Links – Disability Resources


This page contains a variety of links related to disability and visual impairment that you may find useful. They are divided into headings if that helps you jump through the page.

The links are mainly UK-based, as that’s where I live. But there are 2 sections at the end dedicated to USA resources, and any other exceptions are clearly indicated.

In addition, I also recommend checking out:

If you have any links you think I should add here, feel free to let me know, either on Twitter, Facebook or via the email address on my About Me page. Thank you to everyone that has submitted links to this page already, it’s much appreciated!

Eye Conditions – Aniridia

Eye Conditions – Nystagmus

Eye Conditions – Other

  • Keratoconus Self Help And Support Association – “We work to raise awareness of Keratoconus, and provide information and support for people with Keratoconus in the UK. We hold a bi-annual conference for our members and raise money for research.”
  • Macular Society – “National charity for anyone affected by central vision loss. We provide free information and support to improve lives and ensure no one has to face macular disease alone.”
  • Micro and Anophthalmic Children’s Society (MACS) – “We support individuals born with Microphthalmia (small eyes), Anophthalmia (no eyes) and/or Coloboma (cleft of the eye) and their families in the UK.”
  • RP Fighting Blindness – “We exist to find a treatment for Retinitis Pigmentosa, a genetic disease of the eye which results in the deterioration of vision, and often complete blindness. We provide key information and support services to people with RP, their families, and anyone with an interest in the condition.”

Royal National Institute For The Blind (RNIB)

  • RNIB Website – “We’re here for everyone affected by sight loss. Whether you’re losing your sight or you’re blind or partially sighted, our practical and emotional support can help you face the future with confidence.”
  • RNIB Connect Radio – National radio station for the visually impaired (formerly Insight Radio).
  • RNIB NB Online – News and information for eye health and sight loss professionals.
  • RNIB Newsagent – News publications in accessible formats (formerly Talking Newspapers).
  • RNIB Shop – Products specifically designed for blind and partially sighted people.
  • RNIB Sightline – Directory of services that help blind and partially sighted people.

Other Sight Loss Organisations

  • Action For Blind People – “Provides practical and emotional advice and support across England to people who are blind or partially sighted and their friends and family.”
  • BlindAid – “Has over 175 years of experience of delivering emotional and practical support to blind and visually impaired people living in the 12 inner London Boroughs and the City of London.”
  • Blind Veterans UK – “We are here to support anyone who has served in the Armed Forces, or who has done National Service, and who is now living with significant sight loss.”
  • Camsight – “Local charity embedded in the community, working with people living with low vision and blindness in Cambridgeshire.”
  • Deafblind UK – “We champion the rights and interests of all people who are deafblind or have a combined sight and hearing loss and deliver quality services to give these individuals autonomy and control over their lives.”
  • Fight For Sight – “Our mission is to stop sight loss in its tracks. By funding pioneering eye research, we’re creating a future everyone can see.”
  • Guide Dogs – “We provide individual support that overcomes the emotional and physical challenges faced by people living with sight loss.”
  • London Visual Impairment Forum – “Brings together organisations working with, and on behalf of, blind and partially sighted people throughout London.”
  • National Federation of the Blind UK – “National membership organisation of blind and partially sighted people working and campaigning on behalf of others in the UK with similar difficulties.”
  • SeeAbility – “Specialist registered charity enriching the lives of people who have sight loss and other disabilities, including learning and physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, acquired brain injury and life limiting conditions.”
  • Sense – “National charity that supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deafblind or have sensory impairments.”
  • Support 4 Sight Essex – “Assists people in maintaining their independence and quality of life. Our aim is to support local people throughout Essex to cope positively with their sight loss.”
  • Thomas Pocklington Trust – “We are committed to increasing awareness and understanding of the needs of people with sight loss and to developing and implementing services which meet their needs and improves lives.” They also oversee social groups like East London Vision and South East London Vision.
  • UK Vision Strategy – “Seeks a major transformation in the UK’s eye health, eye care and sight loss services. A determined and united cross-sector approach will make that change a reality.”
  • VI Talk – “Charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) supporting blind and partially sighted people, their families and friends. It is also aimed at anyone who works in the field of visual impairment.”
  • Vision 2020 – “Umbrella organisation which leads collaboration and co-operation between organisations within the UK, which focus on vision impairment and operate on a national, regional or international basis.”
  • Vision UK – “Independent partnership organisation which will work with other organisations in the eye health and sight loss sector for the benefit of blind and partially sighted people, their communities and the general population including those at risk of sight loss.”
  • Visionary – “Membership organisation for local independent charities that support blind and partially sighted people across the UK.  These independent local societies provide practical on the ground services for local people with sight loss.”

General News & Information

Events & Shows

  • Autism Central – Showcases support and services available to those on the autistic spectrum, their families and support professionals.
  • Naidex – Europe’s largest disability event for trade, healthcare professionals and end-users, showcasing innovation, information, suppliers and speakers. I am an ambassador for the 2018 event.
  • Sight Village – Showcases the latest technology, products and support services available to visually impaired people, attended by end-users, support professionals and other organisations.

