2. Eye Tests – If registered sight impaired or severely sight impaired or you are aged 60 or over, you are entitled to free NHS eye tests.
3. Free NHS Prescriptions - depends primarily on age and income. Visually Impaired people who cannot go out without assistance may also be eligible. Please enquire at your GP surgery or local pharmacy.
4. Television - Currently anyone registered severely sight impaired (blind) is entitled to a 50% reduction off the cost of their TV licence. Proof of registration is necessary - this is available from the County Sensory Team. No fee is re¬quired for just a sound receiver or for those over 75 years.
5. Radios etc – East Suffolk Association for the Blind are agents for the British Wireless for the Blind Charity who issue on long-term loan radios or radio/cassette/CD player to visually impaired people who meet strict criteria laid down by the Charity. Our Community Worker will assess your circumstances against these criteria during the assessment or contact the office on 01473 611011 if you want to know more.
6. Postal Vote - People registered sight impaired or severely sight impaired are entitled to vote by post in General and Local Elections.
7. Postal Concessions - Embossed literature (Braille or Moon) and any specialist equipment and large print documents can be sent post free by using the term “Articles for the Blind” on the outside cover.
8. BT - Free directory enquiry service is available if registered severely sight impaired (blind). You can register with BT for this service by calling 0800 5870195. You will receive a card on which you will have a personal identification number or "pin" in large print or Braille. When you need to find a ‘phone number you just dial 195 and quote your pin number and name - you will get the number you need free of charge. Furthermore, if you are eligible for this service and if you have difficulty dialling a number, the trained operator can help by connecting you to the chosen number, although you will obviously pay for the actual call as you would do for any call.
9. Telephones - Some financial help with telephone rental and/or installation may be available to people who meet specific criteria. Information from Telephones for the Blind Fund on 01737 248032.
10. Fire Protection – If you register with ‘Fire and Carers Together’ on 01473 835400, you can have peace of mind because the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service will know a vulnerable person lives in your house and needs special attention in case of fire. They will also come to your home to conduct a Home Fire Safety check and put in place fire safety plans to fit your special needs.
11. Personal Alarm System. Aid Call is a personal SOS system approved by Age (UK), which summons help within seconds. It’s simple to use and no more trouble to wear than a wristwatch. If anything should go wrong, you know you are not alone. Contact your local participating Age (UK) on 01473 257039 (Ipswich) 01284 757750 (Bury St Edmunds) 01502 586308 (Lowestoft)
12. LIONS Message in a Bottle. Store essential information about your health, medication, doctor, friends and relative contact details on a form stored in a plastic bottle in the door of your fridge. A sticker on the inside of your front door and on your fridge door points emergency services to this essential information enabling safer and speedier first aid. Please call the office on 01473 611011 if you would like to obtain one of these bottles.
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