INFORMATION
1. SIGHT IMPAIRMENT INFORMATION
REHABILITATION OFFICERS
Our local Rehabilitation Officers, for Visual Impairment, offer an assessment and advice service. They can provide advice on equipment and specialist training to improve your safety at home and outdoors. The Rehabilitation Officers can be contacted at Adult & Community Services at North Yorkshire County Council in Northallerton.
Telephone: 01609 780780
Web: www.northyorks.gov.uk
RNIB
National charity supporting blind and partially sighted people.
Telephone: 0303 123 9999
Web: www.rnib.org.uk
BLIND VETERANS SOCIETY
MACULAR SOCIETY
GLAUCOMA ASSOCIATION
SENSE
GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND
WILBERFORCE TRUST
Committed to supporting people with sight loss.
Telephone: 01904 760037
RYEDALE CARERS SUPPORT
Providing respite care for people looking after someone full-time.
Telephone: 01751 432288
2. TRAVEL
BUS TRAVEL
Those who are blind or partially sighted are eligible for a bus pass, enabling free travel at certain times of the day. Contact North Yorkshire County Council at Northallerton.
Telephone: 01609 780780
CAR
If you are registered as a severely sight impaired (blind) person or as a disabled person you qualify for a Blue Badge. The badge enables the driver to park in designated disabled persons’ parking places and restricted areas for limited periods of time. Applications forms are available from the Customer Services Centre, North Yorkshire County Council at Northallerton.
Telephone: 01609 780780
RAIL
If you are registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired (blind) you are eligible for a Disabled Persons Railcard and discounts on the ticket prices of most train journeys. If you travel with a non-registered helper they receive the same discount. To get a Disabled Persons Railcard, call for an application form.
Telephone: 0345 605 0525
RAIL ASSISTANCE
When travelling by train, you can book assistance by phoning the rail “journey line” number. Such assistance will help you with train transfers at all stations.
Telephone: 0345 6050525
COACH
Concessionary fares are available for people who are registered sight impaired, providing a 50% discount. A person travelling as an escort does not qualify for a reduction. For further information and application forms, please contact the Disabled Persons Travel Helpline.
Telephone: 08717 818179
3. LEISURE
RYEDALE TALKING MAGAZINE
Telephone: 01751 476499
YORK TALKING MAGAZINE
Telephone: 01904 760140
TALKING NEWSPAPERS UK
BRITISH WIRELESS FOR THE BLIND
Provide audio equipment specially designed and adapted for those living with sight loss.
Telephone: 01622 754757
Web: www.blind.org.uk
CALIBRE AUDIO LIBRARY
RNIB NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION
A large number of TV programmes, Cinema and Theatre Shows now support audio described performances. This can improve the enjoyment of TV for people with sight problems by adding additional commentary describing body language, expressions and movements.
VOCAL EYES
THRIVE
4. BENEFITS & ALLOWANCES
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
Stanley Harrison House, Norton, Malton
Telephone: 03444 111444