RNIB Northern Ireland Annual review 2011/2012Our impact, your stories, our thanks

ContentsSection 1: Introduction Section 2: Stopping people losing their sight unnecessarilySection 3: Supporting independent livingSection 4: Creating an inclusive societySection 5: Thank youSection 6: A brief look at our financesSection 7: How you can helpSection 8: Contact details

Section 1: IntroductionThis has been an incredibly challenging year for us as a charity and more importantly for blind and partially sighted people across Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. But despite the real problems that cuts to income and services are causing, we are still very proud of the impact that our staff and supporters have achieved this year for people with and at risk of sight loss.

We began the year by empowering blind and partially sighted people to voice their fears as part of the Hardest Hit campaign to tackle the potential impact of the Welfare Reform Bill on their lives. This campaign contributed to a notable success in the reversal of the government’s proposed changes to Disability Living Allowance (DLA), which would have had a devastating impact on blind and partially sighted people in residential care. However, as the year draws to a close our attention is focused on the proposed change from DLA to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in 2013. According to the government’s own figures, about half a million people would lose their entitlement altogether as DLA is replaced by PIP. Others will qualify for a lower rate than they currently receive. The criteria for the new benefit fail to recognise that sight

RNIB Northern Ireland – supporting blind and partially sighted peopleRegistered charity number 226227

loss is a serious disability and that you face extensive extra costs if you can’t see, and that these are ongoing. This will hit blind and partially sighted people particularly hard and we will campaign tirelessly to ensure that their quality of life is not reduced by proposed welfare changes that are unfair.

Our work for young people achieved a positive outcome when Ofqual (the exams regulator) ruled that children could use specially adapted computers in exams if they can’t read braille or large print – a huge step in allowing many blind and partially sighted children to have the same access to qualifications as their sighted peers as they build an independent future for themselves.

Our campaigning for financial independence for those with sight loss has been tremendously successful this year. Our work to persuade banks to provide talking cash machines has resulted in Barclays committing to rolling them out in the next year, and Lloyds Banking Group have committed to make their ATMs talk and will be targeting 1,500 machines in 2013. This commitment will work across all their brands which include Halifax, Bank of Scotland and Lloyds TSB. These changes will enable more blind and partially sighted people to access and manage their own money independently.

We ran our first ever “Switch on to technology” month this year to provide more blind and partially sighted people with the opportunity to get to grips with new technology such as computers, eBooks and smart phones and to learn how to use this technology to increase independence in all areas of life. In Northern Ireland, over 50 people took part in taster events and online activities resulting in increased product sales, more queries to our information and advice services and increased take up of our volunteer technology support squad, which offers practical support to make the most of technology in the home.

As well as these significant new achievements, the impact of our more established services was also something for us to be proud of. Not least the fact that our National Library Service sent out over one and a half million books in braille, audio and giant print

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enabling 46,000 blind and partially sighted people to enjoy reading, and that our Helpline and information services dealt with over 450,000 enquiries, providing people with reassurance and increased self-confidence. Many of these enquiries were focused on the pressures people were facing due to the economic climate.

We also empowered people to make positive, practical improvements to their lives; for example in Northern Ireland we gave 326 blind and partially sighted people specialist support to claim benefits they are entitled to, amounting to £422,000 in additional income.

All of this fantastic impact, and much more besides, some of which you can find out more about in this report, would as always not have been possible without the fantastic generosity of our supporters. To name but a few, thank you to our network of volunteers who make up our technology support squad providing practical support in people’s homes, and to our campaign supporters all over the UK who have continued to challenge service delivery that is inaccessible to blind and partially sighted people, to make society more inclusive.

And thank you to everyone who has supported us with a generous gift, including those who took part in our annual fundraising event – Read for RNIB Day, as well as those guests who attended our gala dinner at Titanic Belfast in April.

However, we must continue to focus on the very real threats that exist to the lives of blind and partially sighted people and those at risk of sight loss in the UK. This year we will continue to do all we can in these very difficult times to improve the quality of life and independence of people with sight problems.

Richard Moore, RNIB Northern Ireland Committee ChairDavid Galloway, Acting Director

Section 2: Stopping people losing their sight unnecessarilyOver 50 per cent of sight loss in the UK can be avoided. We do all we can to reach the people most at risk of losing their sight with

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crucial eye health messages and to ensure that potentially sight-saving treatments are available to all.

