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 This is out of date, so please request an update.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.
Results of Contact's 'Counting the Costs' survey published
Coping with Christmas when you have sight loss
Welsh Government Statement to mark International Day of Disabled People
Latest edition of Guide Dogs' 'Forward' magazine available.
BBS UK Conference Report published
Latest CHECT newsletter available
'The Joy Makers' Guide': Making Christmas accessible for vision impaired children
Sense launches Benefits Charter
Top Autumn / Winter Tips for People with Sight Loss from Henshaws
Dealing with bullying - Contact's Guide for Parents
NHS Wales publishes 'National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology'
Research report on use of the Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI)
'Turned Out 2024': RNIB reports results of its survey on voting in the 2024 UK General Election
Parliamentary group publishes results of an enquiry into the employment of vision impaired people
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
Latest issue of Retina UK's newsletter available
British Wireless for the Blind Fund - Impact Report 2023
Travelling with glaucoma medication
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
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
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
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
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
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
'Make it Make Sense' - RNIB Cymru report on inaccessibility of health information
RNIB Cymru Impact Report 2022/23
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
Winter edition of Blind Veterans newsletter available
Access to Work isn't working - RNIB calls for action
'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
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
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
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)'
ONS reports on 'Outcomes for Disabled People in the UK 2021'
Optometry Wales Strategic Plan 2022-2026
'No one left out of life' - Sense publishes strategy for 2021-2026
Free information resources from Glaucoma UK
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
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
Henshaws publishes free mobility guide
Low Vision: the essential guide for ophthalmologists
Voting is still not accessible for people with sight loss
Locked out: liberating disabled people’s lives and rights in Wales beyond COVID-19
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
'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
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
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
Life in Higher Education - advice for students from the Pocklington Trust
Senedd Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee reports on inequality and the pandemic
Eye clinic appointments: a guide for parents from RNIB
Developing visually impaired audiences in Wales - Toolkit for theatres and arts venues
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
Results of 'Fight for Sight' survey show impact of pandemic on vision impaired people
Lockdown advice from Deafblind UK
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
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
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
Assistive & Inclusive Home Technology Guide from Pocklington Trust
10 principles of good practice in vision rehabilitation
Parents guide to vision impairment from RNIB
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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