Royal National Institute For The Blind Research Articles

Low Vision Services Provision throughout NHS Trusts in the UK.

The aim of this study was to understand the picture of low vision service provision within NHS Trusts in the United Kingdom, for children and adults. A survey was distributed to all members of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS) and to all Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs) through the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). The survey was also directly emailed to Orthoptic contacts of all 238 Trusts/Health Boards, which covered the four nations of the United Kingdom. The survey asked whether their Trust had a clinical low vision service, which professions were involved in leading and working within it, where it was based, and whether provision was offered to children, adults, or both. In the United Kingdom (UK), 117 out of 238 (49%) Trusts responded. Of these responders, 94% had a level of Trust-delivered low vision service provision; 90% had services for adults; 83% had services for children; and 79% had services for both adults and children. Service accessibility for patients of all ages had regional and national variation. Significant variation was found in low vision service provision throughout the UK, with some regions having no NHS-delivered provision for either children, adults, or both. This calls for further research to gain a more comprehensive understanding of low vision service provision and remove inequalities in provision, access and resourcing, aiming to ensure equitable access for all.

Social Distancing while Blind: A Co-Designed COVID-19 Rapid Response Comic

According to the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), more than two million people have sight loss and about 350,000 people are registered blind or partially sighted in the UK (RNIB 2019). Information about social distancing measures in the UK has been mainly visual and therefore poses specific challenges for visually impaired persons. We present a COVID-19 rapid response two-page comic created employing co-design methods adapting an interview with a visually impaired person and their experience of the communication of social distancing measures during the early stages of the first COVID-19 pandemic UK lockdown between March and April 2020.

Social Distancing while Blind: A Co-Designed COVID-19 Rapid Response Comic

According to the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), more than two million people have sight loss and about 350,000 people are registered blind or partially sighted in the UK (RNIB 2019). Information about social distancing measures in the UK has been mainly visual and therefore poses specific challenges for visually impaired persons. We present a COVID-19 rapid response two-page comic created employing co-design methods adapting an interview with a visually impaired person and their experience of the communication of social distancing measures during the early stages of the first COVID-19 pandemic UK lockdown between March and April 2020.

Global Awareness of Charles Bonnet Syndrome

'GLOBAL AWARENESS OF 'CHARLES BONNET SYNDROME' I am the founder of a newly formed NGO by the name of The Trinidad and Tobago Society for Charles Bonnet Syndrome. An experience with a family member who suffers from Charles Bonnet Syndrome led me to become an advocate for this syndrome. The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) outlines Charles Bonnet Syndrome as a common condition among people who have lost their sight and consequently see things that aren't really there, known as visual hallucinations. People with CBS see the unimaginable and impossible! Visual hallucinations impact negatively causing undue fear, nervousness and anxiety for victims. There is no cure for CBS. According to Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), the most effective form of treatment can come from knowing that the condition is not a mental health problem. Dr. Dominic Ffytche and Thomas M. Cox recently concluded a CBS survey and outlined the need for education prior to hallucination to help reduce negative outcome. Awareness of CBS globally For medical professionals to consider the latest findings on CBS Communication. Removing the stigma of mental illness Centuries have gone and Charles Bonnet Syndrome is still not known to many. Dr. Oliver Sacks calls it 'The Silent Multitude in his book 'Hallucinations.' This abstract was prepared for those silent multitudes who wish to hear someone say 'It's ok, you are not losing your mind, it's called Charles Bonnet Syndrome.' Cheron Faustin Holder

Special educational needs and disability

Issues relating to the categorisation and labelling of pupils, and, the use of the terms ‘special educational needs’ and ‘disability’ in particular, have been the topic of debate in BJSE before. In this article, Sue Keil, a research officer at the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), Olga Miller, of the Institute of Education, University of London, and Rory Cobb, a development officer at the RNIB, summarise some of the key findings from a review carried out on behalf of the Disability Rights Commission (DRC). The authors highlight confusion over the use of terms that represent differing ideological perspectives. Despite the social focus that characterises much of the discourse about disability, disability is frequently regarded as an aspect of special educational needs, an area in which a medical model is often dominant. These confusions benefit neither children with disabilities nor those with less clearly‐defined difficulties. Sue Keil, Olga Miller and Rory Cobb note with interest recent developments in Scotland where a new framework based on the concept of ‘additional support needs' separates disability from educational need and is intended to represent a more inclusive approach to children's learning.

Learning and teaching.

Learning and teaching.

