Out of Sight
Thousands of people with sight loss remain Out of Sight in the hidden scandal of vision rehabilitation.
Life changes after sight loss, sometimes overnight, often in dramatic ways. Done well, vision rehabilitation equips people with new ways to stay independent: to get out and about, adapt their work, shop and enjoy hobbies.
However, the reality is stark. Over a quarter of local authorities in England left people waiting for more than a year for a vision rehabilitation assessment and subsequent support. Threadbare services mean people wait without the support they’re entitled to, at risk of physical accidents and injuries as well as mental health crises.
People like Charmaine, who faced a long wait to receive any specialist support: “It is really worrying and concerning. I’ve had to fight for everything I’ve got.”
Or Natalie, who without the right support was left feeling trapped: “I felt very unsafe and imprisoned and I couldn’t even go out or get on a bus.”
Sign the #OutOfSight petition
We're calling on Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, to commit to ensuring blind and partially sighted people get the support they need, when they need it.
Check the service provision in your local area
Use our interactive map to check the waiting times for vision rehabilitation support across local authorities in England.
Interactive map to check the vision rehabilitation service provision in your area.
Read the Out Of Sight report
What can I do to get support?
Discover how the right equipment and support can help you live independently. Sight loss doesn't mean you have to stop doing what you love, we can help you continue to enjoy leisure activities like reading and holidays.
