Social Research

News Flash - ‘Functionality and the Needs of Blind and Partially-Sighted Adults in the UK’ research report has been launched by Guide Dogs. We undertook an ambitious and wide-ranging survey looking into the needs of blind and partially sighted adults in the UK in terms of their independent functioning. The project had two key objectives:

• To identify the mobility and rehabilitation needs of blind and partially sighted people in the UK.

• To produce a set of recommendations to respond to, and address the nature of the needs identified, given the current provision of social care (mobility/mobility-related rehabilitation) to blind and partially sighted people in the UK.

While it has confirmed what many of us thought was the case about the availability and quality of services, it has also clearly shown the need for timely emotional support and outcome-based services as a result of the loss of confidence brought about by a visual impairment in adult life.

Versions of the report available for download

	Research_grants_Functionality_and_the_Needs_of_Blind_and_Partially-Sighted_Adults_in_the_UK.doc 'Functionality and the Needs of Blind and Partially-Sighted Adults in the UK' - Word format	1.6 M
	Research_grants_Functionality_and_the_Needs_of_Blind_and_Partially-Sighted_Adults_in_the_UK.pdf 'Functionality and the Needs of Blind and Partially-Sighted Adults in the UK' - PDF format	2.5 M
	Research_grants_Functionality_and_Needs_of_Blind_Partially_Sighted_People_Exec_Summary.doc 'Functionality and the Needs of Blind and Partially-Sighted Adults in the UK - exec summary' - Word format	51 K
	Research_grants_Functionality_and_Needs_of_Blind_PartiallySighted_Adults_in_the_UK_exec_summary.pdf 'Functionality and the Needs of Blind and Partially-Sighted Adults in the UK - exec summary' - PDF format	2.0 M

Background

Social research is carried out within the Public Policy and Development department of Guide Dogs. The organisation’s mission to see a world in which blind and partially-sighted people enjoy the same rights, opportunities and responsibilities as their sighted peers is at the core of our social research agenda.

Our Aim

Our overall aim is to undertake and commission research to advance knowledge in the field of independent mobility and equality of access of blind and partially-sighted people. We are committed to doing this in a collaborative manner wherever appropriate, drawing on expertise nationally and internationally and seeking external funding wherever it is available.

Linking research with development

As the leading provider of independent mobility and rehabilitation services, Guide Dogs is well placed to apply important research findings to the growth and development of both new and existing services.

Completed Research projects

Below is a list of completed projects to date:

• The Harris Report (Guide Dogs commissioned survey) - published 1999

• Research Project on the Health Experiences of Blind and Partially-Sighted People and Perceptions of Guide Dog Ownership: Focus Group Report – published 2003

• The Experiences of Visually-Impaired Users of the NHS: Final Report – published 2003

• The Benefits of Guide Dog Ownership (article) – published 2003

• The Benefits of Guide Ownership: Full report – published 2003

• The Lewisham Report – published 2003

• Enhancing Care Provision for Blind and Partially-Sighted people in GP surgeries: Guidelines for Best Practice – published 2004

• Shared Space Focus Group Report - published 2006

• Functionality and the Needs of Blind and Partially-Sighted Adults in the UK: An Interim Report – published 2006

• Surveying the Needs of Blind and Partially-Sighted People in the UK: Developing the Instrument – published 2006

• Influencing the Direction of Technological Development – Meeting the Mobility Needs of Blind and Partially-Sighted People – published 2006

• Literature Review - Emotional Wellbeing and Sight loss – published 2007

• Surveying the Needs of Blind and Partially-Sighted Young People in the UK: Developing the Instrument - published 2008

• Enabling Perceptions: The Views of Blind and Partially-Sighted People of African Descent in the UK - published 2008

• Functionality and the Needs of Blind and Partially-Sighted Children and Young People in the UK: A Survey of Young People, Parents, Educators and Mobility Specialists - published 2008 - PDF format

• Functionality and the Needs of Blind and Partially-Sighted Children and Young People in the UK: A Survey of Young People, Parents, Educators and Mobility Specialists - published 2008 - word format

Ongoing Research/Expected Publications

Experiences and Perceptions of Visual impairment among Blind and Partially-Sighted People (expected completion – 2007)