Our Services

Rehabilitation

The Isle of Wight Social Services Department works with Isle of Wight Society for the Blind who are under contract with them to provide some specialist services to support people with impaired sight.

Isle of Wight Society for the Blind provides services for people who have a severe sight loss, whether they are registered or not. It gives information and advice and its aim is to enable people to overcome the effects of their visual impairment in their own home and elsewhere and to be as independent as possible.

Its staff will visit you in your own home and offer confidential help and advice.

Services we provide

Courses in:
Typing, computer

Training in:
Mobility, daily living skills, Braille
Use of low vision aids, lighting and use of equipment

Groups:
Walking, activities, swimming, Handicrafts, social groups, coffee mornings, Macular Degeneration Support Group and Retinitis Pigmentosa Support Group

Plus:

The Resource Room at Millbrooke House

Has a wide range of equipment and is well worth a visit. It is recommended that you phone first to make an appointment.

Getting around safely

When your sight is poor you may experience problems moving around safely and with confidence. For some people there can be problems in their own home area; for others, difficulties do not arise until they are in unfamiliar places.

You may be:

Rehabilitation Officers can offer help and advice on all aspects of moving around safely.

Canes

A small folding cane is used to alert people you have a sight loss. It can be useful at road crossings, in crowded areas or at the bus stop. It can be folded up when not in use. These small lightweight canes don't have handles and they do not give support.

If you need support then a white support stick will help. It lets people know your vision is poor, but also provides support if you are unsteady on your feet.

Long canes are used to locate obstacles in your path and enable people with very poor sight to move safely and with confidence even in unfamiliar areas. If you would like further information contact IWSB.

People who are also hard of hearing can have a red band on their stick or canes, an indication of sight and hearing impairment.

Travelling in new areas

Rehabilitation Officers will teach you routes to work, the shops or around an unfamiliar area.

Getting Around Safely - Take an arm

Being guided by someone can be an excellent way of getting around. Here are a few tips:

For more tips ask for the booklet "How to guide a blind person" available from IWSB.

Guide Dogs

Guide Dogs for the Blind Association produce a cassette containing introductory information about Guide Dogs.
They will assess your needs and provide training, support and after care.

Contact them if you would like to discuss how they may be able to help you, a relative or a friend at:

Southern Counties District Team
Armstrong House
3 Bassett Avenue
Southampton
SO16 7NL
tel: 02380 768800
email: southern@guidedogs.org.uk

Communication and independence

Problems writing?

Problems signing your name?
You can get a signature guide which fits into a purse or wallet. This can be used on any occasion you need to sign your name. You can also get guides that fit on envelopes, cheque and pension books, enabling you to continue being independent.

Learn new skills - to continue keeping in contact with friends and relations try your hand at learning to touch type or to send letters on audiotapes. The Rehabilitation Officer at IWSB will provide training.

By Telephone
If you are registered or have difficulty reading you can use British Telecom directory enquiries services free of charge. For more information phone 195 and ask for registration. You will then be sent an application form.

British Telecom provide a range of other services for people with disabilities, including telephone bills on computer disk.
For more information contact BT Age and Disability by phoning 0800 91 95 91.

Other ways of reading
If you need help to learn Braille or Moon (a simple system of touch symbols, larger than Braille and using recognisable shapes), typewriting, or computer skills contact the Rehabilitation Officers at IWSB to find out about the courses available.

Computers
Computers have made big changes for everyone, with many people with little or no sight benefiting from them at work and home.
If you cannot read a normal screen you may benefit from an enlarged screen display. For other people the addition of a speech system or an electronic Braille output can solve the problem. Before you consider buying a computer decide what you would like to do on the computer and gain advice.

If you wish to discuss this area further, contact IWSB. They are able to demonstrate how you can access computers and have hands on experience.

Also you can contact RNIB on 0845 702 3153 for any additional advice.

By Audio Tape
Tapesense is a non-profit making service from the Persula Foundation offering a mail-order service for low cost blank audio cassette tapes for visually impaired people and organisations. Up to 50 C60 or C90 tapes can be ordered any one time. Tapes cost 35p for C60 and 39p for C90 each inclusive of postage and VAT (as at January 2006). Your order must be verified by IWSB or Guide Dogs for the Blind. Phone 02 07 35 79 298 to obtain an order form.

