How Can We Promote Sight and Vision Warnings To Those With Disabilities?

Public Health is at the forefront of much news today. Public health messages pertinent to special needs, physically disabled or mentally impaired people are agendas that for mainstream news don't appear to be featured as often. When did you last visit a website that had a section specifically relevant to disabled customers, be it a link to a service that IS relevant or a signposting avenue? With the exception of some banks, who provide online banking with additional services for partially sighted etc., there are very few.

I have walked into high street opticians and seen posters a plenty for the customers who are, to all intents and purposes, self–sufficient, i.e. they can read and apply the message conveyed to their own health.

Now here are some interesting facts for you:

• People with learning disabilities are 10 times more likely to have serious sight problems than other people. Were you aware that there are about 1 million adults in the United Kingdom with a learning disability?
• People with severe or profound learning disabilities are most likely to have sight problems. They may not know they have a sight problem, and may not be able to tell people. http://www.seeability.org/
• Many people think the person with a learning disability, that they support, can see perfectly well. 6 in 10 people with learning disabilities need glasses and often need support to get used to them. Others will require surgery.
• People with learning disabilities need to have a sight test every two years, sometimes more often. Regular sight tests and wearing glasses helps people stay healthy and get the most from life.

Where is this information for carers?

Promotion of healthy practice across the board is of course paramount, but wouldn't it be nice to see inclusivity and reminders to the able bodied customer that others in society have the same problems and need support, and that ALL customers are being targeted for healthy practice? On Tuesday 17th January 2012 the The All Party Parliamentary Group on Learning Disability (APPGLD) will meet to discuss these points. It is a group of MP's and peers from all political parties who are interested in issues which affect people with a learning disability and their families. The group meets in parliament about four times a year with invited guest speakers to help discuss important issues. This year they are supported by the chief executive of SeeAbility, a senior lecturer at the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences at Cardiff University, a leading optometrist and expert on eye health issues as well as a national learning disability consultant from Mencap and SeeAbility's eye 2 eye ambassador. It will be interesting to “see” whether we see a change in venues and health practitioners' approach to eye health for these groups in society.