Guide Dogs for the Blind: Norman’s big bus-day card
Guide Dogs presented the Transport Minister, Norman Baker MP with a large talking birthday card to wish him a very happy birthday for 26 July 2012.
The card, which includes a recording of people from the Guide Dogs London office singing Happy Birthday, was presented by the Guide Dogs Campaigns Team at the Department for Transport.
The talking card supports Guide Dogs Talking Buses campaign and has been signed by more than 600 supporters, all asking for an extra special birthday present of Talking Buses across the whole of the UK this year.
Transport Minister, Norman Baker, said: "I am always impressed by the work done by Guide Dogs including their ingenuity with this fantastic birthday card, for which I thank them."
David Cowdrey, Head of Campaigns at Guide Dogs said: “We all wish Norman a very happy birthday and recognise his brilliant efforts in supporting and improving the bus industry. We hope that the Transport Minister will follow London's example of accessible transport and roll Talking Buses out across the whole of the UK, and that his birthday wish will be for a change in the regulations.”
Norman, who celebrates his 55th birthday on 26 July is the Minister responsible for buses and has already provided special funds to improve buses in England this year. Guide Dogs is hoping that Norman Baker will amend the bus regulations to include audio and visual information for all buses across the UK.
For more information contact:
James Kell, Communications Officer on 01189838192 or james.kell@guidedogs.org.uk
Notes for Editors
1. About The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association:
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is a British charitable
organisation founded in 1934. Guide Dogs provides independence and freedom to thousands of blind and partially sighted people across the UK through the provision of guide dogs, mobility and other rehabilitation services. It also campaigns passionately for the rights of those with visual impairments. Guide Dogs is working towards a society in which blind and partially sighted people enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else.
2. To write to your MP about the need for Talking Buses across the UK, please visit: http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/supportus/campaigns/talkingbuses/how-you-can-help/
3. We are calling on MPs to:
• Contact the Department for Transport and ask the Minister for Buses, Norman Baker MP to consider promoting a specific fund for the installation of audio-visual announcements in the future.
• Ask local Bus Companies what measures they have in place to ensure adequate accessibility of their vehicles.
• Ask their local authority/passenger transport body what measures they have in place to ensure adequate accessibility of local bus services.
