Blind and partially sighted people are on the verge of tipping from 'just managing' into 'not coping' and could end up spiralling into ill-health, isolation and depression, if local authorities don't make small but significant changes, new research by the UK's leading sight loss charity has warned.
Research
The research - produced by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and public interest company OPM - found that local authorities have the potential to transform the lives of blind and partially sighted people by making modest changes.
With sight loss predicted to rise to more than 2.25 million people by 2020, the report - 'Quick wins and missed opportunities' - warns that if action isn't taken now, the costs to local services for health and social care could rocket, but there are cost effective solutions available.
Listening
By listening to blind and partially sighted people and ensuring information, the built environment, transport and things like social activities are accessible, local authorities can make the best use of ever dwindling resources and avoid people with sight loss being hit hardest by budget cuts. It's also vital local voluntary organisations and key rehabilitation services are supported, as these provide a key point of contact for many blind and partially sighted people.
The research identifies three top 'Quick wins' which offer practical, cost effective solutions for local authorities:
Quick wins
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Ensure blind and partially sighted people are at the centre of any decision making which affects their lives and view them as expert voices. Consultation should be done in a timely and accessible way and not as a bolt on or tick-box exercise. Councils could consider local voluntary groups as the "go-to people" to effectively reach people living with sight loss
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Keep a record of a person's preferred reading format so all council information can be delivered in the correct way. People with sight loss often need council information in formats like large print, audio or braille. If councils are aware of residents' information requirements upfront it will save them money and time in the long run by not having to send the same information twice
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Provide a bedrock of core support to newly diagnosed people to help them adjust to life after sight loss. Delivering practical help and rehabilitation early on will maximise a person's chances of remaining independent and save local authorities money in the long-term.
The time is now
Andy Kaye, RNIB's Policy Manager, said: "Local authorities have the potential to transform the lives of blind and partially sighted people by making small but significant changes. If action isn't taken now costs to local services for health and social care could spiral but the great news is it's not rocket science. Often simple, cost effective, innovative actions make a huge difference. The time is now for local authorities to help build a better future for blind and partially sighted people."
Some local authorities are already finding practical solutions, which they often deliver in partnership with voluntary organisations.
Joan Barnett, 65, of Guildford, Surrey, was registered blind in 2005. She heaps praise on her local society Surrey Association for Visual Impairment (SAVI).
"I fell nine times in two years"
She said: "I fell nine times in the first two years after losing my sight but since having some mobility training with SAVI I haven't fallen once. I was always really fearful of going out but my confidence definitely grew after the training. SAVI were great in letting me know about my entitlements and helping me fill out all the complicated forms. I don't know what we'd do if the council couldn't afford to give SAVI anything. What would happen to people newly registered? That doesn't bear thinking about."
South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council has taken a flexible approach to assessing the needs of a blind or partially sighted person. If individuals feel a piece of equipment rather than a support worker will better meet their needs, the council will provide it and often this proves a cost effective solution.
Leicester City Council runs awareness events for council staff to learn from blind people about the issues and barriers they face when out and about in the city. By involving blind people from the start of planning, it prevents costly changes in the future.
Plymouth City Council has introduced a six-week course to provide people newly diagnosed with sight loss, with individually tailored, practical and emotional support.
Implementing the three quick wins will help local authorities to achieve the outcomes most important to blind and partially sighted people - independence, wellbeing, being kept informed, fulfilling their potential, and being treated equally.
For a copy of the report and its recommendations visit RNIB's website at www.rnib.org.uk/quickwins
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Notes to Editors
For more information or to arrange interviews with anyone involved in the research please contact Emma Mercer, RNIB Senior Public Relations Officer, on 020 7391 2085 or emma.mercer@rnib.org.uk
About the research report
The report - 'Quick wins and missed opportunities: How local authorities can work with blind and partially sighted people to build a better future' - was launched at a fringe event at this year's Local Government Conference at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham on Wednesday, 27 June, 2012.
Nine focus groups, bringing together 50 blind and partially sighted people from each government office region of England, were conducted by the Office for Public Management (OPM). More in-depth interviews were carried out with five people with sight loss to tell the story of a day in the life of a blind or partially sighted person. Finally, three case studies were conducted focusing on the perspectives of people working for and with three local authorities, Plymouth, Leicester City and South Tyneside.
The report is intended to influence elected members, directors, managers, commissioners, policy makers and professionals in local authorities. The focus is practical, and whilst the research reveals many problems and barriers, there are many simple yet impactful innovations showcased.
About RNIB
Almost two million people in the UK have a sight problem which has a serious impact on their daily lives - approximately one in 30 people. It is predicted that by 2020 the number of people with sight loss will rise to over 2,250,000.
There are around 360,000 people registered as blind or partially sighted in the UK and 28,000 people are certified blind or partially sighted each year (1).
Becoming blind or partially sighted is a life changing experience - it is the sense that people fear losing the most (2).
Sight loss costs the UK economy more than £6 billion per year and is set to increase to £7.9 billion by 2013 (3)
The full financial cost of falls attributable to visual impairment to the NHS and social care has not been calculated; however it is conservatively estimated at £25 million per year.
References
(1) NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care
(2) RNIB used specialist research agency TNS for this research. The survey questions were asked via the TNS Online Omnibus to 1009 adults aged 16-64 in Great Britain between 27 and 31 March 2008.
(3) Report prepared for RNIB: Future Sight Loss UK (1) - The economic impact of partial sight and blindness in the UK adult population June 2009