Diagnosis | Visual Impairment Care Pathway | Wakefield Connect to Support

Who supports me through diagnosis?

You can get information and help to manage your sight loss in many ways. You do not need to be registered as having a visual impairment to access services.

Wakefield Council have a duty to keep a register of people who are eligible to be registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired. Registration is entirely optional, but there may be some benefits for you.

The Visual Impairment Service is part of the sensory impairment team. The team helps people who are sight or severely sight impaired. They can help with:

- Daily living skills such as making a drink, preparing food, cleaning and washing up.
- Provide training to help visually impaired people to move around safely and confidently. This can include using white canes or a walking stick.
- Communication guidance about reading and writing techniques and how to use aids / equipment.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with a visual impairment, you will have to adjust to the life you have now. RNIB has a guide on coming to terms with a sight loss diagnosis, you can read it here.