• How to use this leaflet/web page
• Talk and support
• Low Vision Service at Good Hope
• Internet Explorer and text enlargement
• Tests for glasses
• Benefits Agency
• Equipment
• Local Contacts
• Local Macular Degeneration Group
  

• Rehabilitation Centre
• Computer training & IT
• Free computer software that can read
• Employment
• RNIB
• Partially Sighted Society
• Social Services
• Radio
• Library
• Daily Living Aids
• Hints
• Travel Pass
• Being Registered Partly sighted or Blind (Link)
• Financial Benefits & Rights
• Car Parking, buses, Ring and Ride, transport
• Housing
• Children & Education
• Birmingham Focus on Blindness
• Holidays
• Government
• Contacts & Addresses
• Guide Dogs
• Talk and Support
• Finding your way in Birmingham...Wayfinder
• Campaign for better rehabilitation support (link)
  

This page first tells you about the services available to Good Hope patients, and similar services are usually available wherever you live.

The Good Hope low vision service is designed to help you start to cope or cope even better with poor sight, check you are making the most of the sight you have, and to inform you of all the agencies that can help you.

This page is best read printed out. It is designed to help patients and their relatives attending Good Hope Hospital and living in North Birmingham, but many of the services will be available elsewhere.

This page lists some of the agencies that help people with poor sight, whether you want to learn to use a computer, go on holiday, or have to claim for financial support. There are radio programs, newspapers (in various languages), guide dog programs, holiday programs, an so on.

When you contact such an agency, they may not be able to help, but may be able to point you in the right direction.

There are other pages on this site designed to advise you regarding magnification and reading aids, but you really need expert advice sitting with a professional.

If your sight deteriorates you are forced to take on a different life, which is even more challenging, and many of these agencies are there to help you make this change more easily and enjoy your new life.

A new service, Talk and Support, is available from the RNIB here

Anyone who after medical treatment or new specs is not able to see well enough to do the things they would like (or need to do!). This should include anyone who

• cannot read properly
• says their glasses are still not correct
• cannot drive their car or read n10
• asks for a low vision test or a magnifier.

Remember

1. You do not have to be certified or registered partly sighted or blind
2. There is no age limit
3. Children and people with learning disabilities can benefit
4. There are no charges: devices are loaned

There are three parts to the service

• The assessment -this is with a low vision nurse or orthoptist.
  A questionnaire will be completed and service users will have the chance to ask questions about their eyesight and about low vision.
• The optometrist will briefly discuss the points raised in your assessment, carry out the refraction and explain the test results.
  The optometrist will then show and test any magnifiers.
• The low vision therapist -this is a practical appointment and will take place on another day after the device has been supplied.
  The therapist will check the use of the magnifier, assess your sight (with and without devices) and practice some reading and viewing techniques.
  

Richard Ward

Tel: 373 6897

Fax no. 373 6897

202 Sutton New Road, Erdington B23 6QU

Rpw@globalnet.co.uk

Andrew Martin

Tel: 354 6411

Fax no. 354 6411

66 Boldmere Road, Sutton Coldfield B73 5TJ

Am@andrew-martin.co.uk

Marilyn Morris

Tel: 373 0368

Fax no. 373 0368

2b York Road, Erdington B23 6TE

Charlesmorris2@compuserve.com

Richard Morris

Tel: 351 2344

Fax no. 351 2344

28 Walmley Road, Sutton Coldfield B76 8QN

Charlesmorris2@compuserve.com

You may be entitled to a range of benefits....contact your local Neighbourhood Office 0121 303 111

• Disability Living AllowanceAttendance Allowance
• Invalid Care Allowance
• Incapacity Benefit
• Job Seekers AllowanceSevere disablement allowance
• Disability Working Allowance
• Additional Income Support &
  Minimum Income Guarantee

Equipment includes clocks, watches, special reading lights and liquid measures. Staff are very happy to talk to groups and give presentations.

www.birminghamfocus.org.uk/  &  their services
48-62 Woodville Road, Harborne,
Birmingham, B17 9AT

Tel: 0121 428 5055 or 01221 428 500

08457 023 153

Ask for the disability Employment advisor

Birmingham and Solihull PACT 0121 255 3400

National distributor of graphite canes, which are designed to achieve optimum balance for ease of use and comfort. Stock includes a long collapsible cane, long rigid cane, symbol cane, child's collapsible cane, child's rigid cane and support cane.

