Effective Communication

Engaging people with visual impairments requires empathy, understanding, and a willingness to adapt to their needs. By employing a few simple tips, you can foster inclusivity and create meaningful connections. First and foremost, it is important to approach individuals with respect and dignity, recognising their abilities rather than focusing solely on their visual limitations.

Effective communication, including clear verbal cues and descriptive language, becomes paramount when interacting with people who are visually impaired. Additionally, providing assistance when requested and navigating physical spaces mindfully can further enhance inclusivity.

Common sense is key to communicating effectively with patients or clients who may have a visual impairment, just take a second to consider making a slight change to your approach.

Do say “Would you like any assistance”

Don’t say “Just go to the blue door over there”

Tips for communicating effectively with people with sight loss

Making your materials and digital information accessible

The Accessible Information Standard sets out how Health and Social Care organisations must make provision for those with additional communications needs. To accommodate clients/patients who have a visual impairment, patients and clients must be offered a choice of formats such as; large print, Braille, audio or electronic formats.

A patient with sight loss will rarely be able to read an appointment letter in standard print and may miss an appointment if they have been notified by a letter in standard print. Patients often require a sighted person to read their standard print letters from health and social care out of necessity, when they would much rather keep such personal communications private.

The Accessible Information Standard also requires organisations’ websites and other online information to be accessible; online information should be accessible using a range of access technology, such as text to speech software and magnification software.

Useful links on the Accessible Information Standard:

Accessible Information Standard – YouTube

Understanding accessibility requirements for public sector bodies – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

My Sight Notts provide a service which can transcribe your documents and  publications into Braille, audio or large print. They also have a Digital Inclusion Group who can test websites and advise on areas where accessibility requires improvement.

Transcription Service:  Transcriptions

If you would like to enquire about an accessibility audit for your website contact:  info@mysightnotts.org.uk