Blind people at risk of "serious harm" due to not getting info in preferred format, report suggests
80% of blind or partially-sighted people report rarely receiving letters in formats like braille
Last updated 17th May 2023
Blind people across Peterborough, Stamford and Rutland could be experiencing compromised medical treatment due to not receiving correspondence in the correct format.
New research, from the Royal National Institute of Blind People, shows 80% of blind or partially-sighted people report rarely, or never, getting information in their preferred means - like braille.
The RNIB says it's putting patients at risk of serious harm, or in embarrassing positions by having to ask others to read their private medical information.
'The wonderful equipment available to us is very expensive; it isn't fair'
Trustee of the South Lincolnshire Blind Society, Roger Fixter, lost his eyesight when he was just three years old.
He says he uses technology to help him translate letters and documents that aren't in braille - but, it's simply unaffordable for others like him:
'If I didn't have the equipment I have, I would have to rely on my daughter or my cleaner. If it was more affordable it would benefit a lot of people.'
'I don't really want to be totally dependent on someone else to virtually run my life for me, the technology allows me to be independent.'
An NHS spokesperson said: “All NHS services have a legal duty to provide clear and appropriate methods of communication to ensure that patients, service users and carers can fully understand everything they need to about their treatment and care.
“NHS England has worked with partners to review the Accessible Information Standard, including how to ensure that people's communication needs are met, and we are committed to publishing the revised standard this summer.”