Vision magazine
October/November 2015
Issue 74
Welcome
We have a reading and writing theme this edition as we celebrate
the 80th anniversary of our much-loved Talking Books. So take a
journey into your imagination, with an entry for this year’s
members’ writing competition. We have a fantastic panel of judges
including authors Robert Macfarlane and Chris Cleave. We also
have creative writing tips, products and telephone writing groups
run by authors, to help you get started. We look forward to reading
your entries!
Harper Lee’s much-talked about novel, Go Set a Watchman, is
reviewed in this edition by RNIB Trustee, Vidar Hjardeng. You can
share your thoughts on the novel and any other tips, as well as
read or listen to Vision content, on your new members’ online
community: Vision – Your community.
Did you know that, over the past year, we’ve provided advice
services to 66,000 people and identified nearly £15million in
unclaimed welfare benefits? Our Chief Executive, Lesley-Anne
Alexander, and Chair, Kevin Carey, outline some of the highlights
of the past financial year in our annual report.
Plus news of the first “bionic eye” implant, updates on campaigns,
a recipe for a warming curry, eye health and much more. I hope
you’ll find your Vision useful and enjoyable!
Clare Conley, Managing Editor
News
Celebrating 80 years of RNIB Talking Books
A star-studded cast will perform a live recording of an Agatha
Christie novel to celebrate the 80th anniversary of RNIB Talking
Books this autumn.
The live recording of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd will take place
at the British Library in London. This title was one of the first books
recorded by RNIB back in1935. A special anniversary CD including
the recording will be available for members of RNIB – we’ll bring
you details in a future edition of your Vision magazine.
Eighty years ago, our Talking Book Service revolutionised reading
for people with sight loss. Today, thanks to the support of donors,
publishers and the hundreds of staff and volunteers who work hard
behind the scenes, our growing collection of more than 23,000
unabridged books is listened to by nearly 30,000 people, in a wider
range of formats than ever before.
Read with RNIB
Subscribe to RNIB Talking Books to enjoy more than 23,000 books
on DAISY CD or USB stick, or more than 20,000 books by digital
download using RNIB Overdrive at rnib.org.uk/overdrive
To request a free sample or trial of your preferred listening format,
call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk
October is a great month to... wear dots!
We are delighted that so many people are taking part in our Wear
dots...raise lots, to raise awareness of braille and fundraise for
RNIB.
Hundreds of schools, offices and groups around the UK are
donning their dotty clothes and holding picnics, fashion shows and
dotty tea parties. In Tadworth, the children of Co-operative
Childcare made their own dotty T-shirts and invited parents,
friends and colleagues to their special fashion show.
Get involved with Wear dots...raise lots
For more information or a free fundraising pack, go to
rnib.org.uk/weardots or call 0845 345 0054.
Making TV more accessible to all
Many blind and partially sighted people tell us that they have
difficulty or find it impossible to use their on-screen electronic
programme guides (EPG). The guides include written, and
therefore visual, information and details about when programmes
are on and whether audio description is available.
Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, is now seriously
considering revising its code of practice regarding EPGs, including
accessibility issues. To start this process, the regulator has drafted
a revised code of practice and is consulting upon whether to go
ahead and make the changes it suggests.
Tell Ofcom what you think
We encourage you to respond to this new consultation to help
convince Ofcom that the requirements on accessible TV need to
be strengthened.
Visit rnib.org.uk/ofcomconsultation or call 020 7391 2123.
Dame Shirley Bassey and Barbara Windsor back
our See the need, demand support campaign
Last month saw the launch of our See the need, demand support
campaign. The message is simple: access to sight loss advisers in
UK eye departments is simply not good enough. We demand
more!
Celebrity supporters of RNIB including singer Shirley Bassey and
actor, Barbara Windsor are backing the campaign by starring in
online films. Adverts will also run on radio, billboards, buses and
online and work to secure news stories around the UK, to get our
message heard.
Every 15 minutes someone in the UK will be told they’re losing
their sight. But only one in three eye departments currently has
access to a sight loss adviser.
Behind the scenes, we’re working hard to secure long-term funding
for sight loss advisers with local societies and partners. Each
valuable signature will give us stronger power when speaking to
local health bosses.
How to get involved
Sign a letter now at rnib.org.uk/see
Watch and share our films at rnib.org.uk/see
Call 020 7391 2073 to order a poster to place in your local
community.
Need it to read it: your NHS information
We have a big success to share with you! In July 2015
the Standards Committee for Care Information (SCCI) approved a
new NHS Information Standard.
The 1605 NHS Information Standard includes rules about:
 How and when NHS and adult social care services record your
information and communication needs.
 Sharing your information and communication needs across
services (with your permission so you don’t have to keep
requesting alternative formats).
 How your information and communication needs are met.
Healthcare providers have until July 2016 to fully implement the
standard, but there are elements that need to be implemented
earlier.
This is a huge achievement and our thanks go out to everyone
who has worked hard to support this RNIB campaign so far.
Join us and ensure your NHS information is
accessible
We need to coordinate this campaign carefully so that we can
track progress. The key steps will be:
1. Notify your GP officially about what format you need – please
get in touch with us to find out how and when to do this.
