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Introduction  Visual Impairment  Fact Sheets

Visual Impairment

It is estimated that, in Great Britain alone, something in the region of one and a half million people are blind or partially sighted (and this is not taking into account dyslexia sufferers, those who, for various physical reasons, such as paralysis and arthritis, are unable to hold reading material and others who may be classified as ‘print-disabled’). For these people, the standard mode of transmitting information – the written or printed word – is inaccessible.

Blindness and sight impairment is increasing. People are tending to live longer, thanks to medical science but, unfortunately, the faculties aren’t always able to keep pace, with the result that more elderly folk are suffering deterioration of sight and hearing.

And it is not only the senior sector of the population that is being affected. The last few years have witnessed a worrying increase in the number of young people experiencing visual impairment through macular degeneration.

However, losing your sight, or the ability to take in information visually, should not mean that you automatically lose your grasp on life. All that a blind, partially-sighted or otherwise ‘print-disabled’ person requires is an alternative method of communication – braille, large print, audio or, increasingly, digital text which can then be converted by screenreader into an audio or tactile format.

The work of The Talking Newspaper Association involves developing and delivering these alternative methods of communication so that the visually impaired are not denied access to printed information - access that people with sight take for granted.

Find out more about the publications offered by the National Talking Newspapers and Magazines.

How can I help the Talking Newspaper Association UK?

TNAUK Registered charity number: 293656