For specialist demonstration centres for disability equipment offering free and impartial advice and an opportunity to try the equipment for yourself Scot Mobility UK Ltd, Fairprice Mobility and Allardyce Healthcare Ltd are all local suppliers. If you would like advice or would like to try equipment before you purchase : Scot Mobility UK Ltd are located at Unit 8, Dewar House, Enterprise Way, Dunfermline, Fife KY11 8PY please call 01383 739287 or visit their webiste www.scotmobility.co.uk. They are open Mon-Fri 9.30-5.00 Sat 9.30-4.00. Fariprice Mobility Tel: 01592 652244 or visit www.fairpricemobilityltd.co.uk and Allardyce Healhcare Ltd are located at Unit 12, Tom Johnston Road, West Pitkerro Industrial Estate, Dundee, DD4 8XD and are contactable by Tel: 01382 773600, Email: sales@allardyce.co.uk or visit www.allardycehealthcare.co.uk They are open Mon-Fri 8.30-5.00 and Sat 9.00am -12.00pm.

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 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.

"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.

At some point in our lives, many of us due to illness, disability or old age will need some form of help and support with everyday things like getting washed, dressing or cooking a meal. This help and support is often called social care. Asking for help is sometimes the hardest thing to do, however, Fife Council provide a range of social care services to suit people's needs. Visit www.fifedirect.org.uk and search for Health and Social Care. In addition, Social Care Direct is a dedicated team of officers who are your first point of contact if you feel you need social care help and support from Fife Council. Contact them on 01383 44117, or on their webiste using the contact social work enquiries online link. Kingdom Housing provides a Handypersons Service which undertakes small scale jobs for residents of Fife who are over 60, disabled, a victim of crime, at high risk of falling, or who are vulnerable in any other way and have no-one else who can do the task for them. To find out if you are eligible for the service please contact Kingdom Housing Care and Repair Handyperson Service on 01592 632592 or careandrepair@kingdomhousing.co.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.

A list of details of Local opticians in the Fife area can be found at: www.fife.gov.uk searching A-Z of facilities.

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.