Training and Consultancy

Training and consultancy - FAQs

Summary: Frequently asked questions about training and consultancy

• Implementing accessibility
• Training
• Eye clinics

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Implementing accessibility

I’m a travel agent/leisure centre manager/theatre manager. How does the Disability Discrimination Act affect me?

You have to make reasonable changes to the way your business operates so that disabled people can use your service. In 2004 you will also have to remove or alter any physical features which may prevent access to your service.

I own a hotel/theatre/cinema/gallery, what can I do to make my service more accessible to blind and partially sighted people?

Consider having an access audit of your premises to ensure that blind and partially sighted people can get in and around your building safely. Think about how you produce your information – we can advise you on making your website accessible or show you how to produce your menus/price lists/information leaflets/programme listings in accessible formats such as braille. RNIB also run training sessions to help staff with skills like guiding a guest with sight loss.

We are just a small tourist attraction/museum/theatre. We can’t afford to make big changes to our business, what should we do?

It doesn’t have to be expensive to make your service accessible. Start by making small changes that don’t cost much and then plan in any bigger pieces of refurbishment. RNIB can advise you on how to put together a cost-effective access action plan.

We have facilities which we believe would be ideal for someone with a sight problem. How can we promote our services to blind and partially sighted customers?

Consult with local groups of and for blind and partially sighted people in your area. Think about using local radio and talking newspapers as well as perhaps putting an advert into local newsletters. Consider producing information in large print, braille and on audio cassette. Also, if you have a website think about whether it is accessible to blind and partially sighted users.

Training

I would like to teach blind and partially sighted people in the area of sport or exercise, is there a course available?

There are a few organisations available such as the YMCA and Keep Fit Association who run specific courses to teach people with disabilities. For most qualified tutors it's a case of understanding your client's needs and eye conditions and following basic guidelines with regard to providing an accessible and safe environment, having accessible information, adapting equipment and giving clear and descriptive instructions. The RNIB Activate programme can cover all aspects of running gym and fitness classes. Contact us for more information.

Where can I train to be an audio describer?

RNIB Broadcasting and Talking Images team can advise on training providers. Contact us for more information.

Eye clinics

I’ve been asked to order some leaflets for display in the eye clinic for the patients, but there isn’t much space. What information would you suggest we should hold?

A list of the most popular RNIB leaflets, which are held in eye clinics throughout the country is available and designed as an order form, which can be faxed or posted to RNIB Customer Services to help you save time. If possible, it is also helpful to hold local information within the display.

I am a hospital services manager and we are planning to set up an information service for patients in the eye clinic and would like to know what types of service exist?

There is a wide range of hospital information services that are currently being provided in the UK. They range from paid roles such as the RNIB Eye Clinic Liaison Officers or the equivalent, link nurse roles and hospital project officers co-ordinating volunteer run services. The funding and responsibility of these services also varies. The RNIB Hospital Information Service handbook outlines the various types of hospital information service as well as helping with the planning and running of these services. The handbook is available from RNIB Customer Services.

I am the co-ordinator of an information desk in the local hospital and I am writing my annual report and evaluation of the service. Can you recommend any research data, which I could include to prove the need for this kind of, service?

There is a wide range of research related to this subject and it is also important to be aware of policy changes/developments within the NHS and social services, which can add greater weight to your report. A list of the current policies and relevant research publications, with quotations, highlighting the need for non-medical support within the eye clinic, has been included in the Hospital Information Service handbook.

I have recently been employed to set up a eye support service within the local hospital eye clinic. I would like to know about training opportunities for me in the first instance and to discuss the possible roles of a volunteer within the clinic and their training needs.

RNIB with City University has developed a training course specifically for personnel giving support to people newly registered as blind or partially sighted. The Eye Clinic Link Officer course is run by RNIB’s Low Vision and Eye Health Unit.

Regarding volunteer roles within hospital information services and the training needs. The role of the volunteer is an important one and appropriate training is essential to ensure the volunteer understands the boundaries of their role and how to communicate with the patients and support them appropriately. Volunteer roles and training guidelines are available in the Hospital Information Service handbook and a training package for volunteers has been designed and is provided by the Hospital and Community Information Support Officer.

I need to apply for funding to continue providing the information service we run in the local hospital, do you have any funding information that will help?

A list of national funding opportunities is available that may be useful to you. It is also worthwhile identifying local funding/grant opportunities and highlighting the impact the service will have on local people which will give the application greater weight and, thus, greater chance of success.

Content author: webeditor@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 08/04/2008 18:38