2. Let us know that you have informed your GP so we can keep
track.
Please pledge your support by visiting
rnib.org.uk/accessible-information-campaign
or call 020 7391 2123.
Call on NHS England to change decision on
uveitis treatments
NHS England has rejected two treatments (Humira and Remicade)
for patients with severe refractory uveitis. RNIB believes that this
decision is wrong and could put around 100 children and 200
adults at risk of losing their sight every year.
Although patients with this condition currently receive steroids and
immunosuppressants, these drugs only work in 60 per cent of
individuals. The remaining 40 per cent are either not responsive or
are unable to tolerate the side effects of these drugs and therefore
these people need another option to save their sight. This is where
Anti-TNF drugs (Remicade and Humira) could be used. Without
rapid treatment, individuals with severe refractory uveitis are at risk
of losing their sight.
RNIB’s Policy and Campaigns Manager, Clara Eaglen, is calling
on supporters to help overturn this decision. She said: “RNIB
needs your help to fight this unfair decision by writing to NHS
England and urging them to reconsider. Let them know you object
to allowing people to lose their sight when a treatment option
exists. If enough pressure is applied, this decision could be
reviewed and possibly changed in the coming months”.
Voice your views
Write to NHS England or send our electronic form at
http://bit.ly/1N408I0 or call 020 7391 2123.
Help us defend rehabilitation support
Local councils are now deciding their budgets for 2016/17 and we
need them to understand how important it is to continue providing
funding for rehabilitation services. We know that councils are
facing tough decisions in the face of further budget cuts, so we
need you to help us to defend rehabilitation.
As many of you are aware, rehabilitation provides blind and
partially sighted people with the support they need to live
independently and to adapt to living with sight loss. It includes
learning skills and building confidence for:
•
•
•
Mobility to learn regular travel routes.
Living at home safely and independently including kitchen
skills, cleaning and maintaining the home.
And also identifying and supplying the right equipment to
assist people both in and outside the home.
Contact your local council
Ask your council not to reduce their spend on rehabilitation
support. You could share your experiences of what a difference it’s
made to you. Visit rnib.org.uk/socialcarecampaign or call 020
7391 2123.
On my street
A number of councils have taken action on street blockages and
agreed to meet up to develop a Street Charter, following our
fortnight of action for our Who Put That There? campaign this July.
Thank you to everyone who got involved and made it such a
success.
During the fortnight, our campaign supporters set up blindfold
walks, making councillors and other key decision-makers more
aware of the obstacles and dangers blind and partially sighted face
when walking down the street.
As a result of the fortnight of action, councils including Bath and
North East Somerset, Newcastle, Exeter, Clitheroe and Colchester
have agreed to review street policies.
What can I do to stop street clutter?
You can get involved by contacting your local council and other
key decision makers and urging them to create a Street Charter.
Street Charters can be tailored to tackle the particular problems in
your area. You’ll find ideas and advice at rnib.org.uk/onmystreet
or call 020 7391 2123.
Stagecoach signs up to our bus charter
Our bus campaign has scored another success. Stagecoach, the
UK’s second largest transport group, has signed up to our bus
charter and pledged to make improvements to their bus services
for blind and partially sighted people.
Over 20 campaigners joined the Chair of RNIB Scotland, Sandra
Wilson, at the launch of the charter at Stagecoach's headquarters
in Perth this July. Representatives from Scotland and England's
youth campaign groups, Haggeye and Envision, also went along.
Campaigners spent time talking to drivers, inspectors and
managers about their experiences using Stagecoach buses.
Stagecoach Managing Director, Robert Montgomery, said: “Across
the country, our drivers and other staff have taken part in Swap
with me events as part of our drive to understand the practical
issues faced by blind and partially sighted people. We are
committed to making bus travel an easier choice."
A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to the success
of our bus campaign – but we still have more work to do.
What next for our bus campaign?
The UK's two largest bus operators, First Bus and Stagecoach,
have now signed up to our charter. So our next target is Arriva, the
third largest bus company.
Read the bus charter and more information about our bus
campaign at rnib.org.uk/bus or call 020 7391 2123.
First bionic eye implanted for AMD
Surgeons in Manchester recently performed the world’s first “bionic
eye” implant on a patient with dry age-related macular
degeneration (AMD).
The groundbreaking procedure was carried out as part of a trial of
the Argus II retinal implant, at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. Ray
Flynn, 80, who had no central vision after being diagnosed with dry
AMD eight years ago, was able to see the outlines of people again
after the treatment.
Professor Paulo Stanga, Professor of Ophthalmology and Retinal
Regeneration at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital carried out the
four-hour operation. He said that these initial trials are only for dry
AMD but if they prove successful, they could look at trying it on
patients with the advanced and scarred wet form of AMD. Implants
have previously been trialled for people with retinitis pigmentosa.
Patients with the implant wear glasses fitted with a small video
camera. This sends images wirelessly to the implant, stimulating
the remaining working cells in the retina, which can result in the
patient seeing patterns of light. With practice, patients may learn to
interpret these signals and regain some meaningful sight, like
seeing outlines of people and objects.
