A new Webster-pak has been designed to help people with low vision manage their medications. The Websterpak LV, was developed in consultation with Vision Australia and Blind Citizens Australia, in response to numerous studies which have highlighted an obvious need. According to one large study undertaken by the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB), 85 per cent of blind and partially sighted people found it difficult or impossible to read medicine information on labels.
Nearly half (45 per cent) of blind and partially sighted people said they found it “impossible” to read the instructions on medication.
Another study by RNIB Scotland highlighted the experiences of blind and partially sighted people with one participant stating, “For blind people, there are serious problems with different packaging of the same medicine from different suppliers. This is important!! The variable in packaging is a very serious potential calamity for the blind”.
It is easier for people with low vision to read a simple, large white font on a black background, because contrast is critical in enhancing visual function.
The Webster-pak LV is a black pack and uses a simple white san serif font, which is printed in a larger size. The use of uppercase and lowercase letters (sentence case type) also makes the indicated day and dosage times for medications easier to discern, making it more likely that they will be taken safely and accurately.
