There's more to reading than just books, newspapers and magazines. We're talking about bank statements, letters from the doctor or the council, birthday cards, maps - the everyday things that you need to be able to read.
Products to help you read
There are
products to help you read depending on your degree of sight loss. There are simple products like magnifiers, and more hi tech ones such as reading aids to scan and translate printed text into a computer.
Letters, bills and bank statements
If you struggle to read bank statements, bills, letters and so on the
Equality Act 2010 (or the
Disability Discrimination Act in Northern Ireland) means that you should be able to request them in a reading format that suits you. For example: you can ask your bank to provide a statement in braille or a utility bill in large print.
If you feel you are not getting the level of service you should, you can get advice on further action in our Equality Act toolkit.
Medicine Leaflets
It can be hard to read the print on the leaflets that come with medication. If you need help, call the free RNIB Medicine Leaflet Line on 0800 198 5000 and quote the 8 or 9 digit product licence (PL) or code number from the leaflet in your medication. If you are not sure what the product number is, ask a sighted person or your pharmacist.
You can either listen to the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) over the phone or order a copy in braille, large print or audio CD format to be sent to your home. You don't even have to register.
Search for your medicine at X-PIL - they are a leading source of reliable and up-to-date information on UK medicines.
Reading help
Local societies for people with sight loss
There are many local voluntary societies for blind and partially sighted people. Many have volunteers to help with reading. Search the Sightline Directory to find contact details of your local society and what help they can give. Or call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 for more information.
Fair access to information
At RNIB, we campaign to get fair access to information. Many blind and partially sighted people do not have access to information that sighted people rely on everyday. Information for health care, bargains in shops and bus timetables continue to pose a challenge. We need your help!