RNIB Group calls on blind and partially sighted people to help shape its future

Blind and partially sighted people are being invited to contribute to the five-year plan of the RNIB group of charities by offering their views over the coming months.

Every day around 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight and there are now approximately two million people in the UK with sight problems.

The RNIB Group, which consists of leading sight loss charity Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Action for Blind People, Cardiff, Vales and Valleys, and National Talking Newspapers and Magazines, is beginning to think ahead and make plans about where it should focus its efforts from 2014.

In seeking to understand the areas in which to target in its five-year plan, the RNIB group of charities is listening to the views of blind and partially sighted people, their friends and families, health and social care professionals and other interested groups from now until 16th November 2012.

Lesley-Anne Alexander, Chief Executive of RNIB, believes that ‘‘working together’’ is the only way forward.

She explained: "We have achieved so much from working together and we want our work to remain rooted in the needs and experiences of people who are at risk of sight loss and those who are blind or partially sighted, and to know that we are making a real difference to people's lives.

"We are looking for input to help us shape the future direction of our work and to find out where we can make the greatest impact."

For the next four months, people will be able to give their views online, by telephone or by writing in.

RNIB Group supports the outcomes of the UK Vision Strategy, which sets the overall direction for eye health and sight loss services in the UK. The UK Vision Strategy team is also talking to interested parties to refresh its future plans, and welcomes blind and partially sighted people to give their views by visiting the website.