Useful Information

Audio Services

Talking Books, Newspapers and Magazines

A local Talking Newspaper is available free from IWSB to people who are registered blind or partially sighted. If you do not have not a cassette player and you are registered blind or partially sighted one may be available on free loan. The Society can also provide a large variety of books on tape and audio described videos. These are loaned free of charge to people who are registered blind or partially sighted. Phone Millbrooke House for a list.

Audio described videos

These are just like ordinary videos but with some parts audio described to make them more enjoyable. Phone Millbrooke House for a list.

Mobile library for people who are Housebound

A special library service is available for housebound people. For more information contact Lord Louis Library in Newport
Phone 01983 203880.

Island Libraries have books on tape and in large print

These are loaned free to visually impaired people who are registered or people whose visual impairment is verified by an optician or doctor. A catalogue of recorded books is available at each library.

Talking Newspaper Association of the United Kingdom

Offers over 290 magazines or national newspapers on tape for an annual subscription.
Phone 01435 866102

RNIB Talking Book Service

Offers several thousand books of all types on special cassettes. There is no charge for books, but there is an annual rental charge for the special cassette player.

Phone 0303 123 9999 (calls are charged at local call rates) or contact IWSB for further information. If you are registered blind you can get assistance with the annual rental charge from IWSB.

The Calibre Library for the Blind

If your sight is poor you can still enjoy all the pleasure a good book brings. The Calibre Library has the largest lending collection of audio books in the UK in open format - that's to say, you don't need special playback equipment. That means there is something for all tastes and you can listen anywhere, at home or on the move.

What is offered

The free, postal service includes:

Who can join

You can become a member if you can't see well enough to read ordinary books (you do not need to be registered blind or partially sighted) but please note a declaration form has to be completed to confirm you are eligible for the services.

Contact details

Calibre Audio Library, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP22 5XQ
Phone: 01296 432339
Website: www.calibre.org.uk

National Library for the Blind

based in Bredbury, Stockport, offers several thousand books of all types in Braille. Braille music, newspapers, magazines, and other items are available from RNIB Customer Services Dept.
Phone 0303 123 9999 or write to PO Box 173 Peterborough, PE2 6WS.

A Robotron Text Reader which converts printed text to voice and an Eezee Reader machine which magnifies ordinary text, are available to readers in Lord Louis Library in Newport.

A Kurtzweil machine which scans text and synthesises voice messages is available in Bembridge Library.

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Services For You - Electricity, Telephone, Gas, Water and Banks

Nowadays more and more agencies are becoming aware of their customers who have a sight loss. Don't be afraid to ask if you need help as they may have just the service for you. Here is a brief outline of what is available and who to contact for further information:

Banks and Building Societies

Services may include:

Water

Services may include:

Telephones for the Blind

If you are registered blind, live alone or with a disabled partner, and unable to pay for a telephone from your family income, you may get help from the Telephones for the Blind Fund. This is a small charity, but can provide help with installation costs and rental charges. Phone IWSB for more details

British Telecom

Free directory enquiry service for people who can not use the telephone book.
Phone free on 195

Braille and large print and talking bills.
Phone free on 0800 919591 or 150

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Getting Out and About

There are several concessions available for those who are registered as blind or partially sighted and their escorts:

Bus

The National Bus Pass entitles registered blind and partially sighted people to free travel on Southern Vectis and Wightbuses on the Island and on Islandline trains. Application forms for the card are available through the Isle of Wight Concessionary Fares Helpline (823135). Sighted guides can also travel at half price (Island only) you obtain an extra travel card from the council. A letter from your doctor must accompany any application for this. Guide dogs always travel free of charge. For timetable information Phone 532373 For assistance with completing application forms contact your local Social Services neighbourhood office.

Train

The National Bus Pass allows free travel on Islandline but not on any other rail operator's services. However, if a registered visually impaired person is travelling with a companion for any purpose the following discounts apply:

First class or standard open single - 34% off
First class or standard day single - 34% off
First class or standard day return - 50% off
First class or standard open return - 34% off

Your registration card is the proof but these discounts do not apply if you are travelling alone or use Heathrow Express or Eurostar.

A visually impaired person can be issued with an adult season ticket to cover two people (for the price of one). The companion does not always have to be the same person.

Visually impaired persons are also entitled to buy a Disabled Person's Railcard which entitles them, alone or with a companion, to travel at a reduced rate. On journeys on Wightlink and Red Funnel the reduced rates apply if the journey also includes a rail journey. Application forms are in a booklet called Rail Travel for Disabled Passengers available online at www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk or from any staffed station, or telephone 0191 2188103 - for people with hearing difficulties textphone 0191 2690304. This may take up to 10 days to process and the card can only be issued by the DPRO in Newcastle. The cost is £18 per year or £48 for three years.

