Parenting with a vision impairment

This factsheet sets out some of the sources of information, organisations, and groups that can help if you are a blind or partially sighted parent.

1. Advice, information, advocacy and support

Action for Blind People

Action for Blind People, who are part of the RNIB group, provide a Children, Young People and Families service which promotes the full range of life’s activities from infancy through childhood to the transition from childhood to adulthood.

This includes providing support to parents through the VI peer group, parent networks and diverse community activities, as well as providing information, specialist advice, supporting access to services, and improving links via education and training.

For more information on any of these services provided by Action for Blind People please contact the RNIB helpline on 0303 123 9999, or email . They will be able to put you in touch with a specialist local advisor.

Disability Pregnancy and Parenting International

Information is available at Disability Pregnancy and Parenting Internationalwhich has a series of guides to support new parents and parents to be who have a vision impairment. These are free to disabled parents.

Disabled Parents Network

Disabled Parents Network (DPN) has sadly closed but it is still worth checking their website for information and resources.

RNIB

You can find resources for blind and partially sighted parents at .

2. Support groups

RNIB Talk and Support

RNIB's Talk and Support service runs a free telephone social group for parents and parents to be with sight loss. The group runs during term time, on a Monday lunchtime between 1.30 - 2.30. The group is facilitated by a friendly and experienced volunteer who assist the group to share their experiences, information and advice. The only equipment you need is a landline telephone (RNIB connect the group together covering all phone call costs and ensures your telephone number remains confidential). Sign up today by contacting RNIB via the email or phone number below.

Telephone: 0845 330 3723

Email:

VIPAR (Visually impaired parents and relatives)

Henshaws () has a group called VIPAR (Visually impaired parents and relatives) which they run in the North East and North West. The monthly VIPAR group gives parents a chance to meet other visually impaired parents to swap stories, advice and information. Covering Manchester and Liverpool the group meet once a month and alternate between the Manchester and Liverpool Resource Centres and trips out. Parents can also attend the weekly parent and toddler groups and family activity days depending on the ages of their children, and the team can provide home visits and advice about how to make home life easier – especially if you are a new parent. If you’re a parent who also has a visual impairment, the group would love to meet you.

MoorVision

Moorvision provides support, information and activities for blind and partially sigted children, and for parents and grandparents with a vision impairment in Devon who have either sighted or visually impaired children and grandchildren.

Email:

Website:

Facebook:

Blind Children UK

Blind Children UK’s mission is to enable blind and partially sighted children and young people to achieve their educational and recreational goals. They offer family support services, including parents with a vision impairment.

Freephone: 0800 781 1444

Email:

Website:

3. Discussion groups

Blind Mums Connect

Blind Mums Connect was set up to link visually impaired mums from all over the UK to share information and support one another. The group is for women only, and members must have a visionimpairment, but Blind Mums Connect welcomes associate members, (partners, dads, friends and professionals who support their aims). Membership is free and they currently organise a variety of local gatherings, as well as running at least 6 Skype groups each month, with the menu constantly expanding. In addition, members can chat via the Email List (this is a closed group, so only list members have access to emails) and Facebook Group. Not forgetting the popular quarterly ezine!

Email:

Web site:

Facebook:

RNIB

RNIB's VI Parents email list is a members only email group for parents who are blind or partially sighted. Subscribe to the VI Parents email list at .

VI Talk

There is also a very good general group for all blind and partially sighted people, including parents called at

Updated October 2015

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