Rehabilitation Project Group

The aim of the Rehabilitation Project Group (RPG) is to enable radical improvement for blind and partially sighted adults, children and young people, minimising risk, maximising independence and increasing life chances through the provision of better rehabilitation within the context of health, social care and education services.

The story so far

The "Independence and Wellbeing in Sight" consultation exercise closed on 30 April 2007. Consultation documents had been published in each country of the UK and reports summarising and analysing feedback received were shared with relevant country steering groups during the summer. Copies of the original consultation documents are available to download below:

• England Consultation Executive Summary
• England Consultation Paper
• NI Consultation Executive Summary
• NI Consultation Paper
• Wales Consultation Executive Summary
• Wales Consultation Paper
• Scotland Consultation Executive Summary
• Scotland Consultation Paper

Reports summarising responses received are available to download below:

• England report of consultation feedback
• Northern Ireland report of consultation feedback
• Scotland report of consultation feedback
• UK overview of consultation feedback
• Wales report of consultation feedback

Functionality and Needs Survey

The final report of major research undertaken by Guide Dogs on the "Functionality and the needs of blind and partially-sighted adults in the UK"  was formally launched at the House of Common on Thursday 19 July. For more information please visit our Social Research page.

Next Steps

Members of the RPG are now aiming to move the project on from its research and consultation phase to bring about the changes that are required to improve the independence and wellbeing of blind and partially sighted throughout the UK. This includes running local and regional “pilots” to further test models being proposed by the RPG. All this is being done in collaboration with Vision 2020 UK and its wider work in developing a UK Strategy on visual impairment.   

Contact Details

• Welcome to the Rehabilitation Project Group
• Rehabilitation Project Group
• Scottish Rehabilitation Focus Group
• Partners in Focus - Northern Ireland
• Wales Focus Group

Rehabilitation Project Group

Tom Muldowney - Head of Development
Mobile: 07768 100278
Tom.muldowney@guidedogs.org.uk

Guide Dogs
Axis House
12 Auchingramont Road
Hamilton
Lanarkshire
ML3 6JT

Tel: 0845 3727411 Fax: 01698 785126

Scottish Rehabilitation Focus Group

Jane Horsburgh - Policy Officer, Scotland
Mobile: 07990 540163
Jane.horsburgh@guidedogs.org.uk

Guide Dogs
Princess Alexandra House
Dundee Road
Forfar  

DD8 1JA

Tel: 01307 463531 Fax: 01307 465233

Partners in Focus - Northern Ireland

Andrew Murdock - Policy Officer, Northern Ireland
Mobile: 07990 540178
Andrew.murdock@guidedogs.org.uk

Guide Dogs
Lanesborough House
15 Sandown Park South
Knock
Belfast  

BT5 6HE

Tel: 02890 471453 Fax: 02890 655097

Wales Focus Group

Andrea Gordon - Policy Officer, Wales
Tel: 01792 702 796
Mob: 07974 205 177
Andrea.gordon@guidedogs.org.uk 

c/o The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association,
Burghfield Common,
Reading
RG7 3YG