Business & Employment

  • Access To Work Scheme – Government scheme that supports disabled people in employment, by funding travel costs and adaptations in the workplace.
  • Association Of Disabled Professionals – “Drawing on the expertise of disabled professionals to improve the educational and employment opportunities of disabled people.”
  • Barclays Accessibility – “Our aim is to provide accessible services for all our customers, including those who have disabilities. We regularly engage with disability organisations and charities to access their knowledge. We also hold more focused discussions with panels of customers, shaping the way we deliver our service changes.”
  • Blind In Business – “Helps people who are blind or have partial sight into work. We offer help and support with finding work, the interview process, and obtaining equipment to help you succeed. We also support employers in hiring and working with people with visual impairments.”
  • Shaw Trust – “Provider of employment services for disabled and disadvantaged people. We work in partnership with public sector organisations and provide diverse services for businesses.”
  • Visualise Training & Consultancy – “We work nationally and internationally with organisations and businesses to increase awareness of the accessibility challenges faced by employees and or customers with disabilities.”

Children & Education

  • Blind Children UK – “Blind Children UK makes a difference in children and young people’s lives through family support, rehabilitation, education and access technology.”
  • ClearVision – “UK postal lending library of mainstream children’s books with added braille.”
  • New College Worcester – “National residential school and college for young people aged 11 to 19 who are blind or visually impaired.”
  • Queen Alexandra College – “National college for people with disabilities, offering courses for young people aged 16-25 years as well as employment focused and supported living programmes.”
  • Royal National College For The Blind – “Further Education College for those aged 16 plus with visual impairments in the UK.”
  • VICTA Children – “Supports children and young people who are blind or partially sighted and their families across the UK. If you are the parent of a blind or partially sighted child or young person, or you are visually impaired yourself and under the age of 29, then VICTA can help.”
  • WESC Foundation – This is the the school for visually impaired children that I went to in the Westcountry, and I’m very grateful for everything they did for me, so I personally recommend them. All children there have visual impairments, and many have other complex disabilities too, so they are very specialised and knowledgeable.

Equality & Disability Rights

  • Disability Rights UK – “Disabled people leading change, working for equal participation for all. We want a society where everyone can participate equally.”
  • Equality & Human Rights Commission – “We live in a country with a long history of upholding people’s rights, valuing diversity and challenging intolerance. The EHRC seeks to maintain and strengthen this heritage while identifying and tackling areas where there is still unfair discrimination or where human rights are not being respected.”

Fashion

  • Patti + Ricky – “An online shopping experience that offers stylish and functional designer products for individuals with disAbilities.”

Holidays & Travel

  • ADAPTS – “ADAPTS (A Disabled Passenger Transfer Sling) is a portable assistive device designed to help wheelchair travelers during an emergency evacuation.”
  • The Outdoor Guide – “Offers news,views and info on all things outdoors. Making the inaccessible accessible.”
  • Seable Holidays – “Your visual impairment no longer means you have to travel accompanied by your family members or carers. You can simply choose a date and book your holiday – we will take care of the rest. You will receive assistance from the time you reach the destination, to the time you depart.”
  • Traveleyes – “We are the world’s first commercial tour operator providing independent travel for people who are blind or partially sighted. Blind travellers can simply choose a holiday then just book, and go! Sighted travellers help by guiding and describing the sights, and in return benefit from a discount of up to 50%.”
  • Vision Hotels – “We have a unique proposition and it all centres around people, community and providing choice in abundance. The Vision Hotels experience can range from a winter break whiling the hours away relaxing by the fire or a summer holiday trekking in the mountains. The choice is yours.”
  • World’s Most Wheelchair-Friendly Tourist Attractions – “The world’s top tourist attractions should be every bit as accommodating towards people with disabilities as they are for able-bodied visitors. Here are 9 tourist attractions which deserve considerable praise for their wheelchair-friendliness.” By Michael Leavy at Home Healthcare Adaptations.

Sport

  • Ability Bow – “Not-for-profit fully accessible gym for anyone with disabilities or health conditions.”
  • British Blind Sport – “We help blind and partially sighted people get active and play sport. We encourage adults and children to participate in activities at all levels, from grassroots to the Paralympic Games.”
  • England & Wales Blind Golf – “Provides registered blind people with the opportunity to participate and compete in golf. Blind Golf is played strictly to the Royal & Ancient Rules of Golf with the exception that players are allowed to ground their club in a hazard.  They also require the assistance of a sighted caddie or guide.”
  • Goalball UK – “National governing body for Goalball in the UK. The company’s purpose is to promote and facilitate the playing of Goalball as an amateur sport in all parts of the UK for the purpose of recreation, physical exercise and competition.”
  • Jubilee Sailing Trust – “International disability charity, promoting integration through the challenge and adventure of tall ship sailing. We provide life-changing adventures to people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of physical ability.”
  • Metro Blind Sport – “A London based Charity, our aim is to open doors to sport for all vision impaired people, regardless of age or sporting ability. Our aim is to encourage participation and to create opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities.”
  • The Scuba Trust – “Helping those with disabilities – and their friends – experience the joy and freedom of scuba diving.”