By Radio
If you are registered blind and you do not have a radio, the 'Wireless for the Blind Fund' can supply one free of charge if you fulfil their criteria. This can also be used for playing audiocassettes - talking newspapers, books or magazines.

By Television
You can buy a TV sound only receiver, for which you do not need a TV licence. (These are only supplied free of charge to people who are registered blind). You can get a TV licence at half price if you are registered blind. To find out more about these services contact IWSB.

Equipment that can help you at home or work

IWSB can provide you with advice about special equipment. Its Resource Centre can provide hands on experience of this equipment and an opportunity for you to buy many items at a reduced price. Phone 01983 52 22 05.

Special equipment to help you in the home is also available from the RNIB 08 45 70 23 153 and the Partially Sighted Society on
01 30 23 23 132.

Phone either organisation to discuss your needs with customer services or to place your order or to order a catalogue.

Even if you are experiencing some sight loss, you are encouraged to make the best use you can of your remaining vision.

Good lighting is important to everyone. If you have sight problems it can be the vital factor enabling you to use your vision to best effect.

Here are some tips, which may help you make better use of your vision.

The use of colour contrast can also help identify objects. Some ideas for using colour contrast are:

Bothered by glare?

Good light is helpful but GLARE can make it more difficult to see. If glare is a problem then here are some ideas:

Help with shopping

Some larger shops provide personal assistance to help you select your shopping. Enquire with the individual store to find out what is available. Some larger stores also have information available on audiotape or in Braille.

Ask your chemist for large print or Braille labels for medication and other services that may be available to help you.

If you are registered blind, contact IWSB as you may be able to get a volunteer to go shopping with you.

Help if you live alone

If you live alone and are registered blind, IWSB has a Home Visiting Service, which may be able to help you. It can provide a Home Visitor and volunteers can help you with small tasks at home, such as reading, writing, small sewing jobs or accompanying you on a walk or shopping.
Please contact the Volunteer Co-ordinator at IWSB.

Benefits, Tax and Employment

It is worth finding out if there are any benefits you can claim if you have impaired sight. You may be entitled to Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Disability Working Allowance, Severe Disability Allowance, or Extra Income Support.

Free Benefits Advice Line
Phone 0800 88 22 00.

The Department of Social Security at Broadlands House -
phone 01983 27 30 00.

DIAL (Disabled Information and Advice Line) -
phone 01983 52 28 23.

RNIB Welfare Rights and Community Care Advocacy Service for the price of a local call:
Phone 08 45 7 66 99 99.

Income Tax
If you are registered as a blind person and you pay income tax you can get an increase in your personal tax allowance. For more information contact your own tax office.

Employment
The Island has two Disability Employment Advisors and one assistant who are trained to help you deal with issues associated with disability. They are based at the:
Ryde Job Centre - phone 01983 27 68 88
Newport Job Centre - phone 01983 27 30 00.

Advice is also available from the RNIB's Area Employment Network Adviser who may be contacted through their employment section on 02 07 391 2151. Training is available to help people with sight loss prepare for and looking for work.

Help for people who have a sight and hearing loss?

The Social Services Directorate employs a Coordinator of Services for people who are deaf and deafblind, who works with anyone who has a severe hearing loss as well as poor vision. Phone 01983 82 33 40. They can give advice about equipment and other services, which may be helpful to you.

Deaf Blind UK have a 24-hour helpline for deadblind people and their carers and assistants. Phone freephone 0800 13 2320

Advice on accommodation and adaptations:

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The Welfare and Counselling Service

The Counselling service is available for any member of the Society, their families and staff of the Society.

People who suffer any kind of loss, whether it is because of losing a loved one, or losing your sight, need not only practical help, but emotional support. It is not always enough to talk to family and friends, after all, they are probably hurting too, so to have an independent person to explore and express feelings to, in complete privacy and confidentiality, someone who is not emotionally involved can be extremely helpful and part of the healing process.

Of course, many other issues such as anxiety, relationship problems, low self esteem, stress and special issues of old age, such as loneliness, isolation, physical restrictions may be helped with counselling.

If you feel you or anyone you know might benefit from counselling, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Society by phoning 01983 522205.

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