RNIB - Supporting People with Sight Loss

July 2016 Connect Magazine

SPEAKERS

SD: Sabina De SaramNB: Nicky BarringerAS: Alec SabinMB: Mick BeckF: Female (reciting audio text on audio guides)EM: Ella McCalmanEH: Emma HillyardAG: Alice GlossopLC: Leanne CoyleM: Male (Nat West App voice)MF: Michael FarragherMM:Mr MillbrookerNK: Nicky KellySR: Shadeen RosePP: Poonam Patel

RNIB - Supporting People with Sight Loss

SD: Hello and welcome to the August edition of the audio version of Connect, your Community magazine. I’m Sabina De Saram from London City. I’m registered as severely sight-impaired. You have every reason to look forward to what’s coming up over the next half hour, and you will hear more from me later in a feature about how to manage your finances. So here’s Alec and Nicky to tell you more.

NB: Thanks Sabina, and what a lovely way to start the programme.

AS: Yes, and this is Connect Magazine which goes out to members of the RNIB Connect Community across the UK and brings together everyone affected by sight loss, and that means you, people close to you and your supporters.

NB: And this, the audio version of Connect Magazine is doing just that through sharing voices, experiences, stories and tips from our community. Perhaps you have a story to share as well? Well stay tuned for details of how to get involved.

AS: I’m Alec Sabin.

NB: And I’m Nicky Barringer.

AS: And coming up, a young woman who lost her sight but gained a skill in teaching Pilates.

NB: Do you ever wish dealing with money as a blind or partially-sighted person were a little easier? Well, we’re bringing you some tips on how to manage your finances.

AS: Also in this edition, we’ll let you know how you can help other people with your sight condition through some upcoming RNIB focus groups.

NB: And in this month’s Your Voice, we’re bringing you the remarkable story of an artist who has had an unlikely source of inspiration.

AS: And one member’s on a mission to improve the quality of audio guides. That’s along with the usual mix of news and stories that you won’t find anywhere else, so stay tuned.

NB: All that, and as they say, more, coming up in the August edition of Connect Magazine.

News

AS: People with sight loss across England are being failed by vision rehabilitation services. RNIBs latest report See, Plan and Provide, has found nearly half of people in contact with their local council haven’t received the simple assessment which can reduce or prevent the need for far more costly care provision. RNIB believes the specialist face-to-face meeting should take place within 28 days of first contact. It’s calling on councils to put this in place, along with a commitment for support to start within twelve weeks. To find out more, and to support the campaign, visit rnib.org.uk/see-and-plan.

NB: Toyota is developing a wearable device for blind people that could improve mobility. Project BLAID is worn around the neck; sitting on the shoulders and helping the wearer navigate indoor spaces. The device is equipped with cameras that detect the user’s surroundings and communicate information through speakers and vibration motors. The wearers can interact with the device using voice recognition and buttons.

AS: RNIB and Royal Mail have teamed up to help your MP write to you in the format that you need. Royal Mail is supporting a service that enables your MP to have their letters to constituents like you, confidentially transcribed by RNIB into audio, Braille or large print. So, next time you get in touch with your MP, let them know if you would like to receive your reply in a format other than print and remind them to contact RNIBs Campaigns Team if they aren’t sure how to do this. They can reach the Campaigns Team on 020 7391 2123. The scheme works both ways too, so if you send your MP a letter in Braille or audio, it’ll be transcribed. You can send any letter in the usual way, safe in the knowledge that you’ll both be able to read it.

NB: Did you know that a third of RNIBs donations come from gifts left as a part of a Will. The charity relies on these generous donations to continue its’ vital work but many people don’t know they can help by doing this. So that’s why RNIB is taking part in Remember a Charity in your Will Week between the 12th and the 18th of September. Over 150 charities will come together to spread the message of how you can do something legendary by remembering your favourite charity in your Will. To find out more, visit rnib.org.uk/rac. Call 0845 6000313.

