CTC/CUK publications and visual impairment

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Philip Benstead
Posts: 1944
Joined: 13 Jan 2007, 7:06pm
Location: Victoria , London

CTC/CUK publications and visual impairment

Post by Philip Benstead »

I have a visual impairment Cataract that may rectifyed in November/December.

Currently I am unable to read the CYCLE magazine nor the Annual Report due the lack of contrast and colour scheme.

I have asked for magazine to be published on the website in PDF searchable format so I can increase it size , I am still waiting .

Given the average age of its membership I would have thought CTC/CUK would be open to such suggestion, or do older member do not matter?
Philip Benstead | Life Member Former CTC Councillor/Trustee
Organizing events and representing cyclists' in southeast since 1988
Bikeability Instructor/Mechanic
AndyK
Posts: 1498
Joined: 17 Aug 2007, 2:08pm
Location: Mid Hampshire

Re: CTC/CUK publications and visual impairment

Post by AndyK »

It's already there.
https://www.cyclinguk.org/publication/c ... ember-2021
If you haven't logged in you'll see a 16-page preview.
Log into your membership account (icon at top left) and you'll find that the preview becomes the full 76-page version.
If like me you detest the awful Issuu reader, there's a "download" icon at top left that will download a PDF copy for you.
Go to https://www.cyclinguk.org/publications/cycle to see previous issues.
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Philip Benstead
Posts: 1944
Joined: 13 Jan 2007, 7:06pm
Location: Victoria , London

Re: CTC/CUK publications and visual impairment

Post by Philip Benstead »

Andy

Thanks for the above,

I looks like my compliant was heard, WELL DONE CTC/CUK.

Now we need a annual reoert that can be read.
Philip Benstead | Life Member Former CTC Councillor/Trustee
Organizing events and representing cyclists' in southeast since 1988
Bikeability Instructor/Mechanic
AndyK
Posts: 1498
Joined: 17 Aug 2007, 2:08pm
Location: Mid Hampshire

Re: CTC/CUK publications and visual impairment

Post by AndyK »

Philip Benstead wrote: 10 Aug 2021, 2:58pm Andy

Thanks for the above,

I looks like my compliant was heard, WELL DONE CTC/CUK.

Now we need a annual reoert that can be read.
The magazines have been available in that format for over a year now.
I don't think the annual report is published yet, is it?

Back on the subject, I see that the AGM papers include a note advising that they are available in alternative formats on request. Unfortunately that note is in the same small font as the rest of the document, so if you can't read the standard version you won't be able to read the bit that says you can have a different version. D'oh!

Corrected for typos
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Philip Benstead
Posts: 1944
Joined: 13 Jan 2007, 7:06pm
Location: Victoria , London

Re: CTC/CUK publications and visual impairment

Post by Philip Benstead »

I wonder how many CTC members have read any or all the Annual report
https://www.cyclinguk.org/policies-and- ... /annual-re
I am unable to read it without producing eye strain
I know I have cataracts now, but even before I had them, I found that the modern trend to go away from the traditional method of print media presentation and to that of using
multi-layer colours
use of fine font in silver
pastoral colour instead of primary colour
use of colour backgrounds that merge with overlaying font /images
Disconnect blocks of test that do not relate to anything.
Overuse of images and photographs in terms of size and location

Created barriers to the transferance of information, given the avage age of members this could be considered discriminatory.

Many, if not all these comments could be attributed to “CYCLE” and the website.
In the case of electronic media, the white background produces glare, IMHO a silver /grey background and of BLACK font is good combination.
I will be submitting a motion on this subject to the next AGM
COMMENTS WELCOME
Philip Benstead | Life Member Former CTC Councillor/Trustee
Organizing events and representing cyclists' in southeast since 1988
Bikeability Instructor/Mechanic
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Philip Benstead
Posts: 1944
Joined: 13 Jan 2007, 7:06pm
Location: Victoria , London

Re: CTC/CUK publications and visual impairment

Post by Philip Benstead »

FAO Dr Janet Atherton OBE
Chair,
Cyclists’ Touring Club/Cycling UK,
Parklands, Railton Road,
Guildford, Surrey,
GU2 9JX


Dear Ms Atherton

Publications - CYCLE and failing eyesight.

As a medical professional you will aware that many individuals as they approach pension age plus experience a diminution in their eyesight often caused by cataracts. I am such a person.

I am now unable to read “CYCLE”, I know that it is published on the website

https://www.cyclinguk.org/publication/c ... nuary-2022

Unfortunately, if try to enlarge it with a suitable resolution to give sufficient clarity I am still unable to read it.

https://www.cyclinguk.org/site-search?k ... ublication

I note the entry on the Charity Commission website for CTC/CUK

https://register-of-charities.charityco ... 07&subid=0

What the charity does:
• The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives
• Disability

Whom the charity helps: The General Public/mankind

How the charity helps:
• Provides Services
• Provides Advocacy/advice/information

Are you aware that RNIB provides a service called NEWSAGENT
That provides magazine in an accessible format,

https://www.rnib.org.uk/connect-communi ... accessible

I have mentioned this to the membership staff a few times.

I would welcome your help to resolve this issue.

CC: Sarah Mitchell CEO
sarah.mitchell@cyclinguk.org

Membership Number 208840

Many thanks for your help in this matter.

Philip Benstead B.Env.Sc. (Hons.) NSITQ | Cyclists’ Touring Club – Life Member and FORMER Councillor/Trustee.
| Westminster, London, SW1

Organizing cycling events/rides and representing cyclist interests in the GLA area and Home Counties since 1988.
DfT Bikeability Instructor / Instructor Trainer and Level 3 Cycle Mechanic.




Dear Philip

By way of introduction, I’m head of communication at Cycling UK and the magazine and website sits within my department. Janet and Sarah asked me to respond to your email, below. I wanted to reassure that this is a live issue and is part of an overarching comms strategy review that we are part way through at Cycling UK, addressing amongst other areas how we cater for the diversity of our members and supporters and their needs and preferences. We are in the process of upgrading our website, which we’re expecting to be live this Spring. As part of the website upgrade we will be bringing in more accessible features, including improved ability to change text size and font colour, and improved integration with text to voice software, to allow a wider range of readers to access content in a way that suits their needs.

We are also speaking to organisations who specialise in this area such as RNIB to look at how we can work with them to improve accessibility by joining their accessibility schemes. Alongside that, we are speaking to similar organisations to ours to cross check that we’re in line with best practice and across the sector

I hope this goes some way to reassure you that we are taking steps to continue to improve in this area.

All the best
Laura.

Laura Mason
Head of communications
Cycling UK
Philip Benstead | Life Member Former CTC Councillor/Trustee
Organizing events and representing cyclists' in southeast since 1988
Bikeability Instructor/Mechanic
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