Registration as visually impaired is voluntary, but it does entitle you to certain benefits and makes it more likely that you will get the help you need. This leaflet has been prepared to explain what is meant by ‘registration’ and to give you a brief idea of the benefits and concessions you may be entitled to.
What does registration mean?
When a persons sight deterriorates they would normally visit the optician. It is not always possible for the optician to prescribe spectacles which will improve their vision. They may have a condition or eye disease which requires specialist treatment. The opticitan will then write to the GP who in turn will refer the person to the Opthalmologist/Specialist at the hospital eye department, if it's urgent direct referrals can be made. After an assessment of your eye condition, your hospital Consultant may have suggested that you are registered as visually impaired. To do this he completes a form called a C.V.I. (Certificate of Visual Impairment), this will either say they are sight impaired (partially sighted) or severely sight impaired (blind). It also includes eye condition and visual acuity. You are asked to sign this. The completion of this form entitles you to be entered onto the register.
The CVI is then forwarded to the team for the visually impaired which depending on your address would be the The Society for the Blind of Dewsbury, Batley and District in North Kirklees which is based at The Whitfield centre, 180 Soothill Lane, Batley, WF17 6HP Tel: 01924 445222, or, Red Laithes Court, Red Laithes Lane, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, WF13 3EN Tel:01924 324277.
The CVI is then used by a member of staff who will make contact with the registered person in order to complete a holistic assessment of needs. The assessment will include that persons ability to utilise lighting and low vision aids, communication needs e.g. management of correspondence and dealing with money. The individuals ability to cope with personal care and general daily living activities is taken into account, mobility both indoor and outdoor will be discussed and problems and concerns looked at. This is also an oppertunity members to learn about the different social activities that may be available to them.
You may be interested to know that there are around 3000 people registered as blind or partially sighted in Kirklees.
How will it affect me?
Some people worry about registration. They fear that it will lead to them losing their independence, or that family, friends or officials will become interfering or over protective.
None of this will happen. Registration is voluntary; you do not have to register if you don’t want to. It does make it easier for you to receive any help you may need. A bit of support can make all the difference in keeping your independence.
Registration is also essential for claiming some benefits and concessions – try to think of it as ‘opening the door’ to getting help, either now or in the future.
What is the process of Registration?
The C.V.I., which you sign, has several parts to it. You will be given a copy, a copy will go to your Doctor and another will go to the Society for the Blind; who is responsible for keeping the register.
A Social Worker from the Society will contact you and arrange to visit you at home. They will discuss with you the sorts of things you are having difficulty with and possible solutions; this is called an assessment. They will help you get any of the benefits or services mentioned in this leaflet.
There may be practical things they can help with, like marking your cooker or washer so that you can carry on using it.
They may suggest alternative ways of reading, such as large print or talking books. It is very individual and all depends on your personal lifestyle and degree of sight impairment.
If you need advise about benefits, education, employment, housing etc your Social Worker can put you in touch with the appropriate agency.
If you need help with practical aspects, such as finding your way around indoors and outdoors; sometimes referred to as mobility, or learning new ways of doing things such as dealing with correspondence, cooking and looking after yourself and your home; sometimes called daily living skills, then it may be appropriate to see your Social Worker.
I feel apprehensive about the future. Is this normal?
Finding out that your eyesight is failing can be traumatic. Some people pretend that this is not happening, blame others or even themselves.
Some get upset or angry with either themselves or others. Some approach registration with a very practical attitude. These are reactions, which other people may not understand but are none the less very real. They are all perfectly normal reactions to a change in your personal circumstances.
If you find these feelings difficult to deal with, then talk to your Social Worker. Your Doctor may have a counsellor within the practice who you could talk to. Try not to worry too much; these feelings will lessen over time.
Is there anything else I should know?
Yes – lots! As well as coping with the emotional aspects, you will probably be finding it difficult to carry on doing everyday things. Managing may seem very hard and you may wonder how you are going to cope.
It may not be possible for you to do everything you would want to, but by changing the way you do things and trying new ideas, you may find that there is still a lot you can do for yourself.
Do not expect to do everything at once, it takes time to adjust to living with impaired sight, but, many people do successfully manage.
The rest of this leaflet gives you an idea of the benefits and concessions that you may be entitled to after registration.
