https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKSWDEVON/bulletins/2932129
Posts tagged South Hams
District Council Makes Website More Accessible
A fantastic website accessibility tool has been bought by South Hams District Council. The cloud-based tool will make the Council’s website much easier for those residents and visitors who have additional needs.
The assistive technology called ‘Recite Me’ will allow the user to easily adapt the website with their own preferred settings. It will even remember those settings for any other website which uses Recite Me.
The Council are delighted with this significant addition to their website which will remove barriers and help web visitors who have a range of needs including those with common conditions like sight loss, dyslexia and learning difficulties.
With around one in five people reported to have a disability and ten percent of the population thought to be dyslexic, there is clear evidence that accessibility to information is absolutely necessary in a way that is understood by all.
The new, easy-to-use functions will include the ability to change font sizes and colours to make reading text easier, to customise the background colour or even to access a dictionary and thesaurus. It also has the option to read text aloud, including on PDF documents, in multiple languages.
Cllr Nicky Hopwood, Executive Member for Communications at South Hams District Council, said: “I’m really passionate about good communication with our communities so I’m excited by this new technology which can only be a good thing. We’re investing in our residents to revolutionise the way we engage with them and will completely change the way people access our information.
“It’s important to realise that not just those people who are classified as having additional needs will benefit though; anyone who finds reading difficult will be able to increase the size of line spacing, font size or colour background. They can use a ruler, magnifying glass or shading to highlight the information they need while cutting out background distractions. There are lots of different tools which will help a wide range of difficulties.
“Residents who in the past might have had to rely on others, or who had to call our contact centre for information or help will now be able to find information easily online about our services.
“We mustn’t forget anyone who has English as a second language, whether they be residents or visitors. To be able to quickly and easily translate any webpage into any of the 100 available languages is brilliant.
”It’s truly fantastic and I urge everyone to have a go to see how it will help their use of our website.”
With one in ten people in the UK who don’t speak English as their first language, and of course, visitors from home and abroad coming to the South Hams, the website will also be able to translate pages into over 100 languages at a simple click of a button.
To try the new assistive technology, Recite Me, go to www.southhams.gov.uk and click on “Enable Accessibility Tools” at the top right of the screen.
If you, or a family member, needs further support from our Localities team on how to get the most from Recite Me, please contact accessibility@swdevon.gov.uk and they will be pleased to help.
22 June 2020
Find out more about ReciteMe on their website at www.reciteme.com
Toolkit Available to Support Older People from Violence
Issued: 12 June 2020
A toolkit to help raise awareness about violence in older people’s relationships, has been launched in time for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Monday 15 June.
The Toolkit has been developed by the South Devon Sexual Violence and Domestic Violence and Abuse Forum (SVDVA), because they know that older people, 50 and above, who are not in happy and healthy relationships can find it difficult to find support.
The ability to recognise the signs of abuse and to be aware of options available are some of the key aspects of the toolkit, which will improve safety and personal wellbeing.
It is important to remember that relationships are not always between couples. Domestic abuse can happen within any family dynamic, regardless of age or gender.
Instances of abuse are very varied. It could be someone is controlling life decisions or causing physical, emotional, sexual, financial or psychological harm in some way, but it is never too late to seek support to be safe and happy. There are always options and choices.
Cllr Tom Holway, South Hams District Council’s Member for the South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership, said: “The Forum saw that there was a need to create the Later in Life Toolkit due to the rising number of people over 50 asking for support. This resource can really help change and improve lives.
“We urge those people who are experiencing distress to use the toolkit to find out how they can break the cycle and enjoy healthier relationships in the future.”
Cllr Robin Musgrave, West Devon Borough Council’s Member for the Community Safety Partnership, said: “By working in partnership with other agencies, the Forum have used their expertise to develop a resource that we are proud to share across the county.
“Whether your situation is due to changes in health or has always been this way, everyone has the right to be safe in their own home.”
Alison Cockram, Team Manager for Splitz Support Service and co-chair of the South Devon SVDVA Forum, said: “This toolkit was specifically designed to reach those later in life that find it difficult to access support to keep themselves safe. These situations can be made more difficult by Devon’s rurality. More recently, further isolation has affected many due to the COVID 19 restrictions.
“We would urge anyone who is feeling unsafe, whether due to a partner or other family member, to seek support. If this is particularly difficult then ask anyone that you trust to seek support on your behalf.”
The toolkit is available to download from the Splitz website: www.splitz.org/resources/talk-toolkits.html
If you are being abused, or if you have any concerns that an older person you know may be at risk of, or experiencing abuse, Police have dedicated domestic abuse officers who will help and advise you. Call 101 for help and guidance or email 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk. Always call 999 in an emergency.
