The country’s leading charity supporting people with sight loss is encouraging organisations, including those in the energy and housing sectors, to make reasonable adjustments to help visually impaired people.

RNIB, which is part funded by British Gas Energy Trust to support their clients with energy issues, says it is important for people and organisations including energy providers to consider independence as a primary factor.

The charity believes companies that make slight changes to their everyday communications and living arrangements could bring about real impact to the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across the UK.

Vicky Frith, Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager at RNIB, said: “Everybody wants to be able to carry out tasks without needing to ask for intervention from another person. Visual impairment and sight loss is a spectrum, and it is important to remember that everyone’s experience of sight loss will be different even if it the same sight condition.

“People with sight loss have a legal right under the Equality Act 2010 to have adaptations and reasonable adjustments put in place. This ensures that people with a disability aren’t disadvantaged when accessing services. Therefore, providing these adaptations is not merely a useful bonus for visually impaired people, it may well be a mandatory requirement in some settings.”

Changes that could make a difference include:

  • Alternative formats – Information and instructions can be produced in large print, audio, and braille formats to make it accessible for those with sight loss. This can be offered to customers who are on the Priority Services Register with their energy company. Signage should be in a clear and simple font with a good contrast between the words and the background colour.
  • Embracing technology – There are a number of mobile phone apps designed for people with sight loss. Examples include the Be My Eyes app which connects people with sight loss to a volunteer who can access the visually impaired person’s smart phone and can therefore read their letters to them. Another example is the Seeing AI app which uses the device’s camera alongside AI to describe objects, people and offers a depiction of the visual environment. There are also specially designed appliances and products that are designed for people with sight loss, such as the Talking Washing Machine from Miele, the Cobalt Talking Microwave and accessible in-home displays that can be used to help a person use their smart meter to monitor energy usage.
  • Lighting and contrast – Areas within the home need to be well lit but not too bright as this may cause glare. Daylight lamps can be used to mimic a more natural light condition. Contrasting colours are useful for marking out different areas, such as the use of a dark door frame against a white door.
  • Tactile solutions – Raised dot adhesive stickers called ‘Bump-ons’ can be added to appliances around the home to create a reference point for a person with sight loss. For example, a bump-on can be placed on the dial of a washing machine to indicate a particular wash cycle, so that this can be felt when moving the dial to the desired position.

The charity also says if a person is registered as Sight Impaired or Severely Sight Impaired by a Consultant Ophthalmologist, then they are automatically referred to the visual impairment team within their local council. The council should offer the person an assessment, supply equipment and arrange any necessary rehabilitation, such as learning to mobilise with limited sight using a white cane.

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