Definition: Visual impairment, vision impairment, or low vision is a severe reduction in vision that cannot be corrected with standard glasses or contact lenses and reduces a person's ability to function at certain or all tasks.
Category: Health
Credit: The Free Dictionary
Source: http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Visual+Impairment
Service descriptions mentioning the term
Vision Impairment
Welfare rights assistance to
visually impaired people in the area. Will carry out the interview at the individual's home.
Welfare rights assistance to
vision impaired people in several regions.
Assessments are done at someone's home or office, and the service is to help complete forms, find supporting evidence and assistance to take to tribunal if necessary.
Resource centre run by Sight Life. It contains the latest aids, gadgets and information for
vi people, and all the equipment is sold at concessionary prices. Staff and volunteers are always on hand to advise and assist, but you are also welcome just to browse around.
Transport can be arranged if required.
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.
This offers support and friendship through regular phone contact for
visually impaired people in Breconshire (South Powys).
A regular phone call from a
visually impaired volunteer helping to keep someone up to date with things going on in the wider world.
The
helpline can assist you with information on any aspect of RNIB's many services, including information on eye conditions, employment, education, products and services which can help
vi people, library services and the RNIB shop.
Financial aid - (Behcet's Syndrome Society)Service
The Society will provide
grants to help people who are in hardship because of Behçet's disease. To provide a grant, evidence of the amount needed must be provided. Examples of claims which might be funded include prepayment certificate for drugs, help with
travel to hospital, household bills, help towards computer with reading aids/
voice recognition if you are
visually impaired, or aids/other equipment not available on the NHS to help if you are
disabled.
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.
RAB grants - (Radnorshire Association for the Blind)Service
Radnorshire Association offer
grants to Radnorshire residents to help towards the cost of equipment to help people with a
visual impairment.
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.
Traveleyes is a company which provides worldwide
holidays for groups of people, half of who are
visually impaired and half are sighted. Each VI traveller is paired with a sighted person, who acts as a guide and receives a discount.
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.
LOOK holiday flat - (LOOK - National Federation of Families with Visually Impaired Children)Service
LOOK owns a
holiday flat in Scarborough on the Yorkshire coast. The flat is accessible with two bedrooms, one double (with space for a cot), and one with bunk beds plus an extra single bed. The LOOK flat provides an opportunity for every family with a
visually impaired child to enjoy a seaside break and can be booked for both long and short breaks at very reasonable rates.
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.
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.
This is an activity
club for people who have a
vision impairment and their siblings, age 18 to 50 years. The club meets to see a film, go for a walk, take a
trip and many other activities and create friendships. People with other
disabilities as well as sight are made welcome.
UCAN gives
visually impaired children and
young people and their friends the opportunity to develop physical and vocal confidence, raise aspirations and promote individual abilities through performance. The organisation is based in Cardiff but works across the UK.
Social and entertainment group for persons who are
vision impaired and
carers.
Outings and speakers, general chat and company. Meetings are held at the Methodist Church, High Street, Welshpool on alternate Tuesdays between the hours of 2 - 4pm. from March - December. The
club is run by a small group of people who give their time freely. Raffle event every meeting towards cost of refreshments and use of hall. Affiliated with
Macular Society.
This is an activity
club for
children who have a
vision impairment and their siblings, aged four to sixteen years. The club meets every fortnight on a Saturday to try out new activities, have fun and create friendships. Members of the club take part in a range of activities, including a Chocolate Making Workshop, Swimming, Arts and Crafts, Dry Slope Ski-ing and lots of other activities. Parents are able to network, get information and
advice whilst the children enjoy themselves.
Meets alternate Thursdays in Newport. A friendly social
club for
vision impaired people. Lunch, talks and activities.
Fleur De Lis Community Hall. Meets alternate Mondays. A friendly
club for
vision impaired people. Talks and activities.
Meets alternate Mondays at Holy Trinity Church, Abergavenny. A friendly social
club for
vision impaired people. Talks and activities.
Risca Club - (Sight Cymru)Service
Meets alternate Wednesdays at Dan Y Graig Church. A friendly
club for
vision impaired people. Talks and activities.
Meets monthly at Bradbury House, Park Buildings, Pontypool. A friendly social
club for
vision impaired people. Short walks in the local and surrounding areas.
Meets alternate Tuesdays at the Haywain, Caldicot. A friendly social
club for
vision impaired people. For more information, contact Becs Harris 01495 763650.
Welsh Association of VI Bowlers - (Welsh Association of Visually Impaired Bowlers (WAVIB))Service
The Welsh Association for
VI Bowlers is the governing body for VI bowling in Wales. Its website has details of the various vi bowling
clubs across Wales. It is the first point of call to find out more about playing this accessible sport.
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.
Men's Group - (Bridgend County Borough Council)Service
VI/
Deaf-blind men of all ages meet every 6 weeks in Wetherspoons Maesteg 2-4pm. Contact Sandy Davies,
Rehabilitation Officer, for forthcoming dates.
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.
Held every Tuesday 11.15am to 1.30pm at Jones Court, Womanby Street, Cardiff. Join this group of
visually impaired people of Cardiff and the Vale, for talk and support. Be involved in lively discussions about a wide variety of topics (excluding religion and politics). The group also occasionally enjoys a
trip out for lunch.
Representation from
VI people in Swansea. Held on the last Thursday of each month in Civic Centre Swansea (currently via telephone conference).
The county steering group where people with a
vision impairment can meet to exchange ideas and views about any issue. The group is supported by Vision Support and meets at Prestatyn Library on the second Monday every other month between 2.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m.
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.
The county steering group where people with a
vision impairment can meet to exchange ideas and views about any issue. The group is supported by Vision Support and meets at Room 1, AVOW, 21 Egerton Street, Wrexham, LL11 1ND on the last Monday every other month between 2.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m.
This forum feeds the opinions of blind and partially sighted people in North East Wales to the national agenda. A member of the group is also nominated to the Board of Directors of Wales Council of the Blind. The forum is drawn from groups managed by Vision Support. These are Conwy Sight Loss Group,
VI Voices Denbighshire, VI Voices Wrexham, Rhyl Visionaires, Mold Visionaires, Ruthin Visionaires, Socialise, Wrexham Visionaires. More about these groups under Vision Support.
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.
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.
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.
SenCom
VIS provides teachers who are qualified to teach vision impaired
children in five local authorities. The contact is Sarah Hughes.
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.
Courses at QAC - (Queen Alexandra College)Service
The College in Birmingham provides a wide range of courses for students with a
visual impairment, or other
disabilities. Subjects include health and
social care, hospitality, IT and the performing arts - see the website for full details.
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.
The Seeing Ear is a registered charity which provides an online library for
visually impaired & print
disabled people in the UK. This unique service is available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week and is completely free to its members. Teachers, parents &
carers can join on behalf of somebody with a visual impairment/print disability. It hosts a fiction section for both
children and adults, a non fiction section, and caters for schools.
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.
Qualified staff to provide awareness
training to volunteers,
carers, nursing staff, GPs, businesses etc. A course that shows you how to understand the perspective of a
vision impaired person and how to approach, guide and leave a vision impaired person.
A fundamental introduction of inclusive teaching and education practices for teaching
Visual Impaired Learners.
This course provides awareness and basic information,
advice and skills on
visual impairment, identifying the relevant issues and how visual impairment effects and impacts on people’s lives and the professionals who work with them.
VI Awareness
Training covering North-East Wales delivered by the regional society for blind people for the area.
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.
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.
