Welcome to the TAFN Communicator Page.

Brought to you by THE ACCESSIBLE FRIENDS NETWORK!

Cordial greetings and welcome to T A F N, a UK based online network of blind & visually impaired people who communicate live by VoIP conferencing and via the internet.  

We also welcome international guests, who may join TAFN as associate members.  TAFN's VoIP conferencing takes place on our VIP Communicator* server.  The server is fully accessible to screen readers, and has multiple rooms, for both multi-person chat and high quality stereo sound!

This might well sound like rocket science...  but we can assure you that setting it up is easy.  All that's required a PC with a soundcard, microphone & internet connection.  The VIPCOM client program is very screen reader accessible! and completely free.

The server is private and you can be assured of a friendly welcome and first class support.  

Entertainment-wise there is a lot happening, for example

• Live player games including Quizzes, Crosswords and a "Chain Reaction" word game
• Audio Plays, Documentaries and an Archers fans event.  
• Music, including themed events from the UK, Australia and the Netherlands, weekly "VoIP DJ" shows, and , more.    Server users can play their tracks to eachother live online.
• A Sports Bar, where people can talk about their favourite sports, teams and players.
• Interviews with individuals of all ages and backgrounds from across the TAFN network.
• SNIPPETS - a special news & magazine clippings event red out loud by humans
• A growing number of events live from Australia which are usually simultaneous with their night time and our morning
• Online accredited Computer Skills training, including the opportunity to become a home based trainer

There is at least one scheduled event on the TAFN server every day, and they are all run by volunteers.

Free no obligation trial!

New guests wishing to try our server can sign up for a FREE ONE MONTH TRIAL guest account!   No obligations... come and meet our friendly community and give it a try!   Subscribed Membership starts from just 12 pounds per year, and has a range of other benefits in addition to the voice conferencing access.

• Step 1) Check if you meet the system requirements (PC running Windows XP with microphone, and internet connection)
• Step 2) Sign up for a trial guest account via the ensuing link.  Sign up
• Step 3) Once your application is approved via email, click on the authorisation link in the email then log in to our secure server via the web link provided.  Sign in
• Step 4) Follow the link to download the VIP Communciator Client & install it.  
• Step 5) When signed in, in your web browser are links to various chat rooms/channels and a locator frame showing who is online on the TAFN Server.
• Step 6) Explore around!  Use the "upcoming events" link to find out what scheduled events* are up and coming.  Use the "locator frame" to see who is currently online.  Use any Channel name's link e g The Lounge to enter that channel.   You are welcome!

Members & Guests - Sign in

Download the VIP Communicator Client, version 1.10e

About the program

*Key facts about TAFN Communicator:-

• VIP Communicator is EASY TO SET UP and install online.  Once signed up & approved you could be downloading it then meeting friendly people online within a day!
• The TAFN server is Private and online 24 hours a day.  It offers high quality live talk (including for dialup connections) over the internet using a computer with soundcard and microphone.
• We have TECH SUPPORT volunteers on standby and our cordial welcome awaits.
• The programme was developed by Barry Jennings (B1) of vipconduit.com and is fully accessible to screen reader users.  Once you have installed it and entered a room simply press the left CTRL key to talk!
• TAFN Communicator has STEREO capability and a number of our online events (including DJ shows, plays & audio described films) are now in lovely Stereo!.
• We are the only organisation in Europe to be implementing this program.
• TAFN is a growing & dynamic online UK-based voice community of VIP's using assistive technology to enable fun, friendship and support online.   It's run entirely by volunteers and dependent on donations of money, time and talent!, and we actively encourage and promote independence.  Our members - who are ever growing in number - look forward to meeting new guests & you're sure to be made welcome.

Sign up for TAFN Communicator Trial Account (via this join form with terms and conditions)

For further enquiries please contact us by email

Join

A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE CHRIS CANT.   Chris was our first chairman & an ACCESSIBLE FRIENDS NETWORK co-founder, who was instrumental in getting our first ever voice server program going, a legend amongst us who left this world for in November 2005. His spirit of support, assistance and friendship via the internet for British blind people will always live on.   For more info click here to visit the TAFN Chris Cant Tribute Page  

All pages & content at www.tafn.org.uk is copyright The Accessible Friends Network 2003-2008. All rights reserved.  UK Registered Charity No. 1108043.

Please address enquiries about this page to the TAFN Webmaster.

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