Mobility

Getting around

Mobility is the term used to describe movement. It can range from moving around indoors to walking independently and safely within local areas. Depending on your needs and capabilities a Rehabilitation Officer can offer training to enable you to travel safely and independently, thus helping to improve your self-confidence.

Ways in which you can be helped

Most people who lose some of their sight will have mobility problems. This may be moving around within their home, crossing the road in a safe manner or getting to the local shops for example.

Your Rehabilitation Officer can teach you a variety of mobility skills. These can include being guided safely by a partner or learning techniques which will increase your safety in your own home. He / she may train you how to use a long-cane which can help you travel independently in your local area and also further afield.

Guide Dogs

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association will consider for training any visually impaired person over 16, who is resident in the UK and has mobility difficulties. Successful applicants are taught how to handle, care for and understand their guide dogs.
Where applicable a small weekly charge is made for accommodation and a token payment is made for the dog. The association offers a feeding allowance to all guide dog owners. Rehabilitation Officer can advise about guide dog training.

Everyday living

Everyday living includes:

• Coping in the kitchen
• Looking after yourself
• Eating
• Housework
• Telling the time
• Using the telephone
• Shopping

Most people who lose some sight may also lose confidence in their ability to run their home, prepare meals and maintain standards and can be helped to regain their independence by changing their methods and or using new equipment.

It is one of the roles of the Rehabilitation Officer for People with a Visual Impairment to help them in their own homes by discussing any particular problems they may be having and suggesting alternative ways of overcoming them.

Information on some specialised equipment can be found in free catalogues available from, amongst others Royal National Institute for the Blind and the Partially Sighted Society.

Special equipment is available to help you to: (for example)

• Tell the time
• Make a phone call
• Use a cooker safely
• Thread a needle
• Distinguish money

Advice on suitable equipment (eg: microwave cookers, washing machines, etc) can be obtained from the Rehabilitation Officer or by contacting Scottish Power and British Gas Advisers for older people or people who have a disability.

Just because you cannot see very well does not mean that you can no longer cook or look after yourself. If your particular problem is not covered in this section, do not hesitate to mention it to your Rehabilitation Officer who will be pleased to offer advice.

Leisure

Losing some or all of your sight may also affect your leisure time activities and social life. Whenever possible you should try to continue to enjoy your free time as you did before you lost some of your sight. To do this may mean changing methods of doing things, developing new interests etc.

There are many ‘special’ clubs and organisations for people with a visual impairment but it is possible and advisable to continue to mix with ‘sighted’ groups in your area.

Your Rehabilitation Officer will be happy to discuss problems and direct you to new interests. People with a visual impairment enjoy a variety of indoor and outdoor pursuits, such as bowls, bingo, swimming, gardening, and creative activities such as knitting and art etc.

Holidays

There are a number of hotels which cater for the needs of visually impaired holiday makers in England and Wales. Information is available from the Royal National Institute for the Blind. Your Rehabilitation Officer can also advise and give further information on these.

Additional Impairments

People with a visual impairment may suffer from other medical conditions – these can include:

• Diabetes
• Hearing Impairment
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Amputation
• Stroke
• Circulatory Problems
• Arthritis
• Mental Health Problems
• Learning Disabilities

Many of these conditions can make life more difficult if you have a visual impairment. Your Rehabilitation Officer will advise and can refer you to other organisations.

Services for People with both Hearing and Visual Impairments

A severe impairment in both your sight and hearing may mean you have additional problems with communication, mobility and access to information.

It is important to have regular hearing tests if your sight is poor. Visually impaired people who wear a NHS hearing aid can be issued with a second aid for emergency use.

Special equipment is available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. This includes television aids, loop systems, door warning systems, smoke alarms and alarm clocks. There are also aids to help with hearing and using the telephone. Information and advice about this equipment is available from the local office of the Deafness Support Network.

A special red and white cane or stick indicating that the user has both sight and hearing difficulties is available from your Rehabilitation Officer. Various items of tactile equipment produced for people with both sight and hearing loss is also available from the Royal Institute for the Blind.

The Rehabilitation Officer for People with Visual Impairment works closely with representatives from the Deafness Support Network.

You can contact the Rehabilitation Officer via the Social Care Teams.