Welcome to Kernow Directory. Organisations supporting adults across Cornwall are continuing to add their details. If you are an organisation, please visit one of our directories and click “Add a listing.”
Our information, advice and guidance pages are co-produced with people who have lived experience and will continue to grow.
If you have significant sight loss in both eyes that can’t be corrected with surgery or glasses, we can provide training in independence skills to help with daily living, moving around and communicating.
You may be entitled to a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI). This will give you a registration card and information pack. If you have a CVI, we will register you with the Council. This may entitle you to some concessions, such as help with NHS costs and public transport. It can also help you with welfare benefits claims.
We can provide you with information in large print, if you need it. This website has a variety of accessibility options, including increasing text size, changing background colour, and reading the text aloud. We can provide your assessment information and other documents in audio format if you require.
Vision Rehabilitation Specialists (VRS) are Cornwall Council's qualified members of staff. They provide support to people with vision impairment. Their work involves completing Sensory Loss Assessments with residents. They also provide individual programmes of vision impairment rehabilitation.
Vision impairment rehabilitation assessments can include:
teaching alternative strategies for food preparation and cooking
reading and handwriting
gaining confidence to independently travel, walk or use public transport
VRS Assessments are completed with residents in their own homes and local communities. VRS workers can issue simple items of equipment to individuals. These help residents to keep and regain independence when completing daily tasks.
More complex equipment can be considered on an individual basis. More complex requests may need a local authority grant funding application.
VRS workers can refer residents on to colleagues in health or social care or to the voluntary sector.
National Bus Concession for Blind and Partially Sighted |
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Disabled Persons Railcard |
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Tamar Bridge & Ferry Pass | At a cost of £5, free bridge crossings
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Cornwall Hospital Transport | Provides free transport to hospital appointments for all people registered as having severely impaired sight Call 01872 252211 two weeks before your appointment |
Voluntary car services | Provide a door-to-door service
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Blue Badge | The fee for this is £10. It is a 3-year renewal process
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Library Card/Membership | Free ‘’BorrowBox’’ app allows free use of Ebooks, E audiobooks via Cornwall Council Library Service |
Purchasing of goods | Possible VAT exemption when buying items connected with sight loss – please ask retailers when purchasing items |
Cinema Pass | Annual card £6.50 and take a person to participating cinemas with you for free
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Better Leisure Membership | Concessionary membership rate with free carer entry.
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British Wireless for the Blind Fund | If you're registered as having impaired sight or severely impaired sight and in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance you can request a FREE AUDIO PLAYER.
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Electric/Gas | Smart Meters and ‘Accessible in House Display’ units are free additions and have been developed in partnership with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
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National Grid | Priority Service Register is free to join
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South West Water | Priority Service Register is free to join Apply online: South West Water Priority Service Registration |
TV Licence Discount | Apply online: TV Licencing Application for Blind and Partially Sighted |
Personal Independence Payment Helpline - 0800 121 4433
Attendance Allowance Helpline – 0800 731 0122 (State Pension age and over)
Blind Person’s Tax Allowance – call HMRC 0300 200 3301 with your registration number and date of registration and National Insurance number
It might be the case that If your sight loss is less severe, and you are not eligible for support from the Council. If this is the case, Cornwall Council can give you advice about support available from other organisations. Cornwall Council can also signpost you to other organisations that offer support beyond our remit, for example, guide dogs.
Macular Society - 0300 3030 111
RNIB – 0303 123 9999
iSight Cornwall – 01872 261110
Blind Veterans – 0300 111 2233
Guide Dogs - 0800 781 1444
Partial Sighted Society – for lanyards and stationery - 01302 965195
Sensory Solutions Plymouth - 01752 201899