About this event
Redbridge Institute of Adult Education will host a new Event called Visually Prepared. A wide range of equipment, training and support to help visually impaired people break down the barriers to achieving their goals will be showcased. This is in half-term to make it easy for pupils aged 12 to 25 and their parents to attend.
Today more than two million people are living in the UK with sight loss. The population of Redbridge is just over 300,000, of which about 7,230 are living with significant sight loss that affects their daily lives.
In Redbridge, there are estimated to be 150 children aged 0 to 16 and a further 70 aged 17 to 25 with a visual impairment. And a total of up to 1,380 visually impaired children and young people in our East London Sector.
Unemployment is higher in Redbridge than the national average, and there is a 26% gap in the employment rate between people with a long term health condition and the general population. About 30% of people who are blind never leave home, and lower employment rates and unpaid family support for people with a visual impairment contribute to the indirect costs of sight loss in Redbridge of £19.4 million each year. The Redbridge Low Vision Group, which is organising this Event, aims to improve the independence, expectations and life experience of people with a sight loss.
Stallholders include the RNIB, Blind in Business, Deaf-Blind UK, Guide Dogs, Sight and Sound, Humanware and the Royal Society for Blind Children. There will be inclusive Story Telling, help with CV writing and the chance to try a range of equipment. About 20 Stalls will have items like electronic magnifiers, talking computers and accessible mobile phones. There will also be the opportunity to try an accessible Virtual Reality Game. There will be advice on employment, education and apprenticeship opportunities and information about disability support and accessible transport, including Stalls from the Council and Transport for London. Redbridge Institute will offer Taster Sessions in subjects like singing, Pottery and confidence building.
Visually Prepared opens at 2.00pm and ends at 7.00pm, so those at work do not miss out, and the Institute café will be open from 1.00pm. The Institute is 8 minutes walk from the tube, near bus services at Gants Hill, and there is some parking available. Visually Prepared is for anyone of any age with a visual impairment in Redbridge and all surrounding Boroughs who want greater independence and more empowerment
