31 July 2013

Researcher presented with award for services to people with sight loss

Professor Alan Newell has been presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) for his services to older, blind, and partially sighted people.

Professor Newell was one of just three people to receive the prestigious award at the RNIB's AGM in Birmingham.

He is Emeritus Professor at the School of Computing at the University of Dundee, where he led one of the largest academic groups in the world researching computer and communication systems for older and disabled people. This includes the Digital Media Access Group, which specialises in testing websites and other technology for their accessibility by all disabled people, including those who are blind and partially sighted.

Professor Newell, who was awarded an MBE in 2000 for contributions to computer-based systems for people with disabilities, said, 'I am delighted to have been chosen to receive this award, and am honoured that my work for blind and partially sighted people has been recognised by RNIB. However, it should also be dedicated to my colleagues who have contributed so much to this important research over the years.'

RNIB chairman Kevin Carey congratulated Professor Newell on his award, saying, 'We are delighted to present Alan with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Alan was one of the first people to really concentrate on making a difference to the lives of older people with sight loss and his legacy continues carries on at Dundee University which is continuing to carry out important research in the field.'

Other recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013 are Chris Friend of Lewes, Suffolk, and Jenny Pearce of Rutland.

The RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. Every day, around 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight, with an estimated two million people in the UK who are either blind or partially sighted.

More information about the organisation's work can be found at www.rnib.org.uk.

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