AS: As you know, the UK recently voted to leave the European Union. We know that many of you are concerned about what this will mean for you. Well, don’t panic as it’s likely to be several months or even years before the full impact is known. RNIB is monitoring the situation very closely and as the picture becomes clearer, the charity will provide appropriate advice for blind and partially-sighted people who may be affected. In the meantime, if you have any further queries, you can contact the RNIB Helpline or your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

NB: You’re listening to the August edition of RNIBs Connect Magazine.

Your Voice

NB: And this is the section where you tell us what’s been on your mind. It could be advice that you’d like to share with other community members, something you’ve discovered lately or you might just want to share your own story.

AS: Like Mick who got in touch to tell us about something he believes is a real lifeline for blind and partially-sighted people who enjoy a bit of culture – audio guides.

MB: Hello, my name’s Mick Beck. I’m a totally blind person and I’ve been blind since I was 7. I live in Sheffield. Audio guides are often produced now by organisations which is very good thing.

F: ...lived on in the medieval city was also expressed in the Government of the commune which was set up... [audio guide text/fades away]

MB: They are intended to help people to understand what a particular exhibition or presentation is about. They’re a great help to many members of the public but especially to visually impaired people like myself. It means that I don’t have to rely so much on the people that I’m with to interpret what’s there.

F: ...written in 1499, it is considered one of the greatest works of Spanish literature... [audio guide text].

MB: Something I’d like organisations to bear in mind when they’re producing audio guides is firstly to remember that some of the users will be visually impaired; the second thing is accessibility of the information contained. You need to make clear in the audio guide itself what the item that people are supposed to be focused on is, give you the context and then point to the main features that you think are special about this particular exhibit.

F: ...the marble base of which was sculpted by Michelangelo himself, became the fulcrum of the... [audio guide text].

MB: ...the actual machinery if they use touch screens, that can be very frustrating, however a telephone keypad you can pretty well be sure to drive that yourself. I think that I would like the RNIB to help organisations to raise the standards of guides by making some guidance available to them. I’m sure the RNIB would be pleased to receive any other feedback from visually-impaired users.

AS: And just like Mick says, we’d love to hear from you with your feedback on the world of audio guides, whether you’ve have a good or bad experience at a museum, gallery or other attraction, just get in touch so we can share your recommendations with the community.

NB: And next we’re going to hear from a former art teacher who in her 80s is losing her sight but gaining something really quite unexpected.

EM: Hello, I’m Ella McCalman. My sight problem is macular degeneration advanced. I’m a Fifer really but I came here to Islay, the Island of Islay, 60 years ago to teach. When my sight began to fail, I thought that was the end of drawing for me, a stupid thought right enough, because since then I’ve realised that my vision is a wonderful thing despite the sight loss. What I see now, the hallucinations I suppose you would call them, are big, swirling masses of roses and other wonderful flowers and leaves and swaying, sudden changes into triangles and all-over patterns. What happens between the images is the flowers change into leaves. The other evening, they changed into a whole row of little, wooden soldiers standing on my mantelpiece. I know that sounds daft but that’s what happened. I eventually realised that real painting, as you might call it, which I always did a bit of, was now beyond me. Well that sounds very defeated, but I’m not finished yet, but the hallucinations became much, much more interesting as I drew them so what I get out of drawing them, I’ve realised now that it’s a never-ending kaleidoscope if you like, of what my brain makes of the hole in my eyesight.

NB: That was Ella McCalman from the Isle of Islay telling us about how her hallucinations are inspiring her to draw. And both Mick and Ella will receive a Communiclock, that’s a talking calendar clock, for taking part in this month’s Your Voice. So if you have a story to share, you can email connectstories@rnib.org.uk or speak to your Connect Team on 0303 123 9999.

Teaching Pilates without sight

NB: So Alec, have you ever tried Pilates?

AS: Well, I’ve tried it but actually I prefer yoga. I’m a real yogi.

