Rnib Annual Review 2013

Suzie: Press cancel, press cancel. I get frightened, when it makes that noise it's saying something and we don't know what it says so basically I'm terrified that it will take my card and then I won't be able to use it in a shop even and then I'll be in real trouble. I'm Suzie, I'm registered blind and until fairly recently I've had to have my eight year old son with me to get cash out from an ATM. Over the last year I've been thrilled and very proud to take part in the RNIB talking cash machines campaign to roll out talking cash machines over the country. As a result Barclays in November 2012 rolled out 2,500 talking cash machines. The Cooperative Bank started to roll them out and we've had commitments from Lloyds, Nationwide and NatWest to do the same. It's a great start to creating a more inclusive society and to help people like me live more independently again. When I first lost my sight I felt very isolated and I really needed help and guidance to steer me in the right directions and to signpost me to places where I could go to get help. Peter lost his sight through AMD, age-related macular degeneration. Peter: I went on a program, Finding Your Feet, which was run by the RNIB. At this seminar they expressed all sorts of things, walking, meeting people, getting over problems. Once you're in a room like that it raised your confidence. Suzie: Across RNIB Group they've now increased the number of eye clinic liaison officers, Like Jen Bacon. Jen Bacon: What I love about my job is that I'm there to give people emotional support throughout their journey. Every patient's different and what's great about an ECLO is that we can tailor-make each assessment to them to help maintain their independence. Suzie: Lots of blind and partially sighted people were incredibly worried about when DLA became PIP. Like me, Siobhan was worried that they wouldn't take into account the expenses that we incur just because we can't see. Siobhan: The government seem to think that you need less support over time, but there's still going to be things that you need support with to live independently and the costs just don't go away or reduce. Suzie: Thanks to RNIB many of our needs have been taken into account since they've introduced PIP. This year the RNIB Helpline has dealt with more calls than ever before. With people struggling to cope with the economic climate calls are more complicated than ever. 6,191 people were supported in getting appropriate benefits. This amounted to £12.9 million. It's not just working age and older people that RNIB has helped this year, Load2Learn has also launched as a free service, supplying pupils and professionals with accessible resources for people with sight problems. RNIB's schools and colleges provide a support for children and young people often with complex needs. Fabian is blind and has autism. For his mum RNIB Pears Centre is more than just a school. Jacqui: Fabien's transformation has been incredible. Female: Thank you Fabian. Jacqui: I mean from a challenging and frustrated child they've developed him into a confident, you know, adaptable young man. Suzie: It's hard to count all the ways that RNIB has helped people over the last year. There will always be blind and partially sighted people who can benefit from what RNIB does. But if RNIB can help prevent sight loss by raising awareness and helping people spot the signs for themselves they've done a really good job. Enlisting Arlene Phillips into their Spot the signs campaign this year was a brilliant way to raise awareness. And, more than 300,000 people came forward for more information. To find out how RNIB continues to make every day better for people living with sight loss visit rnib.org.uk or call our helpline on 0303 123 9999.