Queen Alexandra College , Court Oak Road , Harborne, Birmingham , B17 9TG

www.qac.ac.uk      Tel: 0121 428 5050

The Partially Sighted Society
9 Plato Place,
St Dinois Road
London SW6 4TU

Tel: 020 7371 0289

older patients ARMD     http://www.maculardisease.org/

younger...juvenil dystrophies...contact:Danny Gleeson - 01902 305656 (after 6 pm): dmg1965@hotmail.com

secretary:    Paul Nicholls 
fund raiser: Anita Warrender

8 Silver Birch Road,
Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, B74 3PD,
tel: 0121 353 4893

In particular, Graham Rollason helps to organise a macular degeneration group and other groups in Sutton Coldfield.

Graham Rollason
1 Kempson Avenue
Sutton Coldfield

Tel: 0121 355 4444

PO Box 1870
Andover
SP10 9AD

Helpline 01264 350551
Email: info@maculardisease.org
Website: http://www.maculardisease.org

Training includes learning skills for daily living and communication skills such as typewriting, handwriting and Braille. People who are experiencing difficulties with moving about safely as a result of sight loss could benefit from mobility training. This can help someone to get around more confidently and increase independence.

To access the rehabilitation unit it is necessary to contact the duty social worker at your local social services office and explain your needs. Your local office can be found by contacting the Social Services Helpline on 0121 303 1111.

The Duchess Road Rehabilitation Centre in Ladywood runs a 28 day programme on visual rehabilitation. If you think it would be helpful for you to join such a programme you would be best to contact them directly to find out how you can be referred.

Duchess Road Rehabilitation Unit
79/81 Duchess Road
Birmingham B16 8JD

Tel: 0121 455 0045

Computer training courses for blind and partially sighted people, and can be contacted at

Birmingham Road, Sutton Coldfield.

For people who are blind who want to use computers & demonstrations of different solutions.

Stuart James
Birmingham Focus on Blindness,
48-62 Woodville Road,
Harborne
Birmingham B17 9AT

Tel: 0121 478 5217      also

James Bird - RNIB Birmingham - 0121 665 4200

A wide range of training programmes are available.

Tel: 0121 428 5050

Queen Alexandra College,
Court Oak Road , Harborne, Birmingham , B17 9TG

www.qac.ac.uk

http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/      enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk

British Computer Association of the Blind

http://www.rnib.org.uk/technology/specwb.htm.

British Computer Association of the Blind

If you are looking for work each Job Centre will have a specialist worker who can help you with visual aids. Birmingham and Solihull PACT 0121 255 3400

The Action for Blind People will help people get back to work, www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk. In Birmingham contact abdul_a@afbp.org.

The Disability Employment Advisor at your local job centre can advise you on employment issues. Birmingham and Solihull PACT 0121 255 3400.

• retraining options
• Financial help with travel to interviews
• Disability service programmes such as the Job introduction Scheme,
• Supported employment Programmes and Homeworkers Schemes
• .The Access to Work scheme which can help people in employment or about to start work. It can provide specialist equipment, readers and support workers to aid those with disabilities to carry out their job fully.

Queen Alexandra College

advance2work: our experienced Birmingham based team can provide an individual programme of support, training, work experience and job coaching. Call us on 0800 234 6859 and take the first step towards successful employment.

www.advance2work.co.uk

The RNIB can put you in touch with a more local group. A catalogue is available in large print and audio cassette, and have details of resources and help available for poorly sighted people. www.rnib.org.uk

Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)
224 Great Portland Street
London W1W 5AA

Tel: 020 7388 1266

For general information about visual aids and low vision tests etc contact

The Partially Sighted Society
9 Plato Place,
St Dinois Road
London SW6 4TU

Tel: 020 7371 0289

see Birmingham

Sutton and Erdington
Sutton Four Oaks,
Sutton New Hall,
Sutton Vesey,
Erdington,
Kingsbury,
Stockland Green

For Mail Order Daily Living Aids

The Partially Sighted Society
PO Box 322
Doncaster DN1 2XA

Tel: 01302 323 132

In Touch Radio Programme for the Visually Impaired on

Large button phones and speed dial buttons are helpful.

