Christmas gift shopping for friends, family members, loved ones, colleagues and even pets can sometimes be tricky, but it can be even more complicated when choosing a thoughtful present for someone with a sight impairment.
There are currently around 188,000 men, women and children in Scotland living with some form of sight loss and nearly 8,000 of them are of working age and either registered blind or partially sighted.
So, when it comes to buying a gift for someone you know with a visual impairmen t this year, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has created a handy list of suggestions which could take the hassle out of hours of endless browsing - in stores and online.
Whether you’re searching for something for a parent, grandparent, friend, little one or guide dog, RNIB has an impressive selection of gifts including tactile Christmas cards, an accessible version of a popular game and sleek talking watches.
Here are a few highlights from the RNIB’s online shop
RNIB Reserved for Dog Cushion - from £10.83
Perfect for every dog owner, and every pampered pooch, this charming cushion reads ‘Reserved for the dog’ and has matching pawprints to prove it.
RNIB Tactile Christmas cards - from £3.25
Perfect for adults and children, a pack of 10 tactile Christmas cards with envelopes, featuring a raised image.
The cards are available with four different images.
Inside the card, in uncontracted braille and clear print, is a short description of the image and a festive message.
Gifts for tech lovers
RNIB Tactile Watch - from £85
This stylish and practical time piece comes in a range of designs and is available in small or large, making it ideal for adults or children.
These high-quality tactile watches have a Swiss movement for excellent timekeeping with a sleek design including raised bars and dots at each hour.
RNIB has a huge range of talking watches, you can view the full collection online here.
RNIB Digital Radio - from £99
Useful for people with low vision, the radio’s features include a large high-contrast LED display, making text easier to read; and it can also record memos to playback at a set time.
The portable radio is also ideal for travelling, has a dual alarm with a snooze function, sleep timer and supports USBs.
Hable One – buy from £239.00
An innovative device with nothing on the market quite like it just yet.
Hable One is a pocket-friendly wireless braille keyboard that can connect to any iOS or Android smartphone or tablet. Users are able to leave their mobile or tablet in their pocket or bag and use Hable One to write a message, navigate an app, or post on social media. Useful for both adults and children, RNIB reckons this is going to be a must-have gift this season.
Games
UNO Braille Edition Card Game - from £9.98
A classic card game embossed with contracted braille in the top left and bottom right corners. Suitable for ages seven and upwards, the pack contains 108 cards that are easy-to-see. A fun game that is great for families and friends.
Braille Sudoku Set - from £75
This magnetic Sudoku kit makes the numerical logic puzzles accessible to braille users. The game comes with 10 Sudoku puzzle sheets (in print and braille), plus one blank grid for players to create their own puzzles from print or online sources, or RNIB’s monthly puzzle magazine, Conundrum.
Visit RNIB’s online shop here to see more of the brand-new Christmas gift range of fun and practical gadgets for people of all ages and needs.
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