Are you interested in taking part in trials?
Manchester Royal Eye Hospital is recruiting four more patients
with advanced end stage dry AMD to take part in trials. Contact
Danielle Ridyard in the research office on 0161 701 7691 or email
danielle.ridyard@cmft.nhs.uk or for more information, visit
research.cmft.nhs.uk
Your voice: writing competition
Create a journey
Take a step into creative writing and enter our annual
competition.
The theme of this year’s competition is journeys. Are you a
budding Bill Bryson or a latter-day Kerouac? Or would you rather
travel somewhere in your imagination? Maybe you’d rather take
the theme more metaphorically and write about an emotional
journey? Transport us in any genre – fiction, non-fiction or poetry.
The choice is yours and you’ve got till 15 January 2016 to take us
there!
Authors Robert Macfarlane and Chris Cleave join
judging panel
We’re delighted to announce that authors Robert Macfarlane and
Chris Cleave will join last year’s competition winner, Allan Mabert,
on our judging panel this year.
Robert Macfarlane is a Man Booker Prize judge, academic and
author of prize-winning books about travel, including The Wild
Places and The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot. Chris Cleave is an
author and journalist whose award-winning novels include
Incendiary, which was made into a film starring Ewan McGregor;
The Other Hand, and Gold.
Winning entries will be published
This year is the 80th anniversary of RNIB Talking Books and the
competition winner and two runners-up will have their entries read
by professional Talking Book narrators. Extracts from the top three
entries will be published in Vision magazine. Full winning entries
will be broadcast on RNIB's Insight Radio, on the free Vision
podcast and on your members’ online area.
As a thank you for entering, all entries will be recorded by a
volunteer and sent out after the results are announced.
Try a telephone writing workshop
Workshops in November and December will include:
 prose writing run by Serbian author Vesna Goldsworthy
 poetry writing workshop run by poet Caroline Crew
 practical advice on writing for people with sight loss.
To register your interest, please contact Thomas Harmsworth on
0845 330 3723 or email writingcomp@rnib.org.uk
Guidelines for entering the writing competition


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You must be a current member of RNIB to enter the
competition and you can only submit one entry.
The deadline for entries is 15 January 2016 at 4pm, and
entries can be a maximum of 1,000 words for prose or 500
words for poetry.
Entries may be typed and preferably sent by email to
writingcomp@rnib.org.uk; sent on audio CD, tape, printed A4


paper or in braille to:RNIB Members’ Writing Competition,
Talk and Support, 105 Judd Street, London,WC1H 9NE.
Entries must clearly state the entrant's name, address and
telephone number.
For full terms and conditions of the competition, please
contact Talk and Support on 0845 330 3723 or email
writingcomp@rnib.org.uk
Writing competition: practical solutions
for getting creative
Capture your inspiration
Inspiration can come when you least expect it, so keep the
Olympus Notecorder close to hand. The Olympus Notecorder is
easy to use with only three tactile big buttons to operate the basic
functions, you can quickly grab it and start dictating. (VR16, priced
£39.98).
Record notes and listen to books
The Olympus DM5 voice recorder includes audible feedback
to navigate through folders and menu and uses voice commands
to create folder. It also doubles up as a media and DAISY player
so you can listen to a good book in between your writing. (VR09,
normal price £213.50 ex VAT – save £15 when buying this
together with a smart leather case to keep your recorder protected
on the go. Ask for our Voice recorder bundle, BU005, £213.49 exc
VAT – normal price £228.49 exc VAT. Offer valid until Friday 30
October).
Try our paper and pen options
We have a wide range of big bold lined writing pads and black
pens. The high quality paper and line spacing enables you to write
in large print and if using a bold pen, with less show-through onto
the next page. The range includes A4 and A5 writing pads with
white or yellow paper and bold black lines – providing great
contrast. A writing frame could help guide your handwriting.
Prices start at £4.99 for the writing pads. £4.16 for writing frames
and £5.50 for a pack of black Berol pens.
Find out more or buy these products
Call the Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit the online shop at
rnib.org.uk/shop
Writing competition: try our top five
creative writing tips
We’ve collected some advice from authors and previous
competition winners.
1. Read like a butterfly!
“Read like a butterfly, write like a bee,” advises author Phillip
Pullman, and there is no better way to learn to write well in any
given genre than by example. The RNIB National Library
Service offer books in a variety of accessible formats- contact
the RNIB Helpline. A selection of large print and audio books
may also be available from your local library.
2. Collect ideas
Inspiration can strike at any time, so carry a notepad or dictation
device wherever you go so that you can record ideas as they
come to you. See the next page for some gadgets that could
assist.
3. Focus on a strong start
Whether you’re writing a short story, a poem or a piece of nonfiction, it’s important to grab your reader’s interest from your first
sentence.
4. Write from experience
Even if you’re writing in the science fiction or fantasy genres,
borrowing attributes of people you know and places you’ve
been can help to make your writing vivid and believable.
5. Revise and edit
When you’ve finished writing your entry, read it and correct any
spelling errors or grammatical mistakes or ask someone else to
have a read for you. Make sure your writing flows and has a
solid structure with a beginning, middle and end. If you have
time, put your story aside for a few days and then come back to
it fresh to read again.
