Tuesday 16th April 2002, Copyright and Visually Impaired People
Notice of meeting:
The meeting will discuss the barriers to visually impaired people’s access to books and other reading material, created by UK copyright law. In particular the meeting will discuss the Copyright (Visually Impaired Persons) Bill. This Private Member’s Bill, sponsored by Rachel Squire MP (which received its Second Reading on Friday 15th March) aims to remove such barriers, whilst at the same time safeguarding the rights of authors and publishers.
Speakers include:
- Rachel Squire MP
- Fazilet Hadiz Director of Policy, RNIB
- Jens Bammel, Chief Executive of the Publishers Licensing Society
Tuesday 18 June 2002 - What Future for the Eye Examination
Notice of Meeting:
All Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Visual Impairment Tuesday 18th June 2002, 5pm, Grimond Room, Portcullis House
The eye examination is a vital health check and should be part of everyone's normal health regime. Once lost, your eyesight can never be replaced. There are a whole host of serious eye illnesses that impair the quality of life for thousands of people in the UK
The eye examination can pick up early signs of potentially blinding eye conditions and the earlier a problem is detected the greater the chance of successful treatment. For example, through routine eye examination, optometrists are responsible for much of the initial detection of glaucoma. Furthermore, screening for this condition is most cost effective when conducted in conjunction with the overall eye examination.
- Anita Lightstone, Head of Low Vision and Prevention, RNIB - Introduction to the Eye Examination, including some of the possible threats to the current eye examination
- Dr Susan Blakeney, Optometric Adviser for the College of Optometrists – The Technicalities of the Eye Examination and common eye diseases
- Michael Bateman, Chairman, Optical Fees Review Committee (OFRC) - The Economics of the Eye Examination
Report of meeting - Tuesday 18 June 2002 - What Future for the Eye Examination
Tuesday 5 November 2002, 5pm - Children’s vision screening
Notice of meeting:
Tuesday 5 November 2002, 5pm - children’s vision screening, House of Commons, Committee Room 5
The aim of this meeting will be to inform attendees about the importance of screening children for visual defects at a young age. A child who cannot see clearly in the distance or who cannot maintain clear vision when reading will, unfortunately, be disadvantaged in the school environment. Research from City University, London, has shown that nearly one in five children have problems with their eyes. At present, the timing, frequency and quality of screening can vary significantly from one area of the country to another.
Speakers:
- Dr Olga Miller, Lecturer in Sensory Studies, University of Birmingham, School of Education, Children’s Vision Screening – An Educational Perspective
- Anita Lightstone, Head of Low Vision and Prevention, RNIB. Seeing the World Through a Child's Eyes
Also present at the meeting will be Eloise Price and her parents, Mrs Sarah Price and Mr Dominic Price. It was discovered that Eloise is very long-sighted when she was three and half years old. The diagnosis of her condition and the prescription of spectacles at this age meant that Eloise is now a bright, happy nine year-old, who enjoys school and learning. Mr and Mrs Price will tell the meeting more about their daughter’s experience and will be happy to answer questions.
There will also be a display of some of the latest screening systems that are currently available, that offer cost-effective, fast and efficient screening.