The charity was founded in 1920 to provide registration and support services for soldiers whose vision had been damaged during the First World War. The UK Government's ‘Blind Person’s Act’ of 1920 authorised Local Authorities to “promote the welfare of blind persons”. The primary responsibilities of the Association were “the compilation of a complete and up-to-date register of all blind persons in the County" and "the investigation of all cases needing help”. By March 1921, nine months after the Association was created, 902 people had been registered, and it had provided services for 70 individuals.
Current services
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation services provide information and advice, and daily living skills and mobility training to help ensure that people with sight impairments are able to live active and independent lives. Specialist support for people with learning disabilities recognises that there is a much higher incidence of sight impairments amongst people with learning disabilities than the non-learning disabled population.
Guide Communicator Service
The charity provides a specialist one-to-one service for people with dual sensory impairment. A team of Guide Communicators act primarily as facilitators for people who are deafblind, helping them to interact within their local communities and environment.
The charity operates a network over 6 local clubs and groups throughout the region. These groups provide social support and activities including art and craft groups and social clubs for older people.
Weekly talking newspapers and magazines are provided to almost 2,000 people whose sight is impaired. The majority of subscribers of this free service are in their 80s and 90s and the service which includes recordings of local news, helps them keep in touch with local news and events.
Transcription Service
KAB offers a service to companies and organisations to make their information accessible to sight impaired people. The service transcribes material into digital audio formats including CD, USB, MP3, SD and DAISY as well as into large print or Braille.
Although it received funding from Local Authorities, KAB depends upon donations from public, business and foundation sources to fund its work. As much as a third of its income is received from these voluntary sources.
