Approximately 95,000 New Zealanders have a visual impairment that cannot be corrected by glasses or contact lenses, but only 12% of New Zealanders with long-term uncorrectable vision are eligible for membership of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind. Information and support for the 88% who are ineligible is scant.
Low vision rehabilitation is a cost effective way of enabling people with sight loss to maintain their skills, their confidence and their independence.
VICTA Projects:
Provide a voice for New Zealanders with low vision, from childhood to adulthood, in all areas of public life.
Launch a petition to Parliament for a Select Committee inquiry into the provision of low vision rehabilitation services in New Zealand.
Restore low vision clinics in public hospitals (there used to be ten, now there are only two).
Initiate a Low Vision/High Visibility road safety campaign.
Create a one-stop web resource for visually impaired New Zealanders, their families and caregivers with news, information, expert advice, daily living tips and directories of helpful products and services.
Rate appliances, products and services for ease of use by people with low vision.
Secure funds to provide on-going support for, and research into, all aspects of visual impairment in New Zealand.