Help, Advice and Information
The following local and national organisations provide help, assistance and guidance for vision impaired children and their families. We have found these web sites informative and easy to use. We would like to know of any other organisations that have helped you with their services and advice - please let us know.
Local Organisations in the North East
Out of Sight
A small group based in South Tyneside organising events and trips for vision impaired children and their families in South Tyneside. Please contact the Secretary, Leanne Thomasson, on
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.
Durham Support Group for Families with V.I. Children
A support group open to families with a visually impaired child who live in County Durham or whose children attend the resource based schools on Belmont Campus, providing information, organising social and leisure events and raising funds to provide opportunities for families of vision impaired children. Please contact the Secretary, Peter Mackie, by phone on 0191 384 1474 or by email
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General Advice
National Blind Children's Society
www.nbcs.org.uk Offer five ‘Key Services’ which are provided either free or at a nominal charge. These are: Family Support & Information, Educational Advocacy,CustomEyes Books, Specialist Equipment and a national network of Recreational Activities. Freephone Family Support and Information on Tel: 0800 781 1444
Childhood Eye Cancer Trust
www.rbsociety.org.uk
Support and info about retinoblastoma.
Childhood Cataract Network
Support Group for those affected by childhood cataracts. Organises trips and has an email group for advice and where members can chat.
www.childhoodcataracts.org.uk
Contact a Family
http://www.cafamily.org/
A UK-wide charity providing advice, information and support to the parents of all disabled children - no matter what their health condition. They also enable parents to get in contact with other families, both on a local and national basis.
MACS
www.macs.org.uk
Information about Microanophthalmia, Anophthalmia, Coloboma and related conditions. MACS offer support and information to parents and professionals in the UK and around the world. Macs also give parents, families and children the opportunity to meet each other, support each other and learn from each other.
The Eyeless Trust
www.eyeless.org.uk
A charity offering information and support for families affected by Anophthalmia, Microphthalmia or Coloboma.
Guide Dogs
http://www.guidedogs.org.uk
A guide dog, though not suitable for every young visually-impaired person, can offer significant and truly life-changing benefits to some.
Guide dog ownership can open the door to safe, independent travel, whilst bringing with it many additional benefits, such as companionship, social inclusion and an increased sense of responsibility. If you would like to know more about guide dogs please contact your local Guide Dogs District Team by landline on 0845 3727499 or email
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.
HelpinSight
http://www.helpinsight.org.uk/
A database of mainstream schools in the UK with facilities for VI students.
Toys and Games
Sense
http://www.sense.org.uk/
Advice on multi sensory disability.Toys & Games
Specialeyes World
www.specialeyesworld.com
Provides sensory toys for all disabilities.
RNIB Insight
Catalogue of toys suitable for blind and visually impaired children
www.rnib.org.uk/shop
Books and Reading
TFH Special Needs Toys
www.tfhuk.com/
Touch Feel heal. Mail order toys for children and teenagers with special needs.Books & Reading
Calibre
www.calibre.org.uk
A free nationwide postal library or recorded books.
Green Metropolis
AUDIO & LARGE PRINT BOOKS - ALL £3.75
www.GreenMetropolis.com
This site is a comprehensive online secondhand bookstore, where all paperbacks cost £3.75 (inc delivery) whether they're the latest release or last year's blockbuster. Log on, search for the book you want, register and buy it. The site operates a buy and sell account, which means you can sell your already-read books via the site. They have made a point of including audio and large print books to ensure people with sight or reading problems have access to books at an affordable price.
Clear Vision Project
www.clearvisionproject.org
Clear Vision lend tactile books and dual format Braille/print or moon/print for adults and children.
Bag Books
Tactile, multi- sensory story packs for children and young people with severe and multiple disabilities and for pre-school mainstream children with a visual impairment.
www.bagbooks.org
Booktrust
www.booktrust.org.uk
Introducing blind and partially sighted babies and toddlers to books. A free pack is available which contains specially selected books and advice.
Cue and Review
www.cueandreview.org.uk
National magazines on tape with 5 teen titles focusing on music reviews.
Living Paintings Trust
www.livingpaintings.org
A registered charity offering free postal library of books with Braille and print and raised paintings with description tapes to follow.
National Library for the Blind
www.nlb-online.org
This site is aimed at adults rather than young children; however, there is a lot of information on visually impaired readers' groups, events and activities.
VIP Diaries
www.vipdiaries.co.uk.
Run by South Lakes Society for the Blind, VIP Diaries produces large print diaries and calendars, writing pads with wide lines and bespoke products. email
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or ring 01539 726613.
Learning Library
Based in Spennymoor, Co Durham. Loans toys and specialist equipment to people of all ages who have special needs.
www.learninglibrary.org.uk
Leisure and Entertainment
Talking Newspaper Association of the United Kingdom
www.tnauk.org.uk
Talking newspapers - some for children Leisure & Entertainment
Your Local Cinema
www.yourlocalcinema.com
Your nearest cinema with audio description together with details of what’s on.
British Blind Sport
www.britishblindsport.org.uk
British Blind Sport is the coordinating body of sport for the blind and partially sighted.
Sort It
www.sorit.org.uk
Sort it is a charity for children and teenagers 11 years onwards. The site is designed as a youth magazine and discusses current issues such as going away from home, starting university, celebrities, technology, computer games to name but a few.
Traveleyes
www.traveleyes.co.uk
A travel company with a difference. It aims to provide holidays for both blind/visually impaired and sighted travellers, journeying together in a spirit of mutual independence.
Extant
www.extant.org.uk
A theatre company of professional actors and directors who are visually impaired.
Actionnaires
Multisports and activity clubs for visually impaired children and young people, their siblings and friends, across the UK.
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Technology
Ability Net
A national charity helping disabled adults and children use computers and the internet by adapting and adjusting their technology
www.abilitynet.org.uk
Inclusive Technology
www.inclusive.co.uk
Information on educational software, switches and computer access devices, simple communication aids and assistive technology for learners with special needs.
Home Access
www.homeaccess.org.uk
Grants for computers, screen reading software and specialised access hardware for children 7-14 years with severe disabilities or special education needs. Tailor made packages based on a simple evaluation of needs. For an application packs and more information available ring 0333 200 1004.
Specialist Equipment
Cobolt Systems Uk
www.cobolt.co.uk
Products for the Blind and Visually Impaired & suppliers of Audible Products
A wide range of products including talking clocks, talking multi function radios, talking combination ovens, talking watches, microwave cookware, a range of glasses, and more.
Zychem Ltd
Producing smellyvision, graphics, tactile images and machines for producing such images.
www.zychem-ltd.co.uk
Further Education / Job Placements
Newcastle College
Joint resource base team provides support and advice supporting learners who are blind of visually impaired at Newcastle College. They aim to provide the best possible learning experience on courses and to help students gain skills and qualifications needed to progress in life.
www.newcastlecollege.co.uk
SEED
Social Enterprise and employment Development (SEED) - Work Experience placements for blind and partially sighted persons in the North East.
www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk
Advance2work
Can provide an individual programme of support, training, work experience and job coaching. Based in Birmingham, will help to find work near your home.
www.advance2work.co.uk