Registered blind - does it make a difference?

[chonky]

We had an appointment with dd's opthalmologist this morning who suggested registering her as blind (I had asked about registering her as partially sighted).
I'm hoping that having a 'label' for her visual impairment will help with DLA etc. as we have no formal diagnosis for her symptoms. I was just wondering whether registering dd as blind will make the slightest bit of difference when accessing services. Anyone got any experience of this please ?

[heartinthecountry]

Sorry chonky don't know - just thought I'd say hi! I would have thought it might help a bit?

[chonky]

Hello HITC . I hope so - anything to make the dreaded DLA form have more of a punch (although sad that I have to think like that - obviously not happy that dd is registered blind).

When's your babe due?

[anniebear]

My friends girl is registered blind, when she filled in the DLA form there was a box to tick if they were

[heartinthecountry]

Hi chonky - baby is due in 3.5 weeks - just in time for the summer holidays .

I guess you have to try and look at the 'registered blind' thing as a tool to help you get what you need rather than a description of your dd IYSWIM. Hard though.

[Kelly1978]

It made a lot of difference to a friend of mine. It meant that she got a lot more help as it was assumed that he couldn't go on public transport, needed a lot more supervision etc. I'm not sure of all the ins and outs but I know it helped big time. He wasn't actually completely blind - could run around on a park etc. fine.

[littlerach]

My stepson has CP, and is partially sighted. It was recently decided that he should be registered blind as it makes things easier for him, especially WRT extra help he needs.

[Saker]

I think you may be entitled to a free TV licence if someone in your house is registered blind. I don't mean that a good enough reason in itself but I thought it might be useful information.

[chonky]

Thanks girls. Any extra help would be gratefully received, even if it's a free TV licence (means we can use the money we would have spent on that for something else for dd) - although to be honest dd shows no interest in the television whatsoever so feel a bit of a fraud!

Very excited for you HITC - keep us posted

[dizzy34]

Hi, DS is registered blind. The differences we have found is that

1. Automatically entitled to blue badges - you dont have to plead your case.
   
2. Much easier to get dla
   3.You can access visual support services
   4.The national blind childrens assoc will help by fundraising to get fibre optics, pcs etc
   5.Small thing, but everything counts i suppose - you get half price tv licence.
   
   Ds has multiple dissabilitys and has been reg blind since about 5mth old, but we think he has got some vision.

[chonky]

Hi dizzy - thanks for that. I was hoping that it wiuld make 1 & 2 on your list a bit easier (I hate the fact that I have to think like that though). DD is also multiply disabled.