“Around seven per cent of people who are registered blind or partially sighted use braille.” – Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
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National Braille Week is a week in which people come together to raise awareness around the significance of braille for people who are registered blind or partially sighted.
“Braille was invented in 1824 by Louis Braille, a Frenchman who lost his sight as a result of a childhood accident. His system used six raised dots to represent each letter, arranged in two columns of three dots just like a domino.” – Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
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Visual Impairments & The Access Card
Here at The Access Card, we support many cardholders to help them discreetly communicate the barriers they might face when out and about or visiting shows, events, or tourist destinations and have provided some more information about some of the typical access requirements we have processed.
Everyone is different and experiences their needs in different ways, but here are some examples based on our experience.
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Accessing Visual Information
If you have difficulty with accessing/understanding visual information, for example, written information or signage, the Access Card has a symbol to help communicate this access requirement.
Different providers have different systems in place to facilitate this access requirement.
For example, large print guides are available for all exhibitions at Tate Modern and you can access printed versions in the gallery. For more information, please click here.
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Essential Companions
For those that require a substantial amount of support from another person when out & about, we have the ‘+1’ symbol which indicates to providers that you would need a substantial amount of support to be able to access their facilities.
Different providers have different systems in place to facilitate this access requirement.
For example, Legoland Windsor Resort recognises Access Cards with the ‘+1’ symbol as proof for a free essential companion ticket. For more information, please click here.
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Assistance Dogs
If you require the support of an Assistance Dog, the Access Card has a symbol to communicate this access requirement.
Different providers have their own ways of accommodating both yourself and your Assistance Dog.
For example, Sea Life Blackpool welcomes Assistance Dogs and can provide water bowls on request. For more information, please click here.
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Thinking of applying for a Card?
If you think the above would be useful for you and would like to apply for your Access Card you can do so quickly and easily by completing our short online application form and uploading some supporting information confirming your needs.
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Further Sources of Information, Advice, and Support
Check out our full directory for how these symbols apply at over 1,000 venues in the UK and beyond.
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Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
“We’re the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), one of the UK’s leading sight loss charities and the largest community of blind and partially sighted people.”
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
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Web: https://www.rnib.org.uk/
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Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC)
“We offer a range of services including emotional support and practical advice for families, opportunities for children and young people to build confidence and skills through activities, and a specialist further education college.”
Royal Society for Blind Children
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Tel: 020 3198 0225
Web: https://www.rsbc.org.uk/
Email: connections@rsbc.org.uk
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