If you are having problems or are worried about losing your sight or hearing speak to your GP.
The NHS website give advice about Blindness and vision loss, including NHS eye tests and different types of low vision aids, and Hearing loss. For information about support for deafblindness (sometimes called dual sensory impairment), including diagnosis.
The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) is the leading charity for people with vision loss. RNIB give advice about coping with sight loss and how equipment can help, they also have an online shop. The RNIB free Helpline is open 9am - 6pm on weekdays and 9am – 1pm on Saturdays. Call 0303 123 9999, email helpline@rnib.org.uk or say: ‘Alexa, call RNIB Helpline’ to an Alexa-enabled device, or use their contact us form.
The Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) is the leading charity for Deaf people and hearing loss. RNID give advice about coping with hearing loss and how equipment can help. Connevans works in partnership with RNID to provide products and technology via an online shop.
Sight Support West of England is the local charity offering information and support to anyone who is blind or partially sighted living in Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES). They provide information, social opportunities, technology support, an audio CD library, courses if you are newly diagnosed with sight loss and more. They also host Community Hubs across the area offering information, advice and equipment demonstrations. Details of local hubs are:
- Midsomer Norton Methodist Church, High St, Midsomer Norton, Radstock BA3 2DR, 2nd Friday of the month – 10am to 12pm.
- Libourne Lounge, Keynsham Library, Keynsham Civic Centre, Market Walk, Keynsham, BS31 1FS, 3rd Friday of the month – 10am to 1pm.
- Good Living St John's Hospital Chapel Court Bath, BA1 1SQ, 1st Wednesday of the month
- Stanton Drew Village Hall, Sandy Lane, Stanton Drew, Bristol BS39 4EL, by appointment only.
Call 0117 322 4885 or email info@sightsupportwest.org.uk for further information.
Find the full list of Community Hubs here
The Hearing and Vision Team at Bath & North East Somerset Council support people who have a sensory impairment.
We work with people who:
- are visually impaired
- are deaf
- have an acquired hearing loss
- are deafblind (sometimes known as a dual sensory impairment)
We have a rehabilitation officer for visually impaired people in the team and social workers.
The team will assess your social care needs and agree a support plan to meet your needs. They can also signpost you to community support, activities and groups in the local area.
We hold a register of all blind and partially sighted people in B&NES, who have chosen to be registered. Your doctor can make an appointment for you to be seen by an eye consultant at the hospital who will decide if you can be registered.
Depending on your degree of sight loss, your consultant will certify that you are ‘sight impaired or partially sighted’ or ‘severely sight impaired or blind’. If the consultant decides that you are eligible for registration, they will complete a form called a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI) which you will have to sign. A copy will be sent to you, your doctor and Adult Social Care First Response Team.
To access the service, you can telephone: 01225 613857 or email Hearing_Vision@bathnes.gov.uk or make a referral through the First Response team on 01225 394570.
999 BSL is a free to download smartphone app which allows hearing impaired people to connect with emergency services (police, ambulance, fire and coastguard) using British Sign Language (BSL). It acts as a video relay service, connecting users with a remote BSL interpreter who then relays the conversation to the emergency call handler. Use on android or iPhone.
Emergency SMS Service, allows you to contact emergency services over text message. You must register your mobile phone number before using this service. Text ‘register’ to 999, then follow the simple instructions to set up.
If you’re having difficulties with your vision or hearing, there are lots of ways you can use equipment and aids to help. Aids include, talking microwaves, talking clocks or big button telephones for vision impairment or flashing alarms and doorbells or amplified telephones for hearing impairment. See RNIB Assistive aids and technology and RNID Technology and assistive devices. You can contact Deaf Plus and Vision Plus on 01225 446555. You can also explore our Living safely at home, including home adaptations and assistive technology directory.