NB: Are you? I’ve never tried it and I’m pretty hopeless at yoga actually, but anyway... I’m not so sure you’re that bad. I’m sure you’re better than

you think you are. But could it be the case that you might need some special lessons? If so, this next item might just take your fancy.

AS: Oh, why is that then?

NB: Well, we’re about to be introduced to a Pilates instructor. Her name is Emma Hillyard. She’s 24, from London and she’s partially-sighted. Alice Glossop from RNIB Connect Radio met up with her to find out more.

EH: I was always into dance and physical activities anyway... performing, I’d done a lot of theatre performing and then it was that I went onto ESA (Employment and Support Allowance) and they would encourage people to go out and do other things and I see this Pilates class, and from that day, I was like “This is... I want to do this”. Like, this is so... the pace was so good for me. Dance was a bit fast-paced and I found it hard to follow along. This is so cool, like I really want to teach this, and I went on and did it.

AG: And can you tell me a bit about what your sight condition is?

EH: It’s called cone-rod dystrophy and actually I only found out about that a few years ago. I just thought I was a normal person with glasses and I didn’t really...

AG: Oh really?

EH: Yeah, and they only really explained not that long ago, and I was really surprised. I didn’t even know that my eyes could get worse, so it was a big shock. And basically yeah, they just gradually get worse over time. Fingers crossed I won’t go completely blind.

AG: And what’s the transition been like for you going from a performer to an instructor?

EH: To be honest, I still miss the dance, and do you know what, I think I’m going to go on and do more dance and Zumba... I’ve got that confidence back and I’ve learnt different ways of coping with it so I find I’m more confident now. But in the Pilates, I love what I do.

AG: Do you think your classes are any different than any other Pilate’s class?

EH: When I was doing Pilates, instead of just watching an instructor, I would close my eyes and listen more, and I found that really made me connect mind and body rather than just watching and trying to copy.

AG: What kind of feedback do you get from your clients?

EH: Someone said... there was a quote, and I was like “I’m using that quote for the website”. I think she said “individual attention to achieve perfection”, and I was like, “oh I really like that”.

AG: Do you think your sight condition makes a difference to you as a teacher?

EH: I prefer my small groups but I just make sure that people put their bottles of water to the side and things like that. I really find it hard to recognise people so when new people come in or I’ve got different people, I have to go up to them and say “have I had you before?” you know and I think “oh people will probably think oh it’s so rude” and... In that sense I’m different because I don’t automatically go in and go “oh hi so and so”. I do have to go round more and I do have to constantly, every week, say to people, “just to remind you, you know I’ve got a sight problem”. Other than that though, you know, I seem to have all good feedback.

AG: You said just there that you always do need to talk to the people in your classes, which I guess isn’t something that sighted instructors would generally do, but do you think that kind of gives you an edge in that you get to know your clients a bit better?

EH: That’s why I like my small groups because now they come in and you know, there’s only a limited amount of people who it could be.

AG: What is it that you want to do next?

EH: I want to branch out more. I want to do more of my own classes. I’m studying my pre and post-natal Pilates now. I want to go on and bring back into my dance now I’ve got the confidence and do Zumba and exercise to music and yeah... but I need to pace it out a little bit. Yeah, ‘cause I’m like go, go, go...

AG: Most importantly, how can people find out about your classes and come along?

EH: I’ve got a website called justuniquepilates.co.uk. My email address as well, emma.pilates@outlook.com. I also do senior chair classes too so if you look on my website there’s all different places where I teach.

AG: And what about if people are visually impaired listening to this and are interested. Do you think Pilates is something worth giving a go?

EH: There’s a nice pace to it, you know you’re not having to dance around the room, it gives me time in-between to go around and correct people and people are able to follow along because I do... I give a lot of imagery and you know, you could close your eyes and I often get... people say we just close our eyes and just follow along.

NB: Thanks to Emma for sharing her inspiring story. And if you’d like to give Pilates classes a go but aren’t based in the London area, get in touch with your local gym or community centre. There are also lots of websites that can help you find local classes. Visit pilatesnearyou.co.uk.

