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Lighting life at home for visually impaired people – University of Reading

The quality of life and independence of people with sight loss can be improved very considerably through quite simple adaptations to their home. A workshop at the University on Thursday 23 October, hosted by housing charity the Thomas Pocklington Trust and the University's Research Group for Inclusive Environments showcases recently completed research projects in this area. The event is in conjunction with the EQUAL Research Network (1) The Thomas Pocklington Trust is the largest charity in the UK providing quality housing, care and support services for people with sight loss. The Reading research group specialises in lighting, access, hearing and visual needs of disabled people. All of the research projects have considered ways of improving the quality of life through the better design of the living environments of people with sight loss.Thursday's speakers are top researchers in their field. Geoff Cook, from the University's Research Group will describe developments in lighting the homes of people with sight loss, an area where even small adjustments can dramatically improve their environment and independence. Professor Julienne Hanson, chief advisor to the Housing Corporation, will talk about Housing care and support needs of older people with sight loss. Other topics include the effectiveness of home improvement agency services to people with sight loss and some of the various new devices available to assist people in their homes. The workshop has attracted a wide range of participants, including policy makers, representatives of research bodies, charities, industry, health care agencies and others concerned with the needs of older and disabled people,as well as researchers and academics from engineering, social sciences, medical and health care disciplines and independent users. The University is continuing to strengthen and expand its interests in areas of health research, recently appointing, jointly with the local hospitals Trust,Professor Margot Gosney as Professor of Elderly Care medicine. The workshop will be held in the Junior Common Room, Sherfield Hall, Northcourt Avenue, starting at 10.00am. For further details, please contact Carol Derham or Sue Rayner, Communications & External Relations Office, University of Reading 0118 378 8004/5. 1. The EQUAL Research Network is a UK-wide Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council funded Network for Extending Quality of Life of older people and disabled people. More information can be found at www.fp.rdg.ac.uk/equal