RNIB joins discussion on adult social care at Lib Dem Conference
At the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) roundtable, held during the recent Liberal Democrat party conference in Bournemouth, RNIB joined stakeholders and sector leaders to discuss the priorities, opportunities and challenges facing the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care which is being chaired by Baroness Casey.
This gave us the opportunity to ensure the voices of blind and partially sighted people are heard in the debate on adult social care.
The collaborative session brought together representatives from VODG members, health and social care, local government, and housing to explore the current landscape and the changes needed to deliver better outcomes for disabled people.
As part of the panel, RNIB’s Policy Lead for Social Care, Hannah Donnelly, gave an overview of the specific challenges blind and partially sighted people face when accessing adult social care services, emphasising the urgent need for timely, accessible, and integrated care pathways.
We know that, when done well, vision rehabilitation, an adult social care service funded through local authorities, equips people with new ways to stay independent: to get out and about and adapt their lives. Cane training and support in the home with independent living skills enables people to adjust to their new level of vision.
Speaking after the event, Hannah said:
“It is vital that this review properly considers the long-term role of reablement services, including vision rehabilitation, in any future National Care Service.
While the Independent Commission carries out its important and ambitious work, the government must take immediate action to help end the current postcode lottery of vision rehabilitation support.”
Our 2024 research found that over a quarter of local authorities in England left people waiting for more than a year for a vision rehabilitation assessment and subsequent support. Threadbare services mean people wait without the support they’re entitled to, at risk of physical accidents and injuries as well as mental health crises.
RNIB will continue to work with stakeholders and policymakers to make the case for appropriate reform and resourcing of vision rehabilitation provision.
You can read more about our findings on vision rehabilitation by visiting the Out Of Sight campaign page, where you can also sign our petition calling on Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, to commit to ensuring people with sight loss get the support they need, when they need it.
Have you had vision rehabilitation in England or Wales?
Whether your experience was good, bad or mixed, fill out our short webform to let us know your experience and get involved in our campaign for improved services.
