How volunteering can include people with sight loss
RNIB’s latest research, part of our Voice of the Customer programme, explores the experiences and motivations of blind and partially sighted volunteers and non-volunteers. It reveals both the huge value that volunteering brings to people’s lives and the changes needed to make volunteering more accessible to all.
Blind and partially sighted people bring unique insights, empathy, and problem-solving skills to volunteer roles. Our research found that many are motivated by their own lived experience- sharing their skills and experience of sight loss to raise awareness, foster inclusion and support others, benefiting both the communities they volunteer with and the organisations themselves.
Barriers to participation
Despite this contribution, Volunteer Scotland recently reported that disabled adults were less likely to volunteer than non-disabled adults (18% vs. 28%). While many blind and partially sighted people have positive volunteering experiences, others remain hesitant to take on roles.
When RNIB asked blind and partially sighted people why they don’t volunteer, the most common barriers included:
- Accessibility concerns – not knowing if organisations will provide reasonable adjustments.
- Inaccessible recruitment procedures – making it difficult to apply or learn more.
- Transport challenges – limited mobility options or costs that prevent travel.
- Awareness – not knowing where to find accessible opportunities.
As one non-volunteer shared, “Having a sight impairment makes others panic and think I’m not safe to volunteer.”
These perceptions can be changed. Our research shows that when organisations provide support and flexibility, volunteers thrive. Providing reasonable adjustments can remove or reduce this barrier by enabling people to carry out roles with independence and confidence. Many reasonable adjustments are low or no-cost; they are often about speaking to the volunteer and finding out what their needs are.
Practical steps that make a big difference include:
- Proactively asking volunteers what adjustments they need rather than making assumptions.
- Providing information in accessible formats (Word, audio, large print).
- Offering flexibility in time commitment and format of volunteering.
- Supporting transport or reimbursing expenses promptly and accessibly.
Cost is a clear concern for people with sight loss who don’t currently volunteer. Even small costs, such as transport can quickly add up and prevent people from getting involved. Reimbursing out-of-pocket costs, as set out in the Volunteer Charter, ensures no one is excluded due to income. Extending financial support schemes, like Access to Work, to volunteers could further encourage participation, with 39% of non-volunteers saying it would make them more likely to get involved.
One volunteer told us, “For me, that the biggest adjustment for me is that people give me plenty of notice. I think one thing that a lot of sighted people don’t realise is, besides the actual day-to-day event of dealing with sight loss is the fact that you have so many other appointments with hospitals and doctors and everything else that you can’t just turn up for meetings with, you know, 24-48 hours’ notice.”
Simple and reasonable adjustments can benefit everyone, not just disabled volunteers. They create more open, adaptable organisations ready to welcome a wider range of people and skills.
Flexibility matters
There was also a significant preference for in-person volunteering roles, over virtual, as for many, volunteering is social; it’s about mixing with people and getting out of the house. However, among this group, there were concerns about accessible transport, particularly in rural areas. Many agreed that volunteering would be easier if accessible public transport or transport support were available. A small number did indicate a preference for virtual roles as they felt they could be more independent at home, using their own tools and computers for familiarity and consistency.
Providing transport support is one practical way organisations can make volunteering more accessible. For example, RNIB Scotland uses sighted volunteer drivers to help blind and partially sighted volunteers to attend activities and social groups confidently and safely. This kind of support ensures that volunteers can get out and about and benefit from the social and skill-building aspects of volunteering.
Making volunteering inclusive
If your organisation is ready to welcome blind and partially sighted volunteers, here are some simple steps to get started:
- Promote opportunities clearly and inclusively. Use plain language, accessible formats, and mention that adjustments are available.
- Have a conversation. Ask your prospective volunteers what adjustments or formats will make the role accessible for them.
- Be flexible. Give plenty of notice and offer remote or hybrid options to allow volunteers to manage their time.
- Provide visual awareness training. RNIB can help with practical sessions to educate sighted staff and volunteers.
Let’s ensure that the recovery of volunteering in Scotland doesn’t leave disabled people behind.
To accompany the new research, RNIB have also created some guidance on how to attract, retain and support volunteers with sight loss.
Guest blog by
Jo MacQueen, RNIB Scotland