Your community: Annual report
interviews with RNIB Chief Executive
and Chair
Our Chief Executive, Lesley-Anne Alexander, and Chair, Kevin
Carey, outline some highlights of the year and future aims, to
Vision Managing Editor, Clare Conley.
As a group of charities, RNIB, Action for Blind People, Cardiff
Institute for Blind People, Cardiff Institute for the Blind and RNIB
Specialist Learning Trust are united in working together to make
every day better for everyone affected by sight loss. Our annual
report covers the first year of our five-year plan of work for 20142019.
RNIB Chief Executive, Lesley-Anne Alexander
One of our areas of work focuses on “being there”
when people are diagnosed with sight loss – what is
the aim of our organisation-wide campaign?
One hundred people a day are told they are going to lose their
sight. Over the past year, we have worked to make sure that
around 17,500 people had access to a qualified sight loss adviser
or ECLO (eye clinic liaison officer) at this time. We’re proud of this
achievement but there is still a lot of work to do as there are still
only a third of hospital eye departments which are covered by a
sight loss adviser service. We want to make sure there is support
for everyone at this difficult time, by the end of our five year plan.
What are some of the key achievements for our
services for independent living over the past year?
We’ve provided advice services to more than 66,000 people in the
past year. Nearly 12,500 people accessed our welfare benefits
advice service and we identified almost £15million in unclaimed
benefits. Continuing to defend welfare benefits – including
Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal
Independence Payments – will be an important part of our work in
the year ahead.
What have we achieved with our campaigning?
Members have told us that improving bus travel would enable
more blind and partially sighted people to get out and about
independently. So over the past year, we’ve negotiated with major
bus companies to get them to agree to implement a bus charter
which includes sight loss awareness training for drivers.
Over 500 blind and partially sighted people took part in our survey
about street obstacles to identify what causes most problems with
obstacles on the street – things like A-boards and cars parked on
pavements. We used this evidence for our Who Put That There!
campaign and with your help, we are succeeding in getting local
councils on board with a street charter.
What are the highlights of our work to prevent sight
loss?
This year, we’ve worked to secure new access to treatments for
diabetic macular oedema and vitreomacular traction. And our Eye
Health Information Service has supported over 2,800 people to
understand their conditions.
Do you have a message for our supporters?
I’d like to say a huge thank you to all our RNIB people – our
donors, staff and volunteers – without your support and efforts, we
just wouldn’t achieve all that we do. Most of all, I’d like to thank
members of RNIB – without your feedback and contributions, we
wouldn’t be the membership organisation that we are. And the fact
that we are led by blind and partially sighted people is the thing
that makes me most proud of the RNIB group.
RNIB Chair, Kevin Carey
How has our membership developed?
We want people to feel that they’re part of our extended family. We
had over 13,500 members by April 2015, which is an increase of
1,500 from the previous year. My whole aim as chair of RNIB is to
find out what people want and make sure they get it and
membership is a very important part of this.
Are there any new developments in terms of
leadership opportunities?
It’s a logical step from developing people’s leadership skills within
the RNIB family to wanting our blind and partially sighted people to
provide leadership in the community-at-large. We want more blind
and partially sighted people on local councils, school governors,
consumer panels and taking a prominent part in public life. We’re
putting together a programme to help develop leadership skills.
Technology can be an important aid to living
independently – what are some of the key
achievements in this area?
One of our biggest achievements is that you can now download
20,000 of our talking books via RNIB Overdrive. This is a costeffective channel, which will make it easier for people to choose
new books and get them instantly. Some people will want to carry
on receiving CDs in the post and we’ll continue to provide this too.
Our digital inclusion services have supported nearly 7,000 people
to develop confidence in using technology, over the past year. And
going forward, with the Online Today project, we are aiming to
reach 2 million people with sensory loss to encourage them to get
online and to increase their skills.
Get the full annual report
Available in print, audio, braille and by email. Please contact the
RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk
Our work in numbers
Top 10 facts showing the impact of our work in 2014/2015:
1. We identified £14.8million in unclaimed welfare benefits.
2. We supported over 66,000 people with advice services.
3. We provided over 1,500 people with peer support through
our telephone-based Talk and Support groups.
4. We now have over 13,500 members.
5. Over 500 people took part in our street obstacles survey.
6. We worked to ensure that around 17,500 people in the UK
received support from a sight loss adviser.
7. Our Eye Health Information Service supported over 2,800
people.
8. Through our digital inclusion services, we’ve supported
nearly 7,000 people to develop confidence using technology.
9. Over 20,000 talking books are now available for download
via RNIB Overdrive.
10.
We’ve supported nearly 650 people with sight loss to
get, or keep, a job.
Annual report: a brief look at our finances
We spent
The RNIB group of charities focused our spending on
the following areas of work:
Being there £6,569,000 - 6 per cent
Independence £80,564,000 – 68 per cent
Inclusion £8,253,000 - 7 per cent
Prevention £966,000 - 1 per cent
Costs to generate funds £20,780,000 – 17 per cent
Governance costs £1,413,000 -1 per cent
Total expenditure £118,545,000
There was an actuarial gain on the defined benefit
pension scheme of £1,790,000.
