Most people with a visual impairment will have some useful sight (residual vision). Using this residual vision will neither damage sight nor cause sight to deteriorate more quickly.
Low vision equipment
Some people with a visual impairment who retain some useful vision, which cannot be improved by ordinary spectacles, can often improve their visual performance by using low vision equipment (e.g. special magnifying glasses).
How to obtain a piece of low vision equipment
Low vision equipment (magnifiers) can be prescribed through the National Health Hospital Eye Service. They are also available commercially from opticians, chemists shops and even supermarkets. It should be stressed that a low vision assessment should be carried out at a Low Vision Clinic (if this service is available in your area) in order to obtain the correct types of magnifiers suitable for specific tasks (e.g. reading, television, outdoors). Low vision services are also available through many local societies.
For further information contact your Ophthalmologist or Rehabilitation Officer for people with visual impairments.
Lighting
Depending on your particular eye condition, you may be able to use your remaining sight more efficiently in correct lighting conditions. Some people with a visual impairment will function more effectively when extra lighting is used. Others will prefer a lower degree of illumination. Lighting levels are therefore an individual choice.
Contrast
Contrast can play an important part in helping a person with a visual impairment to use their remaining sight more effectively. This can be obtained by:
If you would like further information about improving lighting and contrast to help you use your sight more effectively, contact your Rehabilitation Officer for People with Visual Impairment.
Using other senses
As vision deteriorates, most people find that they will come to rely more on their other senses, particularly hearing. (It is not that hearing improves, but that you become more aware of sounds around you). If you have additional problems with your hearing it is important that you seek advice from your doctor.
Employment and Training
If you are of employable age and are registered as having a visual impairment, the Disability Employment Advisor (DEA) at the local Job Centre will be able to advise you.
The personal reader service helps registered severely sight impaired / blind and sight impaired / partially sighted employees to pay someone to give reading help at work. Contact the DEA at your local Job Centre for advice.
Employment services for people with a visual impairment are provided through the Department of Employment’s “Placement, Assessment and Counselling Team” or “PACT”.
Help may be available through the Employment PACT to enable you to continue in your present employment by providing special equipment and assisting with your travel.
The Royal National Institute for the Blind
The RNIB has a regional Centre in Liverpool for the North West of England.
They provide a range of Employment and Education Services and can be contacted at the address below.
The Gateway Centre
71 London Road
Liverpool
L3 8HY
Telephone: 0151 298 3222
Fax: 0151 298 3250
Email: RNIBNorthWest@rnib.org.uk
Reading, writing and listening
Some people with a visual impairment may find they are still able to read ordinary size print using low vision equipment and improved lighting. Others may find they can read large print books, which are available from local Libraries.
Materials are available in large print from various sources including RNIB and The Partially Sighted Society
Reading using magnifications
Closed circuit televisions (CCTV’s) magnify the pages of a book onto a screen. There are also portable reading aids, which tune into a spare channel on any TV set. They are useful for reading books, packets, telephone directories and so on. Low vision equipment (magnifiers) may also make reading easier.
Reading by touch
If you have difficulty with reading, there are two systems of learning to read with your fingers. One system is called Braille, and the other easier system is called Moon. The Rehabilitation Officer in your area is trained to teach both these systems within your own home. Age is not a barrier – as long as you are keen to learn. Books, magazines, newspapers and knitting patterns are all available in Braille or Moon from the Royal National Institute for the Blind.
Utility bills and bank statements can be made available in Braille.
Writing
It is still possible to continue writing, even if just a signature by using certain hand writing equipment (e.g. signature guide, cheque book signature guide, envelope guide). Writing letters with a hand writing frame will help you to write in a straight line. You may find using a black felt tip pen helpful when writing. For further information contact your Rehabilitation Officer.
Typing
Learning to type can be a very useful form of communicating with other people. You can be taught to type by your Rehabilitation Officer at home.
Listening
Radios – if you are over 8 years of age, registered severely sight impaired / blind or sight impaired / partially sighted, and not in a position to purchase one, a radio or radio cassette or radio cassette / CD player can be provided by the British Wireless for the Blind Fund on a permanent loan. These can be obtained through your Rehabilitation Officer / Local Blind Society.
There is a weekly radio programme called “In Touch” as well as other programmes broadcast by local radio stations which are of special interest to visually impaired people.
Talking Newspapers
Talking newspapers are provided by local and national voluntary associations for people with a visual impairment. A taped edition of the local news is usually sent out every week free of charge. There is a wide range of national newspapers and magazines available on tape. For further information contact your Rehabilitation Officer or Talking Newspaper Association of the United Kingdom (TNAUK).
Talking Books
Talking books can be supplied to people with a visual impairment. The Royal National Institute for the Blind Talking Books Service provides a wide range of books on compact discs and supplies the special machine needed.
The annual subscription allows an unlimited number of books to be borrowed each year.
Calibre
Calibre is a library of adult and child fiction and non fiction recorded on to standard cassettes. A doctor’s certificate or letter from your Rehabilitation Officer stating that you are unable to read printed books is required. A small fee is charged for their catalogue of books. Donations are welcome.
Your Local Library
Your local library should have a range of recorded material, including books. People who are registered severely sight impaired / blind or sight impaired / partially sighted are exempt from reservation and borrowing charges on these items.
Student Tape Library
Recordings of basic textbooks are available for use with Talking Book or ordinary machines. Membership is open to students and teachers with a visual impairment.
Television
People registered as severely sight impaired / blind are entitled to an annual reduction of 50% on their television license. A certificate can be supplied by your local Access Team, which should be taken to the Post Office when renewing the licence. Anyone over the age of 75 now receives a free TV licence. This applies to any household where one member is over 75 years regardless of their medical condition.
A TV sound receiver that enables people with a visual disability to listen to the sound content of TV programmes is available for purchase. No TV licence is required for this.
Talking Bills
Electricity, Gas and Water service providers will provide these on request.
You can contact the Rehabilitation Officer via the Access Teams. |