There are almost two million people in the UK living with sight loss.

The annual cost of adult sight loss in the 10 UK is £2.5billion.

Working to eliminate the huge proportion of sight loss in the UK that is avoidableThis year we have launched projects in five areas of the UK to improve our understanding of the barriers to eye health that people experience and the ways to counter these barriers. Although the devastating experience of losing your sight can happen to anyone we are particularly targeting the most at risk groups and striving to improve primary and secondary eyecare for people on low income and from Pakistani and Caribbean populations. The completed research has identified people’s experiences and concerns and we are now beginning to trial potential solutions.

Working in partnership to ensure people have a potentially sight-saving eye testSight tests can identify a potentially sight threatening eye condition before any symptoms are experienced. This is a crucial message in preventing avoidable sight loss and is why opportunities to work across the eye health sector, such as National Eye Health Week, are so vitally important and enable us to reach people we could not reach on our own. During National Eye Health Week 2011 we worked with 16 key partners and reached in excess of 510,000 people who are either at risk of losing their sight themselves, or work closely with people who are.

Making people more aware of the link between smoking and sight lossSmoking doubles the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, the UK’s leading cause of sight loss. In fact, the link is as strong as the link between smoking and lung cancer. For several years we have been warning the public about the link between smoking and sight loss and as a result of our lobbying we are delighted that the European Commission has listened to our

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concerns and formally adopted a new health warning “smoking increases the risk of blindness” to be printed on tobacco products.

Challenging health service providers not to cut potentially sight-saving treatmentsWith the Royal College of Ophthalmologists we launched our report “Don’t turn back the clock” at Parliament in June 2011. It outlined which Primary Care Trusts across England were restricting access to cataract surgery. Throughout the year we have protected public safety by challenging NHS healthcare providers who have offered treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration using an unlicensed, and cheaper, drug, to amend their policies and in several cases, ensured that patients are given a meaningful choice of treatments. At the end of the year we launched our “Save our Sight” campaign through which we will make continuous efforts to improve access to the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of the four leading causes of blindness. Dennis’s story demonstrates why this work is so vital.

Dennis Sleigh is a 69-year-old singer, songwriter and poet from Derby who had an early cataract in his right eye that was successfully removed. He has now developed a cataract in his left eye that causes him problems with glare when driving, and also when writing his songs and poetry. However, because the operation on his right eye was successful and his vision in his second eye still appears to be good he has been told that he cannot have the cataract in his left eye removed.

“I have told them that I am struggling with my writing and with driving. I think that’s what should count, not an artificial rule based on visual acuity. After all, there is all this talk about a patient centred NHS. For me that means that they should fix my eye so I don’t have to rely on other people for transport and I can continue doing what I love most.”

Speaking up for the needs of people with sight loss to those planning vital servicesTracking the levels of sight loss is key to demonstrating the needs of the population and therefore opening up better access to sight-saving treatments for people at risk of losing their sight and life

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enhancing services for people living with sight loss. Our work with other organisations to analyse eye health data and build an evidence base which has been communicated across the sector has led to the fantastic result that the Public Health Outcomes Framework for England – which sets out the desired outcomes for public health and how these will be measured – will now include an eye health indicator tracking the three major causes of sight loss.

Section 3: Supporting independent livingWe want blind and partially sighted people to have the opportunity to remain as independent as possible and we provide the services, support and solutions to enable this.

66 per cent of blind and partially sighted people of working age are unemployed.

There are around 40,000 children and young people 16 living with sight loss in the UK.

Supporting people when they are diagnosed with a sight threatening conditionOur Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs) are often the first support people will receive helping them to come to terms with losing their sight. The six ECLOs in Northern Ireland gave support to 2,931 people when they were first told they are losing their sight. During the year we have increased the number of eye clinics where this vital support is available, as well as further developing the expert nature of the support through training and development opportunities for ECLOs.

Improving the opportunities for blind and partially sighted children to fulfil their potentialWe secured a major step forward in access to qualifications for blind and partially sighted pupils this year when, as a result of our lobbying, Ofqual (Register of Regulated Qualifications) ruled that from September 2012 children who could not use braille or large print would be able to use a computer and screen reader in exams. We have also launched the “Load2Learn” project with Dyslexia Action which will result in 1,000 accessible text books and 700

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accessible images becoming immediately available for children and young people to use.

