Technology for Life
At RNIB, we believe in the power of technology to assist people with sight loss to be independent, access information, grasp opportunities and be creative.
We recognise the changing landscape as the world we live in becomes increasingly digitalised; we are excited by this potential. We have lots of information to help you whether you are starting out or want more in-depth help.
Technology for Life Team
Our Technology for Life team can give you information and support with:
- making the best use of your smartphone or tablet
- using accessibility software such as Screen readers or magnifiers
- understanding the specifications of products
- discovering new products that could be useful to you
- troubleshooting and problem solving.
Our Technology Support volunteers provide one-to-one support at home for people with sight loss. They can help you to:
Set up your smartphone, tablet or other devices
Understand the features of your computer, tablet, smartphone or eReader
Set up applications to help you to keep doing the things you enjoy and stay in touch
Make the most of the internet and various online tools
We support local and national partners, professionals and the RNIB Connect Community to deliver technology services in many locations.
We can put you in touch with a highly motivated community of digitally engaged people and help you find local support and training relating to technology.
Visit our technology resource hub and access the latest technology facts, tips and guides. Please note these resources are in English and can be provided in Welsh upon request.
Welsh language technology
If you live, work and communicate with others in Welsh then you should know that there’s technology available that means you can live your digital life in Welsh too. We’ve created a useful factsheet all about it.
Technology Grants
We offer grants to registered blind or partially sighted people for useful technology that can help them live independently.
We welcome grant applications at any time of the year. We have several ways you can apply, online, by post or by email.
Before you apply you may want to read our application guidance information. The notes give more details about our grants scheme and what information you need to send with your form for us to be able to make a decision on your application.
To apply by post, please make a copy of your completed form and any supporting evidence and then send the original(s) and supporting evidence to:
RNIB Technology Grants Team,
Grimaldi Building,
154A Pentonville Road,
London, N1 9JE.
Or you can email your completed application and supporting documentation to: [email protected]
To find out more information about grants from RNIB, including how to apply online, please click here to visit our grants page.
Please note that online applications are currently only available in English.
Working with us as a partner
RNIB’s Technology for Life Team works alongside others to make sure technology support is available for blind and partially sighted people across the UK.
A guide to help you plan
We have created a useful guide to help you plan and deliver a successful technology demonstration session. There are lots of tips and hints in this toolkit - from getting started, assigning roles, choosing hardware and communicating with customers through to follow up and evaluation.
Running an Introduction to Technology session
An Introduction to Technology session is a great way to introduce your clients to the different types of devices available and raise awareness of how technology can help them access the information they want and need.
With our easy to follow guide, you, and your clients, can relax and have fun at a session which covers all the basics. This guide will give an outline of how to run a session and what topics to cover. It details some of the resources you will need to help blind and partially sighted people get started with using essential technology.
You can contact RNIB’s Technology For Life team on 0303 123 9999 or [email protected] Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
