Definition: Term used to describe someone with sight loss. Formerly know as 'partially sighted', this category is used by Social Services Departments for registration purposes. (See Severely sight impaired (SSI)).
Category: Eye Condition
Credit: Vision in Wales
Source: Vision in Wales
Services specifically catering for people with Sight impaired (SI)
An individually planned
befriending service whereby volunteers use their sight in a practical way to help the
visually impaired person. It can be used for companionship, reading, writing of letters, escorting etc, but not for domestic work, decorating or gardening.
The aim of the service is to provide social support and friendship to our
service users and people with sight loss, through one to one phone conversations (lasting approx 20 - 30 minutes). Service users will receive weekly telephone calls from their allocated volunteer. We use a matching system which links up service users and volunteers which considers similarities between the two.
This offers support and friendship through regular phone contact for
visually impaired people in Breconshire (South Powys).
To provide Christian friendship, support, encouragement and fun to people experiencing sight loss (especially those unable to easily access Christian and social activities) via Telephone Friendship Groups. It offers blind and partially sighted people the opportunity via the telephone to share the Scriptures together, pray together and fellowship together - all from the comfort of their own armchair!
Socialise by phone for friendship and support in a small group of blind and partially sighted adults. Calls must be made from a landline. A friendly volunteer facilitator is trained to invite people into the conversation and to ensure that everyone has a chance to have their say.
Peer support - (Visual Impairment Merthyr (VIM))Service
VIM provides peer support to people with sight loss in Merthyr at their meetings.
Fully trained volunteers provide
training in basic computer skills, touch typing, use of email and the internet, on a one-to-one basis.
RNC Work Ready Programme - (Royal National College for the Blind (RNC))Service
The Work Ready programme provides tailored, flexible, industry-based
training to increase your employment prospects. RNC's specialist expertise and
personalised approach allows them to provide the training that is right for you. Programmes last from 6 to 26 weeks and are delivered and supported by industry professionals in real working environments with employment
outcomes. The length of your programme will vary according to your needs and the employment pathway you select.
IT training - (British Computer Association of the Blind (BCAB))Service
BCAB holds
training and events for blind and partially sighted people who are members. Our tutorials, training initiatives and introductory workshops include something for people of all skill levels. BCAB also provides networking opportunities for members.
IT
training for
disabled people, with the emphasis on internet and email skills. Training is given on a one to one basis in your own home and on your own computer. You arrange lesson times with your tutor - this can be in the evenings or at weekends. You first have an
assessment with your tutor, then you will have 10 sessions which last between 1½ to 2 hours each - usually one lesson a week. Your tutor will also come back to see you 9 months after your course has ended to check progress.
AbilityNet offers a range of free services to enable
disabled people to make use of assitive technologies. These include free factsheets, a telephone
helpline and an on-line
assessment tool.
This programme offers a range of interactive discussion sessions with professional facilitators, with time to focus and discuss the things that you find difficult about sight loss. As well as learning about helpful products, services and support, this is also an opportunity to reflect on taking positive steps forward to improve and enjoy life. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with people in a similar situation to share experiences.
Delivered on a one-to-one basis from various locations in the Swansea area.
A postal library offering a choice of 8,500 audio books for all tastes - fiction and non-fiction - chosen specially to appeal to members. Most books available in digital format on
MP3 CD or USB memory stick,
free postage and no fines for late or lost books, flexible lending, the option to choose your books on-line, and a friendly, personal, quick service.
Young Calibre - (Calibre Audio Library)Service
A subscription-free postal library for
children and
young people bringing you the fun of audio books. As well as books to read for pleasure, the library includes titles for education supporting the GCSE English and A level syllabus as well as the PSHE section of the National Curriculum.
Subscribers to the service get access to an extensive range of newspapers, TV listings magazines and other top-selling and specialist magazines to read on CD player, mobile phone or laptop. Some publications for
children are also available.
RNIB National Library Service is the largest library in the UK for readers with sight loss. They offer a wide choice of fiction and non-fiction books in audio,
braille and giant print for adults and
children.
Bag Books is the only organisation in the world publishing multi-sensory books specifically for people with learning
disabilities. Each year we reach around 19,000
children and adults throughout the UK with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (
PMLD), Severe Learning Disabilities (SLD) or severely affected by Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Booktouch - (Bookstart)Service
Booktouch packs are available for
children who are blind or partially sighted. Children are entitled to this pack in addition to the two standard Bookstart packs. You can collect your free Booktouch packs from your health visitor, local health clinic, early years setting or local library. Bookstart schemes also work closely with these professionals and sensory impairment teams to help make sure everyone receives the packs best suited to them.
