CORGI GIVEN SUPPORT FOR BRAILLE ID CARD

CORGI GIVEN SUPPORT FOR BRAILLE ID CARD CORGI, the Council for Registered Gas Installers, has this week gained the support of Maria Eagle, the Minister for Disabled People, and the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), for its ID card. The card, which now contains information in braille, was originally introduced in 1999 to increase consumer confidence in their installer. The aim was to enable consumers to not only verify the identity of the installer but also the categories of work they are able to carry out. The inclusion of information in braille on the card means that those with a visual impairment are also able to check that the installer is able to carry out the work that they need. The card contains a telephone number for CORGI Customer Services which the customer can call to further verify the installer's identity. Maria Eagle, Minister for Disabled People said, in support of the braille card: "Small changes in company practice such as these changes to the CORGI ID cards go a long way in helping people with visual impairments gain greater independence. The introduction of braille alongside other text, as is happening more and more, is a positive development in ensuring people with visual impairments are included in all aspects of society." CORGI has worked closely with the RNIB in the past to produce literature, written in braille, that gives blind and partially sighted people access to essential gas safety information. The Institute was also involved in the development of the card, and gave advice about the size of the braille included on the card as well as proofing it to ensure that it read as it should. -mf- -page 2- Joe Korner, Communications Manager at the RNIB said: "It is vital that blind and partially sighted people have a reliable way to identify people who need to come into their homes. RNIB believes that the inclusion of information in braille on the CORGI ID card will increase the confidence of blind and partially sighted customers in the identity and competence of the installers they have employed." -ENDS- For further information please contact Saranne Postans on 01256 372254 or email: spostans@corgi-gas.com About CORGI: CORGI, the Council for Registered Gas Installers, is the national watchdog for gas safety. In 1991, CORGI was given the responsibility by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to maintain a register of competent gas installers in Great Britain. This responsibility has now extended to include Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. Since its inception in 1970, CORGI, a non-profit distributing organisation with around 230 employees, has continued to grow and now has more than 44,000 gas installation businesses on its register employing almost 100,000 gas fitting operatives. CORGI's role is to protect the public from unsafe gas installations and to ensure registered installers carry out gas work safely and competently. Originally CORGI was a body to which installers could become affiliated on a voluntary basis. However, since 1991 CORGI registration has been mandatory for all businesses, including self- employed people, working on gas fittings or appliances. Further information can be obtained from CORGI's website: www.corgi- gas.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/04/03/20020403BIT00840/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/04/03/20020403BIT00840/wkr0002.pdf