iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

We’re working hard to shape the review, so that PIP delivers accurate decisions on claims first time, reduces unnecessary reassessments, and understands the impact of being blind or partially sighted, treating people with dignity and respect.

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The UK Government is currently running the Timms Review of PIP. Reforms to disability benefits must recognise the reality of a person's extra costs and the vital role PIP plays.

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These are some of the additional expenses many people never have to think about, but for blind and partially sighted people they can be essential for maintaining independence, finding and staying in work and participating in everyday life.

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Then there can be a need for support at home, extra lighting, specialist equipment and technology, and additional eye care expenses for complex glasses.

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PIP helps blind and partially sighted people meet unavoidable extra costs resulting from their disability. For example, costs might include use of public transport and taxis which can be of fundamental importance for someone's independence, health, education and work, and for social connections.

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RNIB @rnib.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Disability benefits are back in the news, so it’s a good time clarify what Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is, and why it's so important to blind and partially sighted people. First things first, PIP isn't a luxury:

Personal Independence Payment is not a luxury. 'Not' is underlined for emphasis.

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Your daily reminder that accessible content benefits everyone, even you.

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RNIB @rnib.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

If you have any worries and would like someone to talk to, please contact our friendly helpline team who are here to support. You can get in touch with us on 0303 123 9999, email helpline@rnib.org.uk or say: “Alexa, call RNIB Helpline” to an Alexa-enabled device.

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RNIB @rnib.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

If you’re one of the thousands who did sneak a peek at the eclipse without any safety measures and you’re now experiencing changes in your vision, please go get your eyes checked with an optometrist (optician).

A screenshot of Google's most searched terms relating to eye health after the eclipse.
"Top queries, United Kingdom, past month.
1. Solar eclipse hurt eyes.
2. Solar eclipse eyes hurt.
3. Solar eclipse.
4. Eyes hurt solar eclipse."

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RNIB @rnib.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

We've got mail! The reviews are in and you love You've Got Braille 🥹 You've Got Braille, is a scripted comedy podcast series from Hat Trick in association with RNIB, bringing the funny side of everyday life as a blind person to your headphones. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

"They said what?
'Funniest, most authentic thing out there on disability. I absolutely love it. I’d usually avoid this subject matter as find it rarely resonates, but I absolutely love this. It’s truly groundbreaking.'
'New favourite sitcom.'
'You hit the nail on the head. It’s so difficult piecing something like this together, especially with the added layer of trying to execute on the VI commentary as well. Your depiction of a normal person living with a visual impairment has been the most grounded I’ve ever seen.'

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RNIB @rnib.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Summer reading challenge 🤝 RNIB Library The Summer Reading Challenge is a free, fun summer activity to do with your children. This year’s theme is ‘read to the beat so we’ve picked some of our faves from our library to inspire you. Check them out rnib.in/SummerReadChallenge2026

‘Summer reading challenge, read to the beat.’ Five small book covers are dotted over the screen. An arrow points to suggest you should swipe and continue reading to find out what these books are.

Book cover for Lucy Edwards book Ella Jones vs the Battle Noise. The cover shows a young, red haired girl and her guide dog in a small circle full of lightning. They look like they’re on an adventure. Braille faintly covers the cover. “Age 9+ Ella Jones must face the god Homodos, who is hunting Hercules' famous shield. His plan is to throw the world into chaos by increasing battle-noise until it's unbearable. Ella is the hero the world needs.”

A book cover for ‘The Horne Section Make Some Noise’ is covered in music notes, instruments with smiley faces and a small image of the Horne Section. “For 9+ The Horne Section, tells you everything you need to know to be a music genius. With funny tales, absurd history and unbelievable facts, this mind-blowing guide to music can help anyone become a sound-making sensation.”

A book cover for Beth O’Brien’s Wolf Siren. An illustration of a very small young girl standing in the woods in a red, hooded coat. Two, large black wolves stand around her staring at her. In the background, tree trunks fade into the background. “Age 9+ A vibrant, evocative and magical debut which centers a positive, empowered disabled character at the heart of a reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood. The woods are hiding a secret, but then so is Red.”

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RNIB @rnib.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

We asked: if you could have just one celebrity voice audio describe your favourite film or TV show, who would you choose? Can you guess who they are from the clues?

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Read more about vision rehabilitation and our Out of Sight campaign: rnib.in/OutOfSightReport

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The independent Casey Commission on adult social care launched ‘The Big Conversation on Care’ on 29 July. This is an important chance to make our voice heard, and we'll update you on how we can contribute.

