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Guide Dogs for the Blind association is a charity founded in 1931 for breeding and training guide dogs for the visually impaired. Under the guidance of the Royal College of Optometrists the charity has taken one step further in the process of helping the partially-sighted by launching a book called “Low vision – the essential guide for optometrists”.
The authors of the book are optometrists Barbara Ryan and Maggie Woodhouse from Cardiff University (primary eye care providers) and ophthalmologist Anne Sinclair M.D. The book is based on the key role the optometrist can play in helping someone come to terms with permanent sight loss and the importance of understanding the patient’s situation when providing practical and emotional support. In the words of Barbara Ryan: “When someone has a problem with their sight an optometrist is usually the first professional they turn to help”. According to the book, given the right help at an early stage can be very helpful for people with eye vision problems.
This is not the first try of Guide Dogs for the Blind association to ensure a better life for the blind or visually impaired. Since its foundation, the charity has been involved in many campaigns such as the “Open Your Doors campaign” ensuring better treatment by service providers for the partially-sighted customers. The charity is also involved in a group called “The Animal Welfare Fireworks Coalition” to tighten the control on sale and use of fireworks.
Guide Dogs for the Blind association works entirely on voluntary donations, receiving no government funding. It employs 1,000 professional staff in addition to the 10,000 volunteers working to help visually impaired people and its primary activity is breeding and training guide dogs for more than 75 years now. They are also campaigning for equal rights, trying to educate the public on their general eye health and carrying out research to provide better services. Guide Dogs is also a co-founder of the International Guide Dog Federation, popularising guide dog schools for the blind in 76 countries around the world.
Guide Dogs and the Royal College of Optometrists are trying to ensure that everyone throughout the UK gets an equal chance. They are to distribute “Low vision – the essential guide for optometrists” free of charge to all of its UK members and students and for only £5 online at www.amazon.co.uk.Labels: journalism |
created by: anty
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