AM calls for support for blind and partially sighted people in Wales (Kirsty Williams AM )

AM calls for support for blind and partially sighted people in Wales

July 10, 2008 3:20 PM

Kirsty with Andrea Gordon, Public Policy Manager - Wales, and her guide dog Fliss:

Kirsty Williams, AM for Brecon and Radnorshire helped Guide Dogs launch a campaign, highlighting to AMs why many blind and partially sighted people in Wales are let down by lack of appropriate rehabilitation and support services after being diagnosed with sight loss.

Kirsty Williams said:" We need to ensure that blind and partially sighted people have all the support they need to be as independent as possible. Loosing your sight is an incredibly difficult experience to go through and people must have assistance to alleviate their situation as much as possible."

According to The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, the overall status and funding of services to rehabilitate and support people with sight loss has improved little since the early 1990s.

Overcoming the psychological impact of sight loss and social isolation are two factors in improving the self-confidence, independent functioning and quality of life for many blind and partially sighted people. These are the findings of research undertaken by the charity and the Welsh Rehabilitation Project Group.

Guide dog owner Anne Hughes, who lives near Caernarfon, commented:

"My whole world fell apart when I lost my sight. I had no-one to turn to for information and support. What I needed was someone to listen to me, to make me feel valued and help identify the options needed for rehabilitation."

The research also found that many blind and partially sighted people believe they have not achieved everything they want in life. They find that there are barriers preventing them maximising their talents and achieving their aspirations.

The Guide Dogs for the blind Assembly reception highlighted why blind and partially sighted people should be entitled to services which offer opportunities for greater well-being and independence.

Guide Dogs, supported by Wales Council for the Blind and the Royal National Institute for Blind People in Wales, (RNIB Cymru), wants people with sight loss to have greater participation in a more inclusive society. Sarah Rochira, Director of RNIB Cymru commented: "The impact of sight loss is tremendous as it affects all areas of life. People need support to live as safely and independently as possible and we support any initiative that improves rehabilitation services."

Principal recommendations from the policy paper that Guide Dogs is launching - 'Independence and well-being in sight; Investing in the potential of blind and partially sighted adults in Wales - are:

Blind and partially sighted people being entitled to an agreed level and quality of service to help them respond to the impact of sight loss, maintaining independence and quality of life.

Future services being based on a 'middle step' model, incorporating timely information and provision of emotional support; an 'outcomes-based' assessment during which the individual identifies their own personal goals; and services that are user led.

Integration of a multi-disciplinary rehabilitation workforce, provided by a variety of practitioners in different team settings, and with support from other professional staff in the health, social care and voluntary sectors.

During the reception, AMs heard from local blind and partially sighted people about their personal experiences and the challenges they face when service support is lacking.

Tom Pey, Guide Dogs Director of External Relations, explains: "We very much hope AMs will support our vision of a world in which blind and partially sighted people receive the necessary support to lead mobile and independent lives. By hearing the experiences of blind and partially sighted people, AMs will gain an understanding of why it's so important to invest in professional rehabilitation services."

Kirsty Williams AM