Helping young people take on new challengesWorking with the Belfast Activity Centre, we supported four young blind and partially sighted people to successfully complete a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. The final part of their challenge was a four-day cycling expedition in the Netherlands. Helped by our Northern Ireland children and youth team, preparation took many months and not only involved physical fitness training, but also learning a range of new skills such as bicycle maintenance, first aid, navigation and communication to ensure that the team could be self-sufficient for the duration of their trip.

Enabling people to retain work when losing their sight, or to find new employmentLosing your sight should not mean losing your job. Working and earning your living can be vital to self confidence and independence. We are determined to help people keep their job when they are losing their sight, and find new work if they need to. But the shocking fact is that only 33 per cent of blind and partially sighted people of working age are in employment. This year, through working with employers and training and supporting blind and partially sighted people, we have helped 85 people in Northern Ireland to retain their job or to find new employment, and thereby to build and maintain their confidence.

Finding their feetIn September the Sensory Engagement Programme held another Finding your feet event for blind and partially sighted people from both sides of the border in the Fairways hotel, Dundalk.

The 18 participants took part in a range of workshops exploring some of the challenges and barriers faced by people with sight loss including getting out and about, daily living and the emotional impact of sight loss not only on those who experience it but also immediate family and friends. Those who attended also enjoyed finding out about accessible computer technology, downloading audio books, audio description, benefits advice as well as sessions

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on finding fun, relaxation and Guide Dog’s sighted volunteer scheme.

Helping people to manage the potential impact on their lives of cuts to services and benefitsThis year as cuts to services and benefits begin to become reality we have seen an increase in the complexity of the enquiries received by our Helpline as people try to get to grips with the changes that will have such an impact on their lives. We gave 326 blind and partially sighted people specialist support to understand and claim the benefits they were entitled to. This work identified £422,000 in previously unclaimed benefits. We have also worked with parents, carers and professionals to try to maintain services where there have been plans to reduce or remove support that has previously been available to blind and partially sighted children.

Fighting to ensure blind and partially sighted people receive the services and support to which they are entitledWe are determined to protect the entitlements of blind and partially sighted people and ensure that vital services and support can be relied upon now and in the future.

The recommendations within the Welfare Reform Bill posed real threats to blind and partially sighted people, which is why we helped organise the largest mobilisation of disabled people ever to lobby MPs in Parliament over welfare reform. Hundreds of blind and partially sighted people were part of the 8,000 disabled people to lobby Parliament last May as part of the Hardest Hit march. Regional events followed in October attended by 5,000 people and our Hardest Hit Christmas card was signed by 23,000 people before being delivered to 10 Downing Street.

This unprecedented lobbying led to 87 per cent of MPs being contacted and 27 per cent being visited, and MPs and government being left in no doubt that the challenges and additional costs faced by blind and partially sighted people needed to be reflected in the new benefit.

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Early in the year we were delighted that the proposals published by our Vice-President Lord Low, which were based on the personal mobility needs of blind and partially sighted people, led to the government reversing its decision to make blind and partially sighted people in residential care ineligible to the additional mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). But now we are faced with a new threat to the independence of blind and partially sighted people.

The government’s plans to replace DLA with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will remove tens of millions of pounds from blind and partially sighted people. The criteria for the new benefit fail to recognise that sight loss is a serious disability and that you face extensive extra costs if you can’t see and that these costs are ongoing. This year we will work hard to challenge these plans and to protect the entitlements of blind and partially sighted people.

Find out how you can help blind and partially sighted people by supporting our PIP campaign at rnib.org.uk/pip

Why Alan supported the Hardest Hit Alan Owens lives in North Belfast and felt very strongly about the need to challenge the government over the proposed changes.

“I am blind and receive DLA. I worry that no matter what the government say these changes are certain to have a detrimental effect on the lives of blind and partially sighted people. Benefits give me a level of independence that I wouldn’t have otherwise, for transport, going shopping and personal care if I need it. This Bill will mean that a lot of blind and partially sighted people will suffer, when we just want a decent quality of life and to live with dignity.”

Section 4: Creating an inclusive societyWe work with industry and service providers to improve the travel, shopping and banking experiences of blind and partially sighted people as well as developing better ways to read, watch television and get the most from technology.

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60 per cent of blind and partially sighted people need help to get out of the house.

75 per cent of blind and partially sighted people 24 need help to go shopping.

