With support and the right products, people with sight problems and other disabilities like dementia, dual-sensory loss, and limited mobility can remain independent.
RNIB has over 1300 specially selected products available from our online shop. They are not only suitable for people with sight loss, but many may prove beneficial for someone with early stages of dementia, dual-sensory loss and other conditions.
We also work closely with Action on Hearing Loss. They are the UK's only national charity supplying a full range of products for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have tinnitus.
From our experience we have highlighted below some of the key areas that can benefit people with sight loss.
Clocks and watches
Radio controlled talking clocks and watches are ideal as they automatically set the time and date using a radio signal for split second accuracy, great for when the clocks change.
RNIB Communiclock is our best selling radio controlled talking calendar clock. It sets itself straight out of the box ensuring it's the right time, every time. As it is simple to use, you just press the bold black button on the top to hear the time, but press and hold and the date is also announce in a clear loud voice. Reassuring people of the right time and day.
The portable talking vibrating alarm clock is ideal if you need a vibrating alarm option and it has an extra loud voice announcing the time.
Labelling and identification
Identifying and remembering items around the home can prove difficult with sight loss and dementia.
Being able to managing your medication is vital. The Talking MedCenter helps you to organise your medication and allows you to set four daily alarms, reminding you when you need to take your medication.
Recordable greeting cards, photo frames and albums are all great at stimulating your memory and providing audible reminders of people, places and special occasions.
For more useful hints, tips and product ideas including the innovative, award winning RNIB PenFriend audio labeller why not visit our labelling everyday items web page online.
Keeping in touch
Bigger and bolder than standard stationery with high quality paper and plenty of space to write on, RNIB Big print stationery is a great way to keep track of your special dates and appointments.
The Memory plus big button telephone has four extra large memory buttons which enables you to quickly call the person without having to remember their number - simply place a photograph of the person on each button and press to call them.
Mobile phones with minimal keys and clear displays are also another good option; the Doro handleplus 334 has four memory buttons and no keypad.
Providing a better environment
Our "Improve the lighting in your home guide" was written with Thomas Pocklington Trust. It highlights the importance of lighting and how it can help create a safer home, enhance your environment and allow you to make the most of your sight and remain independent.
Simply adding energy efficient bulbs that reach full brightness instantly and extra task lighting can help create a safer home with minimal disruption and it doesn't need to cost a fortune.
Using contrasting colours can help create a safer home making household objects easier to see. A brightly coloured non-slip mat at your table can help you find your dinner plate more easily.
Leisure activities
Enjoying hobbies and leisure time is an important aspect of independent living. Our large print scrabble is bigger and bolder than the standard game and incorporates a grid on the board that holds the tiles in place while in play - a great way to keep your brain active.
Our accessible games range also includes Talking crosswords - available on CD for your computer. Azabat also do compilations of talking games which include Sudoku and draughts. As well as being fun and challenging, these are all really good mental work-outs!
This textured tangle is a great for improving dexterity and stimulation and can be very therapeutic for all ages.
The Chatter Block Cube may be an interesting way to stimulate memories. Add pictures and recordings to each of the six faces of the Chatter-Block cube. Listen to your recordings one at a time or to use as an activity prompt roll the cube along the floor for random playback.
Tactile dominoes have raised black dots on them making them easier to use and provide a popular social activity. Touch and match dominoes are great for all ages as you match the pieces by texture or colour.
There are lots of opportunities for reading audio books if print is no longer an option. RNIB's Talking Book service has over 19,000 audio books to choose from. If it's magazines and newspapers you are interested in then, our consumer and special interest titles may be suitable. Alternatively National Talking Newspapers and Magazines has over 200 mainstream titles available in audio and electronic text for reading on a computer or mobile device.
Big Print Newspaper with accompanying TV guide and our range of Big Print puzzle books can help keep your brain active with simple teasers or more complex challenges.
RNIB's work on dementia and sight loss has been supported by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.