accessibility and is also available in British Sign Language. (We understand that BT is the only FTSE100 company to provide information in BSL on a website).

To reach older and disabled customers who do not currently have online access BT has produced a supplementary booklet designed to help people overcome their fear of computers and the internet. The booklet highlights the advantages of the internet and demonstrates how life-enhancing it can be, using case studies from older and disabled customers who have successfully joined the digital age.The adjudicating panel thought that this was a prime example of how social concern can successfully inform commercial interest to wider purposes, recognising that many customers have special needs and that it is in both their interest and the company’s interest that those needs are met appropriately and with sensitivity.

The MS Society is the UK’s largest charity for people affected by multiple sclerosis. It works from a national centre and through over 350 local branches.

Award presented for information about multiple sclerosis for newly diagnosed people.

Research has clearly shown that the need for information about multiple sclerosis is most crucial at the point of first diagnosis. To help to meet this need, the Society’s Stockport branch has produced a film providing practical information on MS which aims to improve understanding of the condition and offers encouragement in coming to terms with it. The MS Society nationally was so impressed with the quality of the film that it has reproduced copies for free loan via its helpline and information enquiry line.

The Society has also recognised a special need to raise MS awareness among the UK’s Asian communities. One of its booklets for newly diagnosed people had already been made available in seven Asian languages, but the Society’s Asian MS Support Group saw a further need for an audio production in order to reach a wider audience. Hindi was chosen for this on the basis that it would reach a wider number of people in the south Asian communities than any of the other Asian languages (Hindi is widely understood from Bollywood movies). The Group took two core MS publications, What is MS? and Just Diagnosed and had these translated and produced as a free audio CD.

The adjudicating panel recognised that this information meets a real need and was very focused. They were impressed by the way that the material involved people with MS and sought to present positive messages.

Contact:
David Potter, Information Services Manager,
MS National Centre, 372 Edgware Road, Cricklewood, London NW2 6ND
Tel: 020 8438 0700
E.mail: info@mssociety.org.uk
website: www.mssociety.org.uk.

Ricability is the trading name of the Research Institute for Consumer Affairs. As an independent consumer research and information charity, it carries out research and publishes unbiased information on products and services to enable elderly people and disabled people to live more independently, using a full range of research skills to carry out rigorous surveys and testing. It also draws on the real experience of elderly and disabled consumers in user trials.

The new Ricability car factsheets are a unique set of individual reference documents giving key measurements for around 100 new car models. These clarify such questions as how easy or difficult it would be for a disabled user to get into and out of the cars, whether they can stow their wheelchair in the boot or behind the seat and whether the doors open wide enough to allow them access for a safe transfer.

The adjudicating panel thought that the factsheets, which can be downloaded from Ricability’s website, are admirably clear, brilliantly conceived and much enhanced by helpful photographs. They give prospective purchasers all the information they need to find the car that is right for them,

HAD is a local charity that offers a wide range of services to help Hertfordshire’s disabled people maintain their independence and keep on the move. Award presented for the provision of information on financial benefits through ‘Ivanhoe’, its mobile easier living centre.

Government figures suggest that over £4 billion is failing to reach the pockets of millions of pensioners every year. This ambitious outreach project, a joint venture with Age Concern Hertfordshire and originally launched in May 2005, aims to encourage and help older people across the county to claim the benefits that are rightfully theirs. It has so far attracted around 5,000 visitors, who have been given information and advice on benefits by Karen Beazley of Age Concern Hertfordshire. If necessary, people can be seen at home or at HAD’s head office, where there is a permanent exhibition.

The adjudicating panel were impressed by the huge enthusiasm that had gone into this project and the imagination shown in extending outreach to all parts of the county. They saw this as a fine example of cross promotion which has significantly improved the take-up of benefits throughout the county and fostered co-operation between other voluntary and statutory groups in the area.

Contact:
Annabelle Waterfield,
HAD, The Woodside Centre, The Commons, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL7 4DD
Tel: 01707 324 581
E.mail: info@hadnet.org.uk
Website: www.hadnet.org.uk

Award received by Monica Smith, Gill Lea-Wilson, Ramon Woolfe & Shanta Everington with Claire Rayner, left and Ram Gidoomal, right.

DPPi is a small UK-based charity, controlled by disabled parents, that promotes better awareness and support.Award presented for its information for deaf, visually impaired parents, and professionals.

