How to Register as Severely Sight Impaired/Sight Impaired
The Consultant Opthalmologist wil decide whether you are eligible for registration by measuring your distance and field vision. There are specific rules about the level of sight needed to be registered severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted). If you meet the criteria, the Consultant can certify you as either severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted) by completing the certificate of vision impairment (CVI).
You will be asked to sign the form to agree that a copy can be sent to your local Social Services Department (Sensory Team), your GP and the Department of Health. The hospital will also keep a copy of the registration cirtificate.
Registration is optional but is useful as it may entitle you to certain benefits and concessions, and helps your local council to provide the appropriate levels of services for you.
Useful Information
Neighbourhood, Communities and Children's Services provide a service for people who are severely sight impaired or sight impaired.
They will assess your requirements. They may be able to offer help at home, such as mobility training and advice in every day skills. A social worker can put together a Care Plan tailored to individual needs which could include information about Bus Passes, Talking Books, Tactile Markings for cookers and other appliances, and any equipment that may be available. You do not have to be registered as severely sight impaired or sight impaired to access this service.
Some companies such as British Gas, British Telecom, Water and Electricity Companies have special services for people with sight problems. Ask at your local branch for details.
If your mother, father, brother, sister or child has been diagnosed as having glaucoma, you too may be at risk. If you are 40 years old or over you will be entitled to Free NHS Sight Tests whatever your income.
Your sight can be tested only by a registered Ophthalmic Optician (Optometrist or an Ophthalmic Practitioner) see Leaflet HC11 'Are You Entitled To Help With Health Costs' available from DIAL The Disability Advisory Service or your local Benefits Agency.
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Local Organisations
Partially Sighted Society
Queens Road
Doncaster
DN1 2NX
Tel: 01302 323 132
Fax: 01302 368 998
E-mail: doncaster@partsighted.org.uk
This Society gives information and personal advice to partially sighted people.
Large Print Publications and Visual Appliances are available from the Society, there is a charge for certain appliances. Free brochure and catalogue available.
Membership details are available from the Organisation.
Blind Inspirations Club
Woodfield Community Centre
Weston Road
Balby
Doncaster
Tel: 01302 853 530
Contact: Mrs. Eileen Thompson
Provides free social gathering and assorted activities.
Guide dogs welcome.
Lunch provided with voluntary donation.
Doncaster Reading Aids Unit
Sound and Vision
Central Library
Waterdale
Doncaster
DN1 3JE
Tel: 01302 735 391
E-mail: marilyn.parkin@doncaster.gov.uk
Contact: Marilyn Parkin
Reading aids available include magnifiers, large print books, Braille transcriptions, talking teletext and standard cassette tapes at no extra cost if you are registered severely sight impaired or sight impaired.
Doncaster and District Association For The Visually Impaired
Clark Memorial Hall
Town Fields
Bennetthorpe
Doncaster
DN1 2JQ
Contact: Mrs Val Rolph
Tel: 01302 539 055
62 Saundby Close
West Bessacarr
Doncaster
DN4 7DE
Contact: Mr K. Leslie (Chairman)
Tel: 01302 835 750
75 Wickett Hern Road
Armthorpe
Doncaster
DN3 3SW
Description:
The centre enables all severely sight impaired and sight impaired people and their carers to meet socially.
It has a programme of different events throughout the month.
Provides lunches at a small charge.
Vision Mexborough
61 Victoria Road
Mexborough
Doncaster
S64 9BX
Tel: 01709 591 013
Contact: Mary Oliver
Group meetings held every 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at Mexborough Library from 2:00 pm till 4:00 pm in the meeting room. Social activities, outings, discussions and guest speakers are organised. Open to visually impaired (over 18 years) family, carers and friends.
Talking Magazines and Newspaper (Local)
6 Humber Close
Skellow
Doncaster
DN6 8JP
Tel: 01302 723 905
Tel: 01302 727 351
E-mail: janey.stapleton@tiscali.co.uk
Contact: Miss Jane Stapleton
Publishes the Talking Magazine every 2 months to all registered severely sight impaired and sight impaired. Newspaper published every 2 weeks. Also provide an updated tape every two months which lists the new editions of the talking books available at the local library. For people with reading difficulties, they are able to pick up a cassette from a nominated local library. The organisation cannot post the tapes out.
24 hr answerphone is available.
This is a free service.
Doncaster & District Talking Newspaper
Mrs. J. Johnson
14 Vicarage Close
Mexborough
S64 0ND
Tel: 01709 582 216
Publishes the Talking Newspaper for the blind in the Doncaster and District.
Published every fortnight.
Also a Talking Magazine Published every Two months.
These are free services if you are registered severely sight impaired or sight impaired.
If you are not registered they can be obtained through the Library.
