Table Of Content

Every day another 100 people will start to lose their Your support sight. helps us rebuild a devastated by life sight loss. RNIB annual review 2002/03 0 HV1796 rn1 b R64 200M3 Helping you live with sight loss page 2 •! * HV1796 RNIBANNUALREVIEW2002/03 R64 2002/3 RNIB reaching out •• •••• •••••• • • • •• • •• • • • • • •• • Imagine you weretold thatyoursightwas OurTalking Book Service made overtwo failing rapidly and no furthertreatment million book loans in 2002/03.These could preventyoursight loss. You would include new "DAISY" CD-Roms, which probably be devastated initially-then boast an improved listening experience perhaps angrythat it had happened to through cutting edge digital technology. you -then, with help and support, Over 100,000 people use ourwebsite determined to live your life and stay every month, wheretheyfind a wealth independent. of information about eye conditions and Every day another TOO people like you will ourwork. startto losetheirsight. Unfortunately, many ofthe two million people with sight Every person with a sight problem will benefitfrom our successful campaign on problems in the UK do not receive the help the Copyright (Visually Impaired Persons) and servicesthey need. RNIB reaches outto Act, which has eased the complications anyone with a sight problem - with support, previously involved in transcribing products, services and information.This yearweVe relied on public gifts and documents into alternative formats like braille and tape. donationsto fund over 50 per cent ofour vital services -your supportfor ourwork Our equalityfocus is helping us reach as a charity is crucial. ethnic minoritieswith sight loss. We won a Diversity award forthiswork in November. This year, our "Talk and Support" services have expanded to help hundreds more All ofthisworkto reach outto people people, often when they are in the very with sight problems has a price, and RNIB early stages of coping with sight loss. has been hard hitfinanciallythis year. The service brings people with sight A combination ofan unexpectedly severe problemstogether bytelephone, to offer downturn in our legacy income, and the mutual support, advice and personal effect ofstock marketfalls on our contact. investments, meantthatwe had to scale down plans and cut back on several areas of Thousands of health and social service ourwork. Bytaking sensible action we have professionals have received advice and now restored ourfinancesto a break-even guidance from RNIB aboutthe needs of position, butwe urgently need your help. older people with sight problems and This coming yearwe are relying more than standards ofsocial care through ourwidely ever on the support ofour donors and distributed information pack "See change" volunteersto help us rebuild the lives of and our campaign to "Changethe waywe many more people with sight problems. think about blindness". c- Colin Low, Chairman C> Bruce, Director General page 4 Rebuilding lives Our direct services for people with sight problems At home College in March 2003 - a fantastic Our Membership scheme has been a multi-sensory centre offering fulfilment fantastic success during 2002/03. Our through music for people with sight loss 4000 current members influence what and learning difficulties. we do and are a part of our governance At work structure. We aim to reach 50,000 Only a small percentage ofworking members by 2006. age people with sight problems are in Ourtelephone befriending service. employment. We makeJobs more Talk and Support, supported by Barclays, accessible through technology and and British Gas' "here to Help" training. RNIB Redhill College has focused programme both reach outto people on retraining individuals to get them back with sight problems. into the workplace. Since its launch last year, our digital Improving eye health Talking Book Service has flourished. Our LowVision Centre in our London office Talking Books continue to be our most - officially opened in November 2002 by popular service. We are aiming for a David Blunkett - has gone from strength membership of49,000 forthe digital to strength. We are well on ourwayto service so that more people can enjoy meet ourtarget number of clients and plan the improved listening experience. to open a further 10 services acrossthe UK by 2006. We are also increasing eye clinic At school liaison services with dedicated personnel Since the move of Rushton Hall School providing face to face support for newly to its new and improved Exhall Grange diagnosed individuals. Ourflagship liaison location and Northwood School's service is at Royal Group Hospital in expansion, more diverse students than Belfast where we had over 85 referrals in ever before are benefiting from our the first four months. expertise.The Beatles' record producer. Sir George Martin helped to celebrate the opening of Soundscape at RNIB Redhill This alphabetwill help you to understand the braille in this review. Numbers are made using the reversed "L-shaped" numeral sign followed by lettersA-l for 1-9, and J forzero. Some common letter combinations use only one braille shape as a type of shorthand.