TAFN Membership Information Page

TAFN membership page logo, showing an assortment of multi-coloured cartoon people with happy faces.

The Accessible Friends Network is a UK Registered Charity, No 1108043.

(1) Cost of Membership
(2) Full TAFN Charity Membership
(3) TAFN Associate Membership
(4) TAFN Voice Conferencing Server Users (Guests)
(5) TAFN Volunteers

(1) Cost of Membership

Server Guest accounts last for a 1 month period and are free.

The cost of one year's full membership of TAFN is currently £12 - twelve pounds per year, from January 2008.

Associate Membership (open to blind or partially sighted people or their partners who live outside the UK) is currently £15 per year.

Life time membership of TAFN is available after 5 years of annual membership.

If you have any enquiries about membership fees, or would like details of how to pay please contact us

The Accessible Friends Network is a UK Registered Charity (No 1108043) and Full Membership is exclusively open to British blind or partially sighted people and their partners. However we also welcome members' close relatives, access technology trainers and online volunteers, by agreement.

Paid-up British TAFN member benefits include the following:-

Access to our voice conferencing server 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Access to the exclusive members area of our website.

Access to all scheduled member events and channels on our voice server including for example computer training, and high quality audio channels.

Internet entitlements, including an email address and/or mailbox, FTP account and web space if required.

The right to attend and participate in monthly TAFN members meetings (held via voice conferencing), access to the minutes, and a vote in any decision that goes to the voting stage, including elections.

The right to become a TAFN Volunteer, subject to agreement (volunteers are given full support and their efforts are formally recognised, see below).

Priority status for certain TAFN social activities and beneficial offers.

Priority for Technical Support, and access to certain members-only computer services, including a Tech Support Fund to help with the cost of computer repairs, a new SMA fund to help with the cost of screen reader software upgrades, and occasional software discount offers.

If you would like to further discuss TAFN Member benefits, or take advantage of any of the above, in the first instance please contact the TAFN chairperson

(3) Associate Members

We also welcome associate members, who do not necessarily have to be British, from anywhere in the world.

TAFN Associate Members have the following benefits:-

Access to our voice conferencing server 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The right to attend and participate in members meetings, and access to the minutes.

Access to the members area of the TAFN website

Access to VoIp server channels & scheduled events.

The right to become a TAFN Volunteer, e.g. event host, subject to agreement.

Priority status over guests, for TAFN social activities and beneficial offers.

Priority for Technical Support over guests, and access to certain associate-members only computer services.

If you would have any enquiries about TAFN Associate Membership, in the first instance please contact TAFN Chairperson Audrey Tonge.

(4) Voice conferencing server Users (Guests)

TAFN's voice-conferencing server is online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and offers high-quality audio for voice chat and playing MP3's, etc. Server Guest accounts last for a 1 month period, and this is an ideal way for people new to TAFN to come along and meet us live over the internet. All applications to use the server as a guest must be first approved by TAFN, however this normally takes no longer than a 48 hour period. Our tech support volunteers will help anyone with the technical side of getting connected. All Guests should be aware of the following:-

Guests may use the server at any time, including our high quality stereo rooms.
Although we can and do give technical support to guests, priority for this goes to paying members.
Guest use of the server is time-limited, and anyone who applies for access and does not use it will be removed from the user list after the trial.

Importantly, there are guidelines for all users of our VoIP server, and some of the rules we expect everyone to observe for the benefit of all server users, are as follows:-

Server access passwords are strictly to be kept private.
Server users must use their real name(s) (see TAFN server guidelines link below)
Server users must show courtesy to others at all times
Server users must respect the privacy and confidentiality of others. This includes not running multiple voice clients (such as Skype) simultaneously with our voice server.
All server users must report any abusive conduct by others to an administrator or sub-admin, as soon as practically possible.
A full copy of the TAFN Voice server guidelines is available via our website, and is regularly sent to our Mailing List.

TAFN Server guidelines, in notepad format.

Email us if you wish to apply for a guest account, and have any questions

(5) TAFN Volunteers

The Accessible Friends Network is run entirely by volunteers, and TAFN is committed to supporting and protecting the interests of anyone who gives of their own time & effort to help our organisation. Although we gladly accept ad-hoc voluntary help at any time, all TAFN volunteers may be asked to provide references and details of their next of kin, etc. We endeavour to recognise all volunteers for their work, and provide written references where required as well as Certificates of Achievement. We have recognised around 14 volunteers in this way so far.

Among the commitments that TAFN makes to it's volunteers are the following:-

To assist volunteers in carrying out their roles by providing information and support
To try to match volunteers' needs and motivations to those of TAFN
To make it clear what is expected of volunteers and to provide regular feedback
To have an understanding of the need for flexibility within a volunteer's role
To endeavour to resolve any problems, grievances and difficulties which may be encountered while volunteering with TAFN and to provide an opportunity to discuss any issues that arise.
Where agreed, to reimburse out of pocket expenses (supported by receipts) incurred in a volunteering capacity for TAFN.
To recognise volunteers' contributions.

These guidelines are designed to clarify the different levels of TAFN Membership, and the benefits that each level offers. Should you have any enquiries please contact the TAFN Chairperson

Find out even more about The Accessible Friends Network (TAFN)

Find out about our mailing lists

Find out more about scheduled live events, on our Voice Server.

Return to the TAFN Home Page.

TAFN Helpline (During normal UK office hours) 0845 83 82 369

The Accessible Friends Network is a registered charity set up by & to improve the quality of life for, blind/visually impaired people & their partners via the internet and accessible VoIp conferencing.

UK Charity No 1108043.