Residents of Warwickshire with sight problems ranging from total childhood blindness to age-relate macular degeneration rely on Warwickshire Association for the Blind (WAB) to support them in their day-to-day living. Indeed anyone in Warwickshire whose capabilities are limited by sight problems is encouraged to seek advice and support. Often this is needed at the time of diagnosis but can also be vital if sight deteriorates or during life changes due to new job, relocation, bereavement etc.

WAB has now been assisting the residents of Warwickshire for almost 100 years but its services have adapted greatly in keeping with other social change. Most recently (1 April 2008) WAB became a limited company, which gives it the status necessary to continue to play its role in the modern world. For many years WAB has worked under contract to Warwickshire Social Services but in future such contracts will be awarded in competition with organisations throughout the EU.

WAB’s rehabilitation and registration services are provided by professional staff but most of its community services are provide by volunteers (almost 400 of them) supported by WAB staff. WAB is a charity (no. 1123220) in both the old fashioned and modern sense of the word. As with all charities it is heavily dependent on fundraising to underpin its valuable and much appreciated work.

Aims

• To identify everyone with a visual impairment living in Warwickshire, giving them information on services and help to access these services.

• To enable people to adapt to living when visual impairment occurs.

• To reduce the isolating effects of being blind or partially sighted.

• To promote healthy living and encourage independence.

• To raise awareness of the needs of people who are blind or partially sighted in Warwickshire.