Earlier this week the UK Government set out its next set of plans for new legislation through the King's Speech. ⬇️

Journalist Selina Mills has described how she was forced to rely on her husband to vote in the local elections because accessible options weren’t available at her polling station. www.aop.org.uk/ot/news/2026...

We welcome the UK Government’s decision to extend Personal Independence Payment (PIP) review periods for most new claimants, aged 25 and over. But this change doesn't go far enough for blind and partially sighted people. www.mirror.co.uk/money/dwp-an...

Want to understand how your local council works, and how to influence change? With May’s local elections coming up, now’s the time to get involved. Join our free, fully accessible online workshop on 22 May, and learn how to engage with your local authority: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lobbying-y...

Yesterday saw the publication of the 4th report from the @ukcovid-19inquiry.bsky.social examining covid vaccines and therapeutics. We're pleased it included a section on 'Physical accessibility and accessible communications'.

The UK Government has launched a 10 week call for evidence as part of its review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the benefit in England and Wales that helps with the extra costs of disability.

📣 Calling blind and partially sighted voters! Tom is here to explain what you need to know about the upcoming elections on 7th May and how you can request reasonable adjustments so you can vote independently and in secret.

With local elections coming up, you have a right to request a reasonable adjustment to vote. If you need support to vote independently, we encourage you to contact your local Returning Officer or local electoral services as early as possible. ⬇️

We had a great day in Sunderland last week, running an Accessible Voting Workshop in partnership with Sunderland and County Durham Society for the Blind, and Sunderland City Council.

There's still time to help shape the future of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment. The UK Government is reviewing how PIP assessments work, and your voice matters - as disabled people will play a central role in this process.

The UK Government has launched a national consultation on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reform, and this is a key moment for children and young people with a vision impairment. Head over to our website where you can learn about how this may affect you: bit.ly/4seZpuL

Thanks to @lisasmartmp.bsky.social for joining us for a guided walk in your constituency, where we highlighted the barriers people with sight loss encounter on a daily basis when making walking journeys, and the importance of vision rehabilitation services in providing essential mobility training.

Today, the government published its Representation of the People Bill, which seeks to extend the right to vote and new rules on political donations. www.gov.uk/government/n...

Yesterday, RNIB met with the Democracy Minister, @samanthadixonmp.bsky.social, to discuss how we can work together to make elections accessible for blind and partially sighted voters.

Great to be in Parliament today to mark fifteen months since the APPG for Eye Health and VI published ‘Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives’- its report on barriers to employment for blind and partially sighted people.

Access to Work is a lifeline, but many blind and partially sighted people are seeing their support cut at renewal. This week our campaigns team spoke to @rnibradio.bsky.social and explained why your experience matters. audioboom.com/posts/885419...

The Disability Confident scheme is meant to help disabled people into work – but employers can still reach the top level without ever hiring a disabled person. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

We’re calling on Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, Great British Railways, and the rail industry to embed accessibility from the start.

Paul Goddard says that when he arrives at London Bridge rail station there is no one there to assist him “99% of the time”, despite him having made a reservation having on the Passenger Assistance app. Unfortunately, Paul’s experience is common ⬇️

Today the Department for Transport released new guidance on bus stop bypasses, sometimes called floating bus stops - places where a cycle lane runs between the pavement and the bus stop. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Why have we launched a report about trains? Accessible rail travel isn’t a “nice to have”. For people like Ross and Maqsood, it’s what makes independent living possible. In our report, they share what accessible trains mean to them, and why change can’t wait. 💪

“Overwhelming, stressful, complicated.” That’s how many people with sight loss describe rail travel today. We need consistency, reliability, and dignity on every journey.

Hear Erik talk to Connect Radio about our new Platform for Change report, where he discusses with Allan the numerous difficulties blind and partially sighted face while getting from A to B.

Passenger Assist is letting too many blind and partially sighted people down: of the people we asked, fifty six per cent aren't reliably met by assistance staff at stations when booked. That’s more than half of all journeys at risk.

Britain’s rail network is a patchwork of accessibility. Our new Platform for Change report shows blind and partially sighted passengers face difficulties at every stage. This must change. Read: rnib.in/PlatformForChange

The UK Government today announced reforms to its scheme designed to encourage employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with health conditions. www.gov.uk/government/n...

