‘People with sight loss are hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis’
Ansley Workman, director of RNIB Cymru, on how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting people living with sight loss
BY NOW, you would have to be living under a rock to have not heard about the ongoing cost-ofliving crisis.
It’s been the subject of countless news headlines and money-saving advice videos for the past couple of years. From gasping at the cost of the weekly food shop to debating whether to put the heating on, we know that many people are struggling to make ends meet.
Unfortunately, the situation is especially precarious for the 112,000 people with sight loss living in Wales. The costof-living crisis is having a bigger impact on blind and partially sighted people who can face additional and unexpected costs.
Last month, RNIB Cymru launched our new report ‘The Cost of Sight Loss’. We spoke to more than 100 people across Wales to hear about how the cost of living crisis is affecting their quality of life, and the extra money they have to spend that many of us might not have considered.
Our research found that blind and partially sighted people are struggling to make ends meet.
Survey respondents and focus group participants told us that their sight loss causes unique challenges, such as increased reliance on taxis, greater need for lighting and being unable to access information on deals in supermarkets.
Many of our respondents also told us that they incur additional but unavoidable costs because of their sight loss, with more than one in five reporting additional monthly costs of more than £200.
This is due to necessities like assistive technology and equipment, glasses with specialist lenses, and adaptations to the home which help them complete daily tasks independently and safely.
These extra costs are having a detrimental effect on blind and partially sighted people’s mental and physical wellbeing. Shockingly, 80 per cent of the people we spoke to said that they were worried about changes to the cost of living.
Many told us that they are now going out less to save money – one of our campaigners from Cardiff was heartbroken that he can no longer afford a trip to the Barry Island seaside.
The escalating costs of days out, fun activities and transport mean that people with sight loss are spending less time with their families and friends, and are experiencing isolation, loneliness and feelings of depression as a result.
Even more worryingly, many blind and partially sighted people tell us that they are going without essentials to make ends meet. Increased energy bills, rent and mortgages, and transport costs are just the tip of the iceberg.
People with sight loss often rely on meals out or take away food, but these are now unaffordable to many. Information about cheaper deals and reduced-price stickers in supermarkets are usually hard or impossible to find.
Several focus group participants told us they’re no longer able to afford fresh food, which has a knock-on effect on their health. Simple meals like beans on toast have become the norm.
Seventy per cent of the people we spoke to told us that their financial situation had worsened because of the rise in the cost of living.
Two thirds told us that their mental health has suffered dramatically as a result.
That’s why we are calling on Welsh Government and local authorities across the nation to pay attention to blind and partially sighted people’s specific, often-forgotten needs.
We have worked with our dedicated campaigners to develop a list of recommendations to ensure that people with sight loss do not find themselves at an unfair disadvantage.
We need to see more targeted support for people with sight loss and for an accessible communication campaign that makes blind and partially sighted people aware of available support.
New research from Loughborough University, produced for RNIB, reveals that more than one in four blind and partially sighted people (83,000) miss out on the disability benefits they’re entitled to.
Applications being refused, issues with submitting applications, poor communication from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the difficulty of getting to face-to-face appointments were cited as barriers to take-up of disability benefits.
RNIB’s easy-to-use calculator and factsheets can help people with sight loss to access benefits and challenge refusals.
Most importantly, practical and emotional support is available to blind and partially sighted people in Wales who are struggling with rising living costs through the RNIB Helpline.
Our counselling team, sight loss advice service, and employment and benefit advisors are on hand to discuss any issues you might be experiencing and offer advice.
If you would like support from RNIB Cymru please call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
You can call us on 0303 123 9999 anytime from 8am-8pm on weekdays and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.