Your telephone company will give a full list of services. For BT dial 150 for a list of services including reading your phone bill before posting and free directory enquiry service. Also, ask for 'Action for disabled customers'

Free use of Directory Enquires is available for people with a visual impairment dial 195
Contact British Telecom 0800 587 0195 or Mercury telephone 0800 424 194

One of the most important things helping people to read is lighting. An angle poised type light can be very helpful. Many shops sell these. A specially made one is available from Birmingham Focus which is fluorescent. This is called a halogen light, available for £35, that magnifies when reading.

British Home Stores and many lighting shops have an excellent range of reading lamps.

Using contrasting colours is a good way of seeing objects more easily, eg. light food on a dark plate, a light plate on a dark tablecloth or a coloured glass for water.

Check the RNIB for catalogues and advice in the kitchen. "Talking microwaves" and other appliances can help.

If television becomes a strain, sit closer to the screen. It will not damage your eyes.

A television screen reading device using a mouse is now available, and so is a video magnifier, with more information from the Partially Sighted Society. Other leisure equipment is available in the RNIB catalogue and the Partially Sighted Society, eg. Large print playing cards (please see above for address).

There is 50% off the TV license fee if you are registered as blind and there is a free TV license for anybody aged 75 years old or over, regardless of registration status.

Contact TV license enquires 0870- 5763763

Talking books and large print books are available at your local library as well as talking local newspapers. For house bound patients a home library service is also available (as below).

Talking Newspaper Association
(TNAUK) National Recording Centre, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 8DB
Tel: 01435 866 102
The Association has about 180 national newspapers and magazines.

Birmingham Talking Newspaper Association (Free)
0121 -608 4398

Big Print Newspapers -a weekly subscription
containing news and TV listings.
Call 0800 - 124 007 for a sample copy.

Ulverscroft Large Print Books 0116 236 4325  see

largeprintbookshop.co.uk

Calibre Talking Books  see for adults and children offers a range of cassette tapes free of charge on production of a doctors certificate.
01296 432 339.

Punjabi Talking news: available nationally
Ghal Batt:  Bardford Talking magazine, Cathedral Centre, Captain Street, Bradford , Bradford BD1 4EL   Tel 01274 848150. 
VISTA 0116 2490909.
(info from Younus.Khan at rnib.org.uk)

Talking books can be delivered to people living in the Sutton Coldfield area for house bound people.

Home Library Service for House Bound Patients
Unit 14
Gravelly Industrial Park
Tyburn Road, Erdington
Birmingham B24 8HZ

Tel: 0121 464 1118

There are a number of libraries across Birmingham that offer a range services for those with a visual impairment. Their services include:

• free loan of cassette tapes
• free loan of music cassettes and CD's
• large print books on loan
• library services at home (as above)

To find out where your local library is located contact Birmingham Central Library on 0121 303 4511.

Produces Evangelical Christian literature on Braille, large print and Tape. Torch fellowship groups meet across the country.
01858 555 301. Tapesense is an organisation that offers quality new cassettes at a reduced price to those who are registered as blind or partially sighted. Contact on 0207 357 9298.

See This service offers a range of 10,000 books and provides a special talking book machine. It is free to those who are registered as blind or partially sighted as Birmingham Library Services will pay the yearly subscription;

0845- 762 6843

These will send an enlarged print bill if a customer gives name and account number. Banks and Building Societies Most will send a large print statement if requested. Ask at your local branches.

All the leading supermarkets will help people with their shopping who cannot see labels and products. For more information ask for or phone Customer Services.

Blue Badge
contact 0121 303 4209

• Check all entrances have easy access and are kept clear of obstructions.
• Information is available near the entrance.
• Lighting is good.
• Use different colours to make things stand out.
• Check important things are highlighted using colour contrast. Steps/changes in levels/lifts stand out by using colour contrast and tactile surfaces. Pedestrian walkways are kept clear of obstructions and are made easier by colour tactiles.
• Have signs at eye level, well lit, with lots of contrast.
• Using large print menus with additional table lighting in restaurants helps.
• Check steps and changes of level are well lit, and have contrasting edges and handrails.
• Avoid bright lights that can cause glare and dazzle, and also glazed areas, especially glass doors which can be dangerous.
• If you have glass doors use contrasting band of sticky tape to to make them more visible.
• Avoid placing any obstructions in passageways etc wherever possible.
• Rough surfaces and sharp edges in pedestrian areas may cause injury, as may half open doors/windows.
  

