Royal National Institute of Blind People 1868

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is a British charity that offers support to those with sight loss. The charity was founded in 1868 as the British and Foreign Society for Improving the Embossed Literature of the Blind by Dr Thomas Rhodes Armitage who was partially sighted. The first meeting involved Dr Armitage, Daniel Conolly who was blind, WW Fenn who was blind, and Dr James Gale who was also blind. In 1869, the charity underwent a number of name changes due to the rapidly expanding organisation finishing with the British and Foreign Blind Association, for improving the Embossed Literature, and promoting the employment of the Blind.

In 1871, the charity committed to the use of braille and published a report that showed the link between education and employment for blind people. Because of this, they changed their name again to British and Foreign Blind Association for Promoting the Education and Employment of the Blind. But, this time, the name remained until the charity moved to larger premises in 1914, at which point it became the National Institute for the Blind (NIB).

In 1949, the charity received a Royal Charter which became reflected in the name in 1953 when the charity became the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). This changed to "of the Blind" in 2002 when the charity became a membership organisation, and again to "of Blind People" in 2008 to coincide with the launch of the UK Vision Strategy.

The charity have provided a number of services over the years including children's homes for blind children, Talking Books, large print newspapers and a helpline.