Being told you have a visual impairment or you are going to be visually impaired in the future can have a tremendous emotional impact.
Many people have reported going through a process much like bereavement, where they experience the following emotions:
- shock and numbness – ‘it was like I was in a daze and nothing was real’
- anger – ‘I remember thinking “why me, I don’t deserve this”. I was furious’
- denial – ‘I felt sure there was nothing wrong with my eyes and the doctors had made a mistake’
- fear and anxiety – ‘I felt so scared of the future, knowing my sight was going to get worse’
- sadness and grief – ‘I just sat in my room for hours crying and crying’
- acceptance – ‘I started planning how I was going to live with a visual impairment and I started feeling more optimistic about the future’
Most people come to terms with their visual impairment, but in some people the diagnosis can trigger depression, especially in the first few months.
You may be depressed if during the past month you have been very down and felt hopeless, and you no longer take pleasure in activities you used to enjoy.
If you are concerned that you may be depressed, you should contact your GP as there are several treatments that are usually effective for most people, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and antidepressant medication. Read more about treating depression.
Support groups
Probably the most useful thing you can do after being diagnosed with visual impairment is to contact a support group for people with sight loss.
Royal National Institute of Blind People
The UK’s leading charity for people with visual impairment is the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
The RNIB operates a helpline for people affected by visual impairment. The helpline is open from Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 5.30pm on 0303 123 9999. You can also email helpline staff at helpline@rnib.org.uk.
The RNIB's website is specially designed for people with a visual impairment and provides a wide range of useful information and resources, and an online community.
The site also has an online shop that sells different products specially designed for people with a visual impairment.
Action for Blind People
Another useful organisation is Action for Blind People, a national charity that provides practical help and support for visually impaired people.
It’s particularly useful for advising on the day-to-day practicalities of living with a visual impairment, such as making adjustments to your home to make it easier to get around, and advice on employment.
Social services
It is recommended that you contact your local social services department to inform them that you have been diagnosed as having a visual impairment.
You may be entitled to a range of benefits as well as practical support, such as help with housework and cooking meals.
The directgov website has a list of all councils and local authorities in England.
Changes to your home
Most people with a visual impairment can continue to live at home. However, you will probably need to make some changes to your home, especially if you live by yourself.
There are several important pieces of equipment you should consider buying:
- Big-button telephone – both landline and mobile models are available from the RNIB online shop.
- Computer – the internet can provide a real sense of connection to friends and family as well as other people with a visual impairment. It is also a practical way of finding out information and obtaining goods and services. Big-button keyboards, screen display software and text readers are available from the RNIB.
- Community alarm – this small wearable device has an alarm button. If pressed it sends an alarm signal to a response centre, which will alert a nominated friend or carer. Your local authority should be able to provide you with more information.
- Bright lighting – bright light bulbs and adjustable lights are essential for your home, especially in the kitchen and the stairs (areas where you are most likely to have an accident). Fluorescent bulbs are recommended, as these produce the most light and tend to be cheaper in the long term than conventional bulbs.
The way your house is painted can also make it easier to find your way around. Using a two-tone contrast approach, such as black and white, can make it easier to tell the difference between nearby objects, such as a door and its handle or the stairs and its handrail.
Travel
Long cane
Many people who are visually impaired find it useful to use a long cane when travelling.
This is a long, usually foldable cane that can help you get around by detecting objects in your path. It also lets drivers and other pedestrians know that you have a visual impairment.
To get the most use out of a cane, you will need to attend a training course in how to use it. The RNIB helpline can provide more details on training.
Guide dogs
The charity Guide Dogs (formerly known as Guide Dogs for the Blind) has been providing guide dogs to people with visual impairment for many years.
Guide dogs are trained to guide their owner in a straight line until instructed otherwise, stopping at obstacles along the way.
Over time, a guide dog can learn regular routes, such as your visit to the supermarket or local train station.
However, guide dogs will not resolve all problems associated with travel and it can take months of careful training before they can be used to their best ability. Also, not everyone with a visual impairment is suitable for using a guide dog.
Many people with a visual impairment find that a guide dog can bring them both independence and companionship.
You can apply for a guide dog using the following online form or by phoning 0845 3727499. You will be charged a fee of 50p.
You will be asked to pay for any vet fees and, if possible, make a contribution towards the cost of dog food. If you are on a low income, the charity may be able to meet these costs.
Global positioning system
A global positioning system (GPS) is a navigational aid that uses signals from satellites to provide a real-time update on a user’s current geographical location.
GPSs are available as stand-alone units that can be programmed using a Braille keyboard (see below), which then provides both a visual map and a voice prompt of your current location.
Alternatively, you can download a number of GPS apps to your smartphone.
However, it is important to note that GPSs will usually only work if you are outdoors.
The RNIB has more information on how GPS can help people with visual impairment.
Reading and writing
If you are having problems reading standard texts in books, newspapers and magazines, there are several options available.
E-readers are handheld devices that allow you to download books and subscribe to newspapers and magazines on the internet. You can then set the device to display text at a larger size.
The RNIB also has a collection of large print publications that you can borrow, as do most libraries.
If you are unable to read at all, you could:
You can also install screen-reading software on your computer that will read out emails, documents and text on the internet.
A charity called Communication for Blind and Disabled People has released a free screen reader for the PC called Thunder. Download the screen reader.
Similar software is available for Apple devices, although you may have to pay a small fee.
There are also voice recognition programmes where you speak into a microphone and the software translates what you say into written language.
You can also use the software to issue commands such as closing browser windows and moving from one website to another.
Braille
Some people who are severely sight impaired choose to learn Braille. Braille is a writing system where raised dots are used as a substitute for written letters.
As well as Braille versions of books and magazines, you can buy Braille display units, which can be attached to computers so you can read the text of a computer screen.
Braille keyboards are also available, so you can use Braille as a writing system.
The RNIB has more details about reading and writing and how you can become trained in using Braille.
Employment
If you are currently employed and have recently been diagnosed with a visual impairment, you should contact the Access to Work scheme.
Access to Work is a scheme run by Jobcentre Plus that provides advice and support on what adjustments and equipment may be required to enable you to do your job.
They also offer a grant to contribute towards the costs of any equipment or training that you may need, such as voice recognition software, a Braille keyboard and display unit and a printer that can covert text into Braille (Braille embossers).
Depending on the size of the company you work for, the grant can pay for 80-100% of costs, up to £10,000.
The directgov website has more information on Access to Work.
If you are currently looking for work, there are three main organisations that can provide some extra advice and support:
You do not have to disclose that you are visually impaired when applying for a job, but it is usually recommended that you do.
If you feel you have been turned down for a job because of your disability, and you were capable of doing the job, you can make a complaint under the Equality Act 2010. Visit the Home Office website for information on how to do this.
Some people with a visual impairment decide to become self-employed, often because it allows them the flexibility to work at home for the hours they choose.
Action for Blind People has self-employment advisers who can provide information and training on issues such as drawing up a business plan, obtaining funding and bookkeeping. Read more about self-employment on the Action for Blind People’s website.
