Sight loss charities join forces to launch online advice hub
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Guide Dogs, Visionary, VICTA, Fight for Sight and Vision UK are working together to provide blind and partially sighted people with easy to access high-quality information about sight loss.
Working in partnership, the sight loss charities have shared their expertise to create the new website, www.sightadvicefaq.org.uk, which pulls together content from across the sector.
The Sight Advice FAQ portal answers questions about living with sight loss, eye health or being newly diagnosed with a sight condition. The website is also designed to help those who are supporting people through their sight loss journey, including parents, partners, carers and friends.
Visitors to the website can type their question into the search box on the page or use the menu to find the information or advice they are looking for.
Jamie Dormandy, Head of Advice and Customer Service at RNIB, said: “This was a great opportunity to collaborate with other leading sight loss charities to share our resources and expertise.
“People affected by sight loss have told us it can be difficult to access the right information at the right time.
“This new Sight Advice FAQ portal is easy to navigate and fully accessible, and we hope it will become the ‘go-to’ source for anyone looking for information about living with sight loss.”
Kirstie Bower, Guide Dogs’ Director of Skills, Information and Support Services, said: “The Sight Advice FAQ portal is a fantastic resource which we’ve been proud to be part of, as it supports our ambition for a future where every person with sight loss has the confidence and support to live their life to the full.”
Sherine Krause, Chief Executive at eye research charity Fight for Sight, said: “We’re delighted to be part of this new resource to support people with sight loss. In Fight for Sight’s case, we aim to raise awareness of the research going on into sight loss, and the breakthroughs that are already being made in this field.”
Alison Oliver, CEO of Visionary, said: “This has been a fantastic joint initiative on information sharing for the sight loss sector and blind and partially sighted people. Visionary is very pleased to have been involved alongside and on behalf of its members.”
Matt Broom, CEO of Vision UK, said: “Vision UK are excited to be involved in this new collaborative resource for Blind and partially sighted people and for all people who want to know more about eye health and sight loss. We believe it is a valuable and useful resource for all.’
Nick Schofield, Chief Executive of VICTA, said: “This has been a great collaborative project and one where the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts. It shows that together, everyone achieves more which can only be a good thing for the sight loss sector.”
The Sight Advice FAQ portal is one of the ways in which blind and partially sighted people can access practical and emotional support from RNIB as part of its Sight Loss Advice Service. www.sightadvicefaq.org.uk
Notes to editors
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About RNIB
We are the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
Every six minutes, someone in the UK begins to lose their sight. RNIB is taking a stand against exclusion, inequality and isolation to create a world without barriers where people with sight loss can lead full lives. A different world where society values blind and partially sighted people not for the disabilities they’ve overcome, but for the people they are.
RNIB. See differently.
Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk