Visual impairment

If you are having problems with your sight, or difficulty carrying out everyday tasks as a result of your sight loss, you may want to seek help, advice or information. First you can contact your doctor, or an optician.

For further help and advice contact Sandwell Council ASSIST. Our customer services team at Sandwell Council ASSIST will ask you some questions about your situation to find out about the sort of help you need. They will be able to tell you about services and equipment that can help you, and refer you to the appropriate services. They will refer you to the Sensory Team if you need specialist advice to do with your visual impairment.

The Sensory Team

The Sensory Team is the team of staff in our Adult Social Care department who specialise in supporting and advising people with visual impairments. We aim to help you to adapt to your sight loss, and maintain your independence.

What the Sensory Team can do to help you

You might be having difficulties with everyday tasks such as:

preparing a drink or meal
using the cooker or microwave
seeing to read household bills, newspapers, magazines and mail
using the telephone
writing
crossing roads safely.

We can give you information, support and training.

We can advise you about equipment that is available to make it easier for you to live independently.

We offer mobility training, information about direct payments and personal budgets, advocacy, and low vision assessments to find out what equipment may help you.

We can also give help, advice and support to your carers, relatives and friends.

Our staff include:

Rehabilitation officer - a qualified specialist who gives help and support to enable you live as independently as possible.
Community care officer - carries out basic assessments and issues equipment.
Eye clinic liaison officer - works with, and is based at, the eye clinic, and can be the first point of contact for getting help and support.
Counselling and information officer - gives information about services available to support you, and provides you with an opportunity to talk in depth about your sight-related concerns.

How to get this help

You, your carer, or a relative can contact Sandwell Council ASSIST at first for advice and information. They will refer you to our service if you need more specialist advice.

You may be referred to us by a social worker or by another health or social care professional.

You may be referred to us by an eye specialist at the eye clinic. The eye specialist will examine your eyes and offer relevant treatment. If the specialist offers you certification as sight impaired, or severely sight impaired, they will send a form to Sandwell Council ASSIST, who will contact you to support you to get the help you need.

Who to contact

Sandwell Council ASSIST
Tel: 0845 352 2266
Fax: 0121 569 5789
Email: sandwell_assist@sandwell.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday

Paying for these services

There is no charge for using the services of Sandwell Council ASSIST or the Sensory Team. We will advise you how much you might have to pay for other services when we discuss your needs with you.

Visual impairment