Emotional and practical support

Being told you have a visual impairment that can't be treated can be difficult to come to terms with. Some people go through a process similar to bereavement, where they experience a range of emotions including shock, anger, and denial, before eventually coming to accept their condition.

As well as it being important to know what you're entitled to, there are other things you may wish to consider in terms of emotional and practical support, including:

 

Support groups and Patient Support Workers / Eye Clinic Liaison Officers

You may find it helpful to contact a support group if you or someone you know has a visual impairment. A list of key visual impairment and dual sensory loss organisations in Scotland and the UK can be found under the Partner Organisations section of this website.

NHS 24 also provides the following free confidential services:

  • Breathing Space - a phone service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 who's feeling low, anxious or experiencing distress in their lives. Breathing Space also has a webchat service available via the Breathing Space website.
  • NHS Inform Webchat - a communication tool that connects people in real-time with the NHS Health Information Team at NHS 24. 

Patient Support Workers, sometimes referred to as Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs), who are usually based in a hospital, have lots of knowledge on eye conditions and helpful local and national services. They can talk to you about your worries and give you advice on how to lessen the impact your eye condition may have on your life. They can also talk through treatments and help you to understand your medication if necessary.

Information on how to access the services of your local Patient Support Worker or ECLO can be found by contacting a visual impairment organisation listed in the Partner Organisations section of this website.

 

Low vision and social care services (including vision rehabilitation support) 

Accessing low vision services and social care services, including vision rehabilitation support, can help you to continue to lead an independent life and improve your wellbeing.

Further information on low vision services can be found on the 'Low vision services' section of this website. Further information on social care services, including vision rehabilitation support, can be found on the 'What you're entitled to' section of this website.

 

Certification and registration

If you're sight impaired or severely sight impaired and aged 16 or over, being certified and registered as such can help as a gateway to accessing support and services. Further information on certification and registration can be found on the 'Certification and registration (adults)' section of this website. Separate guidance is available on the 'Children and young people' section of this website for children aged under 16.

 

Changes to your home

Most visually impaired people can continue to live at home. However, you'll probably need to make some changes to your home, particularly if you live on your own.

Below is a list of some important pieces of equipment you may find useful.

  • Big-button telephone – both landline and mobile models are available.
  • Computer – the internet can provide a real sense of connection to friends and family as well as other people with a visual impairment. It's also a practical way of finding out information and obtaining goods and services. Big-button keyboards, screen display software and text readers are available.
  • Community alarm – this small, wearable device has an alarm button which, if pressed, sends an alarm signal to a response centre and will alert a nominated friend or carer. Your local authority should be able to provide you with further information.
  • Bright lighting – bright light bulbs and adjustable lights are essential for your home, particularly in the kitchen and the stairs (areas where you're most likely to have an accident). Fluorescent bulbs are recommended because they produce the most light and tend to be cheaper in the long term than conventional bulbs.

The way your house is painted can also make it easier to find your way around. Using a two-tone contrast approach, such as black and white, can make it easier to tell the difference between nearby objects, such as a door and its handle or the stairs and its handrail.

 

Reading and writing

There are several options available if you're having problems reading standard text in books, newspapers and magazines:

  • Magnifying devices can make print appear bigger to help you read. These can be obtained from a number of places including low vision services and voluntary organisations.
  • E-readers are handheld devices that allow you to download books and subscribe to newspapers and magazines on the internet. You can choose a setting that allows you to display text at a larger size.
  • Screen-reading software can be installed on your computer that will read out emails, documents and text on the internet.
  • Voice recognition programmes enable you to speak into a microphone and the software translates what you say into writing. These programmes can also be used to issue commands, such as closing down the internet and moving from one website to another.
  • Braille. Some people with severe sight loss, particularly those who've had the problem from a young age, choose to learn Braille. Braille is a writing system where raised dots are used as a substitute for written letters. As well as Braille versions of books and magazines, Braille display units can be attached to computers that allow you to read the text displayed on a computer screen. Braille computer keyboards are also available.

