Herefordshire Association for the blind soon to become 'Herefordshire Vision Links.'

1.06.30pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 9th Sep 2008

Julian Reeves of Herefordshire Association for the Blind showing Sarah Carr one the mobile phones available with extra large buttons.

Up to 5,000 people in Herefordshire suffer from incorrectable sight loss according to local charity Herefordshire Association for the Blind. The charity which is soon to be renamed 'Herefordshire Vision Links' promotes the welfare of blind and partially sighted people across the county. Sarah Carr, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Hereford and South Herefordshire, has met with Julian Reeves Chief Executive of the charity to better understand what it is like to have sight problems in Herefordshire and what services are available to local people.

On Thursday 4th September, Sarah was given a tour of the charities drop-in centre at 36 Widemarsh Street in Hereford and a demonstration of some of the fantastic IT equipment to help people with sight loss such as a handheld device which tells you what colour your clothes are, and mobile phones and television remotes controls with extra large buttons. Other services include a befriending service, social events and a Hospital Information Service. The vast majority of the charities clients are not blind but have lost sight due to age related conditions.

Sarah said, "Many people, especially older residents, have sight problems but coming to terms with loosing your eyesight can be tough. Dealing with the emotional and practical impact of changes to your sight can be overwhelming. Herefordshire Association for the Blind exists so that people do not need to struggle on alone. I strongly support Herefordshire Association for the Blind whose drop-in centre is open to all to people experiencing sight loss in Herefordshire."