Challenging service providers to consider the needs of people with sight problemsOften a little thought or a minor adjustment can turn an inaccessible service into one someone with a sight problem can use independently. With our network of campaign supporters we have made challenges to 103 shopping, banking and payment systems and 151 transport services and pedestrian environments. Our “Talking ATMs” campaign has led to Barclays promising to roll them out across the UK in the next 12-18 months, and Lloyds Banking Group have committed to make their ATMs talk and will be targeting 1,500 machines in 2013. This is an absolutely amazing success which will have a huge impact on the lives of people with sight problems. On the shopping front, as a result of working with us, Debenhams launched their UK-wide personal shopping service for blind and partially sighted people.

Making online services easier for blind and partially sighted people to useThe internet is becoming a necessary tool by which to access the information, products and services that we need in day to day life. However much of the content remains inaccessible to blind and partially sighted people, creating barriers to gaining employment, managing money and even travelling independently. Through providing information and advocacy on accessibility and engaging industry, we have influenced 10 sites to make changes so that blind and partially sighted people can access them independently, including The Guardian, Barclays, BMI and Audible, and we are in discussions with 15 others including National Rail Enquiries and the Home Office.

Improving mobile phone and television choices for people with sight problemsTelevision is a vital source of information for people with sight problems. Before the UK went through the digital switchover we

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developed the Smart talk speaking set top box in partnership with Goodmans. March saw the launch of another world first when our work with Panasonic culminated in the launch of the first talking TV, and we worked with broadcasters to increase the amount of audio description available. We have worked to build strong relationships with the major mobile phone manufacturers to the extent that they now consult us on the accessibility of the phones they are producing. This year we have seen the release of new products from Nokia and Vodafone that people with sight problems can more easily use, and just as importantly, can buy on the high street.

Increasing the confidence of blind and partially sighted people to get out and aboutBeing able to travel confidently and independently is crucial to avoid the potential isolation that sight loss can lead to. But independent travel is a challenge for blind and partially sighted people and many feel trapped at home. This is why we launched a new RNIB React route in Lisburn, a talking sign system that enables blind or partially sighted people to be more independent when out and about. Users carry a small keyring-size fob, which triggers audio messages from fixed units placed around the city, telling them where they are and giving information about the surrounding area. Local blind and partially sighted people were involved in developing the route messages and attended the launch to see the units in action.

Empowering people to make the most of technology and increase their independenceTechnology is continuing to open up new opportunities for people with sight problems to maintain their independence, whether through computers, mobile phones, television, eBooks or radios. But we understand that realising these opportunities is not always easy and we are determined to help blind and partially sighted people get the most out of technology. We brought people closer to these technology solutions with our first ever “Switch on to technology month” in November 2011 and February 2012 marked the first anniversary of our Sensory Engagement Programme, a partnership project between RNIB Northern Ireland, Action on Hearing Loss, NCBI and Deaf Hear, which has involved one-to-one

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IT training for people with sight loss and/or hearing loss. We also held our first Technology taster training days in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry, where local blind and partially sighted people were invited to attend workshops focusing on different areas of technology – from the digital TV switchover to accessible smart phones.

Model of excellenceOn World Sight Day, Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Caral Ni Chuilin awarded our Model of Excellence award to Share Discovery Village in Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh. The award recognised the centre’s investment in creating an inclusive space for blind and partially sighted people, by installing a RNIB React system – only the second in Northern Ireland – and planning a new sensory garden. Paralympic skier, Kelly Gallagher spoke at the event.

“I’m always told how independent I am and how I’m able to do everything by myself, but I wouldn’t be able to do things like get the bus to the sports institute every day, and train, if it wasn’t for RNIB. The only reason why I am independent is because somebody has figured a way to make my life easier.”

Section 5: Thank youWithout the volunteers who help deliver our vital services, the donors who help fund these services and our campaign supporters who help make our voice louder we would not be able to achieve all we do.

We have benefited from the support of over 3,700 volunteers this year.

Over 30 per cent of RNIB’s work is made possible thanks to gifts people leave us in 30 their Will.