Low vision services in South Devon: a multi‐agency, multi‐disciplinary approach*

Since 1994, the Low Vision Service in South Devon has been provided by a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary team. The team comprises of staff from Devon Social Services Sensory Team, Optima Low Vision Services Ltd, Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) Manor House, Devon and Torbay Special Education Services and South Devon Healthcare Trust. In the 9 years of operation this service has been independently audited twice for patient satisfaction levels and compliance level in the use of low vision aids (LVAs). The results of the most recent service audit questionnaire reveal a high and constant patient satisfaction level with 92% of patients who answered the question reporting that the service was sufficient to meet their needs. The number of patients who used LVAs at least weekly was 88% of those answering the question. Plans for the future expansion of the service include the further development of interdisciplinary working.

Survey of educational provision for blind and partially sighted children in England, Scotland and Wales in 2002

The purpose of this paper is to present a summary of the main findings from a postal questionnaire survey of local education authority (LEA) visual impairment (VI) services in England, Scotland and Wales that was carried out by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) in 2002. A population estimate of just under 24,000 blind and partially sighted children aged 0-16 in Britain was obtained, 50% of whom have additional disabilities. Comparison with data from a similar type of RNIB survey carried out in 1997 indicates that the pattern of educational placement has not changed over the past five years, with around six in ten visually impaired pupils between the ages of five and 16 being educated in the mainstream sector.

Tactile picture books: their importance for young blind children

A mother of a blind four-year-old brings out the pleasure and the information gained by her daughter from tactile picture books. The comparison is made with the girl's eight-year-old brother as he grabs the new picture book his mother has bought. The argument is made that books with pictures are both a source of joy and learning in themselves as well as a precursor and stimulus to the reading of text. The mother makes a persuasive case for tactile books being given a higher priority by publishers, especially the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB).

Defining sight difficulties for education and employment research

This paper summarises the key conceptual themes raised by a broad review addressing the question: How do we define 'visual difficulty' for education and employment research? The review involved discussions with key informants from the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) and a critical survey of definitional and assessment practices in the literature. Key themes from the review are organised around a discussion of 1) diversity of definitional and assessment practice; 2) models of disability; 3) vision and function; 4) multiple disabilities; and 5) severity of disability. The paper concludes that currently there is no standard definition and related assessment tool that could be used across research contexts; although developments based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health would be welcome.

Appraising the quality of consumer health information leaflets.

Appraising the quality of consumer health information leaflets.

The use of Extensible Markup Language for the generation of alternative formats

This paper describes how the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) is developing the use of a system known as Extensible Markup Language (XML) to produce documents in formats (such as braille, large print, etc.) that satisfy the varying needs of its blind and partially sighted clients.

A new outlook

Reports results of a questionnaire survey of UK public library services, undertaken at the end of 1999 by the Library and Information Statistics Unit (LISU), Loughborough University, to benchmark UK practice against international good practice and the recognized standards set out in the Library Association National Guidelines. The study was conducted against the background of the statutory duty of UK public library services to provide for blind and partially sighted users under the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act. The full objectives of the survey were: to build on and extend the findings of the 1997 Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) Survey of public library authorities; to assess progress in UK authorities since the 1997 Survey; to assess developments in the new unitary authorities; to monitor the progress of public library services against the Library Association’s Guidelines; and to place particular emphasis upon measuring service to users and the integration of public library services with those of other agencies. Data were gathered from 141 UK public library authorities (67.79% response rate). Presents a number of recommendations, highlighting the actions required to ensure greater equity of provision and to bring UK services up to a common high standard in this area, covering: policy statements; budgetary provision; staffing; partnerships; service evaluation; materials provision; equipment; provision and access; and promotion.

RNIB: Beyond 2000

The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) is the United Kingdom's largest and most comprehensive organisation meeting the needs and promoting the interests of people who are blind or partially sighted. This Paper summarises RNIB's Strategic Directions for 2000-2006. The RNIB tries to base its strategy on the needs and wishes of people with serious sight problems. We have just completed our strategy for 1994-2000 and here we describe our strategic directions for 2000-2006, drawn up by Trustees following wide consultation with managers, staff, volunteers and other interested organisations.

The development of a tactile graphic version of IOTN for visually impaired patients