Managing Your Money

AS: When you are blind or partially-sighted, there are all manner of things that can make managing your money a bit of a challenge.

NB: One person who knows this all too well Sabina De Saram who has just recently lost her sight.

AS: She has RP – retinitis pigmentosa in both eyes, and as such, has had to learn very quickly how to manage her money without sight.

NB: She spoke to Connect Team Member Leanne Coyle to share some tips on how she keeps a handle on her finances.

SD: I live in London. I am registered as severely sight-impaired. The main reason why I like to do banking online is because I find it difficult to go to the bank and now Nat West have developed a new, shiny App which is completely accessible if you are a voiceover user. This App allows me to transfer money safely, make payments safely and also do other things like cash withdrawal.

LC: You can withdraw cash using an App?

SD: Yes, you can. There is a feature in the App called Get Cash.

LC: Can you show me on your phone just now how you would do that?

M: Page 5 of 5. Nat West. [App instructions].

SD: So now I’m into the Nat West App. So now, we’ll go to the Get Cash. It asks you to select amount withdraw. I then enter...

M: £10 from... Next... Get Cash... Next... [App instructions].

SD: So I just hit next.

M: Your cash code for £10 is... [App instructions].

SD: See, now they are sending me a cash code.

LC: It’s good that it’s only valid for a certain amount of time.

SD: Yes, exactly.

LC: Yeah.SD: So you don’t even have to carry your ATM card with you, you only need

your mobile phone. So it’s a safe technique, it’s an easy technique and it’s an accessible technique.

LC: Are there any other tips that you can give people out there?

SD: I struggle to sort the notes out. So now I use a money sorter. It’s a little card you can buy from RNIB. It has steps. It’s like a card you can open, so what you do, you put your note in that money sorter card and you can feel the ridge of the note and you can trace your finger up to where it ends. £5 is the lowest step and then £10, then the step higher than that is £20 and the last step is £50.

LC: Finally, as you are recently blind, you’ve discovered that you have access to the Blind Person’s Tax Allowance.

SD: Yes

LC: So tell me how you feel about that. Is that a bit of a perk for you?

SD: When I first found out that I am eligible for tax relief, I was thrilled. Because I struggle to cook and prepare my own meals, I have to spend

more money eating or buying my food and it doesn’t let me save a lot but when I heard I am eligible for the Blind Person Tax Allowance, I was thrilled to be honest, it was really good to hear that.

LC: So to find out more about the Blind Person’s Tax Allowance, we’re going to hear from Michael from RNIB, but in the meantime Sabina, thank you very much for telling us about your money tips.

SD: You’re most welcome. Thank you.

MF: I’m Michael Farragher from RNIBs Tax Advice Team. The Blind Person’s Allowance is an extra amount of personal allowance that you are able to claim if you are registered severely sight-impaired or blind, so this year the personal allowance is £11,000 – that’s the amount that you can receive before you pay any Income Tax. If you are registered blind or severely sight-impaired, then the Blind Person’s Allowance gives you an extra £2,290 in your personal allowance, so that can save you up to £458 a year in tax. To claim the Blind Person’s Allowance, you have to be registered severely sight-impaired or blind. It’s not available to people unfortunately if you’re registered sight-impaired. It can be transferred to your spouse or your civil partner. You can also backdate it. We have a special line to HM Revenue & Customs, it’s all done over the telephone and we can support you with making that claim. The easiest way to get in contact with us is by giving us a call. Our number is 0345 330 4897 or you can send an email to tax@rnib.org.uk.

NB: Thanks to Michael from RNIBs Tax Advice Team and to Sabina before that.

AS: Contact your bank or building society directly to find out about their mobile banking App and accessibility and if you’d like to find out about more useful products and gadgets, the note checker Sabina mentioned and plenty more besides, are available from the RNIB shop. Visit rnib.org.uk/shop or just call the Helpline.

What’s Cooking This Month?

NB: Now Alec, this is something some people either love or hate. But when was the last time you had liver?