We are honoured to have the support of some remarkable individuals. We are indebted to our Patron Her Majesty The Queen; to our President of 25 years who stepped down this year, His Grace the Duke of Westminster; and to our new President Dame Gail Ronson, as well as to our Vice-Presidents: Sir John Beckwith CBE

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The Rt Hon David Blunkett MP Richard Brewster Professor Ian Bruce CBE Jeremy Bull Dr Haruhisa Handa Dr Euclid Herie Lady Jarvis Penny Lancaster-Stewart Lord Low of Dalston CBE Sir Mike Rake Dr Dermot Smurfit Rod Stewart CBE The Rt Hon the Earl of Stockton Sir Duncan Watson

We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to the many individuals, companies and trusts that have supported us this year. Without your support we could not have achieved what we have. We can’t possibly name you all but here’s a list of those who have contributed significantly to our cause.

29th May 1961 Charitable Trust Alcon and Allergen Gerry Allen Milly Apthorp Charitable Trust Lady Ashcroft Mr John Ashenhurst John Atcheson Foundation Awards for All NI Ballymoney Ladies Committee Ballyrashane Flute Band BAND Trust Bann Wheelers, Coleraine BBC Children in Need Belfast Association for the Blind Belfast Ladies Committee Big Lottery Fund NI Billmeir Charitable Trust Blackwater Ramblers Booker Prize Foundation

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Boots D&A Raymond Boyle, Coothill, County Cavan Ms Pattie Boyd Breakaway Charity Richard Brewster British Gas Ann Brown Charitable Trust Brownlie Charitable Trust Carmen Butler-Charteris Charitable Trust C Charitable Trust Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust Clover Trust Coleraine District Motor Club Coleraine Inner Wheel Coleraine Inst Mrs K Collins, Drumahoe Mr Cyril Dennis MBE Mrs Lisa Dennis Eveson Charitable Trust Hugh Fraser Foundation Mrs Michéle Freedman GC Gibson Charitable Settlement B & P Glasser Charitable Trust Ada Hillard Charitable Trust Albert Hunt Charitable Trust Jordan Foundation JWC Hands Charitable Trust Natalie and Ian Livingstone Lynas Charitable Trust K and M McGivern Ms Ruth McIntosh Man Group plc Charitable Trust WT Mattock Charitable Settlement Brian Mercer Charitable Trust Microsoft Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust Oliver Muldoon, Ballymoney Dr Samad and Mrs Zaibie Munshi Northern Ireland Optometric Society Northwood Charitable Trust

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Novartis Omagh District Council Optometry Northern Ireland Portrush Presbyterian Boys Brigade Ian Reid Philip and Marjorie Robinson Charitable Trust Cecil Rosen Foundation Mr Albert Roux OBE Edmond J Safra Philanthropic Foundation Ms Lyn Schlesinger Smith Charitable Trust The Souter Charitable Trust Doug Squires The Tabor Foundation Thursday Club, Limavady Waynflete Charitable Trust Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers Worshipful Order of Stationers WPH Charitable Trust Doreen Wragg Lennox Wyfold Charitable Trust Youth Council for Northern Ireland Elizabeth and Prince Zaiger Trust

Brian’s storyBrian has been volunteering for RNIB since 2006. Brian is an incredibly dedicated and committed volunteer and is responsible for collecting donations from our Sooty boxes in nearly 500 sites all over Lancashire. This year Brian reached the incredible milestone of having collected £100,000 to support blind and partially sighted people.

“It’s very interesting and every time you go out you don’t know what you will find! I particularly enjoy building a relationship with site owners and getting them to encourage their customers to donate to RNIB. We need more volunteers to help RNIB to continue its vital work. I’ve encouraged my friends in the past and would encourage anyone to give it a go.”

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We need you!If you would like to volunteer your time to help RNIB support blind and partially sighted people call 0845 603 0575 or visit rnib.org.uk

Dave’s storyLast year, Dave Cowell was diagnosed with myopic retinal deterioration. This diagnosis and the rapid deterioration of Dave’s sight meant that he had to give up his job as an HGV driver. Dave found the help RNIB gave him vital in coping with this dramatic change to his life. As a means of giving something back to RNIB Dave completed a 300 mile tandem bike challenge from London to Paris in 3 days, and raised over £5,500 for RNIB.

“I have a wife and four children so you can imagine the effect this had on me and my family. I had no idea what to do next so I contacted the RNIB not really knowing what if anything you could do to help. The support, advice and information proved to be invaluable and has helped us enormously.”

This year our supporters raised almost £400,000 by participating in events such as the London to Paris bike ride.

