Page last updated: Monday 7 April, 2008 3:11 PM

A rose by any other name...

I had quite a few enquires about this recently in respect of CVIs, people are phoning in about what is the difference between Severe Sight Impaired and Sight Impaired, even after explaining in detail about the classification of the two, still find it very confusing as these words are very similar, often stating they preferred Blind and Partially Sighted, it seems they then have a better concept of the differences in the old titles. 
I do ask what seem to prompt them in asking about this.  They had received information and leaflets for the TV licence reduction if Severe Sight Impaired they can get 50% off the fees, people get confused as they are Sight Impaired and should have this benefit as it includes them!!
This is going back to people having a problem being Certified or Registered Blind years ago, but I always admitted to my colleagues today the CVI have more confusing titles than before as people do not understand the first word ‘severe’ but understand ‘sight impaired’

This is very interesting – the change in 2003 was supposed to make things clearer, this contributor would argue the opposite. What’s your view on this? – email info@rehabworker.co.uk