Campaigns

'Equipped for Living' campaign

Summary: Improving Lives Coalition campaign to improve equipment services for blind and partially sighted people.

'Equipped for Living' campaign

The Improving lives Coalition launched the Equipped for Living campaign on 27 March 2006. The campaign aims to improve the community equipment service offered to blind and partially sighted people.

Thousands of blind and partially sighted people in England and Wales are put at risk of potentially fatal injuries due to the confusing policies of most local authorities over the supply of white sticks and other vital equipment.

RNIB’s Head of Campaigns and joint-chair of the Improving Lives Coalition, Steve Winyard said: “How long will it be before a blind person dies as the result of an avoidable accident? Its totally unacceptable that thousands of blind and partially sighted people, many living on low incomes, are not receiving vital community equipment, or are having to pay for it themselves.”

Chris' story

Chris Cole, 38 from London, was a painter and decorator until he began losing his sight two years ago because of a pituitary tumor. He is now registered blind. Chris said: “Losing your sight is one of the most horrific things that can happen to you – made even worse because, in my experience, you are more or less left to cope on your own. Social services rang me up but all they did was say we have a really long waiting list and it will be 9-12 months before we can so anything to help.

“I lost everything – my job, my pension and even my marriage because of losing my sight and I would appreciate a bit of help in trying to put my life back together.” Recently, Chris fell over in the bathroom and hurt himself as the room had not been adapted for him to use safely. The fall could have killed him, as his head is very fragile due to the operations he has had. The only help he has received has been from a local charity who has given him a white stick, which otherwise he would have had to pay for himself.

Key campaign messages

  • Blind and partially sighted people should be seen as a higher priority within the Fair Access to Care Services.
  • A greater range of items should be available to help with all aspects of independent living, ie cooking, keeping safe, access to information and mobility.
  • Community care assessments should be carried out by an appropriate member of staff with knowledge of the full effects of sight loss.
  • Training on how to get the best from the equipment available should be improved.

Campaign report

Cover of Equipped for living report

500 registered blind or partially sighted people were interviewed for the ‘Equipped for Living’ report. The report states that:

  • One in four registered blind and partially sighted have not received any equipment at all in the last two years to help them with their day-today lives.
  • Three out of ten people who own a white stick said they had to pay for it themselves.
  • One in three people have never been offered training on how to use their stick properly.
  • Three out of four people have not received a simple pill organizer costing less than £5 which could reduce the risk of blind people accidentally taking the wrong pills.
  • Eight out of ten people who do own a pill organiser said they had to pay for it themselves.
  • Dozens more items that assist blind people (several costing less than £10 each) are also not being supplied.
  • Six out of ten people have not received a liquid level indicator (a gadget that emits a sound when a container is nearly full of hot liquid). Three out of ten who do own one had to pay for it themselves.

Download the report

Copies of the ‘Equipped for Living’ campaign report are available to download:

Parliamentary launch

A reception will be held at Parliament on Tuesday 28 March 2006. Service users and providers have been asked to invite their MP and explain about the work of their local society. MPs will be asked to lobby for improvements in the equipment service provided to people with sight loss in their area.

Open day

A number of local societies will be holding an open day on Friday 31 March, others will be held after the May elections. Open days are an opportunity for local politicians and social service staff to see the work being done by local societies and to meet with blind and partially sighted people in their constituency.

Help and support

For further information about the reception or if you would like to discuss how you can get involved in the 'Equipped for Living campaign', please do not hesitate to contact the Improving Lives Campaign Officer.

Tel: 020 7391 2173
Email: ILC@rnib.org.uk

Further information about the Improving Lives Coalition.

Content author: ILC@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 08/04/2008 18:38

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