People who are experiencing problems with their sight should go to their GP who will refer them to the eye department. If your sight is poor you may be entitled to registration, according to how bad your sight is.

At the hospital an assessment will be carried out by an ophthalmologist (eye specialist). With your permission they will complete a BD8 certificate of registration. If you are registered as blind or partially sighted it does not mean that you are likely to lose all of you sight -most people do retain some useful vision.

You will receive a copy of the BD8 certificate and copies will be sent to your GP, the census office and your local social services office. This information is confidential and no one will know about it without your consent. When social services receive a copy of the BD8 form they will contact you in due course. A visit wiII be offered to you to see how they can make it as easy as possible for you to keep your independence. You do not have to accept the help offered and if you refuse you can change your mind later.
For proof of registration contact the Blind and Partially Sighted Register on 0121-303 4771

Social services are very stretched as there is one social worker specialising in poor sight in the whole of Birmingham, so unless you request you may not receive a visit.

There are a number of financial benefits which may be available to people with a visual impairment. Entitlement will depend on personal circumstances, and include

• Tax concessions for those who are registered blind
• Disability Living Allowance which is a benefit to help with getting around or personal care. Those registered as blind are probably eligible and those as partially sighted are possibly eligible. The levels of benefit are dependant on overall circumstances and it is only available to people aged 65 years old or under for the first claim.
• Other benefits include include Attendance Allowance (for those over 65 years old), Invalid Care Allowance (for carers), Incapacity Benefit, a disability premium on Income Support for those who are registered as blind, additional housing benefit and council tax relief.
• free eye tests
  

For further advice on these benefits please contact the benefit enquiry 0800 88 22 00.

The Citizens Advice Bureau 0121 428 4950 may be able to help.

Birmingham Tribunal Unit is a charity that provides representation for benefit related cases. Contact on 0121 464 2783.
RNIB Benefits Rights and Information Team 0207 3881266

• Car parking concessions under the Blue Badge scheme (formally known as the Orange Badge). Contact 0121 303 4209
  
  
• Concessionary bus passes around the West Midlands. Contact the Centro Helpline on 0121 - 214 7979. Or contact Social Services Travel Pass section 0121 303 2131.
  
  
• Ring and Ride: this is a door to door minibus service for those with mobility difficulties. Contact 0121 333 3107. Favourite destinations include friends, relatives, theatre, social clubs, shops and many more.
  
  
• National Rail Disabled Persons Travel Pass. Contact you local train station or the RNIB/GDBA Mobility Unit 0191 2690303.
  
  
• Travel concessions by domestic airlines for flights within the UK are available to only registered blind people traveling with a guide - if the journey is connected to work, training for employment, rehabilitation or for medical treatment.

For general enquires about housing the best starting point is to contact Birmingham City Council on 0121 3039944.
There are specialist housing groups for those with a visual impairment.

• New Outlook Housing 0121 602 6511
• Sanctuary Housing 0121 5253131
• Pocklington Place 0121 4764161.

There are a number of services for children with disabilities.

• RNIB advice for parents and children 0121 631 3772
  
• Look -
  practical help, support and advice to families with visually impaired children 0121 421 5038
  
• Visiting Teachers Service 0121 359 0883
  
• Counselling Service for Visually Impaired Children 0121 303 1790
  
• Birmingham City Council Education Department 0121 303 2590 & 303 2872
  Contact for concerns about schooling due to visual impairment, or the special needs co-ordinator at most schools.
  
