18 December 2024 and 6th January 2025
Question 1: Very long weights for eye clinic appointments. Patients are warned that there may be up to a 4 hour wait but it seems the system is set up to fail. How do others feel? Appointments are also often at inconvenient times for parentse.g. 3pm.
Recommendations: in advance of your appointment contact the clinic and advocate for a time that works best for your circumstances.
Also ensure that you are receiving information about your appointments and treatment in a format that works best for you i.e. email or text rather than a letter..
Contact the Patient Advisory Liaison Service (PALS) for your hospital to share your concerns https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-health-services/patient-advice-and-liaison-services-pals/ express your frustration that appointment times invite a large number of people, often 30+, to arrive simultaneously. Suggest they stagger the appointment times. reiterate that as patients, we understand that several checks and tests may need to be carried out but that everyone would benefit from improved efficiency.
Contact your local Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO). There are now 100 ECLOs across the country.
Please see this factsheet for the national register of ECLOs. https://media.rnib.org.uk/documents/Register_of_ECLOs.docx
Question 2: when using RNIB’s EasyReader app, searching for a book was problematic yet someone sighted found it first time. Please help!
Recommendations: Ensure that you are searching in the right place i.e. not in “My Books” which is your personal library. The following link gives a step-by-step guide to using EasyReader https://readingservices.rnib.org.uk/Home/DolphinEasyReader
If you experience any problems using the app, please contact RNIB on 03031239999, press option one.
Eye Matter has reported this issue to RNIB Reading Services to Feedback to Dolphin in the hope that they will make the different search options clearer for Voice Over users.Please also note that there are six libraries available to UK users of the app. Some including “My Newspapers” require a paid subscription.
Using the Side Menu, it is also possible to deactivate the foreign libraries you don’t need for ease of use.
Question 3: My iPad is showing emails from 2019 rather than the most recent, what is going on?
Recommendations: Firstly, log out of your emails and install the latest update available. As of January 2025, the latest update for the iPad is iPadOS 18.2.1. This update includes security updates, new features, and improvements to existing apps. Once your iPad has been updated, log out of your emails. Using the same log in details as your other devices i.e.iPhone, laptop, PC, login again. Your emails should now be the same across all of your devices.
Question four: having recently moved into a new house which has a permit parking bay; I am encountering problems with getting a permit or more than 100 visitor permits (obviously being VI I don’t drive). What can I do?
recommendations: Currently, both local authorities and private parking operators providing parking facilities are required under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people and to provide them equal opportunities to access services.
Local authorities have powers to safeguard parking places for disabled people and the Department for Transport has published ‘Blue Badge scheme information.Although off-street private car parks are required to make reasonable adjustments under the above-mentioned equalities legislation, the form those adjustments take are up to individual operators, who can best judge what is appropriate within their car parks. Often private car park operators provide Blue Badge spaces in their car parks but there is no legal basis for this and, as such, they are essentially advisory.
However, many councils issue carers parking permits which can be valid for up to 1 year allowing someone carrying out caring duties to visit an individual.
It may be worth contacting one of the following: your local councillors https://www.gov.uk/find-your-local-councillors
The Equality Advisory Support Service helpline: 0808 800 0082.
Question five: how to navigate moving house when visually impaired; what are the top tips and tricks?
Recommendations: Rightmove is relatively accessible and a good place to look online or via its app.
Register with several local estate agents in the area you want to move to.
In relation to any property, consider the location of safe crossings, bus stops and other public transport.
Find out where your nearest shops, pubs, restaurants and parks are..
When viewing a property, always check out the utilities are set up so that should you move in, you are not left without heat, lighting or other essentials.
Check the water pressure by turning on taps, shower etc.
Be tactile and explore your environment in a way that works best for you.
Check what parking is allocated and any regulations, restrictions or costs associated with it.
Depending on how much You are able to spend, some removal firms will pack your belongings for you; if doing the packing yourself, ensure that every box is labelled in an accessible way..
