Wales Council of the Blind

Wales Council of the Blind logo Wales Council of the Blind logo

Information Services.

The Wales Council of the Blind team is responsible for gathering and distributing information to the vision impairment sector throughout Wales.

We do this through this website, through our Roundup newsletter, social media, at our conferences and through various fora and working groups.

For more information or further enquiries please contact Richard Bowers at Wales Council of the Blind via richard@wcb-ccd.org.uk or telephone 029 20 473954.

Publications for download:

Many of these are legacy documents, so there may be some details that have changed.

  • Perspectif Report no. 1 (October 2014): 3rd Sector Services (Word|PDF); 3rd Sector Service Providers (Word|PDF). This is out of date, so please request an update.
  • Summary of Certificate of Visual Impairment Survey 2012 [PDF]
  • Certification and Registration Processes: Stages, Barriers and Delays. [Word]
  • WCB Arts in Wales and Visual Impairment Conference Report [PDF]
  • WCB Arts in Wales and Visual Impairment Survey Report [PDF]
  • Growing Up and Moving On [PDF]
  • Growing Up and Moving On: Service Directory [PDF]
  • The Role of Eye Clinic Liaison Officers 2012 [Word]
  • Training Needs Analysis for the Rehabilitation Officers
    for Visually Impaired People in Wales 2010 [Word|PDF]
  • Communications Report No. 1 - Computer technology
  • Communications Report No. 2 - The role of the rehabilitation worker
  • Communications Report No. 3 - ICT
  • Reading with Confidence [PDF]
  • State of the Nation Report: Service to Adults with Sight Loss in Wales [Word]
  • State of the Nation Report: Services to Children and Young People with Sight Loss in Wales [Word]
  • All-Wales Sensory Loss Standards for Accessible Communication and Information [PDF]
  • How Accessible is Access to Work in Wales? [Word | PDF]
  • How Accessible is Access to Work in Wales - 3 years on [Word]

Other reports and publications.

Vision rehabilitation work in Powys features in Optometry Today

RNIB online resources for children and families

Summer 2024 edition of MACS Focus Magazine available

Alström Syndrome UK publish 'Journey to Diagnosis' report

New report from Guide Dogs raises concerns about accessibility challenges of some active travel infrastructure

Latest issue of Retina UK's newsletter available

British Wireless for the Blind Fund - Impact Report 2023

Travelling with glaucoma medication

Latest CHECT newsletter available

Older People's Commissioner launches 'GP Practices in Wales: A Guide for Older People'

RNIB response to the first report from the UK Covid -19 Inquiry

Children with disabilities in Wales being denied their right to an education

Latest edition of Guide Dogs' 'Forward' magazine available.

Transitioning to secondary school - advice from RSBC

RNIB Cymru Welsh Language Scheme relaunched

Disability Wales launch 'A Social Model of Disability Toolkit'

Learning disability and sight loss - resources from SeeAbility

Latest Vision Support newsletter available

Research report gives proposals for a mental health training curriculum for staff in the visual impairment sector

RNIB 'Be Helpful Guide' for sighted people

RNIB Cymru publish key priorities for new First Minister

Research suggests that a quarter of people with sight loss are missing out on benefits

New guide: Behçet’s and Employment

'Right to Ride' - New guide from SCOPE

Vision Foundation report explores loneliness and isolation in people with sight loss.

Living Streets publish research report on 'Inclusive Design at Bus Stops with Cycle Tracks'

RNIB Cymru report reveals 'The Cost of Sight Loss in Wales'

Digital exclusion in public transport - Senedd research article

Older People's Commissioner reports on difficulties in accessing GP appointments

'Blind to the Facts' - Research report on the UK music industry for professionals with visual impairment

Research report: How does the UK public treat, think and feel about people with visual impairment?

'Out of Sight' - RNIB report on vision rehabilitation on England

Guide Dogs produce 'Reasonable Adjustments in Schools' guidance

Gwent Health Guide

UK Government launches 'Disability Action Plan'

New report: Access Denied: Older people’s experiences of digital exclusion in Wales

Vision Support publishes Impact Report for 2022/23

Welsh Benefits Charter launched

New resource : A guide to nystagmus and the early years

New research report: Visual impairment and minority ethnic communities - use of eye health and support services

