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Acuvue 2 Contact Lens - Brand name contact lenses for less.
People who are visually impaired can take advantage of help from the social, health and employment services together with voluntary organisations - plus extra cash benefits and tax concessions.
Cash help
If a hospital consultant opthalmogist certifies that you are blind or partially sighted, you can ask to be registered with the local authority. Registration as blind entitles you to a package of concessions:
Television licence at reduced cost if you apply at the post office
Travel concessions - You may get reduced fares on railway and some airlines (internal flights only) which allow a blind person and guide to travel for the cost of one fare on journeys made for specified reasons. Contact a travel agent for more details.
A higher weekly payment of Income Support - When you are claiming benefit from your local Social Security office plus Housing and Council Tax Benefits if you get these from your local authority.
Fare reductions - Ask your social services/ social work department if there are any local bus company concessions.
Special Income tax allowance - If you apply to the local Inspector of Taxes
Social Security Benefits - a guide for blind and partially sighted people (FB19) is available free from your local Social Security office or from The Stationary Office, The Causeway, Oldham Broadway Business Park, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 9XD. (See also Financial Help)
Benefits and concessions for Registered Blind and Partially Sighted People RNIB
Social services
Services may include:
Social workers to support visually impaired people and their families;
Help and advice concerning the health and education of visually impaired people, rehabilitation, job-training and employment;
Equipment and alterations in your home where necessary;
Machines for playing talking books;
Training in the use of Braille of Moon (simplified raised print);
Communication skills and training in getting about independently indoors or out;
Help with leisure pursuits, recreation or sports facilities in settings with sighted or other visually impaired people.
Your local authority may have a contract with a voluntary organisation to provide these services rather than provide all these services itself.
Ask at your local social services department.
The NHS
If you are partially sighted low vision aids may help you make use of your remaining vision. Low vision aids, including hand and stand magnifiers, can be prescribed under the NHS through the Hospital Eye Service or privately through opticians. If you think low vision aids would be helpful, talk to your GP first.
Learning to get the best from restricted vision requires both professional advice and training. For additional professional advice contact the RNIB or The partially Sighted Society
Artificial eyes are obtainable through your consultant and supplied by the National Artificial Eye Service which arranges appointments at 16 centres servicing 72 clinics in England. Some major eye hospitals have their own arrangements and there is limited private provision. The Glasgow Eye Infirmary and the Eye Pavilion, Edinburgh and Perth Royal Infirmary provide artificial eyes in Scotland. In Wales artificial eyes can be obtained via the Artificial Limbs and Appliances Centres (ALACS)
Employment Service
At the Jobcentre your Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) can advise on opportunities and how you can benefit under the Access to Work Programme. This may provide you with a reader or assistant for you at your place of work, the loan of special equipment and help with travel.
The Employment Service may run a blind homeworker scheme for visually impaired people who wis to run a business.
Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) will give advice to people on how to obtain work or start businesses as well as with rehabilitation and training.
Voluntary organisations
The Partially Sighted Society This national association provides services and aids to daily living for people who are partially sighted. Tel: 0207 371 0289
RNIB ( Royal National
Institute for the Blind) This
organisation provides information on all aspects of visual impairment,
including employment, mobility aids, benefits, technology, social services
and education. RNIB
employs 2,000 staff and 10,000 volunteers working from 40 sites to serve
over 1 million blind and partially sighted people throughout the country
with over 60 services. For information on the services contact RNIB
Enquiries, London Office: 0207 388 1266; Peterborough Customer Services:
01733 370 777; Scotland Office: 0131 311 8500; RNIB
Resource Centre Scotland: 01786 451 752; Wales Office,
14 Neville St, Canton, Cardiff, CF1 8UX
C.E.L.L - Cancer of the Eye LinkLine They
are a voluntary helpline for people who have suffered the loss of an eye/eyes
through Cancer or other trauma and offer a 24 hour telephone helpline,
information, befriending scheme and guidance or just a shoulder for those
in need.
Telephone (24 hour): (44) 01761
411055 Do not dial the 0
for international calls
Their website is at : http://pages.zoom.co.uk/cell/index.htm
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