DPPi has produced an impressive ‘Having a Baby’ pack to guide visually impaired people through the process of becoming a parent and to assist professionals working with them better to understand how to meet the needs of this group. The information is presented in three sections: Planning, pregnancy and birth, From birth onwards and Useful resources for parenthood, and is available both in print and as an audio CD.

In addition, A Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth for Deaf Parents has been produced as a DVD, signed in British Sign Language and supplemented by simple leaflets on feeding options and the role of the health visitor.

The adjudicating panel thought that the information was well set out and its presentation was excellent. “Smashing” commented one judge. They admired its coverage, felt it to be realistic about parenthood, commended its inclusion of new fathers and the useful guidance on further support. The guidance for visually impaired people gained much from having been written by a visually impaired mother, and the only weakness was felt to be the quality of the reading on the audio CDs.

Contact:
Shanta Everington/Gill Lea-Wilson,
DPP, National Centre for Disabled Parents, Unit F9, 89-93 Fonthill Road, London N4 3JH
Website: www.dppi.org.uk.

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				Every year the Forum presents their "Getting the Message Across Awards" to organisations or individuals who have devised innovative, effective, appropriate or exiting ways of providing information to disadvantaged people. The 11th annual Getting the Message Across awards, 16 October 2006 Hosted by: The Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB)Presented by Professor Ram Gidoomal CBE, the Forum’s PresidentThe awards, of equal merit, acknowledge excellence and imagination in the provision of information to disabled people and others severely disadvantaged by lack of information. BRITISH TELECOM PLC: Age & Disability Action Award received by Vanessa Hardy & Dave Barrett British Telecom already has an outstanding record of tailoring its services to the needs of its older and disabled customers, providing support and information through a dedicated Age & Disability Action unit and website. Award presented for information about BT’s Broadband for All. This new initiative seeks to extend the use of broadband technology to customers disadvantaged by the ‘digital divide’. BT research suggests that as many as 23 million adults might be digitally excluded by 2025 unless more is done to encourage use of the internet. This is becoming increasingly important as more and more services are provided online, resulting in people without access to this new technology being disadvantaged in day-to-day living. BT’s response has been to use the new Age and Disability Action website launched in March 2006 (www.btplc.com/age disability) to include an online step-by-step guide for older and disabled customers to understanding and ordering broadband, with specific examples of its benefits. The site offers high levels of accessibility and is also available in British Sign Language. (We understand that BT is the only FTSE100 company to provide information in BSL on a website). To reach older and disabled customers who do not currently have online access BT has produced a supplementary booklet designed to help people overcome their fear of computers and the internet. The booklet highlights the advantages of the internet and demonstrates how life-enhancing it can be, using case studies from older and disabled customers who have successfully joined the digital age.The adjudicating panel thought that this was a prime example of how social concern can successfully inform commercial interest to wider purposes, recognising that many customers have special needs and that it is in both their interest and the company’s interest that those needs are met appropriately and with sensitivity. Contact: Dave Barrett, British Telecom plc, pp GPC G8 Charnwood Place, 1 South Albion Street, Leicester LE1 6JL Tel: 01977 592 898; E.mail: david.k.barrett@bt.com Website: www.btplc.com/age_disability MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY Award received by David Potter The MS Society is the UK’s largest charity for people affected by multiple sclerosis. It works from a national centre and through over 350 local branches. Award presented for information about multiple sclerosis for newly diagnosed people. Research has clearly shown that the need for information about multiple sclerosis is most crucial at the point of first diagnosis. To help to meet this need, the Society’s Stockport branch has produced a film providing practical information on MS which aims to improve understanding of the condition and offers encouragement in coming to terms with it. The MS Society nationally was so impressed with the quality of the film that it has reproduced copies for free loan via its helpline and information enquiry line. The Society has also recognised a special need to raise MS awareness among the UK’s Asian communities. One of its booklets for newly diagnosed people had already been made available in seven Asian languages, but the Society’s Asian MS Support Group saw a further need for an audio production in order to reach a wider audience. Hindi was chosen for this on the basis that it would reach a wider number of people in