Alström Syndrome UK's winter newsletter available

Supporting blind and partially sighted patients during hospital stays

Making Match Day Accessible - guide for football clubs

Beyond Rb - Information for adults who had retinoblastoma as a child

Eye Care Support Pathway launched at Wales Eye Care Conference

Disability Wales publishes Annual Report for 2022/23

Report on Hynt access scheme shows how it has increased theatre visits

Nystagmus Network documents updated

Results of Level Playing Field's Annual Fan Survey 2023 published

Behçet’s UK publishes Annual Report 2023

Specsavers Report - 'Access to care 2023: The benefits of eye and hearing care in the community'

New report on access to green and blue spaces by people with vision impairment

World Sight Day 2023 - Roundup of activities

Update on Disability Rights Taskforce

New regulations for Wales optometry contract published

New research report: Visual impairment and minority ethnic communities

BBC Wales presenter Lucy Owen highlights the importance of regular eye tests

Thomas Pocklington Trust launch ‘Accessibility and Disability Support across the Leisure and Fitness Sector’ report.

'Make it Make Sense' - RNIB Cymru report on inaccessibility of health information

RNIB Cymru Impact Report 2022/23

Disability Wales report: ‘Barely Surviving’: The Impact of the Cost-of-Living Crisis on Disabled People in Wales

Applying to Oxbridge - guide from the Thomas Pocklington Trust

AOP publishes response to Welsh Government consultation on primary eye care reforms

'Funding Visual Impairment' - Report calls for increased funding for research

Latest Strive Newsletter available

Tips for people recently diagnosed with a vision impairment

VI Organisations call on Welsh Government to '#Unlock Education'

Vision problems and brain tumours

Top Tips on dealing with exam stress from Look

Royal College of Ophthalmologists publishes 'Guide to Managing Nystagmus in Childhood'

CHECT publishes results of 'Pathways to Diagnosis' research

Results of RCOphth Workforce Census cause concerns

Disability Rights Taskforce - update

'Reading Sight Resource Pack' for people working in libraries

Fight for Sight's 'Time to Focus' report shows the impact and costs of sight loss, and the need for more research funding

Winter edition of Blind Veterans newsletter available

Access to Work isn't working - RNIB calls for action

New research raises concerns about motor development in children and young people with a vision impairment

'Turned Out': RNIB Report on voting in 2022 local elections

RNIB publishes Annual Report for 2021/22 and Strategy Summary

'See Sport Differently' toolkits from British Blind Sport & RNIB

New guide: How to manage Behçet’s at school and college

'Give Me Access To College' - Report from Thomas Pocklington Trust

Guide to 'Useful assistive and productivity tools for students'

Sense publishes research on complex disabilities and the cost of living

VocalEyes publishes Heritage Access Report 2022

Specsavers release 'State of the Nation's Eye Health 2022' report

Mental Health and Wellbeing: “ A guide for blind and partially sighted students

'Blind and partially sighted people's experiences of domestic abuse' - New report from Vision Foundation

Help with the cost of living - Welsh Government guidance

Contact's 'Money Matters' guide for parents of disabled children updated

VI Lives report gives insight into the experiences of vision impaired people in the UK

Guide Dogs Annual Report 2021 acknowledges impact of the pandemic

Report produced for National Eye Health Week raises concerns

Retina UK publishes results of its Sight Loss Survey 2022

More advice on cost of living support for people in Wales

Report on accessing eye care services in Cardiff and Vale published

'Mind the Gap' report calls for Welsh Government action on health inequalities

Help with the cost of living for older people - advice from Age Cymru

RNIB 'Cost of Living' factsheet

Royal College of Ophthalmology Review of Eye Care Services in Wales

Autism and eye care guidance

New guide from British Blind Sport - Physical Activity and Vision Rehabilitation

Sense report reveals the scale of complex disabilities in the UK

Posters and booklets on Charles Bonnet Syndrome available

Sight loss charities make public commitment to increasing the number of vision impaired people employed within the sector

Welsh Government publishes programme for reducing NHS waiting lists

Disability Wales report on implementation of disability rights in Wales published

Senedd Health and Social Care Committee publishes report on the impact of waiting times

New Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment launched

Dolphin produces free guide to assistive technology for teachers

Report into Disabled Student's Allowance published

Guide Dogs produce guidance on the location of EV charging points

New Glaucoma UK booklet - 'Putting in your eye drops (easy read)'

UK's Chief Medical Officers publish first ever guidelines on physical activity for disabled children and young people

ONS reports on 'Outcomes for Disabled People in the UK 2021'

Optometry Wales Strategic Plan 2022-2026

Sense report on 'Understanding the physical activity needs of families who have children with complex disabilities'