A brighter futureAbout a third of RNIB’s work is supported by gifts in Wills so we are hugely grateful to those people who have supported us in this way. Every penny we are left is used wisely to provide a brighter future for blind and partially sighted people. You don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference; legacies of all sizes are vital to our work. If you’d like to know how you can help in this way please call 0845 600 0313 or visit rnib.org.uk/legacy.

Shirley’s storyWhy I’ve included a gift in my Will to RNIB.Shirley is a retired librarian, in 1999 she developed age-related macular degeneration in both eyes, and was ultimately unable to read, drive a car or see people’s faces. Reading had been a lifelong passion for Shirley, so she was particularly grateful when she discovered RNIB talking books.

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“Talking books allow me to listen in bed, keep up with book groups and events and sometimes they even add an extra dimension to a previously loved classic, given by the excellent professional readers. Thanks to RNIB I can go on reading, enjoy a full social life and maintain my independence.”

The first ever Read for RNIB Day was held on 14 October 2011 and it got off to a flying start when we set a new world record with the longest reading relay at Waterstones in Piccadilly, London. Lots of activities took place in Belfast to mark the day, including a reading from Stephen Douds, author of the book “The Belfast Blitz”. Find out how you can get involved in this year’s Read for RNIB Day at readforrnib.org.uk

Section 6: A brief look at our financesDuring 2011/12, £3,441,000 was spent on services for blind and partially sighted people in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. These services were financed by a service income of £1,783,000 with a deficit of £1,658,000 being met by RNIB voluntary income.

In 2011/12 RNIB Northern Ireland focused expenditure on the following areas of work:Stopping people losing their sight: £184,000Supporting independent living: £2,923,000Creating an inclusive society: £327,000Governance costs: £7,000Total expenditure: £3,441,000

These figures are extracted from the full Trustees’ report and financial statement for the year ending 31 March 2012, as audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

If you would like a copy of the full report, available in print, audio, braille and by email, please contact our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk

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Section 7: How you can helpEvery day 100 people start to lose their sight. We need your help to provide vital services for blind and partially sighted people. Do something today and make a difference.

Fundraise – Without financial support from donations and legacies we simply couldn’t provide many of the products and services that help people find their lives again. There are many ways you can show your support, such as getting involved in Read for RNIB Day, taking on a challenge or making a one-off donation.

Volunteer – Without volunteers we couldn’t run our services. There are over 100 volunteering opportunities across the UK where you could make a real difference in your local community.

Campaign – Without active campaigners we could never get changes made to health, social care, employment and benefits. Join our campaigns on issues that matter to blind and partially sighted people. Attend a supporter reception to learn more about our vital work and discover opportunities to get more involved.

Please call today on 0303 123 9999 to find out more or send your details to: RNIB, 105 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NE

Let us know what you would like to know more about: Making a regular gift Leaving a gift in my Will RNIB Membership Volunteering Fundraising events Recycling for RNIB Products and publications Campaigning Read for RNIB Day

We will require the following details: Name Address Postcode Email

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Please let us know if you are happy to receive email and other electronic forms of communication from RNIB.

If you want to make a donation please let us know how much.If paying by card please supply the following details: Type of card Card number Issue number Start date Expiry dateCheques should be made payable to “RNIB Charity”.

Gift Aid can make your gift worth even more to us. Please confirm that you have paid, or will pay, an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for the current tax year (6 April 2012 to 5 April 2013) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities, and Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs), that you donate to will reclaim on your gifts for the current tax year. You also need to confirm that you understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify, and that RNIB will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that you have given.

Data protection. The personal details you provide will be used solely by RNIB and our authorised agents for research purposes and to advise you of additional opportunities/news that we think may be of interest. Please let us know if you do not wish this to happen.

Section 8: Contact details

RNIB HelplineFor information for you or anyone you know with a sight problem, contact our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 from Monday to Friday between 8.45am and 5.30pm or email helpline@rnib.org.ukYou can also order more copies of this review as well as our range of products and publications.

Sightline directoryThe new Sightline directory lists the people, organisations and services especially for blind and partially sighted people all in one

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place online. You can search the directory and discover who’s there to help both locally and nationally. Visit sightlinedirectory.org.uk to get started with your search.

RNIB Northern Ireland40 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BATelephone 028 9032 9373

rnib.org.uk/northernirelandfacebook.com/rnibnorthernirelandtwitter.com/rnibyoutube.com/rnibuk

©RNIB March 2013 Registered charity number 226227

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