Services for Blind and Partially-Sighted People
(Please note these links will open in a new window or new tab.)
- National Support:
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is perhaps the best known national organisation to help everyone affected by sight loss.
NB: Action for Blind People has now merged with RNIB and can be contacted via RNIB, as above.
- Local Support:
The two organisations set up to help people with sight loss in our area are:Suffolk Sight
(NB: East Suffolk Association for the Blind (ESAB), Ipswich Blind Society, and West Suffolk Sight have all amalgamated to form a new county-wide sight-loss charity, Suffolk Sight).
(NB: Vision Norfolk is the new name for Norfolk & Norwich Association for the Blind)
Another locally-based organisation, Sensing Change is a professionally-led practice that helps with the everyday challenges of both sight and hearing loss.
- Guide Dogs:
There are over 4,700 guide dog owners in the UK. If you are blind or partially sighted, a guide dog could change your life. Find out more on the Guide Dogs website.
- Macular Society: Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK. The Macular Society aims to beat the fear and isolation of macular disease with world-class research, and the best advice and support.
- Blind Veterans UK:
Blind Veterans UK provides vital and free training, rehabilitation, equipment and emotional support for blind and vision-impaired veterans, no matter when they served, or whether they lost their sight due to accident, age-related illness or in service. They can also be contacted on 0800 389 7979.
- Home Adaptations
The Ultimate Guide to Adapting Your Home gives information on effective house adaptations to facilitate independent living for visually impaired people. It also provides advice on funding and a link to other relevant resources. - Employment
Support for Blind and Visually Impaired Employees provides advice and a list of useful resources on: General Advice, Legal Rights, Finding Work, Assisted Technology and Useful Links