AS: Liver? Oh I don’t know! A long time ago...

NB: Well, Mr Millbrooker had a good old traditional recipe that might get you cooking it again.

MM: This is to serve 4 people. You’re going to want a couple of carrots, nice big carrots, as finely sliced as you can get them. If that’s pretty thick, that’s fine, leave them thick, but get them fine if you can. You’re going to want about 350 g (that’s about 12 oz) of fresh calves’ liver. You want a couple of tablespoons of corn flour with a pinch or 2 of salt and plenty of freshly-ground black pepper, stirred into it. You’re going to want some sunflower oil or ordinary vegetable oil, it doesn’t really matter, one or 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, a couple of tablespoons of sherry – use the cheap stuff, if you’ve got really good sherry, drink it, don’t put it in cooking! You want a teaspoon of dried sage or a goodly handful of fresh shredded leaves and you want 50 mls (that’s about 2 fl oz) of chicken stock – use a stock-cube – I cheat – stock cube, hot water. Much, much easier than making your own stock; and you want a tablespoon on sesame oil. The sesame oil is actually quite important and you can buy it almost everywhere. It’s a little more expensive than most oils but you don’t use much of it. Right, now what you need to do is blanch the carrots in boiling water just for a few minutes, you know 5 or 6 minutes is ample but you just want to get them started off. Chop the liver into finger-sized pieces. A pair of kitchen scissors – much, much easier than trying to use a knife. Then you plop the seasoned corn flour into a shallow bowl, toss the chopped liver in it, so you want the liver nicely coated in that corn flour. Heat up your oil in a wok or a large frying pan and quickly fry the liver, stirring and turning it several times; keep it moving while it’s in that hot fat, in the hot oil. Left the liver out of the pan, put it onto a warmed plate and keep it warm on one side. Heat up your wok again. You’ve still got that oil in there; you’ve still got any bits of meat juice that might have come out from the liver. Add the soy sauce, the stock, the sherry and the sage. Simmer it, until the liquid has reduced by about a half. Keep it stirring, keep stirring, keep stirring. Take the liver back out of the oven, pop it into the pan for another minute with that sauce, stir in your carrots, keep stirring, keep it over the heat for about another minute, stir in the sesame oil, whack it onto the plate.

AS: And our thanks to Mr Millbrooker there for sharing that recipe which was first broadcast on the Morning Mix Show on RNIB Connect Radio.

Your Community

AS: Did you know that RNIB offer a wide range of free telephone groups? They’re a great way to meet friends and socialise with like-minded people.

NB: All you need is a landline ‘phone and they’ll cover the costs and take care of the rest. Here are just some of the telephone groups to choose from.

AS: Weekly talk and support groups are a safe and confidential place for discussion and chat over the ‘phone.

NB: And if you’re passionate about reading, a monthly telephone book group might be for you. Discover new writers, discuss your favourite titles and hear from guest speakers, including authors and publishers.

AS: Are you a sci-fi lover? Well if so, why not dial into our one-off science fiction book group in August. Analyse the genre, share your recommendations and suggest titles for future discussions. New members are welcome to join the telephone group for visually-impaired artists. It’s open to artists, former artists and general creative types and will meet on an ad-hoc basis so if you’re interested, get in touch and ask to speak to Tom. For more information about telephone, social or book groups, contact Talk and Support on 0845 300 3723 or email talkandsupport@rnib.org.uk.

Attend the RNIB AGM

AS: All members of the RNIB Connect Community are invited to RNIBs annual general meeting or AGM, on 29th September in Birmingham. The AGM is your chance to pose your questions to RNIB trustees and management and if you’d like to come along, you’ll need to confirm your place with the Governance Team by the 26th August. Email governance@rnib.org.uk or call 020 7391 2132.

How I See Project

AS: It’s a common misconception that blind people have no sight at all.

NB: But of course, this is so often simple not the case. Well RNIB has recently launched the How I See Campaign, highlighted the problems it can cause in the hope of educating the general public.

