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Regustering Partcially Sighted

BillieTheBotBillieTheBot Posts: 8,721 Bot
in Home, Law & Money
I went to the eye infirmary today and I got told that I'm not allowed to drive and got told that it was possible for me register partically sighted. (which they were considering allowing me to do years ago but never did)

Has anyone done this and what are the advantages and disadvantages please?
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    you are eligible for more benefits and also more support, ie at school and college etc. if you're officially registered as partially sighted...thats all i know..sorry
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    benefits
    help from council
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    maybe you also get cheaper gig tickets? My friend goes with his registered blind friend and I they get cheaper tickets.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    katralla wrote: »
    maybe you also get cheaper gig tickets? My friend goes with his registered blind friend and I they get cheaper tickets.

    Not heard about that. However, I'm partcially sighted and not blind. I have heard of conssesions though.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I imagine that if you register with your council they will help you find accomodation suitable to your needs, like if you have difficulty going up stairs or something, and it would overule the under 25s shared house thing.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    One thing I got told today which I thought was rubbish is that when I use a computer, the screen size must be at least 20" and I get no help paying for it all...
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    It would be a way to try and get some help with things and push up your eligibilty for support.

    You probably can't get any help with sorting out the computer if it's just for fun, but if you need it for work or study then I believe there is a way of getting help.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Sofie wrote: »
    One thing I got told today which I thought was rubbish is that when I use a computer, the screen size must be at least 20" and I get no help paying for it all...

    Do you mean at college? I know that at uni they had to put in larger monitors for one guy. If you are registered, your college would proably get extra funding to cover this.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Scary Monster wrote: »
    It would be a way to try and get some help with things and push up your eligibilty for support.

    You probably can't get any help with sorting out the computer if it's just for fun, but if you need it for work or study then I believe there is a way of getting help.

    It would be for fun and study.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    If it's for Study then you should be able to get funding for it through the disabled students thing, it's the same funding that pays for laptops for dyslexics etc.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    It's the DSA (Disabled Students Allowance) - before you go to college/uni, you can apply for an allowance which will pay any reasonable costs incurred because of your disability - i.e larger computer monitors. If you're registered partially sighted, i would imagine that this wouldn't be a problem for you!

    To be honest, you've got nothing to lose if you do.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yeah definitely go for Disabled Student's Allowance, you can get upto £4k for specialised equipment. I'm applying for it for when I start uni.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Sofie wrote: »
    One thing I got told today which I thought was rubbish is that when I use a computer, the screen size must be at least 20" and I get no help paying for it all...


    You should be able to get help through the access to work scheme - I'm not sure about studying though but i'm sure there must be something similar.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Ilora-Danon wrote: »
    Yeah definitely go for Disabled Student's Allowance, you can get upto £4k for specialised equipment. I'm applying for it for when I start uni.

    Would I get it when I'm starting uni or could I get it if I was to carry on doing my NVQ in September?
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    One of my friends gets it for her apprenticeship, so would have thought its worth asking.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    DSA is mainly for Undergrads, but you can still be eligible if you're studying part time or distance learning. If you check out the Student Finance website, you should be able to send off for the info packs about it.
    I have the DSA info pack and it's called 'Bridging the Gap; a guide to DSA in higher education' for 07/08.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Thank you.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Depending on what care you need, you might also be eligible for Disability Living Allowance (DLA), either for mobility needs or caring needs. You could consider looking into it.

    If you want more advice on this you could consider contacting the RNIB on 0845 766 9999.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Is there any point me looking into DLA even though I've managed (so far) not to need constant support from someone? Like when I've been out and stuff like that.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yes. There are different levels of care needed, so you get however much money, depending on how high your needs are.

    I'm applying for DLA at the moment, I've been turned down once, so I'm reapplying.
    If you do apply, and get turned down, always always appeal! Most people are turned down at first, and then given the go ahead after an appeal.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Sofie wrote: »
    Is there any point me looking into DLA even though I've managed (so far) not to need constant support from someone? Like when I've been out and stuff like that.

    It doesn't matter whether you've been getting help or not, or even whether you would use the money on help, the questions are more on hypothetically whether you NEED someone's help to do stuff.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    http://www.bhas.org.uk/dla/dla_physical_test.shtml

    useful site, with advice on how best to fill out the forms. You can also get someone else to write a supporting statement too- a doc, or friend.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Is there any reason why if I get a busary from the NHS (as I'm hoping to study Children's Nursing) I'm not entitled to DSA and therefore expected to pay for any equipment I needout of my own pocket?
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I'm registered partially sighted and partially hearing. In my home county (Shropshire), my parents enrolled me on my behalf. They arranged for a social worker from the council to visit home and get myself registered. Now Stafford is my home county and I repeated the process. You get given two cards that go in your wallet/purse. The benefits I've had from this is having a rail card for over-25's, same rate as the under-25's and working tax credits (disabled component).
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Thanks Monserrat. I did get told about being given cards.
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