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Articles for the Blind Postal Service
Thanks to the Articles for the Blind Postal Service, Talking Newspapers may be posted to and from qualifying listeners, free of charge. This dispensation represents a tremendous financial saving to TNs. It is vital that we all adhere to the rules and regulations.
If your constitution allows you to provide your service to people who are unable to read but are not visually impaired, e.g. cannot hold a newspaper, please remember that postage must be paid to and from such a listener.
The Royal Mail have given us permission to copy the rules and regulations here for you:
Also downloadable as a pdf document
Articles for the Blind Postal Service
Introduction
Articles for the Blind is a free, First Class postal service for items designed for blind people. Anything that qualifies as a product specially designed for the blind can be sent to, or from a blind person for free. Organisations or institutions that have special arrangements with Royal Mail can also use the service. If you´re visually impaired and find it hard to get to a postbox or Post OfficeTM to send your mail, give us a call on 08457 740 740 and we´ll come and collect it. We do our best to make it easy for everyone to keep in touch.
So, what can you send?
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Books, papers and letters prepared for use by the blind or to be sent to or from a blind person (font size 16pt and above) |
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Relief maps |
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Devices used to produce tactile information |
And if you agree it with us first, organisations and institutions can also send the following:
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´Talking´ books and newspapers |
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Games (including card games) |
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Mathematical devices |
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Watches, clocks, timers, tools, aids and measuring equipment designed for blind people |
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Stationery supplies designed for sending things to blind people |
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Collapsible walking sticks |
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Guide dog harnesses |
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Metal plates for producing materials for blind people or plates already impressed for blind people |
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Computer disks and CDs specially prepared for blind people |
To notify us that you may need to seal an item, due to it being large or fragile, please call 0845 607 6140.
What can´t you send?
Unfortunately there are some things we can´t send:
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Music or entertainment, unless it´s produced specifically for blind people. We can allow interludes, introductory and closing jingles of up to two bars as well as recordings with musical or entertainment features (such as a local orchestra) of no more than 10% of the total recording time |
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Personal communications except for letters impressed or prepared for blind people. Letters aren´t private because we need to open mail for inspection |
How do you prepare your mail?
All you have to do is write ´ARTICLES FOR THE BLIND´, and include your name and address clearly on the outside of the envelope or package, as well as the person you´re sending it to. You´ll need to leave your mail open for inspection, or at least make sure it´s easy to open. If whatever you´re sending is fragile, you can get permission from us to seal your package, please call us on 0845 607 6140.
How big and heavy can it be?
As for size, if it´s rectangular, it can be up to 610mm x 460mm x 460mm. If it´s cylindrical, it can be up to 900mm and the length added to twice the diameter of the packet must not be more than 1040mm in total. Whatever the shape, the package can weigh up to 7kg.
Who can use the service?
Anyone who is registered as blind or visually impaired, and has a close-up vision with spectacles of N12 or less, confirmed by an ophthalmologist, doctor or ophthalmic optician.
For further information, see Royal Mail website www.royalmail.com or telephone Royal Mail Customer Services on 08457 740 740.
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