Using Residual Vision
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 a visual impairment.
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:
- Use of colour
- Use of different textures both underfoot and within reach,
which will help people identify where they are
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.
As a registered Severely sight impaired/blind
person with a hearing impairment, you are entitled to an additional
hearing aid should you require it. You should contact your
GP
or local Audiology
Clinic for more details.
Your Council has access to a Dual Sensory Loss Rehabilitation
Worker based at Deafness Support
Network.
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.
Employment services for people with a visual impairment are
provided through the Department of Employment’s Jobcentre plus,
with any specialist training, help or advice provided by your
Disability Employment Advisor or Access to Work, both of whom can
be contacted through Jobcentre Plus.
Help may be available through
Access to Work 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 letter confirming eligibility can be
supplied by your local community services department. This letter
should be sent to the TV licensing Agency when applying for or
renewing your license. Anyone
over the age of 74 now receives a free TV licence. This applies
to any household where one member is 75 years or
older, 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 Social
Care Teams.
