Our impact
We are a small charity with big ambitions. By working together with our supporters, partners and people living with sight loss, we are determined to do more to unlock a world of audio content for blind and partially sighted people across the UK.
Right now there are than 30,000 BWBF audio devices in homes across the UK. More than 5,000 people had downloaded our apps to date.
Our audio devices
The people we support include young people who have grown up as smartphone users and those who are less familiar with technology.
We offer a choice and don’t make assumptions about what people need. That’s why we offer a range of audio devices to suit everyone’s needs.
Since we started giving out Alexa devices in June 2024 these have fast become our most popular devices. But we also now offer more choice than ever. The One Button Radio might be the ideal option for someone who wants a simple radio they can operate independently without having to familiarise themselves with lots of buttons or dials. Whereas others might enjoy our CD or USB players. We even give sleep soothers for babies and young children.
Our audio devices in numbers
The number of audio devices we gave out last year
The number of Alexa devices we gave out last year
The increase in the number of people we supported from 2023 to 2024
Our audio devices keep people connected
Yvonne’s father Thomas started to lose his sight in old age, due to macular degeneration. His easy-to-use radio from BWBF has brought independence and a new sense of pleasure in life.
Even if you’re not talking to somebody, if you’re listening to the radio and you’re listening to the news, then you’re still feeling part of things.
Yvonne, whose dad Thomas has a free radio from BWBF
Browse our audio devices
Explore our full range of audio devices, which includes Alexa smart speakers, USB players, radios and more. Find details of all our devices, user manuals and information about who can apply for a free device.
Explore devicesOur apps and Skills
Our mobile phone apps and Alexa Skill bring together a world of audio content. They remove the endless adverts, pop-ups, and platform-specific user interfaces that can be especially frustrating to navigate if you’re living with sight loss.
Over the last year, we increased the number of radio stations on our Speech Radio app sevenfold. Today we offer more than 70,000 stations, all via one app. Meanwhile we transformed our Talking Newspaper app to be fully speech-powered. This means users can now navigate both our apps using simple voice commands.
Our accessible app content
Radio stations on our Speech Radio app
Publications on our Speech Talking Newspaper app
Our apps unlock a world of audio
Brian was born with congenital glaucoma. He lost the last of his vision in 2018. Using BWBF’s radio app helps him overcome everyday accessibility barriers to enjoy the radio via a simple, sight loss friendly interface.
Radio is such a big thing for my generation. We’ve grown up with it and having access to the radio is always going to be a priority.
Brian
Learn about our apps
Our apps give easy access to radio and local news for people living with sight loss. Nowhere else on the internet can someone living with sight loss access more than 70,000 radio stations or hundreds of newspapers for free, all in one place, all via simple commands or gestures.
Read about the apps
Impact Report: 2023
Our Impact Report for 2023 reveals the scale of our support and the human impact our radios, audio devices and apps have for people living with sight loss. Download the full length report or 'mini' version.
Impact Report: 2023 - Impact Report 2023 (audio)
Thomas & Yvonne's story
Yvonne’s father Thomas started to lose his sight in old age, due to macular degeneration. His easy-to-use radio from BWBF has brought independence and a new sense of pleasure in life.
Brian's story
Brian was born with congenital glaucoma. He lost the last of his vision in 2018. Using BWBF’s radio app helps him overcome everyday accessibility barriers to enjoy the radio via a simple, sight loss friendly interface.
Dyfrig's story
Dyfrig grew up partially sighted and, at the age of 45, he lost his sight entirely. His tactile radio has helped him overcome his frustrations with technology to embrace his passion for radio.
Make a donation
- £
£5 - Every gift helps provide life-changing support
Donate now£10 - Our devices can come with a set of personal headphones
Donate now£20 - BWBF gives life-long support to people living with sight loss
Donate nowWhatever you choose to give, it will bring joy and connection
Donate now- £
£30 - Our volunteers give one-to-one support and advice
Donate now£75 - Devices like the Echo Show can give a vital sense of connection
Donate now£130 - BWBF offers a range of devices to suit those we support
Donate nowWhatever you choose to give, it will bring joy and connection
Donate now