Assistance on your journey can be obtained by telephoning the local Disabled Assistance Number 01983 562492 for Islandline or 0800 5282100 for mainland travel.

Hovercraft

Visually impaired persons with a Hovertravel Card will be given a 50% discount for travel alone or with a companion. Your registration card will be needed so that Hovertravel can issue their card. This discount applies only to the hovercraft and not to the bus link to the city centre in Portsmouth.

Wightlink Ferries

give a 34% discount to visually impaired foot passengers on the standard price of a ticket for any journey. A form must be obtained from Wightlink - telephone 08705 827744 - who will, on receipt of a completed form, issue their card for you to use.

Wightlink Car Ferries

If you have a blue badge you may take your car at a reduced rate.

Telephone Wightlink - 08705 827744 - who will, on receipt of a completed form, issue their card for you to use.

Red Funnel Ferries

Visually impaired foot passengers paying the full fare may take an escort free of charge. Guide dogs travel free. You will need to show your registration card. You can get a reduction on the cost of taking a car across, if you have a passenger who is registered Blind with a current Blue Badge. If you show your registration card on the Red Jet passenger service, your escort can travel free.

National Express Coaches

50% discount is available on most days for all disabled people, including visually impaired persons. Book at any Southern Vectis office or telephone 08705 808080 or visit www.nationalexpress.co.uk You may need to show your registration certificate.

Voluntary Car Service

This provides a network of volunteer drivers covering most of the Island to help people who are unable to access public or private transport. Passengers pay drivers' mileage expenses. For more information phone 52 22 26

By Air

Concessions on air fares and continental travel may be available. Ask when you book. For assistance at airports phone the airline/airport well in advance, giving your flight no. and dates of departure and return.

By Car

Parking concessions
If you are registered blind you are entitled to a disabled person's Blue car badge which may be used in any car in which you are travelling. The badge entitles you to some concessions in street parking and the use of designated disabled persons' parking bays. Blue badge holders can park in Isle of Wight Council car parks for up to four hours, free of charge. If you are registered partially sighted you are not automatically entitled to a blue badge, but you may qualify if you otherwise have considerable difficulty in walking and this is supported by a certificate from your doctor. For an application form and further information contact your local Social Services neighbourhood office.

By DIAL a Bus - OPTIO

The Dial-a-Bus service provides a personal bus service for people with impaired mobility in various areas on the Island. For more information phone 52 22 26.

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How to Complain

Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust

If you are unhappy with the quality of health service care you receive from a hospital or community health service, contact The Complaints Manager, St Mary's Hospital, Parkhurst Road, Newport, Isle of Wight,PO30 5TG Phone 01983 524081.

Community Health Council

If you are unhappy with any aspect of a service you receive from a GP, dentist, pharmacist or optician you should contact the practice directly to discuss your concerns.

General advice and assistance about complaints relating to health services can be obtained from The Community Health Council, Exchange House, St Cross Lane, Newport
Phone 01983 534850.

Social Services

If you are not satisfied with a service you have received from Social Services, talk to the person working for Social Services you normally deal with or write to the Head of Operations for Social Services for your area. If this does not resolve your complaint you can write to Customer Support Team, 1st Floor, County Hall, Newport.
Phone 01983 823092

Isle of Wight Society for the Blind

If you are not satisfied with the services you have received from the Blind Society have a right to make a formal complaint to the Director of Services for the Blind at the Isle of Wight Society for the Blind, Millbrooke House, 137 Carisbrooke Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1DD
Phone 01983 522205

If you feel it is more appropriate you can write to the Chairman of the Trustees of the Society c/o Millbrooke House.
Any complaint made in writing will be ultimately answered in writing. Oral complaints will be answered in writing if requested.

Advocacy Consortium

You may feel that you would like to have independent help and advice in either making your views known about what you need or in making a complaint. The person who would do this is called an advocate and there is a service available through the Advocacy Consortium, 34 The Mall, Carisbrooke Road, Newport, Isle of Wight phone 01983 528827, (answerphone), or through your care manager in the local Neighbourhood Office.

Service providers and employers

have a duty under the Disability Discrimination Act not to discriminate against visually impaired people, as well as other disabled people. If you feel you have been discriminated against or would like more information about your rights, contact IWSB or the RNIB Helpline 0303 123 9999 for the price of a local call.

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