A company called Business Disability Forum has published a new range of free resources providing a practical guide to sight loss. The range includes specific guidance for different healthcare professionals, including dentists, on understanding the needs of patients with sight loss. It also includes targeted advice for people with sight loss as well as employers and businesses. The Sight Loss Toolkit has been commissioned and funded by Roche Products Ltd.

Research by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) shows that 1.1 billion people globally have sight loss and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) estimates that 250 people start to lose their sight every day in the UK. This is the equivalent of one person every six minutes.

Whether a person is born with sight loss or loses it over time, there are many barriers they may encounter when accessing healthcare. Many of these barriers start before the person arrives at the clinic or hospital.

Business Disability Forum believes that understanding more about the experiences of losing sight and living with sight loss can help healthcare professionals remove barriers and deliver better care for their patients.

The Sight Loss Toolkit includes resources on:

  • The experience of sight loss

  • Removing barriers around communication

  • Collecting and sharing personal information

  • Arranging appointments and consultations

  • Helping with orientation.

The Sight Loss Toolkit also offers guidance to employers and businesses on better serving the needs of people with sight loss. There is also advice for people with sight loss on successfully navigating everyday situations.

A diverse team of people with sight loss, health care professionals, and organisations helped to create the Toolkit. They share their own experiences, insights, and expertise throughout the resources.

To access all of the resources in the Sight Loss Toolkit, visit https://businessdisabilityforum.org.uk/knowledge-hub/toolkits/sight-loss-toolkit/.