ClearVision is a UK postal lending library of mainstream
children's books with added
braille. Our books all have braille (or Moon), print and pictures, making them suitable for visually-impaired and sighted children and adults to share. There are over 13,000 books in the collection, including tactile board books, simple stories for young children and stimulating books for newly fluent readers. We have fiction and non-fiction in uncontracted (grade 1) and contracted (grade 2) braille.
A postal and internet-based library service of fiction and non-fiction books for adults and
children for people who have difficulty reading print.
Guide Dogs CustomEyes service produces large print books for
children with
vision impairment. These are tailor-made for each child or
young person, but they are only charged the recommended retail price. The customised large print books open up a whole world of imagination and learning, by enabling visually impaired children and young people to read the same books as their sighted friends and classmates.
A digital download library, allowing subscribers to download talking books, talking magazines and podcasts directly to their computer, tablet or
smartphone.
This charity produces and publishes high quality early years’ books in dual format - giant print (75pt) &
braille - with illustrations. The design enables braille or large print readers to read without obscuring the text or illustrations; and therefore gives
children and adults the opportunity to read together, forming both educational and social relationships. Books can be purchased, & are also available for loan from some Welsh libraries.
Bridgevis volunteers work with the
ECLOs within the hospital to provide information and support to patients who are experiencing, or have some level of, sight loss.
An on-line resource containing information on eye care for people with learning
disabilities. It includes information in easy-read format, and also information for
carers.
An on-line resource written by five expert organisations to give parents the information, support and guidance they need at the time of their
child's sight loss diagnosis. While it is not a substitute for information and
advice from a medial professional, Starting Point is a gateway to invaluable information and support.
The BWFB provides high quality, easy to use audio equipment which has been specially designed and adapted for listeners living with sight loss.
Ceredigion Association provide some
grants to
visually impaired people. To be eligible you must have serious and uncorrectable visual impairments, and have been referred to the Association by the
Rehabilitation Officer in Ceredigion Social Services.
Grants are offered to anyone with a permanent and uncorrectable eye condition, living in Breconshire to help pay for equipment, services,
training, education and experiences (such as
holidays). Applications are welcome from the
visually impaired, their families and
carers.
A social group that meet locally and enjoy talks, activities, speakers,
outings, refreshments and other entertainment.
The Accessible Friends Network (TAFN) is a national independent UK charity providing
social networking, computer technical support,
training and entertainment via the internet. It is a user-led voluntary group run for and by
vi people which uses email, the internet, voice conferencing and other resources to improve the quality of life for vi people and their partners by networking. Events, which are moderated, include quizzes, musical theme nights, jazz
club, & computer skills workshops.
Meetings are held each Friday morning between 10.30 - 1.00, primarily at an adapted plot at Rhydypenau Allotments on Lake Road North during the summer months and elsewhere at other times.
A social group that meet locally and enjoy talks, activities, speakers,
outings, refreshments and other entertainment.
The group offers
advice about services in the area, a Christmas meal and free summer
trip.
An adventurous group with members ranging from 16-60. Here's your chance to go ten pin bowling, white water rafting, quad biking, horse riding and take part in other social activities. The end of the summer season of activities is topped off with a lively barbecue for all. Last THURSDAY of the month - approx 6.30pm to 9.30pm at Sight Life offices and other venues. Also Saturday
outings & adventures.
A mature group of around 40
visually impaired people. Members are brought in by V.E.S.T community
transport including those in residential care. The group enjoys morning coffee or tea, lunch, bingo, raffles and quizzes and are well supported by an enthusiastic group of volunteers.
Group which meets at Gorseinon Institute from 10 am to 12 noon on the first Wednesday of the month.
This group meets at St Mary's Church, Swansea, from 10 am to 12 noon on the first Monday of each month.
Group which meets at the Mumbles Methodist Church, Swansea from 1.30 to 3.30 pm on the second Monday of each month.
A chance for
visually impaired people to share their passion for books, discover new authors and hear from guest speakers including narrators and publishers. Groups chat over the phone with a trained facilitator and each group meets once a month for 6 months.
It meets on Thursdays fortnightly and Fridays fortnightly, currently via conference call. Run by Gyn Vivian in Partnership with Sight Life.