AS: One of the people who took part in the project, spoke to Connect team member Leanne Coyle, to explain the ups and downs of low vision.

NK: Hi, I’m Nicky Kelly. I’m a singer-songwriter and producer for Birmingham. I’m registered severely sight-impaired as I have optic atrophy. I’ve only just learned how to pronounce it which is ridiculous, and I was recently part of the How I See Campaign which discusses misconceptions about visual impairment.

LC: Tell me a bit about your experiences with the general public and having low vision, as opposed to being completely blind?

NK: One that alerted me how low my vision was, I was on my way home from work, and I’ve got very little field vision and I was just walking and I had my headphones on, and I heard a thud, and when I looked behind me, I knocked a woman over because I just didn’t see her. She was very, very unhappy and was shouting at me and that made me realise how bad my vision was, so that was the catalyst that made me start using my white cane. People treat me very differently. Sometimes people are over-helpful and it’s a bit awkward because you don’t know what to say to them.

LC: Do you find people get a little bit confused by the fact that you have a certain level of vision but you’re holding a white cane at the same time?

NK: Everyone that sees someone with a white cane or a guide dog just assumes that I have no vision, or well that we have no vision at all, so they assume that we need every bit of help, and you know I am grateful for any help, but sometimes it’s just too much and I don’t necessarily need that because it feels like the little things that I can do, sometimes I feel that that’s been taken away from me sometimes.

LC: Yeah. How do you say to people without you know, then putting them off for the next time?

NK: Yeah, because that’s one thing I do always think about because the next person they see might be completely blind and need that level of help, so sometimes I’ll just go ahead with it because it’s just easier and you don’t want to put someone off helping somebody. For the next time, I’ll just grab their arm and start to have a general conversation with them just to relieve the awkwardness.

LC: Finally Nicky, what would be your advice to the general public? What would you say to them if they see someone who has low vision?

NK: Offer help, which is great, and just ask first of all – do you need help? And that will solve everything in my opinion.

AS: You can share your story too, so get in touch with your experience of having low, but useful vision and how you engage with the public. View the film on our social media channels and at rnib.org.uk/howIsee.

NB: You can have from other community members with low vision on RNIB Connect Radio all this week from Monday 1st August so tune in to the Morning Mix with Simon Pauley weekday mornings, Monday 1st – Friday 5th August from 10 am to 1 pm. You can also listen on Freeview Channel 730 and online at rnibconnectradio.co.uk. Do share the film with friends and family and use the Hash tag How I see.

Advertisements

NB: Please note that advertisements are placed by organisations independent of RNIB, and including them do not mean that RNIB has endorsed the products and services they offer.

Sight and Sound – Seeing is Believing

AS: Portable magnification and crystal-clear clarity with the TOPAZ PHD. The lightweight TOPAZ PHD offers the comfort and productivity features of a desktop video magnifier but folds away like a laptop. Features include: autofocus, a wide magnification range, intuitive controls, 6 default modes and 27 customisable high-contrast colour modes, and adjustable reading lines and mask. It offers the freedom to independently read and view the details that matter in the home, office, classroom or on the go with prices starting from £1,595 depending on the model.

NB: High-definition magnification with the RUBY XL HD handheld video magnifier. The 5” screen makes this video magnifier powerful, yet flexible, providing a crisp, clear picture with no distortion. Use the RUBY XL HD with the flip-out handle or tilt up on its’ built-in stand to slide it comfortably across a page. Receive a 10% discount when you purchase either a TOPAZ PHD or RUBY XL HD by quoting the code Connect Q

0816. This offer is valid until 30 th September 2016. Contact Sight and Sound for a free in-home demonstration. Call 01604 798070 or email info@sightandsound.co.uk.

RNIB Library

NB: If you are struggling to read because of your sight, there are lots of solutions available to help you free of charge.

