About us

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is the UK's leading charity offering information, support and advice to over two million people with sight loss.

Our pioneering work helps anyone with a sight problem - not just with braille and Talking Books, but with imaginative and practical solutions to everyday challenges.

We need you to get involved to support our vital work. As a charity we rely on your generosity.

People are still losing their sight unnecessarily. We campaign to eliminate avoidable sight loss and support research into the causes and latest treatments of eye conditions.

Membership

RNIB is a membership organisation which radically affects how we govern ourselves. Being a member is all about being closer: to information that can help you, to a community of other members and to RNIB itself, where you can make your voice heard and influence what we do.

RNIB across the UK

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RNIB Helpline

Our Helpline is your direct line to the support, advice and products you need.We are ready to answer your call Monday to Friday 8.45am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 4pm. Outside these times leave us a message and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Call us on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk

RNIB Research Library

Europe's largest collection of research material about sight problems. RNIB Research Library is open to the public for free reference use without prior appointment, and most items can be borrowed for a small charge. We also have five PCs with JAWS and Zoomtext for use by blind and partially sighted visitors, and for research purposes by sighted users.

Latest media releases

Three Black Country organisations celebrate Microsoft cash boost to fight isolation

Media release dated 12 Feb 2009. The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), PRIME, a charity that help people over 50 set up their own businesses, and the Black Country Consortium have received approximately £250,000 to help them continue their work introducing new digital technology which opens doors to education and work.

RNIB fundraisers hope to get intimate with supporters

Media Release from 26 Jan 2009 regarding RNIB putting getting to know supporters' interests and motivations on a much more personal level at the heart of the organisation's new Fundraising Strategy being rolled out in 2009.

RNIB hoping to get primary schools dotty about braille again

Media release from 23 Jan 2009 about the release of a "dotty day" pack to UK primary schools to celebrate the 200th birthday of Louis Braille.

RNIB's Vision magazine scoops industry title

Media Release from 2nd February 2009 regarding RNIB's Vision Magazine winning at the 2009 Memcom Awards held on Thursday 29 January, picking up the award for best charity/ other membership magazine.

Government project brings accessible textbooks for children a step closer

Media Release from 30th July 2009 regarding RNIB celebrating a major milestone in its campaign for accessible school text books. The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) have announced the appointment of a consortium led by Dolphin Audio Publishing to run a pilot project which aims to transform access to textbooks for blind, partially sighted, dyslexic and other children who cannot read standard print.

Last updated: 18 November 2009

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RNIB shop

Our online shop hosts over 1,000 products, including radio controlled talking clocks, mobile phones, canes and much more.

Christmas appeal

Unlock the magic of books for a child this Christmas.

Help us record more titles to ensure children with sight loss don't go without.

Donate now

Insight Radio

Insight Radio is RNIB's radio station. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, the Sony Award winning station communicates the needs, interests and aspirations of blind and partially sighted people throughout the UK.

Quiz



When helping a blind person on steps you should:

Christmas appeal



Make a donation and help unlock the magic of books for a child this Christmas.