Vision rehabilitation is a ‘forgotten’ and ‘under-resourced’ social care service that operates ‘without scrutiny’, according to a new report.
Blind and partially sighted people have a legal right to this support, which helps them to live safely and independently.
However, ‘too many people are falling through the cracks’, either having to wait months for help or being unable to access a service in their area, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has warned.
The charity found that more than a quarter (26%) of local authorities in England are leaving blind and partially sighted people waiting more than a year for a vision rehabilitation assessment, while 86% miss the 28-day recommended deadline to explore a person’s needs.
The RNIB urged all UK political parties to commit to ensuring people with sight loss get the emotional and practical support they need.