Tax
Blind Person’s Allowance is added to your yearly personal allowance. You can transfer your Blind Person’s Allowance to your spouse or civil partner if you do not pay tax or earn enough to use all of your allowance. You can claim Blind Person’s Allowance if both of the following apply:
- you’re registered with your local council as blind or severely sight impaired
- you have a certificate that says you're blind or severely sight impaired (or similar document from your doctor)
Benefits
If you are blind (severely sight impaired) you are eligible to apply for a 50% concession on your TV licence. Your licence will also cover anyone who lives with you.
Personal Independent Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have both:
- a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
- difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition
PIP is for working aged adults and you can claim even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits. PIP is not means tested. Find out how to claim for PIP, you can claim via telephone, textphone, by using Relay UK or British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service, by post, or you may be able to apply online.
Attendance Allowance is for adults who have reached State Pension age and helps with extra costs if you have a disability or health condition severe enough that you need someone to help look after you. Attendance Allowance is not means tested. You can claim online or by post. To apply by post you can either print the claim form or contact the helpline to request a claim form, call 0800 731 0122.
If you have a physical or mental health condition or disability and are in paid work (or about to start or return to paid work in the next 12 weeks), through Access to Work you can apply for;
- practical support with your work
- support with managing you mental health at work
- money to pay for communication support at job interviews.
Local organisations that can advise and support with PIP, Attendance Allowance and Access to Work applications, and other entitlements, include deafPlus and deafPlus vision services and Citizens Advice - B&NES
Blue Badges help people with disabilities or health conditions park closer to their destination. You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you are registered blind (severely sight impaired). Find out more about eligibility for a Blue Badge.
Apply for or renew a Blue Badge online. If you need help with applying online you can access support at one of the Library or Information and Advice Services. You will need to make an appointment first by calling 01225 39 40 41.
If you are disabled or have a progressive medical condition you may be eligible for the Disabled Persons Railcard, this includes having a visual or hearing impairment.
You can get a free bus pass if you are a B&NES resident and have reached the qualifying age, or have certain disabilities, such as being registered blind or partially sighted, or profoundly or severely deaf. The bus pass is called a Diamond Travelcard. There are no time or date restrictions on bus use within Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. Apply online or if you need help with applying you can access support at one of the Library or Information and Advice Services, or email buspass@bathnes.gov.uk
Citizens Advice B&NES and DeafPLUS may be able to support with the above applications.
WESTlink is a new type of bus service which operates in the West of England, outside of Bristol and Bath city centres. It runs without a fixed timetable or route, and is booked ‘on demand’ by people through the WESTlink app. If you’re unable to book using the app, you can book over the phone. Lines are open Monday to Saturday between 05:30 and 21:30. Closed on Sundays & Public Holidays. Call 0117 457 8561.
Community transport schemes provide safe and accessible transport for people unable to use public transport. Explore our directory of Community transport schemes across B&NES.
RNIB’s free, informal, community-based courses, Living Well with Sight Loss, are for adults of all ages and operate online or face-to-face. The courses include information and advice on a range of topics including; understanding benefits, staying independent, practical advice, tips and gadgets for everyday living, eye health, hobbies and interests and other organisations and services that can support. To find out more call 0303 123 9999 or email lwwslenquiries@rnib.org.uk
Wellbeing Courses Bath and North East Somerset provide free courses supporting the health and wellbeing of residents across all of BaNES.
Sometimes people need help expressing their wishes or understanding information around health and care support decisions. If you feel you may need help with this or with making other important decisions you can find out more including about advocacy and handling someone else’s affairs, you can also search for groups and organisations locally who can help.
We are committed to ensuring that all our voters have a positive voting experience.
You may need extra help or advice with registering to vote, or when voting by post or at a polling station, if you have a disability or accessibility need. Find out how to access extra help with any part of the registration process and what measures we can provide to support voting in person. You can request additional support via a webform or call Electoral Services on 01225 477333 or email elections@bathnes.gov.uk
If you are able to let us know your needs in advance, it will make it easier for us to provide you with a quick and convenient service on polling day.
Last updated: 3 July 2025