Woodspring Association for Blind People (WABP)

Provide the following services for people with sight problems living in North Somerset.

Click below to find out more

REGISTRATION

WABP carry out Blind and Partially Sighted Registration on behalf of North Somerset Council.

How do you become Registered as Blind or Partially Sighted?

• Contact your GP to discuss your sight problems. If appropriate, the doctor will refer you to an Ophthalmologist (Eye Specialist).
  
• The Ophthalmologist will examine your eyes and tell you about their medical condition. He will arrange to carry out any treatment that is appropriate. If your sight is below prescribed levels he may suggest that you are certified as Blind or Partially Sighted. You will be asked to sign a form called a BD8.
• The Certification form (BD8) is sent to WABP; this can take from 1–8 weeks.
• When WABP receive the form, the Registration Officer will telephone to make an appointment to come and visit you at home. The visit usually takes place within 4–6 weeks. You do not have to wait until registration to receive help – tell the Registration Officer when she telephones, or contact WABP direct.

What Happens at the Registration Visit?

• The Registration Officer will tell you about the procedure for becoming registered as Blind or Partially Sighted. You do not have to agree to being registered. If you do agree, your details will be included on the Blind and Partially Sighted Register for North Somerset. This helps the government to plan for the possible future needs of visually impaired people.
• You will be told about benefits of registration, such as an additional tax allowance (applies only to Blind Registration).
• You will be asked questions so we can consider what help you might need.
  These might be things like:
  
  Can you manage to make meals for yourself?
  Can you read your correspondence?
  Are you able to go out and about safely?
  What would you like to be able to do and can no longer manage because of your sight loss?
  
• The Registration Officer will discuss your needs, and any action will be taken only with your agreement. You may be referred to another member of WABP staff, for example:

  Rehabilitation Officer
  Special Needs Advisor
  Volunteer Co-ordinator

People living in North Somerset are usually referred to:

• The Eye Department at Weston General Hospital
  
  OR
  
• Bristol Eye Hospital
  

WABP Hospital Volunteers

Trained volunteers, many of whom are visually impaired themselves, are on hand to tell you about the help that is available for people with sight loss.

Information leaflets are available in large print or on audio tape for you to take away and consider. These can be made available in other languages if required.

At Weston Hospital there are some aids and equipment on display, which the volunteers would be happy to show you.

If you need help straight away you can ask for your details to be sent direct to WABP and you will be contacted as soon as possible.

Any questions you may have about treatment should be addressed to the medical staff. Questions about transport to hospital, appointments etc. should be addressed to hospital staff.

REHABILITATION

WABP have two Rehabilitation Officers. It is their job to help you devise ways of managing your day-to-day life to remain as independent as possible.

The Registration Officer can discuss ways in which the Rehabilitation Officer may be able to help you and arrange to visit. You may also telephone WABP and ask for an appointment to see the Rehabilitation Officer, either at our Resource and Information Centre at Neva Road, Weston super Mare, or at home.

Some of the ways in which rehabilitation advice can help:

Mobility training
Learning a safe route to your local shops.
How to use public transport.
The use of a symbol cane, to let the public know you have a sight problem.
Long cane training.

Reading and writing
The importance of good lighting.
Use of a writing frame and thicker black pens.
Large print.
Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) which magnify print onto a TV screen.
The use of computers and keyboard skills.
Correct use of magnifiers.
The teaching of Braille or Moon.

Daily living skills
Cooking – perhaps using a talking microwave.
How to mark items so they are easy to recognise.
Using the telephone – large button telephones, free directory enquiries.
How to tell the time.

These are just some of the ways in which Rehabilitation can help. The Rehabilitation Officer will discuss your needs and work with you in finding a solution.

AIDS AND EQUIPMENT

There are numerous types of aids and equipment to assist visually impaired people. Many of these are displayed at our Resource and Information Centre. If it is not possible for you to get there, we can arrange for a Special Needs Advisor to visit you at home and show you a selection.

The Special Needs advisor can give advice andinformation on your day to day needs and tips on safety.

Some of the aids that are available:

Liquid Level Indicator – to help pour a cup of tea without overfilling the cup.
Large button telephone – with easy-to-see numbers.
Easy-to-see or talking clocks and watches – to help you tell the time.
‘Bump ons’ – raised dots to mark switches and buttons on a cooker or radio for example so you can find the right one.
Large Print Calendars – so you can keep a note of important dates.

These are just some of the things available.

Low Vision Aids

WABP can demonstrate a wide range of magnifiers. However, we recommend that an appointment is made at the Low Vision Clinic at either Weston General or Bristol Eye Hospital. You will need to be referred for an appointment by your eye consultant or GP. An assessment by the optometrist at the clinic will ensure that your sight is checked and the correct magnification aid issued on long-term loan.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES

WABP can give you information about the following ways in which visually impaired people may continue to enjoy leisure activities:

Talking books
Books by many popular authors are available to listen to on audio tape. These are available from libraries in North Somerset or via post from an organisation called 'Calibre'. The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) also provides a Talking Book Service for which there is an annual charge. It is sometimes possible for North Somerset to pay this charge on your behalf.

Woodspring Talking News (WTN)
This is a local charity providing a weekly news tape for visually impaired people in North Somerset. The service keeps you up to date with what is happening in the area and there is no charge.

Audio Described Video Tapes
The action on the screen is accompanied by a verbal description to enhance the performance for visually impaired people. There are many current popular titles available.

Holidays
WABP can provide information about hotels with special facilities for people with sight loss so they can feel safe and secure and get the most out of their holiday.

We can also tell you about large print playing card, tactile dominoes and other games.

VOLUNTARY SERVICES

Clubs
With the help of our volunteers WABP provide the following clubs throughout North Somerset. You do not have to be registered as blind or partially sighted to attend our clubs.

• Weston-super-Mare
  Aimitie Social Club
  Thursday Craft Club
  
• Winscombe
  Social Club
  
• Nailsea
  Social Club
  
• Clevedon
  Daylight plus Social Club
  Clevedon Craft Club
  

We also organise a swimming club and can put you in touch with clubs for blind bowlers.

Contact us for further information about times, availability and transport.

Home Visiting Service
We recognise that visually impaired people are often isolated because they find it difficult to get out and about. We can arrange for our Home Visitor Volunteers to call and see you on a regular basis for a cup of tea and a chat. Perhaps assist you with your correspondence or other similar tasks.

Benefits Advice
WABP volunteers are available to help you to complete difficult forms such as Attendance Allowance or Daily Living Allowance. They have received training to ensure your application is made correctly.

Drop-in Centre
Sometimes it’s nice just to have a chat with other people who are experiencing similar problems with regard to sight loss. Our drop in centre is open every Tuesday morning to enable our members to meet over a cup of coffee or tea.