About Us

RNIB Strategic Directions 2005-2010

Summary: Our strategic directions describing our values and priorities for 2005 to 2010

• RNIB wants
• What has RNIB done so far?
• What are we going to during 2005–2010
• RNIB facts and figures
• Further information

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Campaigning for lasting change for people with sight problems

RNIB wants

RNIB wants a world in which blind and partially sighted people enjoy the same rights, freedom, responsibilities and quality of life as people who are fully sighted. This vision will always be at the heart of what we do and what drives us forward.

What has RNIB done so far?

RNIB is the UK’s leading charity helping anyone with a sight problem. RNIB has worked with blind and partially sighted people for over a century with the specific aims of improving lives, increasing independence and eliminating preventable sight loss. Here are some of the things we have done to make a difference.

• 40,000 people continue to enjoy reading through the largest unabridged Talking Book library in the world.
• RNIB spends £12 million every year helping children and young people with sight problems get the best start in life.
• The importance of regular eye tests is reinforced for millions of people through Eye Test Action Day. Free eye tests are available for all in Scotland through our influence.
• RNIB Scotland launched the first online radio station – VIP On Air – in Europe for blind and partially sighted people in 2003.
• Over 1000 people every week receive support and information through RNIB’s Helpline.
• Many older blind and partially sighted people benefit from individually tailored care at RNIB’s residential homes.
• People live more independently through using RNIB’s wide range of tools and products, such as talking alarm clocks and calculators.
• RNIB helped to design the first user-friendly mobile phones for blind and partially sighted people.
• Forceful campaigning means that the Disability Discrimination Act now covers the needs and wants of people with sight problems more fully.
• Blind and partially sighted people can claim Disability Living Allowance due to our work with key partners to maintain it as a national non-means-tested benefit.
• Audio description has brought TV and cinema to life for blind and partially sighted people. Changes to the Communications Act (2004) mean that digital TV will be easier to access and use by people with sight problems.

This is some of what RNIB has achieved so far but there is much more to do.

What are we going to during 2005–2010

By campaigning for change, we will make the world a better place for blind and partially sighted people and we will make avoidable sight loss a thing of the past in the UK. RNIB is an experienced and respected influencer of Government and skilled in raising public awareness. The difference is that 2005 brings a major new commitment to campaigning. RNIB will lead this shift in focus through the expertise, commitment and enthusiasm of staff, volunteers, members, partners and supporters. We will continue to provide excellent services – the difference is that we will concentrate on pioneering models of service provision that demonstrate the very best in eye health, education, care and rehabilitation.

RNIB has identified four priority areas where we are going to focus our work:

• campaigning to improve the lives of people with sight problems.
• leading by example in developing excellent RNIB services.
• building RNIB’s knowledge by finding new ways to listen to members and partner organisations
• further improving the way we work to maximise our impact.

Campaigning to improve the lives of people with sight problems

More resources will be dedicated to campaigning so that a greater number of people will benefit from our work. We will raise sight loss up the political agenda in the UK, Europe and internationally. Together with blind and partially sighted people we will demand that choice is central to how people live their lives. Our specific campaigning aims include:

• ensuring that no one in the UK experiences avoidable sight problems
• developing our membership scheme to increase the influence and involvement of blind and partially sighted people
• campaigning for increased priority, resources and income for people with sight problems
• pressing Government and publishers to improve the availability of reading materials – 95 per cent of books published are never produced in large print, audio or braille
• campaigning for employment opportunities for the 75 per cent of blind and partially sighted people of working age who are currently unemployed
• enabling many more people to enjoy television with a significant increase in the numbers of TV programmes benefiting from audio description.

Leading by example

RNIB will develop pioneering, first-class services in order to spread learning and excellent practice and influence policy and change. We will also continue to provide tools and products, information and libraries. In particular we will:

• transform the Talking Book Service using the latest digital technology
• build on the success of VIP On Air and create a radio station for all blind and partially sighted people in the UK
• become a world leader in information design and production, using cutting-edge technology to show the publishing industry how to increase speed and availability of publications in electronic, audio and braille formats
• increase consultancy services to business, ensuring that websites, buildings and information can be used by blind and partially sighted people.

Building RNIB’s expertise

We will build our expertise on all issues affecting blind and partially sighted people, from personal and emotional matters to eye health and accessible design. Specifically we will:

• improve our knowledge of what members need and want
• develop the research programme so that RNIB’s work is evidence-based
• find new ways of sharing knowledge and solutions with professionals and partners.

Maximising our impact

• To achieve a world in which blind and partially sighted people enjoy the same rights, freedom, responsibilities and quality of life as people who are fully sighted, RNIB will:

• foster a culture of partnership and collaboration with other organisations
• RNIB will significantly increase the number and influence of volunteers. By 2009 our target is to have 8,000.
• RNIB will ensure it has the financial resources to deliver its key priorities.

RNIB facts and figures

• Every day another 100 people will start to lose their sight.
• In 2003/04 RNIB spent:
  – over £12million on young people
  – over £25million on people of working age
  – over £17million on older people
  – over £6.5million on raising public awareness on sight loss and eye health.
• We currently have 13,000 people in our growing membership scheme.
• Over 40,000 Talking Books are despatched every week
• Over 1000 callers to the RNIB Helpline are supported every week

How you can help us

Your support helps us rebuild lives devastated by sight loss. Donations are vital to our work. Nearly 60 per cent of RNIB’s income is from donations. You can help us by giving a donation or by volunteering. Call 0845 345 0054.

Further information

Download RNIB Strategic Directions 2005-2010 (Word).

March 2005

Content author: webeditor@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 09/05/2008 9:16