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Welcome to SAIF

improving access to information  for disabled people

Making Information Accessible

Making sure that you provide accessible information has a number of benefits to you as an organisation as well as to your customers and or service users.

SAIF can provide you with a range of services to help you achieve this. Check out our Training and Publications pages or contact us for information and advice.

If you are new to us and would like to find out more about the kind of work we do you'll find more information in the Frequently Asked Questions and About SAIF pages.

All of our publications are free and can be downloaded from our website. However, if you would like us to send a pack out to you, please use the link below to order one.

|Order our publications pack


NewsSAIF Annual Report 2008

Each year in February SAIF holds an annual review of its work. This year it was agreed that SAIF should produce an annual report which outlined developments in 2007 and key objectives for 2008.

|SAIF Summary Annual Report 2008 - Word
|SAIF Summary Annual Report 2008 - pdf

Please contact us if you would like a copy in an alternative format sent out to you.

May 2008


NewsCount down to training.....

E-communication: Accessibility in practice

There are a few places left on our half day accessibility in practice training courses. Contact us if you would like more information or download a programme and booking form from our training page.

Creating accessible documents

Wednesday 4th June 2008 1pm – 4 pm
University of Strathclyde, Graham Hills Building, Glasgow

Sending accessible emails

Wednesday 11th June 2008 1pm – 4 pm
University of Strathclyde, Graham Hills Building, Glasgow

Testing the accessibility of websites

Wednesday 18th June 2008 1pm – 4 pm
University of Strathclyde, Graham Hills Building, Glasgow

May 2008


SpotlightHow the Scottish Parliament Works - Easy Read version now available

Following the BSL version the Scottish Parliament have now produced an easy-read publication on 'How the Scottish Parliament works'.

Click here for a link to the |pdf version.

Click here for a link to an order form for |large print, Braille, audio CD or audio cassette copies.

Alternatively you can contact the Scottish Parliament, Public Information Service at

sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
Text phone: 0131 558 7676
Tel: 0131 348 5000
Fax: 0131 348 5601

May 2008


SpotlightConsultation on Revision of 'How to Write Your Disabled Persons' Protection Policy: A Guide for Train and Station Operators.

A Disabled Persons' Protection Policy must be produced by all station and train operators. The Department of Transport is reviewing the guidance it provides to operators about producing their policy.

Some of the changes proposed include aiming the policy specifically at disabled people and changing the title to 'Travel information for disabled passengers'.

The document will provide disabled passengers with a range of information for each stage of their journey.

Some of the headings include: accessible information, booking assistance, car parking, station access information, ramps, audio and visual announcements, what happens in an emergency, buses and taxis and how to provide feedback and complaints.

The deadline for your comments is Friday 23rd May 2008. Online copies of the consultation can be viewed at|www.dft.gov.uk/access/dppp. Audio copies can be obtained by contacting the Railways for All team:

Telephone: 020 7944 5284
Fax: 020 7944 6102
Email: railwaysforall@dft.gsi.gov.uk (please put 'DPPP Consultation' in the subject line.

April 2008


NewsEdinburgh International Festival 08

Edinburgh International Festival has produced an access guide for this year's events.

In addition to venue access details you can get information about sign language interpreted, audio described and supertitled performances. Both the access guide and the Festival 08 brochure are available in CD, tape and Braille on request.

Contact details:

Access phone number: 0131 473 2089
Email: access@eif.co.uk
Website:|www.eif.co.uk

April 2008


NewsOffice for Disability Issues - new website

The Office for Disability Issues has just launched it's new website.

The site contains information and resources for government departments, public sector organisations and disabled people and their organisations. Some information is available in British Sign Language, Easy Read and audio.

The link below will take you to their homepage:

|www.officefordisability.gov.uk

April 2008


SpotlightEquality and Human Rights Commission Single Equality Scheme

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched its single equality scheme.

"The scheme goes beyond the legal requirement to address gender, disability and race and also covers issues around age, sexual orientation, religion or belief and human rights.  The Commission has a special position among public authorities as these duties are identical to its own remit. The Commission is also responsible for ensuring other public bodies meet the legal requirements of the equality duties."

A copy of the scheme is available on the Commission's website:

|www.equalityhumanrights.com/equalityscheme

April 2008


SpotlightOpen and accessible?

A thematic study into how social landlords share information about performance and governance.

Social housing tenants might be interested in Communities Scotland's study about open and accessible landlords across Scotland.

The study looks at

Although some good practice examples have been found landlords need to do more to make sure that information is accessible to everyone.

|Communities Scotland - Open and accessible?

March 2008


NewsInformation and advice services - What disabled people should expect and receive

The new, revised edition of the Information and advice services - What disabled people should expect and receive, is now available from SAIF.

To accompany the hard copy, the information is available in the following formats:

All these materials are available in hard copy, free of charge, by contacting info@saifscotland.org.uk or you can download a copy in Word or PDF or view our online version by going to our publications page.

December 2007


NewsStandards for Disability Information and Advice Provision in Scotland

Demand for the revised edition of the SAIF Standards has exceeded expection and more copies have now been printed.

One of the key reasons for the publication of this revised edition was a number of recommendations made by the Scottish Executive Sensory Impairment Action Plan Steering Group. Those recommendations have now been incorporated. In addition, the Standards have been completed rewritten in plain language with significant improvements to their accessibility.

To accompany the printed version we now have the Standards available in the following formats:

Information in BSL about Standards for Disability Information and Advice Provision in Scotland

All these materials are available in hard copy, free of charge, by contacting info@saifscotland.org.uk or you can download a copy in Word or PDF or view our online version by going to our publications page.

May 2008

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Page updated 15 May 2008