A greater need for accounts for much of the increase in transport budgets for people who are vision impaired. Both of the groups consulted for this research project identified greater additional transport costs than those for sight impaired adults of working age. For both severely sight impaired working age people and sight impaired pensioners, taking public transport can be difficult, for example at night and on unfamiliar routes, and so more frequent taxi travel is identified as a minimum need. Both groups also identified an additional need for taxi journeys relating specifically to sight loss, such as attending hospital appointments or support groups. Social activities Sight impaired working age adult (previous research): £8.98 Severely impaired working age adult: £19.28 Sight impaired pension age adult: £5.91 Groups in both the current and previous studies stressed the danger of isolation for people who are vision impaired, and emphasised the importance of social interaction. Associated with the importance placed on social interaction were additional costs such as showing reciprocity to someone who accompanies them on trips for social purposes, such as buying them a meal. The budget for someone with severe sight impairment was further increased to allow for more and specialist activities. The budget for a holiday was also increased for both the sight impaired and severely sight impaired working age groups to allow for an alternative to the self catering model which is considered a minimum for sighted people of working age. Technology Sight impaired working age adult (previous research): £12.82
A greater need for accounts for much of the increase in transport budgets for people who are vision impaired. Both of the groups consulted for this research project identified greater additional transport costs than those for sight impaired adults of working age. For both severely sight impaired working age people and sight impaired pensioners, taking public transport can be difficult, for example at night and on unfamiliar routes, and so more frequent taxi travel is identified as a minimum need. Both groups also identified an additional need for taxi journeys relating specifically to sight loss, such as attending hospital appointments or support groups. Social activities Sight impaired working age adult (previous research): £8.98 Severely impaired working age adult: £19.28 Sight impaired pension age adult: £5.91 Groups in both the current and previous studies stressed the danger of isolation for people who are vision impaired, and emphasised the importance of social interaction. Associated with the importance placed on social interaction were additional costs such as showing reciprocity to someone who accompanies them on trips for social purposes, such as buying them a meal. The budget for someone with severe sight impairment was further increased to allow for more and specialist activities. The budget for a holiday was also increased for both the sight impaired and severely sight impaired working age groups to allow for an alternative to the self catering model which is considered a minimum for sighted people of working age. Technology Sight impaired working age adult (previous research): £12.82
Sight%20Loss%20and%20Minimum%20Living%20Standards%20Research%20Findings_Word.docx