July 14th 2008

David Blunkett praises Families Need Fathers’ new online audio service

 

 - Families Need Fathers excited to publish McKenzie magazine in online audio format

 

 - McKenzie Audio Online major step forward for third sector accessibility and DDA compliance

 

Families Need Fathers is extremely proud to announce the launch of its new service providing McKenzie (FNF's official magazine) in audio online, making its flagship publication available to blind and partially sighted members at the click of a mouse.

 

 

Although McKenzie has been available online in the 'traditional' PDF format, from today members of the charity visiting FNF Online (http://www.fnf.org.uk) can listen to the magazine at the click of a mouse. Families Need Fathers hopes that many other third sector organisations will be able to make similar provisions for online access in the near future.

 

 

You can view McKenzie Audio Online at:

 

http://www.fnf.org.uk/members-area/current-issue-of-mckenzie/mckenzie-audio-downloads

 

The service is usually reserved for FNF members but will be available to for the public to view until Monday July 21st.

 

 

Families Need Fathers member Colin Bennett of Hove, who has Usher Syndrome Type II and has been a driving force behind making McKenzie more accessible, welcomes the advance, saying “As a blind person, I am always eager to receive information in “alternative formats”, such as large print, Braille and audio. I am extremely pleased that, through providing its invaluable McKenzie magazine in this way, Families Need Fathers is putting flesh on the bones of complying with the Disability Discrimination Act. Many organisations genuflect toward the DDA, but more important is to actually do something practical." 

 

 

Further praise came from FNF’s first patron, the Right Hon David Blunkett MP, who said “This is an innovative, positive and very welcome move.  It brings access and alternative formats into the practical world of people's own lives, struggles and emotions.  Whilst some are talking about equality and accessibility, Families Need Fathers is acting on it – making it a reality rather than just an aspiration.  They deserve every credit for this."

 

 

Nick Barnard, Families Need Fathers Director of Communications added “This was a really important step forward for Families Need Fathers, not only for striving to ensure that our services are available to everyone who needs them, but also for embracing new technology and providing what we do in new, exciting and more convenient ways – so we hope that many of our members will take advantage of McKenzie Audio Online. We're not a big-budget charity and the service was put together a minimal cost, so we hope it will inspire other organisations, big and small, to think about how they can innovate and adapt what they do."

 

 

McKenzie Audio Online is made possible through the kind assistance and permission of the RNIB's transcription service. You can find out more about the transcription service, which can transcribe documents (such as exam papers, curriculum material, financial and employment documentation as well as newspapers and magazine) into a number of accessible formats at http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/code/public_rnib001976.hcsp. Families Need Fathers would also like to thank Webstars for their continued support of FNF Online.

 

-  ENDS –

Families Need Fathers (FNF) is a registered charity providing information and support on shared parenting issues arising from family breakdown, and support to divorced and separated parents, irrespective of gender or marital status. Our primary concern is the maintenance of the child’s relationship with both parents. Founded in 1974, FNF helps thousands of parents every year.

 

For comment or information please contact:

Nick Barnard, Director of Communications 07979 206 384

Jon Davies, FNF CEO 07976 935 986

Becky Sibert, Policy & Information Officer 020 7613 5060

John Baker, FNF Trustee 07881 644 917