What leisure activities can be done at home with sight loss?
There are many activities you can enjoy in and around your own home, sometimes with a little adaptation or special equipment.
Gardening
RNIB works closely with Thrive to make gardening more accessible. Thrive is a small national charity that uses gardening to help disabled people transform their lives. Further information can be found on RNIB's Gardening webpage.
Television and DVD
More and more broadcasters are starting to provide audio description. Information about accessing television and DVDs at home with specialist equipment and audio description can be found on RNIB's Audio description webpages.
Reading
Most libraries now have a wider choice of large print and audio CD books available for you to borrow. You can also use an e reader, tablet or ipad to download books to listen to or read (most devices allow you to increase the print or change the background colour). RNIB has an excellent talking book service, which supplies a huge range of books in audio format and Guide Dogs sell a range of large print childrens books at the same retail price as standard ones.
Talking Newspaper services are normally offered by most local newspapers via volunteers, to provide audio versions of your local news on CD, USB stick or over the internet. You can find your local service on the Sightline Directory by entering your postcode and the search words 'Talking Newspaper'.
Sewing and knitting
Needlecraft and knitting can be made more accessible through a range of gadgets and accessories such as large print patterns and needle threaders. Please also see Do you have any tips on knitting with sight loss?
Art
Many artists and painters who have lost some or all of their sight continue to paint, through a variety of technical changes, such as the use of good light and good magnifiers.
There are many activities you can enjoy in and around your own home, sometimes with a little adaptation or special equipment. Further ideas and information can be found on RNIB's Arts and crafts webpage.