AS: RNIB Library offers a wide choice of books in Braille and giant print for adults and children, including music resources and materials suitable for adult Braille learners. We also offer an extensive range of audio books from our flagship Talking Books service, available on DAISY CD, USB stick or digital download.

NB: RNIB Overdrive, our digital download service can be used on your computer, smart-phone, tablet or other device or your choice so there’s no need to buy specialist equipment.

AS: We currently offer over 23,000 talking books. You can browse the catalogue at rniblibrary.com.

NB: To sign up to RNIB Library call the Helpline on 0303 123 9999. Or email helpline@rnib.org.uk.

Keeping in Touch

NB: Did you know you can receive your Connect Magazine in a variety of formats. Here’s Shadeen to tell us more.

SR: Hello. My name is Shadeen Rose. I’m here to let you know that you can receive Connect Magazine in print, Braille, audio-CD and email and at any point you can change the way you wish to receive Connect Magazine. All you need to do is contact the Connect Team. You can call us on 0303 123 4555 or email us on connect@rnib.org.uk.

RNIB Information Directory

NB: Here’s a directory to help you get the information and services you need from RNIB more easily.

AS: You can call the RNIB Connect Team, which by the way used to be called the Membership Team, and the number is 0303 123 4555. You can send us a letter to Connect Magazine, RNIB, 105 Judd Street, London, WC1H 9NE. The email address is connectstories@rnib.org.uk or visit the website rnib.org.uk/connect.

NB: Speak to the Helpline to get eye health information, emotional support, benefits advice and product information. Call 0303 123 9999. Email helpline@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/ask. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8.45 am to 5.30 pm and calls cost no more than a standard rate call to an 01 or 02 number.

AS: Get involved with fundraising. Call 0345 345 0054, email fundraising@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/donate.

NB To volunteer, call 01733 375450, email volunteering at rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/volunteering.

AS: Campaign on the issues that matter to you and sign up for our campaigns update. Call 020 7391 2123, email campaign@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/campaigning.

Eye Condition Focus Groups

NB: If you’ve used RNIBs services you may have noticed a range of information leaflets giving advice on certain eye conditions.

AS: Well now the information in these booklets is being updated and RNIB wants you to help to improve them. Poonam Patel is an Eye Health Officer from RNIB. Here she is to tell us more.

PP: We’re looking for people who have been affected by some eye conditions or support someone that is affected by certain eye conditions, to take part in a Focus Group over the telephone which will take place in September this year. We will just be asking you a few questions about what kind of information you might have found helpful when you were first diagnosed, what information you would like other people to know about. So the eye conditions that we are reviewing are Charles Bonnet Syndrome, dry eye, macular hole, posterior vitreous detachment, nystagmus, retinal detachment, retinitis pigmentosa, stroke-related sight loss and thyroid eye disease. We’d use the valuable feedback that we gain from these Focus Groups to really feed into the re-write of the

newer versions and you’d be able to help other people who are going through the same eye condition understand a little bit more about the eye condition. It would be potentially a really valuable input that you’d be having. Please contact the RNIB Eye Health Information Service on 0207 391 3299 or you can email at eyehealth@rnib.org.uk.

AS: Well, times nearly up for this month, but as always, we really want to press that this magazine wouldn’t be possible without you, members of the RNIB Connect Community. So if there’s anyone you know who’d benefit from becoming part of the Community, then let them know that it’s free to join and all they have to do is to speak with the Connect Team on 0303 123 4555, or you can just visit rnib.org.uk/connect.

NB: You’ll be hearing from us again next month.

AS: In the meantime, it’s goodbye from me, Alec Sabin...

NB: And it’s goodbye from me, Nicky Barringer.

NB: The content you heard today has been developed with, and by members of RNIB Connect. Thanks also to RNIB Connect Radio for their contribution. All information in this programme was correct at the time of recording. The Audio Producer for this edition is Leanne Coyle, Studio Engineer, Richard Armstrong. Copyright RNIB 2016, Registered Charity Numbers 226227 and SC039316.

RNIB - Supporting People with Sight Loss

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