 

Getting around

There are several different methods you can use to get around independently if you have a problem with your vision.

  • Long cane. You may find a long cane useful when travelling. These canes are usually foldable and can help you get around by detecting objects in your path. The cane will also make drivers and other pedestrians aware that you have sight loss. It's important that you receive appropriate training before using a long cane. This will normally be provided to you in the community by a rehabilitation or habilitation worker as part of vision rehabilitation support.

  • Guide dogs. Guide Dogs has been providing guide dogs for people with vision loss for many years. Guide dogs can help you get around, and provide both a sense of independence and companionship. If you apply for a guide dog, Guide Dogs provide all the essential equipment free of charge and can also offer financial assistance if needed for things like food or vet costs. You don't need to have lost all your sight to benefit from a guide dog and you don't have to be registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired to apply for one.

  • Global positioning system (GPS). A GPS is a navigational aid that uses signals from satellites to tell you where you are and help plan your journeys. GPS devices are available as stand-alone units that can be programmed using a Braille keyboard, which tell you your current location and give you directions to where you want to go. If you have a smartphone, there are a number of GPS apps you can download.

  • Driving. If you're diagnosed with a condition that affects your vision, you have a legal obligation to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Failure to do so is a crime and can result in a fine of up to £1,000. Visit GOV.UK for more information about driving with a disability or a health condition. Other important information to note includes:

    • If you're registered as having a sight impairment, the DVLA will assume your driving licence is no longer valid and you'll no longer be able to drive. Exceptions are occasionally made for people with mild vision impairment. If you think this applies to you, then your doctor will need to fill in a DVLA medical information questionnaire.

    • You're only legally allowed to drive if you can read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres (65 feet), and an eye examination shows your visual acuity is at least 6/12. You're allowed to wear glasses or contact lenses when reading the plate or letter chart.

    • There are also standards relating to your visual field and driving. If you have a condition that may reduce your visual field, the DVLA may ask you to complete a visual field test to demonstrate you're safe to drive.

 

Employment

If you're currently employed and have recently been diagnosed with a visual impairment, you should contact the Access to Work scheme.

Access to Work is a scheme run by Jobcentre Plus that provides advice and support about what equipment and adjustments may be required to enable you to do your job.

They also offer a grant to contribute towards the costs of any equipment or training you may need, such as voice recognition software, a Braille keyboard and display unit and a printer that can convert text into Braille (Braille embossers).

If you're currently looking for work, you can contact a visual impairment organisation or Jobcentre Plus for extra advice and support.

You don't have to disclose that you have a visual impairment when applying for a job, but it's usually recommended that you do.

If you feel you've been turned down for a job because of your disability, and you were capable of doing the job, you can make a complaint under the Equality Act 2010.

Some people with a visual impairment decide to become self-employed, often because it allows them the flexibility to work at home for hours they choose.

 

Health rights for Veterans

If you've served in the armed forces as a regular or a reserve then you may be entitled to healthcare support as a veteran. Veterans have certain health rights, including priority treatment for ongoing health problems that are a direct result of their service, unless there is an emergency case or another case that demands higher clinical priority.

Sight Scotland Veterans offer services and life time support to those who've served in the armed forces and are visually impaired, irrespective of whether their visual impairment is related to their service. 

 

Support for Deaf and Deafblind British Sign Language (BSL) users

contactSCOTLAND-BSL is a Scottish Government funded service that connects Deaf and Deafblind BSL users throughout Scotland through an online BSL interpreting video relay service (VRS) with all Scottish public authorities, voluntary organisations (third sector), private sector service providers and family and friends.

The service enables people to sign, via video, to the BSL interpreter who then telephones the relevant number on the person's behalf and relays communication between the two parties. The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is also accessible to Deafblind BSL users by making use of braille displays and speech synthesizers.