Specialist equipment and resources for sight loss

There are many aids and pieces of equipment that are specially designed to help people with sight loss maintain their independence. Whether it’s telling the time, cooking, seeing the settings on your washing machine or making a telephone call, there is a range of products available to help.

Our Sensory Teams offer information and advice on what will suit your individual needs and in some cases provide one to one training in how to use these products. We recommend that if you are having difficulty with activities that involve health and safety such as cooking, making hot drinks or outdoor mobility then you have a one to one assessment with one of our team so you can be shown ways to do these tasks safely and confidently.

• Low vision service and magnifying aids
• Reading and books
• Newspapers and magazines
• Other formats - audio, braille and large print

Hampshire County Council is unable to help with payment for equipment, although sometimes they can advise on alternative sources of funding, such as charities.

The Eye Unit at Southampton General Hospital, can also give expert advice. It is best to phone beforehand to discuss what you want and/or to make an appointment. Tel: 023 8079 8737

Suppliers of equipment

• Cobolt Systems provide a range of talking products.
• IC - various products to help with sight loss
• Humanware - products to aid independence
• Open Sight has a resource centre which holds a stock of items ranging from the personal such as talking watches or anti glare glasses, to more practical things that encourage independence, such as a talking microwave, talking kitchen scales or talking jug.
• Optima Low Vision Services Ltd provide aids such as magnifiers.
• Professional Vision Services - Products to help with low vision
• The Royal National Institute for the Blind has an online store with a range of equipment for sale.

Equipment for schools and colleges

If you represent a school or college and need specialist equipment for a student, responsibility lies with the Children's Services Department to provide and purchase your own equipment. Equipment is available to buy from the companies mentioned above.