The gain on investment assets was £1,679,000.
We raised...
You helped us raise an amazing amount this year. Thank
you.
The RNIB group of charities’ income came from the
following sources:
Donations and legacies £64,627,000
Investment income £635,000
Merchandising and sponsorship £538,000
Income from charitable activities £46,217,000
Other incoming resources £2,448,000
This gave a total income of £114,465,000
And an operating deficit of £4,080,000
The RNIB group of charities’ resources at 31 March
2015 consisted
of the following:
Unrestricted funds £67,044,000
Restricted funds £20,342,000
Endowment funds £5,734,000
Plus pension surplus £12,596,000
This gives total net assets of £105,716,000
These figures are extracted from the full Trustees’
report and financial statement for the year ending 31
March 2015, as audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP.
Get the full report
If you would like a copy of the full report, available in print,
audio, braille and by email, please contact our Helpline on
0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk
Get involved: Stop cuts to Employment
and Support Allowance (ESA)
Some people could lose nearly £30 a week if Government
proposals go ahead – join us to defend this vital benefit.
Changes to ESA were flagged by the Chancellor earlier this year in
the July budget, and are now being proposed as part of the
Welfare Reform and Work Bill, currently before Parliament. RNIB
is concerned that these measures could push many blind and
partially sighted people into poverty and debt, making it even more
difficult to find a job in the future.
Who could these changes affect?
When people are assessed as currently not “fit for work” they are
placed in either the ESA Support Group (for those with substantial
disability or terminal illness) or in the ESA work-related activity
group (WRAG).
What is the WRAG for?
The WRAG is intended for those disabled people who may be able
to work at some stage in the future, but are currently unable to do
so. Almost 60 per cent of those in the ESA WRAG are there for at
least two years. This reflects their disability and the associated
obstacles to employment including employers’ attitudes.
How much would people lose?
The proposals would mean that from April 2017 new claimants
within the ESA WRAG would lose £29.05, with a reduction from
£102.15 a week to £73.10.
RNIB is concerned about impact of cuts
RNIB Campaigns Officer for Incomes, Geoff Fimister, said that
improved government support for preparing for work is the answer,
not benefit cuts. He explained: “Cutting the ESA WRAG rate to the
bare minimum, causing hardship, debt and stress, is unlikely to
help disabled people seek work effectively. Worrying about paying
bills and just surviving will make it harder, not easier, to be ready
and capable of looking for a job.”
Take action to defend ESA
You can find out more and send a template letter – send it as it is
or put it in your own words – by visiting rnib.org.uk/employment-
and-welfare. Or call the Campaigns hotline on 020 7391 2123 to
complete the letter over the phone.
Eye health: Understanding nystagmus
Matthew Athey, RNIB’s Eye Health Information Manager
explains more about the most common eye conditions
What is nystagmus and how does it affect
sight?
Nystagmus is an eye condition that causes uncontrolled movement
of the eyes. The movements are usually side to side but can also
be up and down or rarely in a circular motion. Most people with
nystagmus have reduced vision.
Nystagmus is a sign of a problem with the visual system or the
pathways that connect the eyes to the parts of the brain that
analyse vision. When the messages between those three areas
aren’t working, it can result in your eyes moving all the time.
Are there different types of nystagmus?
There are two types:
 Congenital or early onset nystagmus, which develops in the
first months of a child’s life and usually the child will then
have it throughout their lives. This is the most common type.
 Acquired nystagmus, which develops later in life – it’s
important to get this checked out quickly as sometimes it can
be a sign of an underlying condition like a brain tumour or
multiple sclerosis.
What is the null point?
There isn’t a cure for nystagmus unfortunately but there are
methods that you can learn to help manage the condition.
Specialists can investigate and help you to identify your “null
point”. This is holding your head in a certain position where you
have the slowest movement of your eyes which can then improve
your level of vision.
With children, it’s particularly important to help them find this, as it
can make it easier when they are learning to read. Their teachers
may need to be informed that children need to be allowed to hold
their head in that position to get the best vision.
What else can help?
You can also try using low vision aids like large print and
magnifiers and making sure you have the correct glasses and
lighting, to make the most of the vision you have.
Can stress make it worse?
Yes, eye movements can get worse with stress, tiredness and
anxiety and then this affects visual acuity – the ability to see things
in detail. It’s also important to make your eye specialist aware if
your level of acuity varies according to different situations so that
they can get a picture of what your sight is like day-to-day. They
may then be able to suggest particular low vision solutions to suit
different situations.
Is there any new research in this area?
Most research is concentrating on trying to find out what actually
causes nystagmus – why there is a breakdown in the visual
system. Further research in this area may lead to a treatment in
the future and the Nystagmus Network, a support group for people
with the condition, is a good place to keep up with current
research.
What is bio feedback?
Some researchers have explored ways of trying to reduce
nystagmus by making the patient aware of the eye movement and
encouraging them to control it, by using visual and audio signals.
This is called “bio feedback”. There is no clear evidence that it
works but some people with nystagmus have reported good
results.
