Michael Fabricant, and other MPs from all Political Parties, is calling on
the Government to provide a proper infrastructure to help the blind and
visually impaired. Community care for the blind and partially sighted
people has become a lottery depending on the area in which people live.
Over two thirds of those who are eligible are not registered as blind or
partially sighted and the majority of these people do not receive any social
care services. Many areas do not have community-based rehabilitation
officers and 88 per cent. of people over 65 who have cataracts and 75 per
cent. who have glaucoma have no contact with eye specialists.

Michael is calling on the Government to develop a nationwide strategy for
visual impairment services in England to ensure the necessary structures,
strategies, standards and resources are put in place to overcome these
inequalities.

The campaign has the support of over 100 visual impairment organisations
including The National Association of Local Societies for Visually Impaired
People, the Royal National Institute for the Blind, the Guide Dogs for the
Blind Association, and Action for Blind People.

"There are over 3,000 visually impaired people in the Lichfield
Parliamentary Constituency alone and many are not receiving the help to
which they are entitled", says Michael Fabricant. "Moreover, many do not
know how to apply for help or fill in over complicated forms. The visually
impaired in the midlands deserve a better deal".