The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is a visual-based index and has been widely used. This paper describes the development and evaluation of tactile graphics representing the aesthetic component (AC) of IOTN for the use of visually impaired patients (VI). Four tactile graphics were produced corresponding to IOTN photographs 1 (graphic 1, no treatment - mild need), 5 (graphic 2, moderate need), 8 (graphic 3, severe need; increased overjet) and 10 (graphic 4, severe need). Nine (30-50 years) expert consumers from the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) and 13 VI schoolchildren (11-16 years) evaluated the graphics. The evaluation was in terms of design features, complexity of information and ease of use. Each individual was asked to arrange the graphics in order of severity of malocclusion. The procedure was repeated after 30 min to test individual reliability (http://www.clinorthodres.com/cor-c-084/). The consumer group was able to identify the main features in each graphic and found them easy to use. Six had arranged the graphics correctly at the first attempt and five on their second. The children were able to distinguish the different oral features, except the overjet presentation in graphic 2. Nine children arranged the graphics correctly at the first attempt, but only six at the second. The confusion centred for both groups on presenting an increased overjet with graphic 2. A modification was undertaken to enhance the anterior-posterior nature of the image. Fifteen VI schoolchildren reassessed the modified graphics, 14 arranged them correctly at the first attempt and 13 at the second. The study concluded that IOTN tactile graphics were well accepted and showed a good reliability.

In the Balance: Making Financial Information Accessible

Evaluation of financial document design formed the central part of a recent research project by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). The study, entitled The Presentation of Financial Information for Visually Impaired People, investigated financial information design in four alternative formats: large print; Braille; audio cassette; and computer disk. The results have raised some interesting implications for designers of financial documentation. Several design feature preferences were drawn from the research which are being recommended as general guidelines for financial information design. These results are outlined within a discussion of the importance of this type of research not only for visually impaired people themselves but also for financial institutions as a result of impending legal requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act (1995). Future research on this topic by the RNIB is discussed, as are some thoughts on incorporating creativity with accessible design.

Size Counts: The Significance of Size, Font and Style of Print for Readers with Low Vision Sitting Examinations

This Paper is based on a study commissioned by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (Aitken, S., Ravenscroft, J., Buultjens, M. & Carey, K., 1998)1 which examined the effects of font, size and styles of print for students with low vision undertaking examinations such as GCSE, A Levels and Highers in the UK. It confirmed the importance of individualisation in these matters and identified that font, size and style affect speed and accuracy. The study raised important issues for those presenting students for examinations and for examination boards with respect to adapting and modifying print papers. Helvetica N24 plain text emerged as the most generally accessible font, size and style.

The reading washing machine

This article looks at the impact of technology on visually impaired people and library access facilities. Between 1989 and 1994, Paul Porter was in charge of the Resource Unit for the Visually Impaired at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow. He now works for the Royal National Institute for the Blind on the Information Superhighways project. The author is blind and uses much of the technology described in this article.

The redeployment of blind and partially sighted staff in the banking industry

UK banks have traditionally employed blind and partially sighted people as telephonists. The introduction of new technology and organisational restructuring has lead to a decrease in the need for clerical staff. Banks are faced with the dilemma of what to do with blind and partially sighted telephonists. Many are considering the options and preferring to deal with individual cases at a local level as they become pressing rather than take a co-ordinated approach. This paper describes how one Bank decided to tackle this challenge at a corporate level through a company wide redeployment project, assisted by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). Data collection, assessments, job analysis and technical investigations are described. The central role of training both for project participants and personnel staff is discussed and the responsibilities of project Case Managers are reported. So far over 100 members of staff have been relocated, supplied with new equipment, had their current job expanded or been placed in a new job. Some other wide ranging results such as changes to Bank policy are discussed. The conclusion highlights some of the challenges encountered and suggests how the lessons learned through the project might be applied to other situations.

Library services to the blind in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Reports results of a survey of library services to blind users in Ireland, con ducted as a follow up to the author's previous survey of such services in select ed institutions, including three sample public libraries in Dublin, and undertaken five years earlier (Sinead Taylor, An Leabharlann/The Irish Library, 7 (2) 1990, 51-4, 56-60. (LISA ref. 913498)). The present survey involved contacting the same libraries and institutions in order to see what changes had taken place in the intervening period. Results suggest that, with the excep tion of regional talking newspapers and initiatives by the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), public library services for these users remain as disjointed and disorganized as before, and hopes of introducing a decen tralized system in Ireland with enhanced gateway type public libraries for the visually handicapped have not been realized. Summarizes the results of the survey with particular reference to: NCBI activities; the Cork Tape Library; NCBI Braille Library; Braille and talking magazines and newspapers; and Dublin Public Libraries. Contrasts this depressing situation in Ireland with similar services running in the UK. These have become even more vibrant with exciting new projects and facilities. Quotes extensively from the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) Annual Review of 1993/94 and refers to such projects as: the RNIB's 'See it Right' initiative; MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface); and new formats for talking books, including CD-ROMs and CD-I. Concludes with notes on two European Community sponsored projects: the EXLIB project (Expansion of European Library Systems for the Visually Handicapped) which involved both Ireland and the UK; and VISTAS (Visually Impaired Students Telematics Applications Support), designed to harmonize services for visually handicapped students and still awaiting approval at the time of writing.