Record details
- Service description
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The sensory team at Hounslow Council can assess and deliver services to improve quality of life and increase independence to anyone living with sight loss as part of the occupational therapy service.
We will identify your needs and provide the appropriate support.
Who can receive a service?
Any visually impaired individual (aged 18 years or over) living in Hounslow, with a medically diagnosed eye condition can contact us for advice and support. There must be permanent and significant sight loss in both eyes to meet our eligibility criteria.
However, you do not have to be registered sight impaired (partially sighted) or severely sight impaired (blind) to receive a service. This does not include individuals whose sight is corrected through spectacles or contact lenses.
Registration process and certificate of vision impairment
There are two categories of registration:
- sight impaired (partially sighted)
- severely sight impaired (blind)
Once you have been seen at the Eye Hospital, the eye consultant or ophthalmologist decides the criteria for registration and completes a certificate of vision impairment (CVI).
A copy of the CVI is then sent to us via the First Contact Team, which is then forwarded to the Sensory Impairment Team.
When we receive the CVI, you will be contacted and asked if you wish to be registered. You will also be offered an assessment and informed of the services available. Registration is voluntary and can only happen with your consent. If you choose not to be registered, you can still receive a service from the team.
Benefits of registration
For those registered sight impaired (partially sighted), you are entitled to:
- An assessment by the local sensory impairment team who may provide equipment and training
- A 24-hour Freedom Pass for buses, trams and underground in Greater London (rail travel Monday to Friday only after 9.30am)
- Disabled Person’s Railcard (generally gives one third off the price of rail tickets, for you and your carer/guide)
- Exemption from BT Directory Enquiry charges
- For those in need, permanent loan of radio/CD players from British Wireless for the Blind (provided by the local voluntary blind association)
- Eligibility to claim and enhance prospects of claiming specific welfare benefits
- Some leisure facilities or organisations may offer a discount to people who are registered
For those registered severely sight impaired (blind), you are entitled to all of the above plus:
- 50% off TV licence fee
- Automatic entitlement to the Blue Badge scheme in London
- Automatic entitlement to the Taxi Card Scheme
- Automatic entitlement to Dial-a-ride transport scheme
- Blind person’s personal income tax allowance
- Increased potential of receiving welfare benefits
What services are available?
Following an assessment there may be several services available such as:
- Information about the services and activities available locally for visually impaired people
- Practical support and training, to learn skills to remain independent both at home and outdoors
- Specialist training and advice on mobility, both indoors and outdoors in order to increase confidence and safety, including tuition in using a white cane, crossing roads, teaching new routes, shopping and using public transport
- Help or referrals to relevant agencies - with communication difficulties such as learning Braille and hearing loss
- Help in accessing equipment to help you manage daily life
- Lighting and environmental adaptations to maximise vision and increase safety
- Advice and referrals to other services that may be able to help increase independence and wellbeing
- Onward referrals to voluntary agencies
Low Vision
If you need an assessment for a magnifier, this can be provided by your local eye unit/Hospital. If you are not already known to the eye unit a referral can be made via your GP.
If you would like to receive a visual assessment please contact us.
- Address
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London Borough of Hounslow
5th Floor
Hounslow House
7 Bath Road
TW3 3EB - Phone
- 020 8583 3100
- adultsocialcare@hounslow.gov.uk
