Royal National Institute for the Blind

Profile narrative

Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) is a United Kingdom‑based charity that works to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people. It provides a broad range of support services including information and advice helplines, online resources, emotional support, and local community programmes that help individuals develop daily living skills and maintain independence. RNIB also campaigns for greater accessibility and equality, influencing government policy, advocating for inclusive design, and raising public awareness about sight loss issues. In addition to its advocacy work, the organisation delivers practical assistance such as technology training, employment support, rehabilitation services, and education advice tailored to the needs of people with visual impairments. A notable part of its service offering is the RNIB online shop, which sells specialist products designed for visually impaired users, ranging from mobility aids and adaptive kitchen equipment to reading devices and leisure items. Through these activities RNIB serves individuals across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as well as families, carers, educators, employers, and other organisations that interact with the sight loss community.

RNIB distinguishes itself as the leading sight loss charity in the United Kingdom, combining a long heritage of service—dating back to the nineteenth century—with modern, evidence‑based programmes that address both the social and practical challenges of vision loss. The charity is independent and receives its funding primarily from donations, legacies, grants, and revenue generated by its retail operations, including the online shop and other trading activities; it has no parent company and is governed by a board of trustees. In November 2017 RNIB experienced a security breach of its web store that exposed customer payment details, resulting in fraudulent transactions and a police investigation; the vulnerability was remedied after the organisation was notified. This incident underscored the importance of robust cybersecurity protections for charities that handle financial data, while also demonstrating RNIB’s commitment to addressing security issues promptly when they arise.

Incidents

1 incident linked to this organisation.