North East Rehabilitation Officers

Our Role

Rehabilitation Officers / Workers for people with sight loss are normally employed by either Social Services or an association for blind and partially sighted people. The most recent qualification recognised by employers is the Diploma of Higher Education (Dip. HE) in Visual Impairment Studies.

The style and content of work undertaken varies greatly between counties. Some RO's are employed as Social Workers and cover this role in addition to their specialist work but in general, our role is to provide a specialist assessment and advice to all people who have sight problems, whether or not they have a certified loss from a Consultant Ophthalmologist (see 'Certification and Registration', below).

There have been considerable improvements in the planning, funding and implementation of these services in recent years. Some groups of people however, (including those with learning difficulties or dual sensory loss - 'Deafblind') may not yet get the level of support that fully meets their needs but every effort is being made to improve the situation.

Certification and Registration

A Consultant Ophthalmologist (eye doctor) will test your eyes in the nearest hospital that has an eye clinic. You can get this appointment by talking to your GP or your optician may recommended you following a routine eye test, because new spectacles will not improve your sight.

If nothing more can be done MEDICALLY and it is a permanent sight loss, the Consultant will complete a form (BD8 in England & Wales; BP1 in Scotland; A655 in N. Ireland), which you will be asked to sign. This proves that a person's sight problem is severe enough to qualify for registration but certification as 'Blind' does not normally mean that the person will lose all their sight.

Social Services should receive a copy of this form and make contact with you. They must legally keep a register of people who are certifiable as 'Blind' and 'Partially Sighted' but your permission must be given before your name appears on it. Once registered you should be given a registration card. Very few people refuse to be registered because it does make it easier to obtain assistance and certain benefits.

Specialist Assessment

Once we receive the certificate or someone informs us that you have sight problem, we will arrange an 'assessment of need' using national government guidelines on "Fair Access to Care Services" (FACS). This normally involves a Rehabilitation Officer visiting the person in their home to provide advice, information, small items of equipment and the offer of training that will help a person stay safe and independent. The assessment focuses on four main areas of the person's life: Independent Living; Mobility; Communication and naturally, Risk.

Anyone can request an assessment from Social Services at any time. The person to receive the assessment should be informed that a request has been made, if someone else arranges it. The Authority is legally required to deal with this request. Although they will attempt to do this within 28 days, the level of demand and ongoing work may mean that there is a delay of a few months before an assessment can be provided.

Listening

One of the most difficult things to overcome when the medical profession say, "There's nothing more can be done to help you", is the psychological trauma. Although there is nothing medically THEY can do, our job of helping you become independent again, is just beginning. You will need time to come to terms with the problems and it can help to talk to someone who understands. We can offer informal counselling as well as access to self-help groups and professional counselling services.

Training

• Mobility - independent travel both indoors and outdoors. This could include hints and tips on moving about safe travelling, with or without white canes (or red and white canes for Deafblind people) or other mobility issues. (Guide Dogs and training are provided by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association)
• Daily Living Skills - helping people learn or re-learn skills, such as cooking, cleaning and care of clothes etc. despite their sight loss.
• Communication - Braille, Moon, Deafblind manual, keyboard skills, use of recording equipment, computers (incl. talking computers) and the telephone.

Small pieces of advice can usually be given to individuals or companies by contacting Social Services, to assist them in dealing with members of the public who may have sight loss. More extensive Sight Loss Awareness Training usually involves a half or full day, with charitable groups or companies charging for this service.

Information

This includes how to obtain low vision services, benefits from DWP (Department for Works and Pensions - formerly known as the DHSS, Social Security or Benefits Agency), charities that can provide training, equipment, information, befriending services, or funding for particular needs (some charities restrict their help to people who are registered).

Equipment

Rehabilitation officers may recommend specialist equipment for people and offer tips on how to use it, for example:

• equipment to enable people to remain independent - such as talking clocks, talking or clear faced watches, liquid level indicators, raised marks or bumps for appliances. Talking appliances such as microwaves; measuring tapes, scales and jugs; bathroom scales; remote controls and other household gadgets.
• leisure equipment and resources - such as talking books, talking newspapers, easy to see versions of popular games, toys, playing cards, dominoes and bingo cards.

Help from a Rehabilitation Worker has been PROVEN to improve a person's quality of life. It is always worth contacting your local Social Services department or local charity that deals with sight loss.