Tag: RNIB

UK Government launches SEND reform consultation: What it means for children with vision impairment

Stuart Mitchell

The Department for Education has published proposals for wide-ranging reforms to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision in England, alongside the launch of a national consultation. The plans, which have been subject to much speculation over the last year, aim to create a more inclusive system, improve consistency across the country, and ensure earlier access to support. RNIB is still analysing the proposals in full. However, below we consider what several key elements of the reforms could mean for an estimated 35,000 children and young people with vision impairment…

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All-star cast brings Pride and Prejudice to life for milestone Talking Books anniversary

Stuart Mitchell

Leading sight loss charity, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is celebrating 90 years of its renowned Talking Books Service with a retelling of Jane Austen’s classic love story, Pride and Prejudice. Twelve of the UK’s best-loved actors and seven of RNIB’s best loved narrators have come together to record this special edition, which will be available to all Talking Books users through RNIB’s Library, as well as the wider public, to mark the occasion. RNIB’s pioneering Talking Books Service has brought the joy of reading to blind…

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Platform for Change: New RNIB report reveals barriers to accessible train travel for blind and partially sighted people

Stuart Mitchell

Accessible train travel is essential for blind and partially sighted people to live independently, get to work, visit friends and family, and access healthcare. Yet, RNIB’s new report, Platform for Change: Making rail journeys more accessible for people with sight loss, shows that too many journeys are still impacted or prevented by unnecessary barriers such as inconsistent passenger assistance, difficult ticket buying methods and the inaccessible design of trains and stations. What you told us The Platform for Change report is based on a survey of nearly 1,200 blind and…

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New plans from the UK Government to tackle pavement parking in England

Stuart Mitchell

RNIB welcomes the announcement of new powers for councils to tackle pavement parking in England, the biggest barrier for blind and partially sighted pedestrians, but we urge government to go further. A new proposal announced this week stops short of a full ban, but instead would give local powers to councils to stop parking in specific areas more easily. The much awaited policy change comes more than five years after a public consultation on pavement parking in England held under the previous UK government. What has been proposed? While RNIB…

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ECLO service wins prestigious AQS standard

Stuart Mitchell

RNIB’s flagship support service for people with eye conditions and sight loss has been awarded the prestigious Advice Quality Standard (AQS) – the only quality standard for organisations working in social welfare and law. The standard was achieved by RNIB’s Eye Care Liaison Officer service (ECLOs) who are employed by RNIB in partnership with the NHS and work in eye clinics across the UK. They provide emotional and practical support before, up to and beyond a patient’s diagnosis. They also play a vital role in advising clinical staff about life…

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