There are many activities you can enjoy in and around your own home, sometimes with a little adaptation or special equipment available from RNIB or elsewhere.
Here are some examples of popular pastimes and ways in which we can help you to continue them.
Gardening
Gardening is a popular and relaxing pastime. There are many ways to still enjoy your garden if you have a sight problem. RNIB works closely with Thrive to make gardening more accessible.
RNIB, in partnership with Thrive, has developed the Getting on with Gardening project. This provides information and guidance to gardeners with sight problems. Aspects of the project include:
Roadshows
These practical workshops are aimed at people with sight problems who are interested in learning some new gardening techniques, or who once enjoyed gardening but have lost their confidence due to recent sight loss. Interactive and informative roadshows will also be run for those wishing to assist people with sight problems to garden. Roadshows last half a day or a day. Activities include seed sowing, composts, taking cuttings, techniques and equipment for outdoor planting, and many others.
Accessible information
All experiences, advice and information that Thrive produces will be available in accessible formats. Two new publications have been produced to make gardening more accessible for blind and partially sighted gardeners, 'Getting on with gardening' Volumes 1 and 2 and are available from RNIB's
Online Shop and Thrive for just £7.50 each.
Come gardening magazine
This quarterly magazine for gardeners with sight problems has a range of interesting features and information. The magazine is available in large print, cassette, braille, floppy disk or email. The annual subscription is £15 or, for those in receipt of benefits, £5.
Residential courses
Friendly and relaxed three day courses throughout the UK encourage people to develop or maintain their gardening skills, and to find out more about their special gardening interests. There is plenty of opportunity to learn and share experiences, and to talk about gardening. Participants do practical activities to learn basic skills, and find out about equipment and techniques. A team of experienced staff provide a stimulating course, run in a relaxed manner. We plan to have longer sessions for the more experienced or 'hardy perennial' group. Escorts are provided where necessary, guide dogs are welcome and we cater for you whatever your needs.
For more information, telephone 0118 988 5688 or email: lucym@thrive.org.uk.
Other projects include
Getting on with gardening booklet
Getting on with gardening is the essential guide to gardening with a sight problem. Expand your knowledge and gardening skills with expert advice on taking cuttings, container growing, gardening outside, protected growing, pruning, looking after the lawn, pests and diseases and labelling.
Each volume of 'Getting on with gardening' costs £7.50. Buy your copy from the our Online Shop, from Thrive or from our Resource Centre in London.
Radio
DAB offers a wider choice of programming with more radio stations: national, local and regional catering for all kinds of interests and groups of people. It also gives hiss-free sound and many DAB radios also have features including information about the channel or the ability to pause and rewind live radio.
RNIB commissioned research from i2 Media research and Ricability which looked at how easy digital radios are to use for blind and partially sighted people, people with dexterity problems or dyslexia.
Read the
DAB radio research results which show that simple changes could make a big difference but amongst many poor designs, there are some good products already available.
Alternatively, contact the RNIB Media and Culture Department, telephone 020 7391 2398 or email
broadcasting@rnib.org.uk
Television, DVD and video
If you have a sight problem, activities such as watching television or a DVD can be very frustrating.
Much of the meaning of a TV programme or film can be lost if you can't see the action or facial expressions. Visit our
audio description pages to find out more about access to television, video and DVD at home.
DIY
If you are a DIY enthusiast or want help with simple household tasks such as changing a fuse, then our publication,
Do it for Yourself - An Introduction to DIY for people with sight problems is just for you.
This booklet contains helpful hints about doing DIY safely and effectively. It also gives pointers on how to organise work space and tools.
For more information or to buy a copy please contact RNIB Customer Services, telephone 0845 702 3153 or 01733 37 53 50, email
cservices@rnib.org.uk or visit our
Online Shop.
Cookery
If you enjoy cooking but find it difficult, we can help. Making simple changes to the equipment you use can make a big difference. This could include using brightly coloured utensils, talking scales and timers and tactile markings on buttons. Our Online Shop sells many practical kitchen utensils and gadgets, as well as recipe books.
Adapting the lighting in your kitchen to improve the contrast can also help.
For more tips on making things easier in the kitchen, listen to our podcast on Cooking for people with sight problems. And Vegetables for vision offers a suggestion for a tasty and healthy seasonal dish.
Puzzles and games
RNIB produce and sell puzzles and crosswords in braille or large print. We also have a wide range of adapted games and toys for everyone to enjoy! Popular family favourites include Scrabble, Snakes and Ladders, Connect 4 and Monopoly.
For information on our wide range of toys, games and puzzles, please contact RNIB Customer Services, telephone 0303 123 9999, or visit our Online Shop.
Reading
Many books are available in large print or on tape from local libraries.
Or you could become a member of the popular RNIB Talking Book Service, which can supply a huge range of books in audio format. Telephone 0845 762 6843 for more information.
Our National Library Service can lend books in either large print or braille, and Talking Newspaper Association of the UK (TNAUK) produces a wide range of magazines and journals on cassette.
Find out more by visiting our reading section.
Sewing and knitting
Needlecraft and knitting can be made more accessible through a range of gadgets and accessories such as large print patterns, needle threaders or knitting gauges. Contact Customer Services, telephone 0303 123 9999 or email cservices@rnib.org.uk for more information on on needlecraft accessories.
Many local societies run knitting or needlework groups which give support and advice - use our organisations database to find one near you.