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National Organisations
Royal National Institute for the Blind
105 Judd Street
London
WC1H 9NE
Helpline: 0845 766 99 99
Tel: 020 7388 1266
Fax: 020 7388 2034
E-mail: helpline@rnib.org.uk
Website: www.rnib.org.uk
This organisation aims to work for people with sight problems.
An advice service provides help on such topics as benefits, careers, legislation and education.
Action For Blind People
14 - 16. Verney Road
London
SE16 3DZ
Helpline: 0800 915 4666
Tel: 0207 7635 4800
Fax: 0207 7635 4900
Website: www.afbp.org
This is a national, voluntary organisation working for people with sight problems and their families.
It provides various services including employment and training, residential care and accommodation.
Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Burghfield Common
Reading
RG7 3YG
Tel: 0118 9835 555
Fax: 0118 9835 433
E-mail: guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk
Website: www.gdba.org.uk
The association will train visually impaired people over 16 years of age to use a Guide Dog safely and effectively, will teach you to look after your dog and will provide comprehensive and continuing support for all Guide Dog owners.
Also Rehabilitation.
Guide Dog Holidays (2 Hotels).
Grants may be available on application.
British Retinitis Pigmentosa Society
P.O. Box 350
Buckingham
MK18 1GZ
Helpline: 0845 123 2354
Tel: 01280 821 334
Fax: 01280 815 900
E-mail: info@brps.org.uk
Website: www.brps.org.uk
The society offers support and advice to people with Retinitis Pigmentosa and their families.
Thyroid Eye Disease
Tel: 0113 261 0819 (Leeds area)
Contact: Mr A. Patrick
A support group for sufferers of Thyroid Eye Disease.
International Glaucoma Association
Woodcote House
15 Highpoint Business Village
Henwood
Ashford
Kent
TN24 8DH
Tel: 0870 6091870
Fax: 01233 648179
E-mail: info@iga.org.uk
Website: www.iga.org.uk
Offers support for sufferers of Glaucoma and professionals involved with their care.
The association sends booklets to people with glaucoma to aid understanding and will reply with general factual advice to members enquiries.
Macular Disease Society
PO Box 1870
Andover
Hampshire
SP10 9AD
Tel: 01264 350 551
Fax: 01264 350 558
E-mail: info@maculardisease.org
Website: www.maculardisease.org
Offers support for sufferers of Macular Disease run mainly for people with the disease.
Big Print (RNIB)
P.O Box 173
Peterborough
PE2 6WS
Freephone: 0800 124 007
Fax: 01925 418 656
E-mail: bigprint@rnib.org.uk
Website: www.big-print.co.uk
This is the country's only National large print newspaper, the print being twice the size of an ordinary sized newspaper.
Available by subscription only.
Prices as below:
Quarterly: £15.75
Half-yearly: £29.50
Yearly: £56.50
A free sample is available on request.
SENSE (National Deaf - Blind & Rubella Association)
11 - 13. Clifton Terrace
Finsbury Park
London
N4 3SR
Tel: 020 7561 3384
Minicom: 020 7272 9648
Fax: 020 7272 6012
E-mail: info@sense.org.uk
Website: www.sense.org.uk
A national voluntary organisation which campaigns for the needs of deaf and severely sight impaired children, adults and multiple disabled sensory impaired children and adults.
Providing advice, support and information services.
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Some Hotels with Facilities for Severely Sight Impaired and Sight Impaired People
Action For Blind People
Lauriston Hotel
6 - 12 Knightstone Road
Weston-Super-Mare
Somerset
BS23 2AN
Tel: 01934 620 758
Fax: 01934 621 154
Contact: The Manager
The hotel is equipped with a talking lift and handrails.
Guide dogs are welcome, dog beds and blankets are provided.
All rooms have alarm buttons, they are en suite and have T.V., Telephone, Tea making facilities and radio cassette players.
Two rooms are available for the physically disabled.
Action For Blind People
Russell Hotel
Kings Parade
Bognor Regis
West Sussex
PO21 2QP
Tel: 01243 871 300
Fax: 01243 871 301
The hotel is equipped with a talking lift (wide enough for wheelchair use) and handrails.
Guide dogs are welcome, dog beds and blankets are provided.
All rooms have tea and coffee making facilities. All rooms are equipped with a tape recorder.
Neighbourhood, Communities and Children's Services Department
The Sensory Team
Blind & Visualy Impaired People
P.O. Box 251
Council House
Town Square Entrance
Doncaster
Tel: 01302 737 701
Tel: 01302 737 785
E-mail: sensory@doncaster.gov.uk
Council Offices
1 Main Street
Mexborough
S64 9LU
Tel: 01302 735 700
Council Offices
Vermuyden Centre
Thorne
Tel: 01302 735 979
Council Offices
Cooke Street
Bentley
DN8 5LA
Tel: 01302 735 465
All information is available on Cassette Tape and in Braille on request.
DIAL Disclaimer
Whilst all the information given in this fact sheet was correct at the time of going to press,
DIAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.
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