Action’s mobile Sight Loss Information Service sees 80,000th visitor

17 September 2008

Action for Blind People’s pioneering Mobile Sight Loss Information Service has travelled to many destinations across the UK, so many in fact that on a visit to Fife Society for the Blind’s centre in Kirkcaldy, on Thursday 4 September, we saw our 80,000th visitor!

The visitors were Laura Macdonald and her mother Lena Preston who were presented with champagne and flowers.

Laura said “My mother is 93 and has macular degeneration and I wanted her to come along to see if she could find anything to help her with her day to day life. The mobile is full of information and the team are so helpful, we bought a talking cube clock, which I think will come in very useful. It was wonderful to be the 80,000th visitor we were treated like royalty!”

Action‘s mobile Sight Loss Information Service is packed with the latest aids, equipment and specialist advice for blind and partially sighted people. The mobile Sight Loss Information Service opens its doors to people interested in or affected by visual impairment. Staffed by a friendly and knowledgeable team, the mobile carries the latest technology and gadgets to improve daily life. From vibrating bank note detectors to talking microwaves and tin lids, staff on the unit offer impartial, practical advice and support.

Bob Welsh, from the Sight Loss Information Service said, "We are extremely proud of the Mobile Sight Loss Information Service and the way it has informed people nationwide. This shows increasing public interest and awareness of the needs of visually impaired people. We hope to be able to provide information and advice to many more blind and partially sighted people, their friends and families all over the UK. Thanks to Fife Society for the Blind for their kind invitation, it was great working in partnership with such an excellent organisation.”

The Mobile Sight Loss Information Service has now visited well over 2,000 venues since April 1993.