Newsletter No. 376
Newsletter No. 376 from Share the Vision highlights various accessibility initiatives and challenges for blind and partially sighted individuals. The bulletin covers the RNIB’s call for simple improvements in product labeling and restaurant lighting, alongside personal accounts of navigating barriers in healthcare, such as inaccessible maternity records. It also advocates for the inclusion of vision rehabilitation services in social care reforms and celebrates achievements like the installation of a training bus stop at the Royal School for the Blind and the recognition of a guide dog as a vital team member for a para-bowler. This issue continues to emphasize the importance of shared experiences in fostering a more inclusive environment for the blind and partially sighted community.
Accessible menus, clearly labelled make-up and lighting among small changes that could make a big difference to blind and partially sighted people
Leading sight loss charity the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) asked blind and partially sighted people to share the one small change that would make a big difference to them. Giving people an opportunity to voice what they’re passionate about and what they’ve got a bee in their bonnet about, the results highlight the importance of sharing experiences, frustrations and ‘light bulb’ moments.
Claire Sisk, content creator, disability advocate and RNIB Ambassador, shared one of her everyday frustrations. Claire said: “My one small, big change would be for make-up brands to make their products more accessible. I’m blind, I don’t use a mirror, but I’ve managed to learn where to place products on my face so that’s not my biggest barrier. When putting on eyeshadow, my issue is knowing what the colours are, if something is called ‘legend’ or ‘whisper’, I have no idea what that means.
For Dan Pembroke, two-time paralympic javelin champion, the experience of eating out at restaurants could be hugely improved if the lighting within the building was considered. Dan said: “The one small, big change that would help me in my life is booking a restaurant and knowing there is somewhere bright enough for me to enjoy my dinner.”
Read the full article here: https://www.rnib.org.uk/news/accessible-menus-clearly-labelled-make-up-and-lighting-among-small-changes-that-could-make-a-big-difference-to-blind-and-partially-sighted-people/
Sight-impaired woman 'disempowered' by hospital during pregnancy
A woman with a sight impairment said she felt “disempowered” after not being able to access her own medical records easily during her pregnancy.
Jenny Molineux, 42, from Rawtenstall, gave birth to her daughter Theadora four years ago at the Lancashire Women & Newborn Centre at Burnley Hospital. She said the lack of accessibility “added a whole extra layer of anxiety” and “nobody really knew how to support a visually impaired mum”.
East Lancashire Hospital Trust (ELHT) said its maternity services had made real progress in improving how accessible information was, but that there was more to do.
Jenny has reverse retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative condition which has severely blurred her vision. At her initial booking-in appointment with a midwife after becoming pregnant, she was handed a white book. – “Your book had all the information in that you needed, it had all your contact telephone numbers, it had everything, but unfortunately for me I just wasn’t able to access it.” she said.
Read the full story here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce97m1417g9o?utm_source=accessinformationnews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=08172026&utm_content=editorial
New PM’s plans for social care system reforms – RNIB feedback
RNIB has fed back on the new Prime Minister’s commitment to fix the social care system in England, saying that any reforms must include vital and important (but lesser-known) types of social care for blind and partially sighted adults, says charity.
Mike Wordingham, RNIB’s Head of Policy who has sight loss commented:
“Vision rehabilitation is a vital social care programme of support funded through local authorities. Whilst support is patchy and variable, when it works well, it enables blind and partially sighted people to build the skills to move around safely, adapt their workplaces, continue to support their families and enjoy their hobbies when their sight deteriorates. Currently it’s a hidden service, flying under the radar at the crossover between health and social care, and plagued by ongoing delays, underfunding and staffing gaps.
Read the full piece here: https://www.rnib.org.uk/news/rnib-comment-on-prime-ministers-commitment-to-fix-the-broken-social-care-system-in-england/
Replica bus stop helps blind pupils at Wavertree school
A bright yellow bus stop has been installed in the grounds of a Liverpool school to help blind and visually impaired young people to gain the confidence to travel independently. The stop, at the Royal School for the Blind in Wavertree, helps students to practise using public transport in a safe environment before venturing on to busy streets. It forms part of a purpose-built training area at the school, which also features a pelican crossing and other street furniture commonly found on roads across the city.
The bus stop was donated by a contractor working with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, while the groundwork was carried out for free by a local firm.
Crispin Pailing, from the Royal School for the Blind, said realistic facilities were vital in helping students learn life skills.
Read the full piece here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cddjm3dzpgvo
Commonwealth Games: Para-bowler's guide dog given closing ceremony kit
When Wales won a bronze medal in the visually impaired mixed pairs bowls at this year’s Commonwealth Games, four medals were awarded. There was one each for Steffan James and Julie Thomas, as well as their directors John Wilson and Jamie Jones. But there is a fifth member of the team that is just as important, Thomas’ guide dog, Yoko.
“She’s absolutely essential for me,” she said. “I couldn’t take part and do these things without her. “She enables me to get around, to walk independently and to actually function at these Games, because she’s just my lifeline. “I think she’s also quite a nice thing for the rest of the team because she’s so calming and relaxing.
Read the full piece here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cddjm3dzpgvo