Over the past ten years, this small and entirely independent charity has seen its client number increase by 110%. Modern technology and greater awareness has encouraged a generation of blind people to seek out new and innovative ways to overcome the restrictions of sight loss – and the OAB has responded to these challenges.

From our Sight Advisory and Resource Centre here in Oxford, we provide a wide range of support including:

A resource centre that displays and supplies a broad variety of daily living aids and kitchen aids for visually impaired people. Sight loss need not prevent people from being independent and safe in the kitchen and around the house.

A technology suite includes the latest aids to reading for both blind and partially sighted people; adapted computers with specialist software ensure that blind people can find out how to access the internet/ e-mail and I.T. skills.

A high speed Braille transcription facility is available to organisations and individuals for a minimal charge.

A quarterly award-winning newsletter informs over 2,400 people.

Our web-site www.oxeyes.org.uk provides on-line information and advice.

A welfare officer provides mobile support for 13 local support groups around the county.

Within Oxford City, we run a Home Visiting Service that recruits, screens and trains local volunteers who then visit some of our most elderly, vulnerable and easily isolated clients.

At the Oxford Eye Hospital, our Sight Advisory Desk provides on the spot support, empathy and advice for patients facing very bad news about serious sight loss for the first time.

In partnership with Oxfordshire County Council, we operate an Early Intervention Scheme to provide home safety checks for people who have been newly registered as blind or those experiencing a severe change in vision. We also make contact by telephone with people who have not been visited recently by Social and Health Care staff.

Our ongoing ambition and challenge is to respond to need free of charge to anyone who needs us, using the latest innovations and technology, and projects focused on helping people to overcome the social exclusion and feeling of helplessness that is often experienced.