Currently not running. A group to discuss services related to audio books, and to discuss one particular book in each session. Meets at Swansea Central Library on the third Wednesday of the month from 11 am to 12 pm. Run in partnership with Swansea Central Library.
Virtual: Every first Thursday (10.30-11.30am).
Face-to-face: Every third Wednesday @ venue TBC.
Group meeting on the third Sunday of the month for service and social event at the Belmont Hotel, Llandudno.
Club meets fortnightly on Mondays from 11 am to 2 pm at St David's Church, Penrhyn Bay.
VIEW Luncheon Club - (Visually Impaired Endeavours in Wrexham (VIEW))Service
The
club meets on the first Tuesday of the month at a Wrexham pub, Wrexham, at 12.00.
Currently not running. The game is very much like conventional tennis though with much larger balls filled with ball bearings, making it easier to detect where the ball is coming from. Sessions take place on Thursdays from 1 pm to 2 pm at Swansea Tennis Centre.
Support & mentoring - (Society of Visually Impaired Lawyers (SoVIL))Service
Provides support for
visually impaired people working in the legal profession, including a student mentoring scheme. They also share information/knowledge about IT solutions to information gathering; accessing printed material and legal material in alternative formats.
EYE CAN - (Sight Life)Service
Not currently running. Eye Can aims to provide social groups and activities for young
visually impaired people, and to give them specialist support in a wide variety of areas including sight loss, health, education and
training. The project is also providing workshops to local schools and colleges so that they are able to promote the service to their visually impaired students.
BCAB Membership - (British Computer Association of the Blind (BCAB))Service
BCAB is an organisation for all
visually impaired people with an interest in computers, from those using them in schools to professionals working in IT, and for professionals interested in issues related to IT and visual impairment.
Through Scarlett's Eyes - (VICTA (Visually Impaired Children Taking Action))Service
An on-line family support network for parents of
visually impaired children, set up with funding from VICTA. A source of information and
advice for parents, with the opportunity to network with others in a similar situation.
A guide dog can offer a unique, safe and effective way of getting about independently and confidently.
Help to protect vulnerable
visually impaired people to live more successfully within their local communities by helping them find solutions to their problems.
Help to protect vulnerable
visually impaired people to live more successfully within their local communities by helping them find solutions to their problems.
Help to protect vulnerable
visually impaired people to live more successfully within their local communities by helping them find solutions to their problems.
Help to protect vulnerable
visually impaired people to live more successfully within their local communities by helping them find solutions to their problems.
Help to protect vulnerable
visually impaired people to live more successfully within their local communities by helping them find solutions to their problems.
Help to protect vulnerable
visually impaired people to live more successfully within their local communities by helping them find solutions to their problems.
Help to protect vulnerable
visually impaired people to live more successfully within their local communities by helping them find solutions to their problems.
Help to protect vulnerable
visually impaired people to live more successfully within their local communities by helping them find solutions to their problems.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems. It helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems. It helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
Rehabilitation Officers are trained to support individuals with sight problems to rebuild skills and confidence as their sight changes. Support aims to encourage independence around mobility, communications, household skills, lighting, using magnifiers and specialist equipment. The local authority also maintains the
Sight Impairment Register, and signposts to many other agencies.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
A ROVI assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves.
Mobility specialist - (SenCom Vision Impairment Service)Service
SenCom
VIS provides five local authorities with staff qualified to provide
habilitation to vi
children in a school and home environments. The contact is Sarah Hughes.
Bridgend CBC has a member of staff qualified to provide mobility
training to
vi children in a school environment. The contact is Helen Jenkins.
Cardiff Council has a member of staff qualified to provide mobility
training to
vi children in a school environment. The contact is Roberta Veryard.
Conwy Council has a member of staff qualified to provide mobility
training to
vi children in a school environment. The contact is Steve Boothby.
Denbighshire Council has a member of staff qualified to provide mobility
training to
vi children in a school environment. The contact is Paul Montgomery.
Mobility Specialist - (North East Wales Sensory Support Service (NEWSS))Service
Flintshire Council has a member of staff qualified to provide mobility
training to
vi children in a school environment. The contact is Anne Noden.
Merthyr Tydfil Council as a member of staff qualified to provide mobility
training to
vi children in a school environment. The contact is Lisa Beattie.
