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The impact of sight loss is individual to the person. The
degree and rate of sight loss, the type of condition and the amount
of "residual" or remaining sight someone has are all important
factors. Colour contrast, the wrong light (or lack of light) is
also an issue. The Sensory Disability Team can assist with
practical matters but sometimes the emotional impact can be
overwhelming.
The words "Blind" and "Registration" can be very emotive. Many
people, when they are told they have incorrectable sight loss feel
overwhelmed or express feelings of depression, anger or
frustration.
The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (tel:
0870 443 5252) can help you to find a local accredited
counsellor, if you feel you are finding it difficult to come to
terms with sight loss.
It is important to know what help, support or advice is available
locally and nationally. The following include organisations that
are specifically for visually impaired people as well as more
general sources of support.
National Groups
Royal National Institute of the Blind
(RNIB)
105 Judd Street
London
WC1H 9NE
Telephone: 0845 766 9999 (Freephone)
- Offers a range of services including:
- Free helpline
- Membership services
- Factsheets and publications
- Catalogue of products
- "Talk and support"
- Welfare rights
- Campaigns on behalf of visually impaired people
Action for Blind People -
website
14-16 Verney Road
London
SE16 3DZ
Telephone: 0800 915 4666
Assists blind and partially sighted people through work, housing,
leisure and support. They offer a wide range of services to
visually impaired people, their families, advocates, professionals
and the general public.
Partially Sighted Society -
website
Queens Road
Doncaster
South Yorks
DN1 2NX
Telephone : 01302 323132
Offers general information on sight loss to all, whether registered
or not. Provide information, advice and publications on:
- Daily living
- Health
- Leisure
Guide Dogs for The Blind Association
(GDBA)
Hillfields
Burghfield Common
Reading
RG7 3YG
Telephone: 0870 600 2323
Organises and trains guide dogs / visually impaired people to aid
mobility. Offers related mobility services.
Organisation of Blind African Caribbeans (OBAC)
First Floor
Gloucester House
8 Camberwell New Road
Camberwell
London SE5 0RZ
Telephone: 020 7735 3400
Information and advice for African and Caribbean people on how best
they can fully benefit from the facilities available to all blind
and partially-sighted people living in the UK, including practical
information and advice on employment, training and education,
welfare rights, immigration and housing.
Regional Groups
Newham Voluntary Association for the Blind (NVAB) (for
registered persons only)
Jordan Hall
Curwen Centre
2 London Road
Plaistow
E13 0DE
Telephone: 020 8548 1977
NVAB offer a range of support activities to registered adults,
including weekly social activities. They are able to fund some
items of equipment (upon assessment by social services) to those
who would find difficulty purchasing themselves.
Waltham Forest Asian Blind Association
30 Zenith House
210 Church Road
Leyton
London E10 7 JQ
Telephone: 0208 556 0355
Contact - Mahesh Laheru
Email: wfaba@hotmail.com
East London Torch Trust for the Blind
Barclay Christian Centre
752 High Road
Leyton
E0 6AA
Telephone: 020 8539 3296
Contact: Mr Stuart Baker
Religious service, refreshments and social interaction. Meets the
first Saturday of each month 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Lamp Social Club for the Blind
The Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Centre
Cathall Road
Leytonstone
E11 4LA
Contact: Tony Harding, Secretary, The Lamp Social Club for the
Blind, 35 South View Drive, South Woodford, E18 1NP
Telephone: 020 8989 5755
Meets alternate Wednesday evenings 8-10 pm
The Lions club -
website
Organises activities for visually impaired people.
Local contact - Doreen - 020 8597 6208 during normal office
hours
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