Support for people with vision impairment

How can the Sensory Service help me?

• register people with Luton Borough Council as Severely Sight Impaired (Blind) or Sight Impaired (Partially Sighted) on receipt of a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI)
• give guidance about reading, writing and accessing information and advice
• support people to be as mobile as possible, promoting safe and independent travel
• support people in finding ways to manage day-to-day activities of daily living e.g. making a hot drink or using the cooker
• support people in understanding and coping with their sight loss
• inform people of specialist community support available for those with a vision impairment in Luton liaise with, and refer to, other agencies providing support in Luton

Based upon your individual situation, we may be able to provide information, training, referrals and some equipment such as:

• liquid level indicators, tactile markings for household equipment
• talking clocks, task lamps etc
• mobility equipment e.g. white symbol canes and long canes
• referral to Sight Concern for support and advice
• referral to the fire service for smoke detectors
• our Vision Rehabilitation Specialists (VRS) can give practical advice and training to promote and maintain your independence

How do I get help from the Sensory Service?

So that we can work out which services will be the most suitable for you, we need to look at your individual situation. We call this an ‘assessment of care needs’.
Follow this link to read more about your assessment of care needs.

To access most of our services you will need to meet our eligibility criteria.
Follow this link to read more about eligibility criteria.

To request an assessment of care needs please contact our Customer Service Centre on the numbers below.

Registering your vision impairment

Our service is only able to place you on the Severely Sight Impaired (Blind) and Sight Impaired (Partially Sighted) registers held by Luton Borough Council when we have received a copy of your CVI (Certificate of vision Impairment) from your hospital eye clinic.

Only a consultant ophthalmologist is able to determine if someone is eligible for registration, which they will do in discussion with you, and by completing a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI).

More information about registering as a person with a vision impairment can be found on the RNIB website. Follow this link to visit the RNIB.

Other help available

Other organisations that may be able to help include:

• Sight Concern
  Tel: 01234 311555
  email: [email protected]
• RNIB
• Calibre
• Blind veterans
• Guide dogs
• Thomas Pocklington Trust