020 8789 9575 info@clearvisionproject.org
International tactile book competition!
Tactile image books are amazing: they're books in which all the pictures are made up of different objects, shapes and textures, specifically designed to be explored by touch. They let children who have little or no sight enjoy picture books just like sighted children do, and help them build up valuable touch skills which will be useful for navigating life without vision, especially if they might learn braille. They can be made in a variety of ways, including stitched fabric, collage, plastic vacuum-formed round real objects and 3D printing.
The Typhlo and Tactus International Tactile Book Competition is held every two years to encourage tactile book creation across the world. This year, judging will take place in Poland in October, with a prize of 500 Euros for the overall winner.
This brilliant contest is free to enter and open to anyone- whether you’ve never made a tactile book before, or you’ve made dozens! In past years we’ve had great entries from sewing groups, artists, parents, teachers, crafters and students. The judges will be looking for books which are exciting and entertaining for children up to age 12 who have little or no sight, and are strong enough to take enthusiastic exploring by touch.
If you're interested in entering a book, the application form can be found here: TyphloandTactusentryform2024.docx and the full rules here: http://tactus.org/participate-in-the-competition/rules/?lang=en
Hurry though, the deadline for books to be at the ClearVision library is 1st July 2024. You can ask us for a freepost label to send us your book!
We’re also looking to recruit judges with sight impairment for the UK judging round, held at ClearVision on a weekend in mid-July. If you’re interested in taking part, please contact us!
For more information on designing and making a tactile book, please see our videos below and visit our Making Tactile Books webpage for the basics. We're holding Zoom workshops too. They're running:
Wednesday 17th April 7pm
Monday 13th May 7pm
Monday 3rd June 4pm
They’re all the same (so you only need to sign up for one!) and will run for one and a half to two hours. Signup for each closes three days before the class, email info@clearvisionproject.org to book a place.
You can find the website of the Typhlo and Tactus competition, with information about previous winners, at www.tactus.org. If you have questions, please contact ClearVision on info@clearvisionproject.org or 020 8789 9575.
Videos:
Tactile books: what they are and who they’re for
Designing a tactile book:
Making a tactile book: practicalities
Tactile book making workshops
Fancy learning how to make one of our fantastic tactile picture books?
ClearVision has an amazing 800 specially-created books with pictures designed to be explored through touch. These books are great fun, but also play a huge role in building children's touch skills and in helping them to understand pictures- vital if they're going to go on and use tactile maps or diagrams in school. We're holding Zoom workshops for volunteers interested in making more for our library. Anyone can give it a go, and they're free! They're running:
Wednesday 17th April 7pm
Monday 13th May 7pm
Monday 3rd June 4pm
They’re all the same (so you only need to sign up for one!) and will run for one and a half to two hours. Signup for each closes three days before the class, email info@clearvisionproject.org to book a place.
In the mean time, visit our Making Tactile Books webpage for the basics and see the videos below.
Videos:
Tactile books: what they are and who they’re for
Designing a tactile book:
Making a tactile book: practicalities
Christmas cards and book sponsorship!
We're nearly at the end of November! Christmas and Hannukah are rapidly approaching, and if you're struggling to find the perfect present for someone, why not sponsor a book in their name? We have three donations levels (board book £19, picture book £29 and short chapter book £45), and you can request different topics and any special wording you'd like on the sponsorship sticker inside the book. We can either send you a simple certificate, or a photo of the book with the person's name inside. Above all, your giftee will know that their sponsored book will help children across the country learn to read, progress in education and enjoy sharing stories with their family for years to come! You can complete the sponsorship form on the 'Support Us' page of our website if you'd like to send us a cheque, or phone/email us for our bank details so you can make a BACS payment (sorry, we can't currently take card payments over the phone): 0208 789 9575.
Another way to support the library's work is to make a one-off or regular donation or buy some of our Christmas cards. They're £3 (plus p&p) for a packet of 10, and feature a beautiful design of a Barn Owl sat in a snow-covered holly tree. Inside the print reads "Season's Greetings". Please email or call us to place your order.
Thank you to everyone who supports our work; the difference it makes to the families who borrow our books is huge.
Recruiting: Could YOU Be Our New Fundraiser?
ClearVision is looking for a new Chief Fundraiser!
7.5hrs per week, potential for flexible working, salary £8938 pro rata, £44,691 FTE (spine point 35 on NJC payscale). Either office-based or from home after initial settling-in period, or hybrid.
We’re looking for an energetic, professional individual with strong communication skills and great organisation, who can hit the ground running and build on our existing relationships with a variety of donors.
The successful candidate will have proven experience of successfully generating income from trusts and foundations and ideally at least one aspect of public fundraising, such as individual giving, legacy, or community fundraising programmes. Their writing and marketing skills must be excellent, and they’ll have the ability to tailor their approach to increase income from and build great relationships with a variety of audiences. This individual will be a confident ‘people person’ with the ability to network and tell ClearVision’s story. We’re a small team so flexibility and a ‘can do’ attitude are a must. We’re looking for someone with a good understanding of the current fundraising sector and a thirst for challenge, as well as a genuine interest in equality and education.
In return we offer interesting, impactful work with variety and space to grow; flexible working (including the option to work from home following an initial familiarisation period in the office); 28 days’ leave plus bank holidays (pro rata); pay tied to local government pay scales; a 5% pension contribution and supportive environment, including generous, people-focused policies. Here's more information about ClearVision.
To apply for this exciting and rewarding post please send us your CV, which should give a complete work history and explanation for any gaps, and a supporting statement. This should be of no more than 2 sides of A4, explaining how your experience and knowledge fit the criteria of the role description and person specification. Please include the contact details of two referees, and your completed Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form.
Equality and inclusion are the reasons ClearVision exists; we would be delighted to receive applications from candidates from under-represented groups. We guarantee interviews to candidates with disabilities meeting the minimum requirements. Please contact us regarding reasonable adjustments, if you require the application documents in another format or if you have questions about the role. We are very happy to talk to potential applicants about our library and its work, and for you to visit before you apply if you'd like
Closing date: midnight Friday 17th November 11:30pm
Interviews (in person, to include a tour of the library): week commencing 27th November
Start date: immediate/following necessary notice period and background checks
Recruiting: ClearVision Seeks Library Administrator!
Become part of our team! We’re hiring for a new Library Administrator. This is a lovely job, getting to choose and send books to all the families, individuals, schools, libraries and Sensory Support Services which ClearVision supports- making the magic happen! It also involves supporting families and organisations with their memberships and cataloguing new books. You don't have to know braille!
15 hours per week. £10,650 per annum (£26,625 full time equivalent), based in our library in Southfields, London.
To apply for this enjoyable and rewarding post please complete and send us the Library Administrator Application form, referring to the Job Description, Person Specification and Information About ClearVision. Please also send us your equality and diversity monitoring form. You can email them to info@clearvisionproject.org or send them to our postal address. Please contact us if you have difficulties accessing any of these documents, would like them in another format (for example, without boxes or tables) or if you’d like us to post you hard copies.
The closing date for applications is midnight Sunday 10th September, shortlisting will take place in the following week, with interviews in the week commencing 18th September. The selected candidate will be subject to an enhanced check by the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service, previously known as a CRB or Criminal Records Bureau check).
ClearVision is an Equal Opportunities employer. See our Equal Opportunities and Diversity policy statement.
We hope you -or someone you know- will want to apply for this interesting role with our unique library service, so please spread the word!