the south Asian communities than any of the other Asian languages (Hindi is widely understood from Bollywood movies). The Group took two core MS publications, What is MS? and Just Diagnosed and had these translated and produced as a free audio CD. The adjudicating panel recognised that this information meets a real need and was very focused. They were impressed by the way that the material involved people with MS and sought to present positive messages. Contact: David Potter, Information Services Manager, MS National Centre, 372 Edgware Road, Cricklewood, London NW2 6ND Tel: 020 8438 0700 E.mail: info@mssociety.org.uk website: www.mssociety.org.uk. RICABILITY Award received by David Yelding Ricability is the trading name of the Research Institute for Consumer Affairs. As an independent consumer research and information charity, it carries out research and publishes unbiased information on products and services to enable elderly people and disabled people to live more independently, using a full range of research skills to carry out rigorous surveys and testing. It also draws on the real experience of elderly and disabled consumers in user trials. Award presented for its car factsheets for disabled motorists. The new Ricability car factsheets are a unique set of individual reference documents giving key measurements for around 100 new car models. These clarify such questions as how easy or difficult it would be for a disabled user to get into and out of the cars, whether they can stow their wheelchair in the boot or behind the seat and whether the doors open wide enough to allow them access for a safe transfer. The adjudicating panel thought that the factsheets, which can be downloaded from Ricability’s website, are admirably clear, brilliantly conceived and much enhanced by helpful photographs. They give prospective purchasers all the information they need to find the car that is right for them, Contact: Christopher Lofthouse, Ricability, 30 Angel Gate, City Road, London EC1V 2PT Tel: 020 7427 2460 E.mail: mail@ricability.org.uk Website: www.ricability.org.uk HERTFORDSHIRE ACTION ON DISABILITY (HAD) Award received by Paul Robinson, Karen Walsh, Dianne Steven & Bob Green HAD is a local charity that offers a wide range of services to help Hertfordshire’s disabled people maintain their independence and keep on the move. Award presented for the provision of information on financial benefits through ‘Ivanhoe’, its mobile easier living centre. Government figures suggest that over £4 billion is failing to reach the pockets of millions of pensioners every year. This ambitious outreach project, a joint venture with Age Concern Hertfordshire and originally launched in May 2005, aims to encourage and help older people across the county to claim the benefits that are rightfully theirs. It has so far attracted around 5,000 visitors, who have been given information and advice on benefits by Karen Beazley of Age Concern Hertfordshire. If necessary, people can be seen at home or at HAD’s head office, where there is a permanent exhibition. The adjudicating panel were impressed by the huge enthusiasm that had gone into this project and the imagination shown in extending outreach to all parts of the county. They saw this as a fine example of cross promotion which has significantly improved the take-up of benefits throughout the county and fostered co-operation between other voluntary and statutory groups in the area. Contact: Annabelle Waterfield, HAD, The Woodside Centre, The Commons, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL7 4DD Tel: 01707 324 581 E.mail: info@hadnet.org.uk Website: www.hadnet.org.uk DISABILITY, PREGNANCY AND PARENTHOOD INTERNATIONAL (DPPi) Award received by Monica Smith, Gill Lea-Wilson, Ramon Woolfe & Shanta Everington with Claire Rayner, left and Ram Gidoomal, right. DPPi is a small UK-based charity, controlled by disabled parents, that promotes better awareness and support.Award presented for its information for deaf, visually impaired parents, and professionals. DPPi has produced an impressive ‘Having a Baby’ pack to guide visually impaired people through the process of becoming a parent and to assist professionals working with them better to understand how to meet the needs of this group. The information is presented in three sections: Planning, pregnancy and birth, From birth onwards and Useful resources for parenthood, and is available both in print and as an audio CD. In addition, A Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth for Deaf Parents has been produced as a DVD, signed in British Sign Language and supplemented by simple leaflets on feeding options and the role of the health visitor. The adjudicating panel thought that the information was well set out and its presentation was excellent. “Smashing” commented one judge. They admired its coverage, felt it to be realistic about parenthood, commended its inclusion of new fathers and the useful guidance on further support. The guidance for visually impaired people gained much from having been written by a visually impaired mother, and the only weakness was felt to be the quality of the reading on the audio CDs. Contact: Shanta Everington/Gill Lea-Wilson, DPP, National Centre for Disabled Parents, Unit F9, 89-93 Fonthill Road, London N4 3JH Website: www.dppi.org.uk. Details of previous award winners are available on request. RETURN TO TOP