'No one left out of life' - Sense publishes strategy for 2021-2026

Free information resources from Glaucoma UK

New publication for professionals: Children with Vision Impairment: Assessment, Development, and Management

eBooks from Henshaws explain terms used in the vision impairment sector

Disability Wales publishes 'A Year in Review'

'Bring us our creative rights' - Disabled people's cultural and international manifesto launched

Results of 'Counting the Cost' survey reveal financial impact of the pandemic

Diabetes UK Cymru report raises concerns about diabetic eye screening

Dealing with bullying - Contact's Guide for Parents

TPT report finds vision impaired students in further education disadvantaged by their disability

Pocklington Trust Lighting Guide updated

RNIB updates their Confident Living Travel guide

Delivering Accessible Learning - guide from Pocklington Trust and RNIB

'How we can Help' guide to RNIB services

‘The State of the UK’s Eye Health 2021’ report shows devastating impact of the pandemic

Sight Cymru publishes Annual Report 2020/21

Transitions information for the new term from LOOK UK and the Pocklington Trust

RNIB publishes Involvement Report 2020–2021

UK Government publishes National Disability Strategy

Disability Wales launches information resource for disabled people and disabled people’s organisations

Henshaws publishes free mobility guide

Low Vision: the essential guide for ophthalmologists

Royal College of Ophthalmologists issues new Guidance for Commissioning Age-Related Macular Degeneration Services

Voting is still not accessible for people with sight loss

Locked out: liberating disabled people’s lives and rights in Wales beyond COVID-19

Results of Macular Society survey raise concerns about lack of information and support for patients with sight loss due to diabetes

Advice for people who are waiting for cataract surgery

Transport for All issues guidance for frontline bus and rail staff

Age Cymru Factsheet: Social care assessments for older people with care needs in Wales

RNIB guide to making your video calls inclusive

Coming out of lockdown - advice from RNIB

RNIB issues updated Sight Loss Data Tool

NHS Wales eye health care: future approach for optometry services

Pocklington Trust publishes guidance on exams for higher education providers

Welsh Government launches Transport Strategy

Behçet’s: An Employer’s Guide

Report raises concerns about delays to treatment of stroke patients experiencing sight problems in Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB

'What we see' - Articles give an insight into living with nystagmus

Age Cymru updates its factsheet on Direct Payments

Results of research into CBS and Covid 19 published in BMJ

CVI Project Research Team Paper published

Chief Medical Officer produces special report on Wales’s response to the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

Five Steps into mainstream college: guidance from Pocklington Trust

Covid 19 vaccine advice from Guide Dogs

UK Rare Diseases Framework published

Parenting with a vision impairment - RNIB Guide

Guide Dogs Glossary

EHRC publishes report: ' Accessible public transport for older and disabled people in Wales'

'Breaking down barriers to travel' - report from Leonard Cheshire

VocalEyes reports on findings of their 'Museum and Heritage Access Survey 2020'

Best Practice Guidelines for businesses from RNIB

Preparing for work: Information and advice on planning for employment

Voting is still not accessible for people with sight loss

New guide for higher education providers supporting students with vision impairment during Covid-19

RNIB Toolkit to challenge discrimination

RNIB launch toolkit for challenging inaccessible websites

'Time to Focus' report makes case for increased research into eye conditions

VocalEyes reports on the results of its museums survey

Encouraging independence in your child with vision impairment

Pocklington Trust framework document for parents wanting to set up a support group

Back to school information from vision impairment organisations

LOOK Student's Handbook

Life in Higher Education - advice for students from the Pocklington Trust

Research report: Barriers to integrating routine depression screening into community low vision rehabilitation services

Back to school: Welsh Government issues guidance for supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged learners

Senedd Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee reports on inequality and the pandemic

Eye clinic appointments: a guide for parents from RNIB

Guides for leisure centres

Developing visually impaired audiences in Wales - Toolkit for theatres and arts venues

Welsh Parliament publishes first report on the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on health and social care

Top tips for providing remote information, advice and guidance during a crisis

Macular Society gives advice for parents

Guide Dogs have produced some top tips on social distancing.

Travel advice from Guide Dogs and The Macular Society

Welsh Government issues guidance on creating safer public spaces during the coronavirus pandemic

Supporting your VI child during their transition to High School: LOOK publishes resource document & podcast

Results of 'Fight for Sight' survey show impact of pandemic on vision impaired people

Lockdown advice from Deafblind UK

Report on Management of nystagmus in children: a review of the literature and current practice in UK specialist services.