Alternatively, if you do not wish to report to the police, you may wish to contact Victim Support directly. Call your local Victim Support Team in Devon and Cornwall on 0300 303 0554. Lines are open 12pm-6pm Monday to Friday.
For more information on the UN’s World Elder Abuse Day, go to: www.un.org/en/observances/elder-abuse-awareness-day/
ENDS
SHDC: COV19 update – free online courses
Follow link for details :- https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKSWDEVON/bulletins/28ec609
Council Asks Visitors to ‘Be Beach Aware’
Issued: 29 May 2020
Guidance on how to be beach aware has been issued by South Hams District Council following a spate of inconsiderate behaviour by a minority of users.
The District Council has issued cautionary advice to beach users who are flocking to visit South Hams’ beaches to enjoy the recent spell of sunny weather.
The high visitor numbers are causing a number of issues. Recently there have been occasions where the Council have become aware of large groups of people gathering together. They stress that Government guidelines for social distancing are still firmly in place and a distance of 2m should be maintained at all times for those outside of your household.
The area’s beaches have seen a rapid rise in overflowing bins as large numbers of people picnic in the sand. The Council know that most visitors are responsible, however they urge those who are not, to be sensible if bins provided are full. Please take picnic waste home to dispose of properly.
Waste left around bins, classified as fly tipping, causes the likelihood of rubbish being blown into the sea causing pollution of the beautiful coastline and an increase in vermin and seagulls.
Toilets at the most popular beaches are open, alongside the Council’s car parks and the Council want to ensure that residents and visitors alike are kept safe through social distancing, by regularly washing their hands and, where possible, using the RingGo app to avoid touching payment machines to further reduce the spread of the virus.
The Council are working as quickly as possible to reopen all toilets in a safe manner, however, where toilets have not yet reopened, the Council would expect that visitors would return home.
If visitors are taking their dogs to the beach, where allowed, please ensure that any dog poo is cleaned up and the bag safely deposited into a bin. If the bin is full, then please take this home as well and not leave it beside the bin.
With the terrible news of a number of lives lost on the water in the region over the past weekend, the District Council want to ensure that visitors are aware that there are currently no lifeguards on duty within the South Hams. Therefore visitors and especially families with children are encouraged to carefully follow guidance about water safety. Please take responsibility for the safety of family members and don’t use inflatables in the sea.
Cllr Judy Pearce, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “We are proud of our beaches in the South Hams and completely understand that visitors will want to visit them after so many weeks of lockdown, especially with the beautiful weather we’re currently experiencing. However, we need to ask you all to take care as we all strive to get back to normal.
“When parking the car, visiting the toilets or just sitting on the beach, please do keep to the social distancing rules so we don’t face a spike in the virus. If you carry a bag of picnic food to the beach and the bins have become over full, then please use that same bag to carry the rubbish back home for recycling.
“We’re opening toilets as quickly as we possibly can in as safe a manner as possible. Please bear with us. If toilets near you aren’t yet open, please return home or use the nearest open facilities.
“Finally, and very importantly, take care of your loved ones while there is no lifeguard cover on the beaches. There have been a few instances of tragic loss of life in the region over the recent week and we want to ensure these are not repeated. Please don’t use inflatables, only swim, or surf, to your capabilities and watch children very carefully. If you’re going out on a boat, make sure you have all safety precautions in place with properly fitting lifejackets and a kill cord attached.
“Take care and enjoy the beaches sensibly and safely.”
Gareth Morrison, RNLI Head of Water Safety, said: “If the charity’s lifeguards were present on the beaches today, they would be preventing many incidents before they even occurred by directing people to safe swimming areas, highlighting dangers such as rip currents and advising people not to use inflatables. These preventive measures are not currently in place meaning people could find themselves in danger if they are not reading the signs and following the relevant safety advice.
“Our lifeguards are trained to swim 200m within 3 1/2 minutes, and although our volunteer lifeboat crews are fully operational, should they be needed, they won’t be able to reach you in the same time.
“It is important that anyone visiting the coast understands that the beach can be a dangerous environment and you must take more responsibility for you and your family this summer. No one ever goes to the coast to be rescued yet RNLI lifeguards rescue 1000’s each year.”
For further information on Council services, please visit: www.southhams.gov.uk
If you’re heading to the coast, take a look at the RNLI’s advice and tips to help you have fun and stay safe: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety or for water activities, go to: https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity.
If you’re planning to go out on a boat, make sure you know how to stay safe by visiting: www.rya.org.uk/knowledge-advice/safe-boating
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Family groups, or households who live together, can safely visit along with one person from another home as long as they keep the agreed distance away from each other.
From Monday 1 June, groups of up to six people will be able to gather together since the Government’s five tests, including a fall in deaths, are now being met but the 2m distance rule still applies.
The recent launch of the NHS Test and Trace Service helps to identify those who may have come into contact with someone with the virus.
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