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Every £1 spent on early vision rehabilitation support can save the government up to £9.33, and it helps it meet its ambition of keeping more disabled people in work and economically active.

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Andy Burnham talked about making “difficult decisions” about funding social care reforms. Vision rehabilitation makes financial as well as social sense.

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But effective vision rehabilitation is life-changing – it supports blind and partially sighted people to thrive by developing the skills we need to keep ourselves safe, to find or stay in work, and live independently.

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Vision rehabilitation, the focus of our Out of Sight campaign, is a hidden service, flying under the radar and plagued by ongoing delays, underfunding and staffing gaps.

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RNIB @rnib.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

📢 Breaking! Prime Minister Andy Burnham has committed to fixing social care in England. As Government starts the conversation on how this happens, we must make sure lesser-known but vital types of social care for blind and partially sighted adults are part of it.

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If you want to talk to someone about how the cost of living is impacting you, we’re here for you. Get in touch with our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or helpline@rnib.org.uk

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RNIB @rnib.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

How are you impacted by the rising cost of living? We know that rising prices are impacting people in different ways. We’re running a short survey to understand how the rising cost of living is affecting blind and partially sighted people. Share your experiences: www.surveymonkey.com/r/XRZH36C

"How are you impacted by the rising cost of living?" written in a white box with a question mark on a blue background. A yellow speech bubble underneath says: "Fill in our survey and share your experiences."

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RNIB @rnib.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

if loving alt text is wrong, we don't want to be right.

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RNIB @rnib.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

With the World Cup final a matter of days away, we’ve put together our social media accessibility dream team. Accessibility should always be part of the game plan ⚽

An illustration of a football field with 11 players in a 4-4-2 formation. A title at the top reads: "Accessibility Starting XI."
The players, in formation on the pitch, are labelled as follows.
1. Goalkeeper. Alt text reminder.
2. Left back. Shortened links.
3. Centre back. Careful emoji use.
4. Centre back. Camel case hashtags.
5. Right back. No fancy fonts.
6. Left midfielder. Audio description.
7. Central midfielder. Descriptive transcripts.
8. Central midfielder. Simple language.
9. Right midfielder. Good colour contrast.
10. Centre forward. Alt text.
11. Centre forward. Captions.

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RNIB @rnib.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

🎤 You've Got Braille coming tomorrow.

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RNIB @rnib.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Let's talk about red flags, and now We're not talking about dating. We're talking about emojis. Emojis are fun, but every emoji is read aloud by screen readers. Too many, or using them within sentences, can make posts much harder to follow. Are your emoji habits are giving green or red flags?

Emoji green flags” and “Emoji red flags into
two columns with two crossed flagpoles hold a large green flag on the left and a large red flag on the right.
Below the green flag, three green-text recommendations are listed:
- “Use emojis that are easy to read anywhere”
- “Know what your emoji actually means (it matters)”
-“Keep it intentional, one emoji can say a lot!”
Below the red flag, three red-text warnings are listed:
- “Using emojis before important messages”
- “Emojis in the middle of sentences or replacing words”
- “Using emojis as bullet points”

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RNIB @rnib.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

We've put together our completely scientific and definitely not biased list of the worst items you could find on a touch tour.

“Worst Touch Tour Items* with a tiny disclaimer at the bottom: "*in our opinion" with a selection of the below items:
- mouldy sponge.
- some chewed up bubblegum
- a large bear (not the cuddly kind!)
- spiky cactus.
- slimy slug.
- A suspicious cucumber that should only be touched with gloves on.

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RNIB @rnib.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

It's that time of year when you didn’t get a London Marathon place in the ballot, but you remember we still have places. ❤️ rnib.in/LondonMarathon2027

A three-way split meme, The top part is a close up of a man with a huge grin on his face. “You watched the London Marathon, felt inspired, so applied for the ballot.”

The middle image is the same man, but this time he’s frowning and has his mouth open in disbelief. “You got rejected from the ballot.”

The final part the same image as part one, with the man looking happy again. “You found out RNIB have places available so you can still run the marathon and support blind and partially sighted people.”

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We’d love to know what you think! Share your thoughts in the comments, or by emailing broadcasting@rnib.org.uk 3/3

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Want to try it? It’s available to use during matches on centre court and can be accessed via the red button on your TV, or under the audio described category on BBC iPlayer. Don’t forget the strawberries and cream 🍓 2/3

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This year’s Wimbledon is serving accessibility through the Hawk AR: Inclusive Feed, designed to make live tennis easier to follow 🎾 It works alongside the usual sports commentary and adds extra audio cues during a live tennis match. 1/3

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