Did you know that RNIB offers grants to registered blind or partially sighted people for useful technology that can help them live independently?
If you qualify, a grant can save you money on a talking watch, talking microwave or accessible smartphone or tablet – including Apple's iPhones and iPads.
You might not know that modern iPhones and iPads are accessible right out of the box – you can turn on either the screenreader (VoiceOver) or Zoom as soon the device powers up to help with set-up.
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To qualify for a grant from RNIB, you must be resident in the UK, registered with your local authority as blind or partially sighted and receive a means-tested benefit and one that is not a Tax Credit – such as Income Support, Housing Benefit, or Universal Credit.
You must also have been refused funding from your local authority for the items you need; have savings of less than £6,000; and not have had a grant from us in the last three years.
More information about grants and qualifying information is available on the RNIB website. You will also find a list of products that can be bought with a grant, relevant restrictions, a link to the grant application form, and other useful information.
If your application is successful, you can receive up to £400 towards the cost of an iPhone, iPad, or other accessible tablet or smartphone.
This RNIB guide to smartphones and tablets includes advice on increasing the text size on your device, changing screen colours, turning on magnification, and using a virtual assistant to help use the device, while RNIB's guide to Apple devices for people with sight loss is specifically aimed at people with, or thinking about, an iPhone or iPad.
There are also Apple accessibility videos to demonstrate the accessibility features for blind and partially sighted people on iPhones and iPads.
