Policy reports and research

Our team is committed to evidence-based research and meaningful advocacy. Each report highlights key findings, recommendations and policy submissions that inform our campaigns and influence change.

Accessible information

In 2022, RNIB and other charities conducted research on NHS and social care professionals in England and people with accessible information and communication needs.

The survey asked about the NHS Accessible Information Standard, after five years of it being in place, and received more than 900 responses.

You can find out how to request accessible information here.

Accessible voting

Our Turned Out Report 2024 reveals that despite legal protections, many blind and partially sighted people in the UK still face significant barriers to voting independently and in secret.

Based on a survey of 872 respondents following the July 2024 General Election, only 26 per cent of blind voters felt they could vote independently.

Education

The Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (CFVI) has been developed in collaboration with those working in the field of vision impairment education across the four UK nations to support access to education for children and young people with vision impairment

Employment

The Access to Work 2023 report highlights the urgent challenges facing blind and partially sighted people in securing and maintaining employment due to severe delays in the UK government’s Access to Work scheme.

Getting around

Bus travel is a vital lifeline for blind and partially sighted people, yet our research shows there are barriers at nearly every stage of the journey.

The All Aboard? 2025 report calls for coordinated action from transport operators, commissioners and fellow passengers to make bus services truly accessible, safe and inclusive for everyone.

Our In My Way 2025 report highlights how everyday street obstacles like cars parked on pavements, e-scooters and A-frames can create unsafe and inaccessible walking environments for blind and partially sighted people.

Key Principles of Inclusive Street Design

We've created a guide on inclusive street design to make streets as accessible as possible. Inclusive design is better for everyone – people with sight loss, other disabled people, older people, carers with children and ultimately for all who wish to use our streets.

Seeing Streets Differently

Our Seeing Streets Differently 2021 report highlights how inclusive design is better for everyone, ensuring the whole community can access and enjoy their area and key services like healthcare, education and employment

Vision rehabilitation

Our Life on Pause 2025 report shows that access to vision rehabilitation in England remains in crisis.

This follows on from RNIB’s Out of Sight 2024 report which revealed the hidden scandal of vision rehabilitation services across England.