Business Disability Forum launches range of accessible resources for people with sight loss
Business Disability Forum has published a new range of free resources aimed at providing people with sight loss, employers, healthcare professionals and businesses with a practical guide to sight loss.
The range includes specific advice for people with sight loss as well as healthcare professionals, employers and businesses. The Sight Loss Toolkit has been commissioned and funded by Roche Products.
IAPB research shows that 1.1 billion people globally have sight loss and the RNIB estimates that 250 people start to lose their sight every day in the UK. This is the equivalent of one person every six minutes. Statistics have found that only one in four people with sight loss are in employment.
Business Disability Forum’s Sight Loss Toolkit aims to help people with sight loss and those around them by addressing common concerns and offering advice on everyday situations.
The Sight Loss Toolkit includes accessible resources explaining what sight loss is, living and working with it, advice on accessing the healthcare system and how to get help and information
The Sight Loss Toolkit also offers advice and guidance to clinicians, healthcare professionals, employers and businesses on better serving the needs of people with sight loss.
A diverse team of people with sight loss and organisations helped to create the Toolkit. They share their own experiences, insights, and expertise throughout the resources.
Diane Lightfoot, CEO of Business Disability Forum, said: “Many of us will be affected by sight loss during our lives. Losing our sight can be a frightening experience as we have to navigate everyday situations, such as medical appointments, shopping, and working in a new way. We may come across barriers that we never expected.
“By increasing understanding amongst employers, clinicians and businesses we hope to improve services and work place experiences for people with sight loss. We also want to remove fear and uncertainty by equipping people with sight loss with the information they need to live life to the full.”
Business Disability Forum stated that it would like to thank everyone who gave so generously of their time to help create the Sight Loss Toolkit, as well as Roche Products for commissioning and funding the resources.
Thom Renwick, Head of Ophthalmology, Roche UK said: “At Roche UK, we are focused on researching and developing new treatments, aiming to redefine standards of care for the two million people with sight loss living in the UK.
“We are committed to listening, understanding and partnering in order to co-create solutions that will improve peoples’ lives.
“We believe more can and should be done to protect and ensure the wellbeing of those living with sight loss. That is why we have partnered with Business Disability Forum to develop this Toolkit, which will help to remove barriers, making it easier for people with sight loss to live independently.”
All the resources in Business Disability Forum’s Sight Loss Toolkit are available free on Business Disability Forum’s Knowledge Hub.
Business Disability Forum is a business membership organisation in disability inclusion. It works with nearly 500 members who employ over 20 per cent of the UK workforce and an estimated eight million people worldwide. Earlier this year it launched several free resources to help increase understanding about the benefits of accessibility.
