29/06/04

Deafblind UK, the charity to assist thousands of deafblind and dual sensory impaired people throughout the country, will this year benefit from a generous support package care of
CIE-Group and Armstrong i-ceilings.

Following the launch of the new Peterborough-based National Centre for Deafblindness, CIE-Group (UK representatives for leading brands such as Inter-M, Armstrong i-ceilings, Switchcraft, EverFocus, Chauvet Lighting, IC Audio and Euromet) were approached to enhance the Sound Reinforcement System for the Centre’s in-house conferencing facilities, with the additional requirements of improved voice clarity for the hearing impaired and SPLs capable of producing vibrations which would allow deafblind users to ‘feel the sound’ in music appreciation sessions.

Through specialist disability services provider ‘DDA Installations’, CIE-Group donated a multi-zone combined voice and music system including Inter-M A120 amplifiers and 10 Armstrong i-ceilings CS-1000 Sound Panels.

‘Deafblind UK’s National Centre is a unique facility receiving thousands of visitors each year; housing the Charity’s main offices, schools education programme facilities, modern conference facilities for up to 200 delegates and, of course, deafblind members.’ said CIE-Group Marketing Manager, Chris Edwards. ‘As this audio system was to be retrofitted into a brand new facility, and having such a diverse range of uses, our unique i-ceilings product range provided the ideal loudspeaker solution – due to their acoustic capabilities, unobtrusive aesthetics and speed & simplicity of installation. The system has now enhanced the conferencing facilities allowing for greater flexibility and increased revenue for the Charity from corporate and private usage.’

Following the success of the audio system and seeing how much assistance the Company could provide to Deafblind UK, CIE-Group have now become a key sponsor of the Charity, providing a range of products to support the Centre and deafblind members, providing free marketing services to the Charity and planned fund raising events over the next 12 months.

Chris added; ‘We are currently working on a project with deafblind sportsman Graham Hicks – Guinness World Record Holder for the fastest speed on a quad bike and fastest England to Holland on a jetski! Graham (who recently received the Variety Club Award for Outstanding Courage) is about to embark upon an attempt to break his own world speed record on his quad bike. We are now working to install our latest EverFocus portable digital video recorder system onto the quad to provide on-board video of Graham’s expected 150mph trip!’

Deafblind UK Development Manager, Kim Olivier said: ‘Deafblind UK are delighted to be working in partnership with companies such as CIE Group, who are committed to maximising accessibility for deafblind people. Accessibility issues are of vital importance in 2004 – a year in which DDA guidelines come into force. By working together with CIE Group, we can provide companies with expert advice on how they can cater for hearing impaired customers.’