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About WCB.
Wales Council of the Blind is the umbrella agency representing vision impairment within Wales. We work to campaign, lobby and support the improvement of services for people with sight loss. [Read more...]
Latest news.
UK Government announces ‘Biggest shake up to welfare system in a generation’
The UK Government has launched a consultation paper setting out major plans and proposals to reform health, disability benefits and employment support. While sight loss organisations and other disability charities have given a cautious welcome to some of the proposals, such as plans to improve the Access to Work system, other aspects of the proposals, for example, tightening the criteria for qualifying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), are a cause for concern for people with sight loss.
RNIB advises people with sight loss that ‘It’s worth knowing it will be at least a year before any changes are brought in. Importantly, over the next three months we have the opportunity to tell the UK Government what will and won’t work for blind and partially sighted people.’ You can read their statement here. This webpage will be updated with further information as it comes available.
Sense has noted that ‘The Government will have to introduce new laws to make some of the changes, and it will also be asking for feedback from the public before introducing some of the measures. So, we have a chance to tell the Government how we feel, and get them to change their mind’. Sense has set up a template which enables you to contact your MP and raise your concerns about the proposals, which you can find here.
Vision Support has produced a useful summary of the proposed changes which you can find on their website. Disability Wales is actively working to challenge any proposed cuts and push for a fairer, more inclusive system, and is also encouraging people to contact their MP to raise concerns - read their statement here.
The statement from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is on the UK Government website, and you can read the full consultation document, ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’ here.
Accessible versions of the consultation document have not yet been published. The consultation is currently set to close on 30 June, but this is subject to extension to ensure that the it will run for a full 12 weeks after all of the accessible versions of the paper are published.
Sight Village Wales 2025 - Show Guide available in accessible formats
Sight Village, the free exhibition for people with sight loss, their families and professionals, will return to Wales for a one day event on Tuesday, 8th April in Cardiff. The show guide is now available in English, Welsh and text. A braille version will be available on the day.
Wales Council of the Blind will be there, as well as other sight loss organisations, specialist education colleges and providers of accessible technology. There will also be some seminars. You can find all the information and book tickets here.
Retina UK Sight Loss Survey 2025
Retina UK has launched its Sight Loss Survey 2025, and is encouraging anyone living with inherited sight loss to complete it. The charity is particularly keen to hear from a more diverse group, including young adults and those from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
The information gathered through the Survey is powerful and can influence positive change. Retina UK have used it to develop new support services, raise funds for vital projects and even influence decision makers to make Luxturna, the first treatment for an inherited sight loss condition, available on the NHS.
The survey takes around 40 minutes and can be completed online, or over the phone. For full details, click here.
The closing date for responses is Friday 25 April 2025.
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