Question six: where is the access desk at Heathrow?
Recommendations: In terminal four, the assistance desk is located Before security departures: Check-in Zone B, next to Excess Baggage
At least 48 hours before leaving home, let your airline, tour operator or travel agent know that you will require assistance.
Please see below Heathrow assistance guides:
Departures guide
Assistance for departing passengers https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/assistance-and-accessibility/assistance-departure-guide
Question seven: after a flood, I was refused a room at a local Travelodge due to my sight loss; is this legal?
Recommendations: Travelodge says it aims to be welcoming and accessible to all guests, including those with disabilities. However, there are several reports online from guests saying that they were refused rooms or treated poorly at Travelodge hotels due to their disability.
The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal to discriminate against customers with disabilities.
Travelodge has invested in improving its facilities and services to make them more accessible.
Accessible rooms are intended for people who need special accommodations, such as wider doors, grab bars, and roll-in showers.
Firstly, complain in writing to the manager outlining your experience. A full list of Travelodge hotels can be found here https://www.travelodge.co.uk/
Secondly, consider contacting Disability Positive, an organisation engaged bye Travelodge to improve its customer experience. Their phone number is: 01606 331 853 and their website is https://disabilitypositive.org/
Question nine: • how to overcome the challenges in meetings and other social situations where you can’t recognizing facial expressions and body language in group conversations.
recommendations: Everyone emphasised the importance of advocating for oneself and not feeling embarrassed about asking for help.
Simple steps such as all participants introducing themselves and in a meeting, saying their name before they speak are a great help in larger groups. In social situations, ask whoever you’re with to let you know if they walk away so that you’re not left talking to fresh air! This link has an article on this subjecthttps://www.reddit.com/r/Blind/comments/1cbgf7v/collaborating_with_a_blind_colleague_meeting/#main-content Other recommendations:
Attend Eye Matter’s “Living Well With Sight Loss” course. Please email Suzie to be added to the list for the Next six week course due to start in May 2025.
How to get WhatsApp on iPad https://www.macworld.com/article/668638/how-to-get-whatsapp-on-ipad.html
Top apps as recommended by Eye Matter members:
Seeing AI. https://www.seeingai.com/
PiccyBot https://apps.apple.com/us/app/piccybot/id6476859317
Be My Eyes connects blind and low-vision users who want sighted assistance with volunteers and companies anywhere in the world, through live video and artificial intelligence. Available on various platforms including Meta classes.
Report guide dog refusal through the Guide Dogs app https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/guide-dogs/id1625284393
If you own your own home and parking space but don’t have a car, consider using it to make some money. This article from MoneySavingExpert has more information https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/cheap-parking-rental/
NB this is not suitable for anyone renting from a private landlord, local authority or housing association.
Disabled parking bays near your home
Local authorities can install a disabled parking bay outside your home if you meet certain criteria and have a valid blue badge. You can apply for a bay through your local council’s website https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
Superdrug seems to be making a real effort to be more accessible; the staff wear bright pink so that they are easily identifiable and some stores have magnifiers freely available to help shoppers. It feels like they are making a real effort to be more accessible and inclusive. To read more about the in store and online steps Superdrug is taking please visit this link https://www.citymaas.io/post/enhancing-access-for-all-superdrug-s-new-partnership-with-citymaas-setting-a-new-standard-for-web
VIPs often aren’t aware of the location of a particular shop so it is worth doing your homework before heading to a large shopping centre such as Brent Cross; most stores and centres will have an online store locator or please ask when you’re there in person!
London is currently in the middle of a two year trial of bikes by company such as Lime. If you want to report obstructive or abandoned bikes, you need to scan the QR code on the bike or be able to clearly identify the location of the bike you’re reporting.
Please telephone: 0800 808 5223
Please join us for our next Bounce on Wednesday, 12th February