“Catching it early, they can be stabilised, they can be prevented from progressing in many instances, and we can keep people driving safely.” Dr Peter Hampson, from the Association of Optometrists, spoke to In Touch this week about proposed changes to driving law. 🚗

Would you like to help improve public understanding of sight loss and make society more accessible and inclusive alongside blind and partially sighted people? 🤔

Big news this week - read all about it in our new piece: rnib.in/pavement-par...

Delays in processing Personal Independence Payment (PIP) applications are leaving many blind and partially sighted people without the support they need to live independently. This isn’t just an inconvenience – it’s a crisis that needs urgent action. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Five years after a public consultation under the previous government, the Department for Transport has announced plans to tackle pavement parking in England. 🚗 www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/a...

RNIB welcomes Transport for Greater Manchester’s decision to make concessionary bus travel free at all times for disabled and older people. 🚌 This change reflects RNIB’s call: we believe time restrictions on concessionary travel should be removed nationwide. rnib.in/3Lqcodj

Let us know your thoughts on this new Government announcement:

Happy New Year! As we gear up for tonight’s celebrations, we’re reflecting on an incredible year of campaigning. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us along the way; your support made all the difference. Here’s to 2026! 🥳 www.rnib.org.uk/news/2025-re...

“If you’re blind or partially sighted, you’ve only got around a one in four chance of being in work. This can’t continue.” Lord Holmes spoke to Connect Radio about a recent question he raised in the House of Lords. Listen to find out more: audioboom.com/posts/882156...

We welcome the Modernisation Committee’s report on making Parliament accessible to disabled MPs, staff, and visitors. Democracy must be accessible to all. We stand ready to support improvements recommended in the report, which you can read here: committees.parliament.uk/committee/73...

Proud to join #WestminsterEyeHealthDay, funded by Roche Products Ltd. The event brought together MPs, Peers, and sector leaders to champion eye health and launch a new report. We're working with #TheEyesHaveIt & @marshadecordova.bsky.social a to back action to improve eye care.

Today the Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP has announced the 2025 Autumn Budget. 🧵

This week we took a stand. We joined with the @csalliance.bsky.social, delivering a box full of stories from people who use social care, and asked the Chancellor not to forget the real figures that matter in her Budget. #FiguresThatMatter careandsupportalliance.com/figures-that...

Join our online workshop to test RNIB’s new “Awareness to Action” guide, designed to improve the public’s awareness of sight loss: > 27 Nov 1pm to 3pm > 27 Nov 6pm to 8pm RSVP to [email protected] by tomorrow.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s second report highlights that too often the four UK governments failed to recognise and respond to the needs of disabled people, including blind and partially sighted people. Hear from people with sight loss in our short film: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPsR...

We support the local campaign to make Uxbridge Road in London more accessible for all. Full statement below: 1/4

Sophie Dodgeon, Head of Campaigns and Public Affairs at RNIB said: “Today's report lays bare how the UK government too often failed to recognise and respond to the needs of disabled people, including blind and partially sighted people.

On Monday, 90 MPs, their staff and Peers joined RNIB at our parliamentary reception to explore the life-changing impact of vision rehabilitation. Read a detailed recap of the event here: rnib.in/event-recap

Thank you Marie for hosting the reception, we valued the opportunity to demonstrate to your colleagues across Parliament the life-changing impact that timely, well-resourced vision rehabilitation can have.

Yesterday, 90 MPs, their staff and Peers joined RNIB at our parliamentary reception to explore the life-changing impact of vision rehabilitation. Our message was clear: too many lives are on pause due to unacceptable delays in support.

In Liverpool we were pleased to take @LCRMayor Steve Rotherham on a guided train journey, to highlight the challenges blind and partially sighted people face when travelling by train.

Join an RNIB focus group on self-driving vehicles to share your hopes and concerns for this technology. 🚘 Join us on either: 19 Nov at 10.30am 20 Nov at 5pm Email [email protected] to RSVP.

Huge thanks to Coventry Electoral Services for hosting an accessible voting session at Coventry Vision Hub. We love to see the inclusion. 🥰 Attendees explored five different voting methods including a McGonagle reader, QR code, and other audio and tactile options.

The Keep Britain Working review has made recommendations to the UK Government today. Find out our initial thoughts 👇