[access-uk] Re: FW: [bcab] Articles for the Blind
- From: "George Bell" <george@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 17:44:56 +0100
Hi Carol,
Read carefully:-
"Only items that have been specially produced or adapted for
blind and partially sighted people may be sent using the
service."
I'm sure the manufacturers of the products you mention would
agree with that description.
George.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Carol
Pearson
> Sent: 19 August 2005 17:42
> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [access-uk] Re: FW: [bcab] Articles for the Blind
>
> Thanks, George, for that helpful post, as always - but you
> know, in this instance I'm still baffled.
>
> There's no real mention of adapted computer equipment, IE,
> PacMate, note takers, other PDA's etc. Any ideas?
>
>
> --
> Carol
> carol.pearson@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of George Bell
> Sent: Friday, August 19, 2005 4:30 PM
> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [access-uk] FW: [bcab] Articles for the Blind
>
>
> Minutes after Carol raised the issue of postage, I
received
> the following on the BCAB list.
>
> George.
>
> Sent: 19 August 2005 13:31
> To: BCAB List
> Subject: [bcab] Articles for the Blind
>
> Folks
>
> There has been an update to the definition of Articles for
> the Blind. RNIB has just sent a document to its staff
> clarifying the new system and I copy the document below.
If
> you wish to point others to this information, it will be
> available on the RNIB website.
>
> Steve
>
> Articles for the Blind (AFB) 2005
>
> What Is The Articles for the Blind Scheme?
> Royal Mail have, for a number of years, operated a scheme
> (Articles for the
> Blind) that allows blind and partially sighted people to
send
> certain items of post free of charge. The latest
legislation
> covering the provision of this service is the Postal
Services
> Act 2000.
> Royal Mail have extended the scope of the scheme to
include
> carriage of large print materials from 22nd August 2005.
>
> Who Can Use the Articles for the Blind Scheme?
> Blind and partially sighted people, individual customers
who
> are blind or partially sighted and have close-up vision
with
> spectacles of N12 or less.
>
> Organisations working with blind and partially sighted
people
> mailing items specifically prepared for use by
blind/visually
> impaired individuals. This will include national and local
> societies for blind and partially sighted people and
> organisations producing Talking Newspapers/Tape Magazines
etc.
>
> What Can Be Sent By Articles for the Blind?
> Only items that have been specially produced or adapted
for
> blind and partially sighted people may be sent using the
> service. The scope of the AFB scheme has been extended to
> include large print (minimum 16 point). Details below of
all
> items covered by scheme:
>
> Books, papers and letters - either embossed or in large
print
> (minimum font size 16pt).
>
> Computer disks and CDs which have been prepared for blind
or
> partially sighted people
>
> Relief maps
>
> Spoken audio, video (with added commentary - audio
> description) and electronic media.
>
> Talking Books and talking newspapers which are recordings
of
> readings from printed books, journals, newspapers,
> periodicals or similar publications, but not entertainment
> programmes which are available on radio or recordings.
>
> Equipment used to play or record audio, video and
electronic
> media i.e.
> Talking Books and Talking Newspapers.
>
> Electronic and optical magnifiers
>
> Games, mathematical devices watches, clocks and measuring
equipment
>
> Embossed or blank plates and devices for producing tactile
> information.
>
> Stationery for tactile information for mail
>
> Mobility aids including sticks and guide dog equipment
>
>
> Items Not Accepted for Posting Under Articles for the
Blind
>
> Music audio (more than 2 minutes or more than 10% of the
> total duration)
>
> Printed material in a font smaller than 16 point, unless
it
> is a faithful copy of information that has been
transcribed
> into braille, tape, CD, disk or large print, and where it
> accompanies the transcribed version.
>
>
> Weight & Size of Items Sent by AFB
> The maximum weight limit of any package is 7kg. The size
limits are:
>
> Rectangular packages maximum dimensions - 610mm x 460mm x
460mm.
>
> Cylindrical packages - the length must not exceed 900mm
and
> the length added to twice the diameter of the packet must
not
> be more than 1040mm in total.
>
>
> How Does the Scheme Work? What Do You Have To Do To Use
The Scheme?
> Items sent by AFB will be treated as first class mail.
>
> All mail posted using AFB must have 'Articles for the
Blind'
> on the front cover, either on a label or in writing. It
must
> also show an external return address.
>
> All mail sent by AFB is subject to inspection, so it must
be
> left open, be easy to open and re-seal or the contents
must
> be visible through the wrapper (enough that the contents
can
> easily be confirmed as complying with the specification).
The
> only exception is heavy or fragile items, which can be
sealed
> provided prior notification is given via Customer
Services.
> To arrange for sealed items to be accepted for carriage
> contact 0845 607 6140.
>
> It is recommended that personal, sensitive or confidential
> correspondence i.e. health or financial information, in
any
> format should not be sent using AFB as there is a risk
that
> it could fall out of an unsealed envelope and be disclosed
at
> any point in it's journey.
> This type of correspondence should be sealed and sent as
> normal, paid-for mail.
>
> How To Arrange For Collection Of Items Of Post Being Sent
By
> Articles for the Blind. Blind and partially sighted
customers
> can arrange a free collection from their home by calling
> Customer Services on 08457 740 740. For a same day
> collection customers must call before 12.00pm.
> This is subject to local availability.
>
> Organisations requiring a collection of AFB must comply
with
> the Business Collections Specifications.
>
>
> What Happens If You Are Out When Your Postman Tries To
> Deliver An Item Of Post Sent By Articles for the Blind?
> In the event that an item of post is undeliverable your
> Postman will leave a
> P739 'While You Were Out' card.
>
> Surcharges
> Royal Mail will levy surcharges if :
> * the scheme is used by someone not allowed to use AFB *
an
> item not covered by the scheme is sent via AFB Royal Mail
> will endeavour to avoid levying a surcharge against the
> recipient, however, in some cases this will be
unavoidable,
> particularly where return addresses are not provided on
the
> label. If return addresses are provided, then Royal Mail
> will return items to sender (without surcharge but
requesting
> that full postage be paid before re-posting).
>
> Queries
> If you have any queries about how the Articles for the
Blind
> scheme operates please contact your local sorting office
or
> the Royal Mail Customers Service Dept on 0845 774 0740,
> Businesses should contact 0845
> 795 0950.
>
>
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