Alun
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polarichat.bsky.social
Alun
@polarichat.bsky.social
Sixty something blind Scotsman living in England with a Welsh name. Avid Swearer.

Header Picture:
Polari a form of slang used by gay men in Britain prior to the decriminalisation of homosexuality written in white and a black background.
Pinned
I got a new guide dog the best Christmas present ever. We qualified just before Christmas. We are having a great time.
I got a new guide dog the best Christmas present ever. We qualified just before Christmas. We are having a great time.
January 4, 2026 at 10:46 AM
I'm twenty years Sober today. No drugs or Alcohol.
a calendar that has the words one day at a time on it
Alt: a calendar that has the words one day at a time on it
media.tenor.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Reposted by Alun
Did you know that you can set up a reminder to add alt text on BlueSky?

Just go to Settings, then Accessibility and make sure "Require alt text before posting" is toggled on - it’s a handy way to make sure you never forget, and it helps blind and partially sighted people to enjoy your posts!
April 9, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Reposted by Alun
Don't write generic descriptions for alt text. "Screenshot of a news article" might technically be what the image is, but it does nothing to convey the information or context sighted users get from the image. People who can't see the image need the same information and context.
August 12, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Not all tactile paving is the same but it's all good.
July 11, 2025 at 1:49 PM
It wasn't just pensioners. 1.6 million disabled people on means tested benefits ended up losing their entitlement to winter fuel payments.
May 21, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Did you know that capital letters are read by screen readers letter by letter? This means that "HELLO" becomes "H-E-L-L-O"

Please don't! Write in all caps!
May 19, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Yep I'm old. I'm really excited about my new hoover getting delivered today 😊
an elderly woman is using a vacuum cleaner to clean the floor .
Alt: an elderly woman is using a vacuum cleaner to clean the floor .
media.tenor.com
May 17, 2025 at 9:37 AM
What did you call them 👇

It was the only thing I was top of the class in at primary school.
May 8, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Please support this GoFundMe by donating or sharing, every bit of help makes a difference.

www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-t...
Donate to Honoring the Life and Legacy of Jiggly Caliente-Arabejo, organized by Giancarlo Arabejo
Dear Friends, Family, and Everyone Who Loved Jiggly Caliente,… Giancarlo Arabejo needs your support for Honoring the Life and Legacy of Jiggly Caliente-Arabejo
www.gofundme.com
April 30, 2025 at 9:33 AM
We have a duty of care to ensure it’s both safe and effective for everyone involved.

www.mind.org.uk/about-us/our...
Safe and effective practice
We've developed safe and effective practice guidance for those delivering sport, physical activity and mental health programmes.
www.mind.org.uk
April 30, 2025 at 7:26 AM
When social media platforms lack accessibility features, it isolates a large audience.

news.clemson.edu/research-int...
A more connected world: Research into social media accessibility
Each day, millions of social media users scroll through feeds, interact with brands and learn more about the world around them. But for many, that
news.clemson.edu
April 30, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Reposted by Alun
Do you have any ideas for research that might benefit people living with HIV over 50 years living in the UK?

#BHIVA25 #BHIVA

app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/socs/have-...
April 23, 2025 at 9:07 AM
If MP's don't vote. Put them on minimum wage and until they start doing their job.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Ministers scramble to avoid Labour rebellion on disability benefit cuts
Backbenchers may be allowed to abstain, a major climbdown from previous votes when rebels were suspended from the party
www.theguardian.com
April 18, 2025 at 9:02 PM
History repeating itself!

The LGBTQIA+ community was built on a collective fight for freedom and equality. The Stonewall riot was a rebellion led by trans women of colour. It laid the groundwork for the rights many of us enjoy today and are the result of our unified voices.
April 17, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Reposted by Alun
Do we have #DisabilityTech innovators in the #BlindNewWorld?

Remarkable is accepting applications for its 16-week Accelerator program to support #startups with seed funding, coaching, mentoring, #DisabilityCommunity feedback and the know-how to grow into successful businesses.

Apply by May 15 ⬇️
Accelerator Program | Remarkable
Join our 16-week Accelerator program designed for startups focusing on disability solutions. Gain access to seed funding, expert coaching, mentorship, and essential growth strategies to transform your...
www.remarkable.org
April 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Did you know that you can set up a reminder to add alt text on BlueSky?

Just go to Settings, then Accessibility and make sure "Require alt text before posting" is toggled on - it’s a handy way to make sure you never forget, and it helps blind and partially sighted people to enjoy your posts!
April 9, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Reposted by Alun
RNIB has scrapped its free personal braille transcription service, leaving blind people to cover the cost themselves. Large print is still free, this isn't equality! Sign the open letter urging RNIB to reverse this decision #DisabilityRights #Literacy https://saveourbraille.wordpress.com/
April 5, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Ah that's a shame. Mind you I don't know anybody else who watches it. Apart from me.

It's a great place for Scottish actors to get work. The same thing happened to another Scottish soap. Take The High Road years ago. It just got cancelled out the blue.
The BBC has axed the Scottish soap River City, which will end 2026.
March 18, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Who's Next?

1. Pensioners.
2. Disabled.
3. Insert Name Here.

It's you. Your next.

Remember the next time you vote.
a judge is sitting in front of an american flag and holding a piece of paper in her hand .
Alt: a judge is sitting in front of an american flag and holding a piece of paper in her hand . Either your playing dumb or it's not an act.
media.tenor.com
March 16, 2025 at 9:30 PM
I don't remember the UK being this bad and I was born in 1960.
March 15, 2025 at 8:39 AM
A white cane signifies that the person using it has low to no vision. Approximately 15% of people who use a white cane or a guide dog are totally blind. The rest of us have varying degrees of vision or light perception but that vision isn’t always useful or reliable.
March 14, 2025 at 2:01 PM