Visual Impairment

If you are experiencing any type of visual impairment or having difficulties with your sight, or you are a carer, family member or health or social care professional, this website will help you to find what you need.

1.  Local societies for visually impaired people

Visionary is a membership organisation for local sight loss charities - sometimes known as local societies or associations for blind and partially sighted people. Their website will help you to find an organisation near you that provides advice and information, social activities, product advice and training.

Tel: 020 8417 0942 or visit visionary.org.uk

2. National organisations and information for people with Visual Impairment 

National Blind Children’s Society

www.nbcs.org.uk    Tel: 01278 764 764  

Freephone  - Family Support and Information     

Tel: 0800 781 1444         Email: enquiries@nbcs.org.uk

Enables blind and partially sighted children to achieve educational and recreational goals by providing large print books, specialist computers, recreational opportunities and educational advice and guidance.

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RNIB

www.rnib.org.uk            Tel:  0303 123 9999           Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is the UK's leading charity offering information, support and advice to almost two million people with sight loss.

Helping anyone with a sight problem - not just with Braille and Talking Books, but with imaginative and practical solutions to everyday challenges. They also provide information on eye conditions and provide support and advice for people living with sight loss.

RNIB National Library Service

www.rnib.org.uk/library    Tel:    0845 762 6843     Minicom: 0845 758 5691

The RNIB National Library Service, which provides a wide range of library and information services for people with sight problems. Resources include talking books, Braille and giant print books, and online reference services. Formerly known as the National Library for the Blind (NLB).

Email:  libraryinfo@rnib.org.uk

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Action for Blind People

www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk             Tel:  Freephone  0800 915 4666

Action for Blind People is a new national charity with local reach, providing practical help and support to blind and partially sighted people of all ages, offering a number of services including help with finding a job, applying for benefits, housing issues, aids and adaptations, holiday breaks and information on local services.

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Royal Blind Society

www.royalblindsociety.org           Tel: 01903 857 023

An organisation that helps blind or partially sighted with cash grants to provide essential support for those on low incomes and by providing a range of holidays and leisure opportunities.

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VISION 2020 UK

www.vision2020uk.org.uk  

VISION 2020 UK is an umbrella organisation which facilitates greater collaboration and co-operation between organisations within the UK, focusing on vision impairment and operating on a national, regional and/or international basis.

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UK Vision Strategy  

www.vision2020uk.org.uk

The UK Vision Strategy is a VISION 2020 UK initiative led by RNIB to develop a unified plan for action on all issues relating to vision, across the four countries of the UK.

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Guide Dogs

www.guidedogs.org.uk     Tel:  0118 983 5555    Email: guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association consists of stakeholders, including customers, volunteers, donors, employees and trustees. They work as a team to deliver mobility and access services that meet the needs and aspirations of blind and partially-sighted people in the United Kingdom.

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British Wireless for the Blind Fund

www. blind.org.uk       Tel: 01622 754 757   Email: info@blind.org.uk

The British Wireless for the Blind Fund distributes radios to blind and partially sighted people throughout the UK

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National talking Newspapers and Magazines

Tel:  01435 866 102            www.tnauk.org.uk        Email : info@tnauk.org.uk

Provides national and local newspapers and magazines on audio tape, computer disk, email and CD-ROM for visually impaired and disabled people who find reading a strain.

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Seeability

www.seeability.org       Tel: 01372 755000    Email:  enquiries @seeability.org

Provides support services for visually impaired people with additional disabilities, including. learning/physical disabilities, head injuries or mental health difficulties. Services include assessment, community outreach, supported living, visual impairment rehabilitation, day care, and residential/nursing services.

Seeability also assists carers and professionals.

SeeAbility House, Hook Road, Epsom, Surrey KT19 8SQ

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Thomas Pocklington Trust

www.pocklington-trust.org.uk      Tel:   020 8995 0880

Email  :  info@ pocklington-trust.org.uk

5 Castle Row, Horticultural Place, Chiswick, London W4 4JQ

The Thomas Pocklington Trust, a registered charity and company, is a major provider of housing, care and support services for people with sight loss in the UK.

Resource centres provide access to a range of opportunities for people with sight loss such as social activities, educational classes, vision rehabilitation assistance, and access to IT facilities. Additional services such as home visiting and befriending, drop-in services, and Talking News services are also provided.

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3. Condition specific information signposting 

RP Fighting Blindness

Tel. Helpline:  0845 123 2354      www.brps.org.uk

Previously the British Retinitis Pigmentosa Society, RP Fighting Blindness is a registered charity dedicated to finding a treatment or cure for retinitis pigmentosa (RP). They provide high quality information about RP and a telephone helpline for those who need to know more or need help.

Email: helpline:  helpline@brps.org.uk

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International Glaucoma Association

www.glaucoma-association.com

Tel: Sightline 01233 648 170      Admin:  01233 648 164

A charity which offers advice and support to glaucoma patients and campaigns for improved glaucoma services.

Email : info@iga.org.uk   

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Macular Disease Society

www.maculardisease.org           Tel: Helpline 0845 241 2041

Support group for patients with macular disease.

Email  : info@maculardisease.org

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4. Useful other national organisations and websites 

RICA

www.rica.org.uk         Email: mail@rica.org.uk

Tel: 020 7427 2460      Textphone: 020 7427 2460

Ricability is an independent consumer research charity providing free, practical and unbiased reports for older and disabled people.

Rica, Unit G03, The Wenlock, 50-52 Wharf Road, London N1 7EU

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Remap

www.remap.org.uk        Tel: 0845 1300 456

Remap works through a nationwide network of dedicated volunteer experts who use their ingenuity and skills to tailor- make items of equipment to help people with disabilities to achieve much-desired independence in some aspect of their lives, or to enjoy leisure opportunities previously closed to them.

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Disabled Living Foundation - DLF

www.dlf.org.uk         Tel: Helpline   0300 999 0004   

Email :  helpline@dlf.org.uk

The Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) is part of Shaw Trust and provides independent advice on mobility aids, disability aids, and daily living equipment and information on where you can buy or hire daily living equipment and sources of funding. 

DLF, 4th Floor Jessica House, Red Lion Square. 191 Wandsworth High Street, London SW18 4LS

www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk     – a website showcasing a wide range of equipment for independent living

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Disabled Go

www.disabledgo.com

For online information about all kinds of places in your area - hotels, restaurants, colleges, tourist attractions, libraries, hospitals, leisure centres etc.

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ODI - the Office for Disability Issues

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-disability-issues

The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) is part of the Department for Work and Pensions and works to support the development of policies across government to remove inequality between disabled and non-disabled people.

Email:   fulfilling.potential@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Office for Disability Issues, Caxton House, 7-12 Tothill Street, London SW1H 9DA

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NHS Choices www.nhs.uk

NHS Choices is the online 'front door' to the NHS. It is the country's biggest health website and gives all the information you need to make choices about your health.

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