LOOK presents 'The Period Podcast'

Temporary transport recommendations: Coronavirus Courtesy Code

No reassessment of benefits for three months - Key changes and commitments from DWP

Access to Work claims can be submitted without employer or support worker signature

RNIB produce short guide for local and smaller shops

Welsh Government issues advice on ethical values and principles for healthcare delivery framework

New report looks at opthalmology services in England

'Looking after my Eyes' - Book from Seeability

Welsh Government launches Loneliness and Isolation strategy

Blocked in: the impact of pavement parking

How to complain about inaccessible websites - AbilityNet factsheet

Report highlights problems faced by older people in accessing GP services

ECLO Framework documents updated.

Welsh Government publishes disability statistics

Welsh theatres need to improve their services for disabled customers

Advice on childrens' eye health

Welsh Government launch 'Action on Disability: The Right to Independent Living’ framework

Retina UK publishes results of its Sight Loss Survey 2019

Report reveals the impact of welfare changes on disabled people

New guide: Digital Inclusion for Health & Care in Wales

Parliamentary report recommends change to Disabled Student Allowance

Sensory health statistics for Wales published

Communicating with people with cerebral visual impairments (CVIs)

Retina UK reports on the challenges faced by working age people with degenerative sight loss

Advice on making natural heritage centres accessible to people with sight loss

'Messy and Muddy' - new guide to outdoor play from RNIB

Diversity in Local Government - National Assembly Report

How to make your museum more accessible to vi families and young people

Tips on producing an audio descriptive guide for museums and galleries

New guide for employers from RNIB

Society has little understanding of life for people with sight loss - New report from Guide Dogs

Disability Rights UK publishes guide to higher education

Research study confirms the benefits of Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs)

Survey results show GP surgeries have low awareness of 'It Makes Sense' campaign

Retinoblastoma Information for children & young people

'Easing into Nature with Sight Impairment'

NHS Wales produces final report on the Accessible Information Standard

Wales Vision Strategy 2018 - 2021 launched

'Making Nature Accessible' - Guide from British Blind Sport

'Is Wales Fairer?' - Report from EHRC Wales

'Music is a Vibration' toolkit from Sense

Your rights to accessible and adaptable housing in Wales

New patient standards to increase support for eye clinic patients

Swansea University report considers use of digital technology by people with sight loss in Wales

UK Government responds to consultation on the accessibility of elections

Independent, confident, connected - new report from Scope on disabled people's lives

UK Government launches Inclusive Transport Strategy

Eye care for people with learning disabilities

Holidays, play & leisure guide for parents of disabled children

'Matching income with needs' - New research from TPT

Personal Independence Payment - a guide to making a claim

Sight Loss, Home and the Built Environment

New guide for higher education professionals

Accessing Public Services Toolkit

Registering as sight impaired

Inaccessible gym equipment is a barrier to fitness for vi people

NICE issues new clinical guidance for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Report recommends new model of care for Wales

'Missing Voices' project produces report on findings

Guide to juvenile macular dystrophies

'Time to catch up' - report on TV access services

New Accessible Information Standard for NHS Wales launched

VocalEyes report reveals that only 25% of UK theatres provide AD performances

Employment guides from Sense

Resources for teachers of vi students

New research on transition of vi young people to adulthood

Wales Eye Care Stats 2016-2017 released

Guide for GP surgeries should improve accessibilty for patients with sensory loss

'Get up and go' booklet aims to prevent falls

'Making sense of dance' - new resource from Sense

Importance of eye tests for people with dementia highlighted

Commons Committee reports on disability and the built environment

Welsh Pathway for Children & Young People with Vision Impairment launched

High levels of anxiety in patients receiving wet AMD treatment

'Working with blind & partially sighted colleagues' - RNIB Guide

Disability Wales presents report on disability rights to UN committee

Eye health awareness in the black and minority ethnic communities in Wales

Report claims that UK is failing on disability rights

RNIB Scotland updates 'Sight loss and dementia' leaflet

Review of opthalmology services published

Report highlights the additional costs which vision impaired pensioners face

New guides for Welsh social services professionals and housing providers

Patients' experience of eye care in Wales - survey results published

Sight loss, dementia and meaningful activity

The State of the Nation - Eye Health 2016

How Accessible is Access to Work in Wales? 3 years on.

RNIB publishes latest evidence-based reviews

Wobbly eyes booklet

Assistive & Inclusive Home Technology Guide from Pocklington Trust

10 principles of good practice in vision rehabilitation

Parents guide to vision impairment from RNIB

It All Adds Up

Sensory Loss: Know your healthcare rights

New research makes the case for increased funding in the eye care sector

Related information:

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