Resources and information for low vision professionals and commissioners
If you’re a professional working in a low vision clinic we have resources to support you as you care for people living with sight loss. We can provide advice, information and training on relevant services, best practice, policy and research. If you are a commissioner for low vision services, this page holds essential information to enable you to commission and monitor the quality of your services.
Low vision practitioners peer network
RNIB host a network for low vision practitioners to provide peer support as well as opportunities to meet and share good practice. We run online and face to face events to help support your practice and to provide specialist CPD. The network is free to join and includes:
- Online peer discussion groups held twice a year
- Access to Bolder our quarterly e-newsletter that covers news and articles from across the sector
- Webinars on specialist topics such as technology and emotional support
- Annual face to face meeting with opportunity to present research and join workshops
Join the Low Vision Peer Network
If you would like to receive the quarterly newsletter only and not join the Low Vision Peer Network you can Sign up for Bolder: RNIB's Quarterly newsletter for low vision practitioner.
If you have any questions please email us on [email protected]
E- learning
If you are new to low vision, returning to low vision after a career break or are working towards professional certificates in low vision then our e-learning modules may be of help:
- Sight loss awareness is suitable for all practice staff and gives a general overview of the impact of sight loss and support available. This is also suitable for commissioners of low vision services. This course is free of charge.
- A Holistic Approach to Low Vision is more in-depth and aimed at low vision professionals and health and social care students. There is no charge to do the course but you will have opportunity to donate towards the running costs.
To sign up for these courses or want to know more please email us on [email protected]
Face to face training and webinars
RNIB's Health and Social Care Skills Development team have developed a range of training resources for staff and professionals. They combine a variety of teaching techniques, such as learning through simulated experiences, additional resource packs and reading lists, group work activities, film footage and case studies. Most of our training packages can also be offered online through a series of webinars and digital learning platforms and tailored to staff needs.
Adult Low Vision Services Quality Framework
RNIB Adult Low Vision Service Quality Framework and Good Practice Guidelines set out and define best practice for low vision services in the UK. Written in consultation with patients, individual practitioners, key sector stakeholders and organisations, the framework outlines accepted good practice. You can use the framework to audit and develop current services and as a benchmark to guide the commissioning or recommissioning of services.
It has 10 sections covering all aspects of low vision service provision. Each section has core and ideal criteria with the intent that service providers rate their services against the criteria and put together an action plan for service development. Commissioners can use this framework to plan and commission good quality, fit for purpose services.
The accompanying Good Practice Guidelines give explanatory notes to help you understand how to meet the criteria.
Good Practice Guidelines
The Good Practice Guidelines are designed to support the understanding and implementation of each section of the low vision framework. These guidelines contain links to many resources and will be reviewed regularly.
We would love to hear from you if you have utilised the framework to review your service, so please email us on [email protected] and give us your feedback.
Resources for your patients
RNIB has lots of information and resources for your patients. Below is a link to our health and social care booklets covering many topics for independent living and eye health.
Click here for resource guides from RNIB
Sightline directory is a database of services for people with sight loss. If you are searching for services for your patients click on the link below.
Click here for RNIB's Sightline directory
RNIB Living Well With Sight Loss courses can help patients find peer support alongside interesting talks that help them to live independently. To find out more click on the link below:
Click here for RNIB Living Well With Sight Loss courses
Emotional support services for patients is available at the link below:
Click here for sight loss counselling
Resources for your business
RNIB can help you to make your service accessible. Our Business Services can support you to make your website, information and environment accessible for a wider range of customers and employees.
