Here are links to some local and national organisations that may be useful to our listeners. (The contents and any opinions expressed in these resources remain the responsibility of their owners.)
Local organisations
Wakefield District Sight Aid : An active local charity that supports local people living with sight loss.
[ Wakefield District Sight Aid, in partnership with Wakefield WDC and the ‘One to One’ Development trust created a series of nine 20-minute podcasts which explore the impact that Covid had upon people living with sight loss. The podcasts can be accessed here.]
ConnectToSupport : The Wakefield Visual Impairment page of the ConnectToSupport site provides information about support, entitlements and services for visually impaired local residents.
Wakefield Library -audiobooks : The library has a collection of audio books that can be downloaded onto tablets and phones.
Macular Society :Our local Macular Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 1pm in the Cathedral Centre, Westmorland Street, Wakefield.
National organisations
Royal National Institute of Blind People : One of the major sight loss charities in the UK.
Nation Federation of the Blind of the UK : A campaigning organisation for blind and partially sighted people.
RNIB Newsagent : The RNIB provide a wide range of magazines in audio format. Wakefield Talking Newspaper provides three magazines from RNIB Newsagent each week to our listeners at no cost.
RetinaUK : Provides support people affected by inherited progressive sight loss.
Technology Association of visually Impaired People: Provides information for visually impaired people about how to make the best use of current technologies
Thomas Pocklington Trust : A charity that supports a wide range of initiatives to support people living with sight loss.
SeeAbility : Provide specialist support, accommodation and eye care help for people with learning disabilities, autism and sight loss.
Calibre Audio Library : Lends free audiobooks for anyone who is print disabled
Listening Books : Similar to Calibre. Lends audio books for a memebership fee.
British Wireless for the Blind Fund : Provide radios adapted to the needs of visually impaired people. Now also provide the Bumblebee phone app.
Cobolt Systems for the Blind : A company specialising in the design, manufacture and supply of aids for the blind and partially sighted.
Synapptic : A company that specialises in adapting phones, tablets and TVs for visually impaired users.
I C Vision : A company that offers a wide range of products for the visually impaired.
Technology
BeMyEyes : A free app that connects blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers for visual assistance through a live video call. Available on Android and Apple.
Seeing AI : Uses the camera ton an iPhone or tablet to identify people and objects, and then audibly describes those objects for people with visual impairment. Only available on Apple devices.
LivingMadeEasy : A catalogue of household items designed for blind and partially sighted users including devices to help identify items, telephones with large buttons, talking clocks and kitchen items such as talking scales.
Everyday Sight : A site that provides reviews of a large range of products design for visually impared users
Blogs
The Blind Truth : Anna Tylor’s blog describing her experiences as a visually impaired person.
Life of a Blind Girl : A young woman from Yorkshire writes about her experiences of life as a blind person.
My Blurred World : A Welsh girl write about living with Retinitis Pigmentosa – and fashion and music.
#My Blind Story : A blog run as part of the Blind New World site.
Girl Gone Blind : Actually more than a blog. Contains links to podcasts designed for visually im paired listeners.
Life after Blindness : A blog and podcast about, well, life after blindness.
Support for Blind Employees : Not really a blog but rather a page of resources that provides information about the rights of blind persons at work.
Neighbouring talking newspapers
Our members may also like to receive other local talking newspapers and so here are the contact details of neighbouring talking papers:-
Barnsley and District Talking Newspaper : 01226 298408
Bradford Talking Telegraph : 01274 571074
Calderdale Talking Newspaper : 01422 833391
Harrogate and District Talking Newspaper
Pontefract and Castleford Talking Newspaper : 01977 792833
Selby District Talking Newspaper : 01757 702494
The Talking Newspapers for Doncaster, Kirklees, Otley, Pontefract and Castleford, Wakefield, Sheffield and York are available on the BWBF’s ‘Talking Newspapers’ App for Android and Apple phones and tablets.