Back in March 2009, after a long RNIB campaign, the Government announced it would support a new clause to amend the 1992 Social Security Act. This would allow people with severe visual impairment to claim the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
This decision put right a longstanding injustice, meaning an extra £45m a year for around 26,000 people.
If only the story ended there.
You can read how we successfully fought for the higher rate mobility component of DLA further down on this page.
Sadly, we have another DLA campaign on our hands in 2011.
Read about the proposed reforms to Disability Living Allowance and then take two minutes to help us take action against these unfair reforms.
Don't let our 2009 victory be for nothing. Act now.
Our campaign, 2006 to 2009
August 2006: Publication of 'Taken for a ride' a report showing how blind people were being "cheated" by not being allowed to claim the same level of benefit as wheelchair users. 253 MPs sign an Early Day Motion in support of our campaign.
December 2006: The largest lobby of Parliament ever by blind and partially sighted people takes place with 1,200 blind and partially sighted people travelling to Westminster.
December 2007: MPs talk face to face with people who might benefit from the changes to DLA. Campaigners also record audio diaries explaining things they needed to do or would like to do but could not because they didn't receive higher rate mobility component.
October 2008: Surpassing our own record, we hold our second Parliamentary lobby. This time over 1500 people attended.
Victory at last
17 March 2009: During the Report Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill, MPs debated the changes and the Government accepted the amendment that would deliver them. MPs paid tribute to the way they had been lobbied by constituents and what a difference this had made to their understanding of the issue.
Throughout the campaign, hundreds of campaign supporters wrote to their MPs, encouraging them to write to the Secretary of State, to sign the 3 EDMs, to attend the Lobbies of Parliament and finally, to support the amendment.
April 2011 - eligibilty changes
The changes to the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA come into force on 11 April 2011. Around 26,000 people will be eligible, so make sure if you're one of them, you don't miss out.
This is a major victory for blind and partially sighted people, but it doesn't end here. We will continue to work on issues affecting people with severe visual impairment who receive Attendance Allowance.
With the introduction of these changes we will also monitor the impact of the new eligibility criteria.
Get involved
If you'd like to get involved to bring about change like this, you can sign up online to be part of our powerful campaign supporters network. Alternatively you can contact the campaigns team on 020 7391 2123 or email us at campaigns@rnib.org.uk.