Visual disabilities can affect anybody regardless of their age. Some people are born with visual
impairments and other people develop them as a result of accidents. However, citizens in the
UK could receive up to £691 per payment period for support with daily life if they have a visual
impairment.
With the number of people who have a visual impairment in the UK expected to double by 2031,
there are a number of new support schemes and payments being offered to help with things like
mobility and everyday life.
People forget about visual impairments when considering disabilities because for the most part,
they are not well telegraphed. When somebody has a disability that is not confining them to a
wheelchair or mandating the use of a walking stick, most people tend to be quite dismissive of
their ailments. However, this is obviously unfair. People with physical disabilities which restrict
their vision are still just as likely to need support as anybody else with a disability, so the fact
that there are new support schemes being put into place in the UK and across the world is very
important.
In the UK, people with a disability can claim something called a personal Independence
payment, or PIP. This payment can vary depending on a number of factors, like the total income
a person receives, the nature of their disability, and what kind of other support measures they
have in place. However, for people with a range of visual conditions, including things like
macular degeneration, and typical blindness could receive the equivalent of £691 each payment
period of every four weeks.
Understandably, this could be very good news for people who are struggling with a physical
disability like restricted vision, because it can be very difficult and scary to navigate the world
that you cannot see properly. Ordinary people may seem threatening, and it might be difficult to
determine if somebody has ill intent when they approach you on the street. This may seem like
an exaggeration, but it is unfortunately the truth that a lot of people deal with on a regular basis.
This is the reality of life with a disability, as many people feel much more vulnerable when they
have a physical impairment or a problem like their vision.
With that in mind, support schemes like this and being able to claim this extra support will
undoubtedly help people with a visual impairment to feel more comfortable navigating the world
as they can use trusted means of transportation to go to places, and may be able to receive a
bit of extra financial help. While there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to make sure
that the world is accessible and supportive of people with disabilities, this is still a good step
forward and it’s very encouraging to see that the UK is continuing to push this type of support
scheme for everyone.