• Children's Disability Team which offers respite and home care 0121 303 4499
  
• Register of Disabled Children 0121 449 6375
  
• Children and Families -pre-school play scheme for blind and partially sighted children 01214146733
  
• Kids -north Birmingham sibling group and general advice for parents 0121 355 2707
  
• Scamps -south Birmingham sibling groups and general advice for parents
  0121 459 9292
  
• British Retinitis Pigmentosa Society 0128 086 0363
  
• RNIB Education Centre Midlands Branch and
  the RNIB Advocacy Service for Parents 01905 357 635. National
  
• SENSE Education Services for Deaf/Blind Children
  0121 6871564
  
• Support group for parents- LOOK (National Federation of Families with visually Impaired Children) 0121 4285038
  
• NBCS (National Blind Children's Society) 01278 793 792
  
• Queen Alexandra College : A National College for People with Visual Impairment and Other Disabilities aged 16+. Please call 0121 428 5050 to order a prospectus or arrange an informal visit. www.qac.ac.uk
  Queen Alexandra College , Court Oak Road , Harborne, Birmingham , B17 9TG

Low vision service. Our aim is to help people maintain their independence by achieving the best possible use of their limited sight. We offer assessments to schoolchildren, students, working age adults and people who are retired. We will give practical advice on how to use lighting and colour contrast and we will issue low vision aids, such as magnifiers, free of charge and give training in their use.

Multiple disability. This has both day care services and residential homes. This is dedicated to people who have other forms of disability, as well as sight impairment.

At the heart of our services is our dedicated team provides practical and emotional support, to many people throughout the City. Our aim is to enable those with sight impairment to lead as independent a life as is physically possible. To help people with sight impairment to fulfil their potential we also run clubs and groups, as well as conducting home visits. These focus on helping people regain and retain their confidence, whilst rehabilitation advice is aimed at helping them to develop new and beneficial skills.

48 Woodville Road,
Harborne, Birmingham B17 9AT

Helpline: 0121 478 5222
www.birminghamfocus.org.uk

• Action for the blind 0207 635 4800 (for chartitable grants)
  
• Henshaws Society 01492 877 770
  
• RNIB Holiday Hotels 02073881266
  

• advance2work 0800 234 6859 www.advance2work.co.uk
  
• Age Concern 0800 00 99 66, Birmingham 0121 2362197
  
• Birmingham City Council 0121 3039944

• Birmingham Social Services Helpline 0121 3031111
  
• Beacon Centre for the Blind (Wolverhampton) 01 902 880 111
  
• Coventry Society for the Blind 02476717522

• Deaf/Blind UK 01733 358 100

• Diabetes UK 0207 4241000

• Dudley Visual Impairment Team 01384 813090
  
• Eye to Eye
  Social club in East Birmingham
  0121 327 0607
  
• Guide Dogs
  Visually impaired people over sixteen years old who are interested in a guide dog may contact the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
  01926 337 244.
  
• International Glaucoma Association 0207 737 3265
  
• Macular Disease Society 0990 143 573
  
• Nystagmus Action Group 0208 968 6161
• Nystagmus Network
  
• Queen Alexandra College 0121 428 5050 www.qac.ac.uk
  
• RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) Customer Services 0845 702 3153
  
• RNIB Helpline 08457669999
  
• Sandwell Social Services 0121 569 2299
  
• St Dunstans (exs-service people) 0207 723 5021

• SENSE (National Association for Deaf/Blind and Rubella Handicapped) 0207 272 7774 0121 687 1564

• Solihull Association for the Blind 0121 704 1619
  
• Solihull RNIB Rehabilitation Team 0121 7884465
  
• Solihull Social Services 0121 7884300
  
• Staffordshire Association for the Blind 01785 254 572
  
• Walsall Society for the Blind 0192 262 7683 
• Walsall Eyes
  
• Warwickshire Association for the Blind 01926 494 129
  
• Worcestershire Association for the Blind 01905 723 245

RNIB Talk and Support offers an exciting range of telephone groups for people with sight problems in the UK. The groups are available from the comfort of people's own home, using the telephone.

Talk and Support groups provide opportunities for people to continue to socialise, learn, share information and support each other.

Two types of groups are currently on offer. They are:

• Tele Befriending (weekly social groups over the telephone). These groups are called a 'lifeline' by those who are taking part in the groups.
• Tele Support group (telephone information and discussion group) on benefits is free to join. HBOS are generously supporting our Tele Support group which talks about the different benefits, free concessions and services available for people with sight problems.