Find out more about nystagmus and other eye
conditions
Nystagmus Network is holding its annual awareness and
fundraising day, Wobbly Wednesday, on 4 November. To find out
more about this, new research or to join as a member, visit
nystagmusnet.org or call 0845 634 2630.
For more detailed information on a certain condition, including
nystagmus, download the Understanding series at
rnib.org.uk/resources or call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123
9999 to request one in your preferred format (see page 43).
You can also email or speak to one of the advisers from our Eye
Health Information Service about any questions to do with eye
health. Contact them via the RNIB Helpline or email
eyehealth@rnib.org.uk
Lifestyle: audio book review of Go Set
a Watchman by Harper Lee
Vidar Hjardeng, RNIB Trustee and Diversity Consultant for ITV
News, reviews Harper Lee’s controversial new book.
Harper Lee is famous for writing To Kill a Mockingbird, which was
published about 55 years ago. She recently agreed to release a
second novel, Go Set a Watchman. Even though this book is a
sequel to Mockingbird, it was actually written first and, rumour has
it, that Harper never intended to publish it.
Go Set a Watchman works well as a standalone novel featuring
Jean-Louise (Scout) as the main character. She returns from New
York to the Maycomb community, Alabama, as an adult to visit her
father and the man who she may well marry. During her visit,
Jean-Louise visits the courthouse and is shocked to hear a tirade
of seemingly anti-black sentiments from respected senior public
figures, including her own father.
It’s a novel about growing up and learning about yourself and
those around you and perhaps realising that the world isn’t the
idyllic setting you once thought it was.
US film star, Reese Witherspoon, reads the novel including
dialogue and conversation – her accent is particularly effective for
its idiomatic expressions.
Go Set a Watchman is well-written and also well worth a listen.
And as we celebrate the 80th anniversary of RNIB Talking Books,
this is a great example of how RNIB continues to bring you
unabridged versions of popular new books in formats you can
read.
Read Go Set a Watchman
Borrow this title from the RNIB Library as a talking book, Daisy CD,
USB stick, in braille or giant print. You can also buy it in braille for
£18.99.
Contact the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or
helpline@rnib.org.uk
Lifestyle: recipe for potato and lentil
curry
Get in the mood for autumn with this warming, healthy dish. This
recipe comes from Diabetes UK. Find this and other diabeticfriendly recipes at diabetes.org.uk
Ingredients for 4 servings:
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1 tsp oil
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp mustard seeds
2cm fresh ginger, peeled and grated
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp ground coriander
pinch turmeric
6 tbsp fresh coriander, leaves and finely chopped stalks
1 200g (8oz) tin chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato purée
125g (4.4oz) yellow lentils, washed and drained
600ml (1 pint) vegetable stock
900g (32oz) floury potatoes, peeled and cubed
fresh coriander leaves, to serve.
Instructions:
1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan. Add the onion and fry for
2-3 minutes. Add the mustard seeds, ginger, chilli powder,
coriander, turmeric and fresh coriander and continue to fry
for 1 minute.
2. Add the tomatoes, tomato puree and lentils to the pan and
pour over the stock. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover
and simmer for 25 minutes or until the lentils are almost
tender.
3. Stir in the potatoes and continue to cook for 10-15 minutes
until tender.
4. Finally, stir through the coriander leaves and serve with a
yogurt raita.
Your letters and tips
Star letter: Technology keeps family close
I’m originally from South Africa and keeping in touch with family
and friends abroad is very important. I’m now 64 and, due to
glaucoma, had to give up my career as a nurse. I didn’t feel
computer literate and phone calls to South Africa were very
expensive. Being so far away, and having sight loss, meant that I
felt quite cut off. So I was keen to take the opportunity with Online
Today to get technology training to be able to send emails, make
video calls and download music and other content.
I had iPad training with Online Today and got connected. I learned
to send emails to my family and how to download and play music
and video. It also makes it easier for me to follow the news in
South Africa, and overall it has made me more aware and I don’t
feel so lonely now.
Online Today trainers can also help you find the best ways to use
your technology. Joanne, the Online Today trainer from RNIB,
noticed that I could type better on a separate keyboard than on the
touchscreen on the iPad itself. So she also told me about a
Bluetooth keyboard that I can use with an iPad and iPhone that
makes it much easier for me to type.
My family and especially my son, have been very surprised at the
improvement in my knowledge of technology, and have noticed
that I can now do more things for myself. So I would recommend
other members get in touch with Online Today.
Olga Mokgayna, Belfast
Star letter prize
For her star letter prize, Olga wins an RNIB PenFriend audio
labeller and we have another PenFriend for the star letter prize for
your December/January Vision.
Get Online Today
Online Today is a new Big Lottery funded project led by RNIB in
partnership with other organisations, to help people with sensory
loss across the UK to get online and to make the most of using the
internet. Online Today can help you build your confidence,
knowledge and skills with free training.
