Henshaws started a survey at the beginning of the lockdown as they knew the restrictions that were put in place would have consequences for people already facing challenges in their everyday lives due to sight loss.
Henshaws have surveyed 955 visually impaired people and had time to analyse the results in full.
Key findings in the final report show:
- The overwhelming majority of respondents had not been contacted by their local authority sensory team during the early stages of the pandemic
- 41% of respondents had not received any of the public health messaging about Covid-19 in a format which is accessible to them
- One quarter of respondents had been informed they are at very high risk from Covid-19 (extremely vulnerable and should be shielding)
- There is considerable variation across Greater Manchester with regard to the support people with sight loss received during this time
Henshaws have shared the findings in a final report with partners across the health and social care sectors in the hope that an integrated approach can be formed, which fully includes and recognises charities, to ensure support is in place to reduce the risks of the longer-term impacts this could have on the community.
To read the report click here