If you have a substantial and permanent vision loss in both eyes you may wish to register as blind or partially sighted. Registration simply means having your name added to a confidential list of people who have a permanent sight loss. Keeping this register allows Fife County Council to meet the needs of people with a visual impairment and it is also required for certain financial benefits and consensus. Registration is entirely voluntary. Your Eye Consultant will say if you are medically eligible and then certify using form CVI that you are registrable as blind or partially sighted. You decide if you wish to register, you may be referred to the hospital from your GP or optometrist. For further information contact Fife Society for the Blind at Fife Sensory Impairment Centre, 13 Wilson Avenue, Kirkcaldy, KY2 5EF on 01592 64497 or email to: info@fsbinsight.co.uk or info@fifesociety.com

Fife Society for the Blind offers support to all residents of Fife with a visual impairment. They can provide information about the benefits of registering as blind or partially sighted. For further information visit www.fifesociety.com or contact them by phone on 01592 644979 or by post to Fife Sensory Impairment Centre, 13 Wilson Avenue, Kirkcaldy, KY2 5EF . Alternatively for information about the benefits available to those with a registered visual impairment contact your local Citiezens Advice Bureau: 0345 1400 092. The RNIB also offer a Talk and Support service available from Monday to Friday 8.45am to 5.30pm, and to find out more about registering as severely or partially sight please call The RNIB on 0303 123 9999 or email: helpline@rnib.org.uk.

"Fife Society for the Blind provide support for people with visual impairments including: - advice and training on the latest equipment, gadgets and software which will help you live more independently, communicate easily with friends and family, and enjoy your hobbies. The society also offers free NHS eye tests, to arrange an appointment, please call 01592 646728 or email theoptician@fifesociety.com or drop in to the premises at Wilson Avenue, Kirkcaldy and speak to one of the receptionists.

"Fife Society for the Blind provide support for people with visual impairments including: - advice and training on the latest equipment, gadgets and software which will help you live more independently, communicate easily with friends and family, and enjoy your hobbies. The society also offers free NHS eye tests, to arrange an appointment, please call 01592 646728 or email theoptician@fifesociety.com or drop in to the premises at Wilson Avenue, Kirkcaldy and speak to one of the receptionists.

"Fife Society for the Blind provide support for people with visual impairments including: - advice and training on the latest equipment, gadgets and software which will help you live more independently, communicate easily with friends and family, and enjoy your hobbies. The society also offers free NHS eye tests, to arrange an appointment, please call 01592 646728 or email theoptician@fifesociety.com or drop in to the premises at Wilson Avenue, Kirkcaldy and speak to one of the receptionists.

"From your answers you have indicated that you do not have a means of reading product instructions. There may be a solution available to you through Fife Sensory Impairment Centre who can refer you for a fuller assessment. Please call 01592 644979, alternatively you can email info@fsbinsight.co.uk or info@fifesociety.com for more information. You may be require sem equipment to enable you to read instructions, you could purchanse this at : Scot Mobility UK Ltd, Unit 8, Dewar House

Fife Society for the Blind provide support for people with visual impairments including: - advice and training on the latest equipment, gadgets and software which will help you live more independently, communicate easily with friends and family, and enjoy your hobbies. The society also offers free NHS eye tests, to arrange an appointment, please call 01592 646728 or email theoptician@fifesociety.com or drop in to the premises at Wilson Avenue, Kirkcaldy and speak to one of the receptionists.

Fife Society for the Blind offers support to all residents of Fife with a visual impairment. Referrals often come from eye clinics but their services are available to all residents and their families and friends. Their mission is to improve the lives of all blind and partially sighted people living in Fife Your G.P. can refer you to a Consultant Ophthalmologist who can offer an appointment at the low vision clinic if this is needed. At the clinic you can get advice and equipment like a magnifier to help with reading small print for example. A Fife Rehabilitation Officer can advise on how to make the best use of remaining vision using lighting, magnification and colour contrast. If you would prefer to make your own arrangements you can contact Fife Sensory Impairment Centre and arrange an appointment. They do not sell or provide equipment but you can try out magnifiers and other equipment. Fife Sensory Impairment Centre can also supply information about local and national suppliers of the equipment. Contact Fife Society for the Blind at Fife Sensory Impairment Centre, 13 Wilson Avenue, Kirkcaldy, KY2 5EF or on 01592 644979or visit their webiste at www.fifesociety.com.

A range of large print books is available at all of the Fife Libraries. There are library branches as follows: , Abbeyview Library, 38 Abbey View, Dunfermline, KY11 4HA, Tel: 03451 55 55 55. Mobile Library and Home Library Services are also available. The mobile library service aims to bring the library to you, these have disabled access and carry a range of books to suit all age groups.

There are books on tape available to all registered blind and partially sighted people in Fife. Information about the service is available in large print, Braille and audio cassette from: www.fifedirect.org.uk.