A person is eligible for a concessionary bus pass if they are blind (severely sight impaired) or partially sighted (sight impaired).
Blind (severely sight impaired)- A high degree of vision loss, seeing much less than is normal or perhaps nothing at all.
Partially Sighted (sight impaired) – A less severe loss of vision. A person who can see more than someone who is blind, but less than a fully sighted person
In general terms a person can be registered as blind, or severely sight impaired, if they cannot see (with glasses, if worn) the top letter of the eye test chart (used by doctors and opticians) at a distance of 3 metres or less. Some people, who can read the top letter of an eye test chart at 3 metres, but not at 6 metres, may still be eligible for registration as blind if their field of vision is also severely restricted.
A person can be registered as partially sighted, or sight impaired, if they have a full field of vision but can only read the top letter of the eye test chart at a distance of 6 metres or less (with glasses, if worn). However, if they can read the next three lines down at the same distance, but the field of vision is either moderately or severely restricted, they may still qualify for registration.
You WILL be eligible if:
- You are registered, or entitled to be registered, as blind or severely sight impaired.
or
- You are registered or entitled to be registered, as partially sighted or sight impaired.
You WILL NOT be eligible if:
- You are not entitled to be registered
You can prove that you are eligible by providing one of the following:
- One of the automatic eligibility proofs in the list before this category.
- Social Services Certificate of Registration showing either blind, partially sighted or dual sensory loss.
- Certificate of Visual Impairment signed by a Consultant Ophthalmologist.
- Letter from an eye specialist, for example an optometrist, stating that you would qualify to be registered as blind or partially sighted.
Please be aware that a medical professional is not obliged to provide a letter and as this is a private service you may be charged.