Research

RNIB commissions and carries out research studies about people with sight loss and about issues that affect their lives.

Invitation for research proposals

RNIB is continually inviting research proposals

RNIB regularly invites research proposals.

We are currently inviting applications for Evaluation of the Early Support Developmental Journal for Babies and Children with Visual Impairment. Having read this brief you will also need to complete the application form.

The deadline is 10th July 2009.

Invitations to submit further proposals will appear here in future.

Recently completed research

Future Sight Loss UK

Future sight loss UK (Word Page 53 KB) is an RNIB funded research initiative on the current and future prevalence and costs relating to sight loss.

This research aims to inform the UK Vision Strategy and the RNIB Strategy, the main goals of which are towards the prevention of avoidable sight loss, and improving services and support for blind and partially sighted people.

Go! Shop

What research tells us about shopping and banking for people with sight loss.

Shopping summary (Word 84KB)

Travel, Transport and Mobility (Word 616KB)

At a Glance Summary of both reports (Word 31 KB)

Labour Market Experiences of People with Seeing Difficulties, through Secondary Analysis of Labour Force Survey Data, September 2008:

• Labour Market Experiences research briefing (Word)
• Labour Market Experiences research briefing (PDF)

• Labour Market Experiences executive summary (Word)
• Labour Market Experiences executive summary (PDF)

• Labour Market Experiences full report (Word)
• Labour Market Experiences full report (PDF).

RNIB/NFER Survey of Educational Provision for Blind and Partially Sighted Children and Young People in Britain, 2007:

• NFER and RNIB Executive Summary Report (Word)
• NFER and RNIB survey research briefing (Word)
• NFER and RNIB survey research briefing (PDF)
• NFER and RNIB Final GB Report (Word)
• NFER and RNIB England Survey 2007 (Word)
• NFER and RNIB Final Wales Report (Word).

Practitioner-led Research in Early Support, 2007-2008:
Practitioner-led research into early support - Final Project Report (Word)

"Too little too late" - research into the provision of school textbooks, 2006:
"Too little, too late" - overview and downloads

Recent workshops and dissemination events

Tackling health inequalities in relation to sight loss: developing effective strategies for groups most at risk. A report based on a workshop held on 21 January 2009.

• Health Inequalities Workshop (Word)
• Health Inequalities Workshop (PDF).

About our research

Our research is used to influence policy makers in education, employment, health and other areas of government work.

Research is also used to develop RNIB services for children and adults with sight problems. A key part of RNIB research work is to collate and provide statistical information about the numbers of registered and partially sighted people in the UK and other measures of the prevalence of sight loss.

We can help you identify existing studies on an area of interest or provide you with copies of research undertaken by us. Many of our research reports are available through our online shop or via customer services (telephone 0845 702 3153 / 01733 375 350).

Our Research Library is Europe's largest, most comprehensive and diverse collection of material covering all aspects of partial sight and blindness.

Current research

Network 1000 Survey 1 (Word 1.11MB): Comparing the General and Registered Visually Impaired Populations May 2009

The aim of this report is to compare the opinions and circumstances of the general population with the registered blind and partially sighted population in the UK for a number of topics

Visual Impairment and Autism Project
A project to research approaches and strategies used with blind and partially sighted children who have autism. The project will run between 2008 and 2010.

Other completed research

• Information Prescriptions for Sight Loss - Leeds Pilot (Word)
• Evidence base for the UK Vision Strategy (Word)
• Evidence base for the UK Vision Strategy (PDF)
• Barriers to free eye tests by older people
• Medicine information needs of older people (Word)
• Teaching braille to children (Word)
• Steps to independence (Word): Orientation, mobility and independence needs of children and young people with sight problems
• An integrated health and social care pathway for people with diabetic retinopathy
• Estimates of the prevalence of sight loss
• Views of partially sighted users of Access to Work (Word)
• Labour market outcomes of people with sensory disabilities from minority ethnic groups
• Ethnic minorities, disability and the labour market: A review of the data (Word)
• Ethnicity, disability and work - executive summary (Word): Examining the inclusion of people with sensory impairments from black and minority ethnic groups into the labour market
• Organisation of educational support for teaching of braille to children schools
• RNIB national questionnaire survey of local education authority visual impairment advisory services in Britain, 2002
• How the process of transition to school sixth forms and FE colleges in Wales is managed for students with a sight problem (Word)
• Out of the paddling pool (Word): A report of the first and second year follow ups of students with visual impairment following transition to school sixth form or colleges of further education in Wales
• Diverging pathways (Word): a report of the final follow up of students with visual impairment in Wales following transition at age 18.
• Evaluation of the RNIB early excellence partnership project, which supports young blind and partially sighted children and their families.

Other research relating to blind and partially sighted people

Network 1000

Network 1000 is a large scale survey of the needs, circumstances and opinions of over 1,000 blind and partially sighted people. Managed by Vision 2020 UK, the project is the first of its kind to be conducted with major sector wide involvement.

• Network 1000 - more information and downloads
• Visual Impairment and Autism Project
  'RNIB corporate research is supporting colleagues within and outside RNIB in a project that aims to gather good practice examples of supporting blind and partially sighted children who are on the autistic spectrum'.

Content author: research@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 01/07/2009 14:12