In Northern Ireland, forthcoming events take place from 11am to
1pm and include:
20 October - Derry Central Library
3 November - RNIB office in Coleraine
9 November – Enniskillen Library
Events take place all round the UK and Online Today can also
offer home visits and telephone support. Call the RNIB Helpline on
0303 123 9999 or visit rnib.org.uk/onlinetoday
Living with sight loss
I’m 43 and I was registered as severely sight impaired last year,
due to advanced glaucoma. When I found out I was losing my
sight, I was really worried that I wouldn’t be able to continue
working as a director of compliance. I felt really lost and didn’t
know what to do or who to speak to – it was very traumatic.
Then Moorfields Eye Hospital put me in touch with Action for Blind
People and they recommended a Living with Sight Loss course.
This proved to be a positive “life-changer” for me.
Interacting with other blind and partially sighted people on the
course helped me realise that anxiety often comes with sight loss.
But we discovered new ways to do things and to cope. I was put in
touch with a contact at Transport for London who is helping me to
continue using public transport. And we also spent time in the
resource centre where we found out more about equipment. I was
particularly interested in the technology and learning about the
bigger screen monitors, magnifying software and special
keyboards with large letters, as this will enable me to continue
working.
It’s given me so much confidence, I’m not going to give up! Just
because you may have lost your sight, it’s not the end of the world
and you can find ways to live life like everyone else.
Jitesh Bavis, Newham in East London
Go on a Living with Sight Loss course
Visit actionforblindpeople.org.uk and enter “Living with sight loss
courses” into search for details of free one-day, two-day and
longer courses. Or call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
Touching experience at the British Museum
I recently visited a new gallery at the British Museum, featuring The Rothschild Collection of Renaissance Artefacts and Art
Objects. However, my heart sank when I got there and realised the
gallery was dark with glass cases that were lit up. I’m 64 and was
registered blind at 26 due to optic atrophy, so it was very difficult to
see anything in those conditions.
I sat on a bench while my husband, Graham, described the
chalices, bowls and beautiful objects and read the labels to me.
Then a voice behind us said, “It’s so wonderful to see someone
reading my labels!” And, that person just happened to be the
curator of the exhibition, Dora Thornton. When Dora spotted my
white cane, she showed me a wonderful book with transcriptions
and tactile images of some of the collection, produced by RNIB. In
one of them, I could actually feel a thorn from the crown of thorns
that was in a reliquary. It was absolutely one of the most amazing
experiences that I’ve had as a blind person.
Janet Bennett, Shrewsbury
Visit the British Museum
The British Museum commissions RNIB tactile/braille guides and
large print catalogues for all special exhibitions and gallery
refurbishments. It also has audio description and curator-led
handling events for most exhibitions. Visit britishmuseum.org or
call the Information Line on 020 7323 8850.
Bowled over by centenary
The charity, Scottish War Blinded, was founded in 1915 to provide
rehabilitation and training to soldiers with sight loss returning from
World War One. Blind bowling was an important recreational
activity for those soldiers. To celebrate its centenary, we organised
a blind bowling tour round six bowling clubs in Scotland, starting in
Dundee and finishing in Galashiels. Blind bowling was an
important recreational activity for those soldiers.
I’m Match Secretary for the Scottish Association of Blind Bowlers
and also captained the centenary tour team. To play bowls, we use
a clock system and vocal instruction from “markers” (sighted
people) to assist accuracy.
We met many new friends along the way and recruited some more
people to blind bowling. Getting people involved in bowling can
really help to get them out of the “dark place” if they are sitting at
home and feel as though they can’t do much. Being out in the
fresh air and the camaraderie bowling can provide, can really help
them to start living their lives again. One lady told me that because
of bowling, her husband was now “like a bairn with a bag of
sweets!”
Ian Graham, Dunfermline
Interested in blind bowling?
Scottish Association of Blind Bowlers has 13 clubs and will be
holding competitions in South Africa for the Commonwealth
Games. Visit Scottish-blind-bowlers.org.uk or call Ian Graham
on 01383 72 60 05.
Try bowls or another sport
For UK-wide information, visit britishblindsport.org.uk or call
01926 42 42 47.
Contact Scottish War Blinded
Provides services and social activities for blind and partially
sighted Armed Forces veterans - no matter when or how their sight
loss has occurred. Visit royalblind.org/scottish-war-blinded or
call 0131 229 1456.
Your community: member news
Growing a stronger community of blind and
partially sighted people
Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to share your thoughts
and ideas on growing a stronger community of blind and partially
sighted people.
The main purpose of the community is to bring people together. It
is proposed to:
 broaden the range of events and activities on offer
 provide more options for receiving and sharing information
 move from subscriptions to a membership based on voluntary
donations
 and allow all blind and partially sighted members to directly
elect trustees.
Jill Grant (Action Connect and Member Representative on the
community project steering group) said: “I’m really excited about
the proposals – when people are connected they are less isolated
and things become possible”.
Proposals will be finalised and agreed by December this year.
Find out more
Please contact your membership team by email on
membership@rnib.org.uk or call 0303 1234 555.
Your members’ online area, Vision –
Your Community
Connect with other members online
Please note that the printed version of Vision magazine states that
the new members’ online area is now live. Unfortunately there has
been a short delay and the area will now launch at the start of next
week. Thank you to everyone who has taken part in testing the
new area including the use of assistive technology.
