Living independently
People with sight problems face many challenges in and around their homes, including:
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moving around safely in their own home
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using the kitchen independently to cook a meal
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safe access to gardens
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walking to local facilities such as playgrounds and shops
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finding their way in public buildings.
Housing and sight loss
Most people think of their home as a place where they can be safe and comfortable. However, many people with sight loss in Wales live in a home that is often inconvenient, inappropriate for their needs and in some cases a threat to their physical well-being. Older people in particular are at risk from accidents in the home.
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One third of housing stock in Wales was built pre-1919.
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Wales has a higher percentage of people over the age of 60 compared to the UK average.
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8.5 per cent of all homes in Wales are unfit for habitation.
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There are 100,000 people with sight loss in Wales, 90 per cent of who are over the age of 60.
Accidents
There are an increasing number of accidents that occur in the home, especially in relation to falls.
Young children and older people are at particular risk because of the amount of time they spend in the home environment. Accidents and deaths from falls are often related to poor eyesight, especially in older people.
Good design can play a part in reducing injuries and creating a safer environment in which people can live.
RNIB Cymru's Supporting Independent Living Team
RNIB Cymru's vision is to have housing in Wales that will enable people with sight loss to live safely and independently and enjoy the right to privacy, comfort and security in their own homes.
Our team promotes inclusive housing design and improved services for people with sight loss, by tailoring solutions to the specific issues and barriers facing organisations who provide services within the fields of housing, public buildings and public spaces.
We support organisations to achieve inclusion and independence by providing a personal service to support and meet professional needs using high quality training, consultancy and accreditation.
We are the leading authority on housing for people with sight loss in the UK, and have developed several publications based on cutting edge research, including the two documents mentioned below which are "world firsts" in the field of housing and sight loss:
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"Housing Sight" - a guide to building accessible housing
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"Adapting Homes" - a guide for adapting existing Housing.
We provide an access consultancy service targeted at design professionals: from working out the feasibility of a new building through all the various stages of the work right up to the sign off of the finished building.
We also provide an access consultancy service targeted at individuals, social services and support workers.
Keep up to date on new design issues in accessible housing and environments.
Housing Sight was the first publication that focused on how to make an individual's home fully accessible to people with sight problems. This ground breaking publication was written in 2003 and its principles still apply as specifications and guidance change. Subscribe to our Access Fact sheets to get monthly updates on current issues, new guidance and new specifications.
For more information please contact us on either accesswales@rnib.org.uk or housingwales@rnib.org.uk or telephone 0259 2045 0440
RNIB Cymru Visibly Better Accreditation
Our 'Visibly Better' accreditation system can provide you with a structure for development, and be a means by which you can promote your success to your tenants and partners.
Training
We have a full training suite and offer standard and bespoke training in all areas related to buildings access and improving services to older people and those with sight loss.