Leisure publications

We can help people with sight problems to make the most of their leisure time and enjoy a better quality of life.

For individuals with sight problems, their friends and families, we offer information on a wide range of leisure pursuits. We also help and advise professionals who are keen to improve leisure, tourism and broadcasting facilities for blind and partially sighted people.

Our national team have developed the following range of fact sheets which provide advice, information and contact details to assist blind and partially sighted people to access these opportunities:

Publications are available in large print, braille, on tape or computer disk. Please specify which format you require when ordering.

All publications are available from RNIB Customer Services, telephone 0845 702 3153, email cservices@rnib.org.uk. Please state which publications you require and what format - large print, audio, braille or disk.

Fact sheets

For people with sight problems

• Cooking tips (MS Word, 184KB)
• Creative writing and access to literature (MS Word, 254KB)
• Designing gardens and nature trails (MS Word, 239KB)
• Discovering sports (MS Word, 275KB)
• Gardening information pack (MS Word, 230KB)
• Going on holiday (MS Word, 212KB)
• Helping you to take a holiday (MS Word, 204KB)
• Holiday ideas (MS Word, 246KB)
• Knitting and needlecraft (MS Word, 244KB)
• Leisure ideas (MS Word, 323KB)
• Your way to leisure (MS Word, 204KB)

For professionals

• Sources of funding for leisure based projects (MS Word, 195KB)
• Ten top tips for leisure and tourist industry staff (MS Word, 170KB)
• Welcoming your blind and partially sighted customers - Leisure (MS Word, 188KB)
• Welcoming your blind and partially sighted customers - Tourism (MS Word, 185KB).

Publications for people with sight problems

• Leisure ideas for people with a sight problem - £2.50. Information on leisure ideas and useful contacts to help blind and partially sighted people continue with existing hobbies or take up a new interest. Including arts, sports, home-based activities and lifelong learning, plus details of products and other leisure groups.
• Do it for yourself - an introduction to DIY for people with sight problems - £5.00
  The first ever DIY manual for people with sight problems. This new publication gives an introduction to basic home maintenance tasks, such as measuring, hammering, sinking a screw, changing plug fuses and unblocking a sink, with emphasis placed on safety and careful preparation.
• Painting from a new perspective - £9.00. This publication focuses on six artists who have decided to carry on painting despite losing their sight. Over 24 stunning paintings are included in the book to allow the reader to share in the artists' achievements.
• Getting on with Gardening - £7.50 each volume.This two volume publication contains hints and tips for blind and partially sighted gardeners.
• Leisure in Focus - £7.50. Information and tips on a range of sports, arts and leisure activities for blind and partially sighted people, based on the experiences of participants in RNIB's successful "Leisure Link" project in East Sussex.
• Magazines Brochure - free. Listing of magazines available in braille, large print, on audio cassette, computer disk and via email, for leisure reading and professional use.
• Audio description explained - an overview of the various forms of audio description.
• RNIB home video service catalogue of audio described videos for sale and rental.

Publications for professionals

• Activate - helping people with sight problems to access gyms. Free from RNIB Customer Services, email cservices@rnib.org.uk
• Welcoming your visually impaired customers, Leisure industry pack - £4.50. An information pack with a selection of key-fact guidelines to help tourism providers improve their services for blind and partially sighted customers.
• Accessible leisure, student pack - £4.50. Information to help students understand issues around blindness and partial sight and access to leisure.
• Designing gardens and nature trails - £1.00. How to make gardens, nature trails and countryside sites more accessible to people with sight problems.
• Leisure in Focus - £7.50. Information and tips on a range of sports, arts and leisure activities for blind and partially sighted people, based on the experiences of those involved in RNIB's successful "Leisure Link" project in East Sussex.
• Talking Images Guide - Museums, galleries and heritage sites: improving access for blind and partially sighted people - £9.95. This guide provides a comprehensive and practical view of all aspects of access for blind and partially sighted people, from planning to service delivery and evaluation.
• Talking Images Research - Museums, galleries and heritage sites: improving access for blind and partially sighted people - £5.95. The research report summarises the research studies undertaken for the Talking Images project, which focused on the use of audio guides and also examined other aspects of access.

If you buy the Talking Images Guide and the Talking Images Research at the same time, the cost is £14.50.

For more advice and information visit the leisure and retail pages in our professionals section.

Contact us

RNIB Customer Services
PO Box 173
Peterborough
PE2 6WS
Telephone: 0845 702 3153
Email: cservices@rnib.org.uk