RNIB drops white stick from logo

The Royal National Institute of the Blind is to drop the distinctive white stick from its logo in an image revamp.

It said the current design suggested the charity was only for the blind when in fact it helped the partially sighted and works to prevent blindness.

Ciara Smyth, head of communications at RNIB, also said many blind people did not need a white cane and so the logo implied the charity was out of touch. The change is part of a wider drive to campaign for blind people's rights.

Ms Smyth said: "The reality is a lot of blind people get around without the use of a cane, so it seems to represent an organisation that is not in touch with the people it is trying to help. "The logo as it stands promotes the idea that we are a charity that only helps blind people rather than also partially sighted people."

The new logo is currently being designed. It will feature the letters RNIB, although the charity plans to be renamed the Royal National Institute of Blind People. Its slogan will be changed from "helping you live with sight loss" to "supporting blind and partially sighted people".

Ms Smyth added: "We are moving towards the campaigning and advocacy side, but we are still going to provide services."

She said the charity would push for more political, and social, change. The charity was founded in the 19th Century by successful doctor Thomas Rhodes Armitage, who was forced to retire while in his thirties. He devoted the rest of his life to improving conditions for blind people by promoting ways of helping them succeed in the workplace