Help for non-members
There is help available for individuals who do not meet the RNZFB's eligibility criteria.
What can my GP do?
- Help you with disabled parking permits if appropriate.
- Refer you to an occupational therapy service to request assessment for rails in the bathroom and toilet or at the front or back entrances of your home.
- Apply for home help if you have a Community Services Card.
What can the Foundation do?
Equipment Services sells the following products:
- A small badge with "I am Vision Impaired" on it (alerts others to your disability).
- A calendar with large numbers.
- Pads of writing paper with dark lines.
Contact Equipment Services on 0800 24 33 33.
Other suggestions
- To protect eyes from glare wear a peaked cap or purchase "fit over" UV protected glasses from your optometrist.
- Colour contrasting can help. For example, non-slip paint on the edges of steps, or using light-coloured crockery for dark foods.
- Using a black biro or water-based felt pen may make handwriting easier to see.
- Bringing print closer to your eyes may make reading easier; this will not damage your eyes. Your optometrist may be able to assist with magnification.
- You may be entitled to a Disability Allowance. Contact your local WINZ office for further information. You may be able to get assistance with gardening, lawns, prescription costs, hearing aid batteries, travel expenses to hospital appointments, heating, etc.
- Discuss with your eye specialist whether or not it is safe to continue driving.
- Taped books are available from public libraries. Check before leaving the library that all the tapes are in the package. Ask a sighted person or the librarian to check that they are in the right order.
- Take special care in the kitchen and in the bathroom.
- Always leave pot handles facing toward the back of the stove.
- Don't trail electric cords over range elements or across floors as this may cause accidents.
- Make sure you have good lighting in danger areas such as stairways.
- A desk light will provide better and specific lighting on a task when used in addition to good general lighting.
- Where possible, have light coloured (matt) walls and ceilings to reflect more light into the room.
- Use non-slip mats in the bathroom.
- Carry or wear something white or reflective when out at night. If your sight is not good enough to see things around you clearly, then make sure that others can see you!
The above are only hints and ideas. You can use them to develop your
own methods of making things safer and more visible.