You may already have had a letter from us telling you about you
members’ area. If you have a registered email you will be able to
log on at rnib.org.uk/membership
If you don’t have an email address listed with membership, contact
your Membership team to add an email address to register for the
online area, on 0303 1234 555 or email membership@rnib.org.uk
From next week, log on to enjoy news, features, products, events
and special offers from your Vision magazine. You will be able to
access an archive of previous editions and choose to read or listen
to the radio-style audio version.
As well as accessing Vision content, you can:
 join in discussions on member boards
 vote in online polls
 stay updated with local events and find out more about your
member representatives.
We hope you enjoy connecting with other members online in your
dedicated area and we’d love to hear your feedback.
Advertisements
Please note that advertisements are placed by organisations
independent of RNIB and their inclusion does not mean that RNIB
has endorsed the products and services they offer.
Optelec
Optelec is offering the NEW Traveller HD - a portable handheld video
magnifier.
The unique Slide & Read design provides a more natural reading
experience, especially for those that find it difficult to keep their
hands steady. Simply slide the screen across a line of text and
view the content on-screen as if it was in large print. It can be
useful for eccentric viewing.
To request further information and/or further information, call
Freephone 080 8090 8090 or browse online at Optelec.co.uk
Sight and Sound
Sight and Sound Technology is introducing the E-bot portable
video magnifiers
The E-bot is a portable read, write and distance video magnifier
with OCR (depending on the model you choose) and built-in wifi
connectivity.
Display your magnified images on any tablet device (the E-bot
supports Apple & Android) or connect with Mac or PC using a
HDMI connection.
Use the E-bot at home, in work or in the classroom to magnify and
read any printed material, use it to make your own notes and to
clearly view information at a distance.
With the E-bot ADV and PRO you can even perform OCR and
convert your printed text to speech.
The E-Bot is available in the following versions:
E-Bot - magnifier and distance view, at £1,925.00
E-bot ADV - magnifier, distance view and OCR, at £2,145.00
E-bot PRO - magnifier, distance view and Full OCR with electronic
camera movement, at £2,785.00
Purchase any E-bot magnifier before 31 December 2015 and
receive a free Candy 4 HD handheld video magnifier.
Contact Sight and Sound now for a FREE in-home demo!
Quote reference: Vis1015 when you call 01604 798070 or
email info@sightandsound.co.uk
Humanware
Trade in your old CCTV and save up to £150 when you
purchase a Prodigi from Humanware
Prodigi gives you back the joy of reading:
Comfortable and simple to use with no fatigue.
No clumsy X/Y reading table to move back and forth.
Diamond Edge Text for unbelievable clarity.
Prodigi can read out aloud.
Everything a traditional CCTV can do and much more.
Don’t miss out on our special Trade In offer, call today on
Freephone 0800 587 2589 for more information or to arrange a
free no obligation demonstration.
Service directory
Your Vision magazine
Send a letter
Post a letter to Vision magazine at RNIB, 105 Judd Street, London,
WC1H 9NE or email: visionmagazine@rnib.org.uk or telephone
the Vision messageline on 0845 330 4134.
Listen to the free Vision podcast
Or find out more about Vision at rnib.org.uk/visionmagazine
Try another version of Vision
If you need to change your contact details or to receive Vision in a
different format – it’s available in large print (16 point), braille, CD
or Daisy CD and email, please contact the membership team.
To advertise in Vision:
Contact Landmark Publishing on 020 7520 9474 or email
sharon@lps.co.uk
Dates for your diary: Member forums in 2015
East of England: 8 December
East Midlands: 31 October
London A: 27 October
London B: 26 November
North East: 18 December
South West: 1 October
Yorkshire and the Humber: 20 October
Contact RNIB
The membership team
is on 0303 1234 555, email membership@rnib.org.uk
or visit rnib.org.uk/membership
Helpline
Get eye health information, emotional support, benefits advice and
product information. Call 0303 123 9999, email
helpline@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/ask
Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.45am – 5.30pm and calls cost
no more than a standard rate call to an 01 or 02 number.
Fundraising
Find out how you can support our work. Call 0845 345 0054
email fundraising@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/donate
rnib.org.uk/donate
Volunteering
Give a little time, make a big difference. Call 0845 603 0575, email
volunteering@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/volunteering
Campaigning
Campaign on the issues that matter to you. Call 020 7391 2123,
email campaign@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk/campaigning
Free guides
The Understanding series
is for people who want to understand more about their eye
condition. Titles in this series include:
Cataracts
Charles Bonnet syndrome
Dry eye
Eye conditions related to diabetes
Glaucoma
Nystagmus
Posterior vitreous detachment
Retinal detachment
Retinitis pigmentosa.
The Starting Out series
is for people who have recently been diagnosed with an eye
condition. Titles in the series include:
Benefits, concessions and registration
Education
Emotional support
Help from social services
Housing
Making the most of your sight.
The Confident Living series
is for people who want to make the most of living with sight loss.
Titles in the series include:
Leisure
Living Safely
Managing your money
Reading
Shopping
Technology
Travel.
Copyright RNIB October 2015.
Reg charity nos. 226227, SC039316 and 1173
Ends