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Background/Method While a number of ECSSs have developed in the 1990s, a recent RNIB survey concluded that there was a ‘patchy level of provision’ in the UK. Nevertheless, it was also apparent that there was no clear way of measuring the impact of such services. This exploratory study gathered interview data from staff working in 9 eye clinics and related social services departments in England. The interviews explored 60 professionals' perceptions of ECSS impact. Additionally, 20 service users (aged 50 years and over) from three of the clinics were interviewed. Results The suggested benefits of ECSSs were as follows: (1) improved access (through prioritisation of patients to external support services); (2) increased speed of access to these services; (3) a suggestion of improved patient throughput within the clinic; (4) a greater awareness within the hospital of issues related to low vision patients; (5) users emphasised access to someone who could listen to them as well as providing information about the registration process or services available. Nevertheless, the evidence underpinning these propositions is largely anecdotal or based upon specific case studies. Quantitative data to enable statistical analysis were almost universally missing. Additionally, while some patients reported benefits of the ECSS, many did not have a clear understanding of different elements of the overall services (medical and social) they receive. Conclusions Conclusive evidence as to the impact of ECSSs would most likely require a prospective study which tracked patients through the various services.

This poster describes two related research projects: the first explores the delivery of mobility and independence (MI and the second builds upon the findings of the first project, by developing online resources aimed at professionals and others involved in the delivery process. The first project involved drawing upon the experiences and expertise of professionals employed by services involved in the delivery of M&I education across the UK, and culminated in a number of findings and practical recommendations intended for professionals working with children in mainstream schools. The second project, funded by the NLB, took the findings and recommendations from the first project and made them into a freely available online resource, to aid professionals in assessing their own practice and to develop new or existing mobility and independence services in which they are involved.

This poster presents an update and initial findings from an ongoing survey of 1000 visually impaired people in Great Britain. Methods The project started in March 2004. It aims to develop a random sample of 1000 registered visually impaired people (with weighted stratification for age). The process of recruitment is underway. The recruited participants will be surveyed for their needs, circumstances and opinions on a number of topics. The intention is that this survey will build upon work carried out by the RNIB, except in this case the sample will be maintained with the aim of collecting longitudinal data. The year 1 survey is designed to collect general demographic information, including that related to their self-reported level of vision, health, and access to services. Uniquely, there are also a series of questions related to the broad areas of employment, ILS, ICT, leisure, travel and transport, and education. Through these questions participants will comment about their participation in society and any barriers to this participation. The results of the year 1 ‘generative questions’ will enable priorities for future questions to be set. Results and conclusion The data is in the process of being collected and this poster presentation will give an opportunity to share early findings of this large scale ongoing survey.