NPT Mobility specialist - (Neath Port Talbot Education Department)Service
NPT Council has a member of staff qualified to provide mobility
training to
vi children in a school environment. The contact is Martha Rees.
RCT Mobility specialist - (Rhondda Cynon Taf Education Department)Service
RCT Council has a member of staff qualified to provide mobility
training to
vi children in a school environment. The contact is Sharon Phillips.
Swansea Council has a member of staff qualified to provide mobility
training to
vi children in a school environment. The contact is Cherrie Neal.
Vale of Glamorgan Council has a member of staff qualified to provide mobility
training to
vi children in a school environment. The contact is Helen Davies
Wrexham Council has a member of staff qualified to provide mobility
training to
vi children in a school environment. The contact is Graham Edwards.
Home visits - (Visual Impairment Merthyr (VIM))Service
VIM makes home visits to members, particularly to assist people who have been recently diagnosed to adjust to their situation.
SenCom
VIS provides teachers who are qualified to teach vision impaired
children in five local authorities. The contact is Sarah Hughes.
NCW is a national residential school and college for
young people aged 11 to 19 who are blind or partially sighted. Every student at NCW has a tailored programme, carefully planned & delivered to meet their individual needs in three key areas; academic achievement, independent living skills and involvement in extracurricular activities at the College and in the community.
Further education courses - (Royal National College for the Blind (RNC))Service
RNC offers a wide range of further education courses for
visually impaired students at its site in Hereford. Subjects include
braille and independent living skills in addition to various BTec, GCSE, A and AS level courses.
Blind in Business provide a range of services aimed at providing
visually impaired graduates into employment. These include assistance with applications, practice interview sessions,
advice on job hunting and help with networking.
RNIB runs this service with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), to support blind & partially sighted people with tax and benefit issues. RNIB will make tax and HMRC issues clearer and check people are getting the benefits, concessions and tax allowances they are entitled to, and to help them to use HMRC's online services.
The Calvert Trust has an accessible centre in Exmoor where
disabled people can enjoy outdoor activities.
The Calvert Trust runs an accessible centre in Kielder where
disabled people can try out new experiences with family and friends. Various types of breaks are available, from day or half day
trips to self catering and
respite breaks.
An accessible, residential, outdoor activity centre for
disabled people. A wide range of activities and breaks are available for people of all ages.
The Jubilee Sailing Trust offers
disabled people the chance to sail on their tall ships. Day sails or longer voyages are available.
There are a variety of
holidays on offer with a Christian ethos. Many of them happen at Torch's own Holiday and Retreat Centre in West Sussex. Other holidays are available elsewhere in the UK and abroad
VICTA events and activities - (VICTA (Visually Impaired Children Taking Action))Service
VICTA organise a wide range of activities and week-ends for
vi children and their families. Although most activities are in England so likely to be impractical for people from Wales, the longer breaks are worth considering.
Carry on Gardening presents Thrive's experience and expertise in gardening with a
disability, which has been gathered over 30 years of helping disabled people to start or continue gardening. It contains practical information to make garden jobs easier,
advice on taking care, useful hints and tips and details of the equipment and tools which will be particularly helpful. It has a section for blind & partially sighted people. If you can't find the info you need, you can phone or email for advice.
Vision Support's
VI Voices groups meet in Llandudno, Prestatyn and Wrexham and invite speakers from various organisations to discuss a range of issues from 'A' Boards and street furniture to accessibility in health services. Get involved and make a difference. For further information, please contact Vision Support.
LOOK mentoring service - (LOOK - National Federation of Families with Visually Impaired Children)Service
A free mentoring service for
young people with
vision impairment. Offers support on topics such as school and college; gap year ideas; career and life plans; socialising and confidence; independent living. Mentors are vision impaired themselves.
Service descriptions mentioning the term
Sight impaired (SI)
If you reside in Wales, most optometrists can also offer a free eye test if:
you have an eye problem that needs urgent attention;
you have sight in one eye only;
you’re registered as
sight impaired;
you have a hearing impairment and are profoundly
deaf;
you suffer from
retinitis pigmentosa;
you are of Black or Asian ethnicity;
your GP has referred you because they think you may have an eye problem.
If you already have a
vision impairment or low vision, or are registered as either
sight impaired or
severely sight impaired a specially trained and accredited Low vision optician/optometrist) can help you make the best use of the sight you have. There are currently 187 of specially trained low vision practitioners working out of high street opticians throughout the whole of Wales. To find your nearest one simply search the database at the link below.