Cancer Support

  • Bloodwise – “We’re here to stop people dying from blood cancer, to make patients’ lives better, and to stop blood cancer happening in the first place.”
  • Cancer Research UK – “We fund scientists, doctors and nurses to help beat cancer sooner. We also provide cancer information to the public.”
  • Charlotte’s Bag – “One of the only UK charities specifically focusing on raising funds for research into, and awareness of, glioblastoma multiforme.  This very rare and currently nearly always terminal form of brain cancer can affect anyone of any age.” This charity was formed following the passing of Charlotte Eades.
  • Stand Up To Cancer – “Brought to you by Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, Stand Up To Cancer is an annual fundraising campaign that brings the UK together to accelerate progress in life-saving cancer research.”

Other Disability Organisations

  • Arts Coaching Training – “My name is Lynn Cox and my ultimate dream is to have inclusion at the heart of everything. My business offers you everything inclusive within the three main areas of Art, Coaching and Training.”
  • Centre For Resolution – “Represents a group of professionals with a range of specialist skills that work alongside communities to improve people’s lives, aiming to deliver professional services that will inspire positive changes, giving individuals the guidance they need to succeed.”
  • Disabled Living Foundation – “National charity providing impartial advice, information and training on independent living.”
  • Enhance The UK – “We want to change the way people view disability and for us to be active and equal members of society. We do this by supporting businesses to be more inclusive by providing disability awareness training, as well as offering a number of other services and resources.”
  • Generate – “Generate’s mission is to create better days and better lives for people with a learning disability by working together with them and the people who know them well.  It is our intention to provide purpose, develop independence and encourage connections through people, places and activity.”
  • Genetic Alliance UK – “National charity working to improve the lives of patients and families affected by all types of genetic conditions. We are an alliance of over 200 patient organisations. Our aim is to ensure that high-quality services, information and support are provided to all who need them.”
  • Home From Home Care – “Care Home For Special Needs, Learning Disabilities, Autism, Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy, PMLD, Complex Health and Mental Health.”
  • Livability – “The disability charity that connects people with their communities. We tackle social isolation and the barriers that can cause this in the lives of disabled and vulnerable people.”
  • Our Disability Community – “The ‘go to’ platform for disabled people to share their experiences, tricks and adaptations to living a life to the max with a disability.”
  • Rare Disease Day – “Takes place on the last day of February each year. The main objective is to raise awareness amongst the general public and decision-makers about rare diseases and their impact on patients’ lives.”
  • Rare Disease UK – “Provides a united voice for the rare disease community by capturing the experiences of patients and families. We work with our supporters to raise the profile of rare diseases across the UK. We seek to bring about lasting change offering better health and quality of life for individuals and families affected by rare diseases.
  • Scope – “We provide support, information and advice to more than a quarter of a million disabled people and their families every year. We raise awareness of the issues that matter. And with your support, we’ll keep driving change across society until this country is great for everyone.”

USA Organisations

  • A Group For Me – “Connect to others sharing the same medical issues or life concerns for scheduled support groups online.” Submitted by Dr. Gina Ghods, Press Officer of the company.
  • American Foundation for the Blind – “The mission is to create a world of no limits for people who are blind or visually impaired. We mobilize leaders, advance understanding, and champion impactful policies and practices using research and data.”
  • Cerebral Palsy Group – “A national organization that was created so that it may serve the individuals and families who have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. We are here to provide information and support so that we may help provide resources and education to those affected by CP.” Submitted by Alison, the Advocacy Director of the group.
  • Cleaner Indoor Air – “There are millions of Americans who report allergic, immunologic, asthmatic and neurological reactions to perfumes, colognes, chemicals and synthetic fragrances.  The CIA Campaign strives to educate medical facilities, businesses and churches on how to create a less threatening environment for this growing number of people.” Submitted by Natalie from Forever Curious.
  • Different With Dignity – “We empower students and professionals to promote diversity and unity throughout the world. This includes providing digital resources to educate people about the disabled. Disabled people face discrimination in personal and professional environments, and we aim to stop this through resources designed to facilitate knowledge.” Submitted by Cassandra from the organisation.
  • Disabled World – “We publish news articles and information received from disability related organizations and Government departments around the world that are of interest to persons with disabilities, carers, and the general public.”
  • Invisible Disabilities Organization – “We are passionate about providing awareness that invisible illness, pain and disabilities are very real! Our mission is to encourage, educate and connect people and organizations touched by illness, pain and disability around the globe.”
  • Low Vision Internet Gateway – “Your starting point to access information on the World Wide Web related to the fields of low vision rehabilitation and blindness.” Submitted by Natalie from Forever Curious.
  • National Federation Of The Blind – “The ultimate purpose of the National Federation of the Blind is the complete integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality.”
  • National Organization For Rare Disorders – “NORD is a patient advocacy organization dedicated to individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.  NORD, along with its more than 260 patient organization members,  is committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and patient services.”

USA Articles & Guides