Empowering lives: Upcoming Events at Ballymena Central Library for People with Sight Loss
Ballymena Central Library is set to host a series of events aimed at supporting individuals affected by sight loss. These events are designed to provide valuable resources, foster community connections, and introduce attendees to the latest assistive technologies.
Starting on 18 September at 11am, there will be an opportunity to learn the basics about useful technology and sign up for one-to-one basic tech support sessions through the ‘Go ON NI’ project. Attendees can ask questions about using mobile devices to make life easier, such as reading letters, sending audio messages, adding bank cards to digital wallets, and setting up larger text or voice-over features. To register interest, contact: [email protected] or Ballymena library on 028 2563 3950.
On Thursday 9 October, RNIB’s Product Coordinator Louise Kenny will be in the library demonstrating ‘everyday living’ equipment, highlighting all those useful items around the house. If you have any requests for particular items please contact Louise in advance on [email protected] or phone 028 9033 4110. RNIB’s range of products can be found online at shop.rnib.org.uk.
Also in October, a new ‘Read Aloud’ group will launch on Thursday 23 October at 11am. A local librarians will read a short story, poem or an exert from a book, then the group will discuss the story and characters over a cuppa. A perfect opportunity to just relax and meet new people - family and friends welcome. To register interest, contact: [email protected] or Ballymena library on 028 2563 3950.
Culleybackey man Frank Warwick, 72, is registered blind, and encouraging others with sight loss in the Ballymena area to reach out and come along to local events and groups run by the RNIB, and other local charities such as the Macular Society.
Frank said, “I’ve had limited vision my whole life due to congenital cataracts. I can read some larger print and see better with my left eye than right, so might miss people on the street for example, and struggle with reading small things or handwritten things - not that there’s too much of that these days!
But I’m pretty active. I’m part of the Ballee VIP Club, Ballymena Radio Club, and where I’ve lived over the years, between Doagh and Ballymena, I’ve been fortunate to be able to hop on a bus wherever I’ve needed. I worked for the bank in Belfast for 30 years, as a telephone operator in Royal Avenue for the first 20 of those.
Public transport is a massive thing for blind and partially sighted people in being able to get to work and out and about in general, meeting friends and being independent.
Even more importantly you could say for many though, is meeting and talking with others who’ve experienced sight loss, or lived with a condition affecting their sight all their lives - that is often the game changer.
You realise you’re not alone in feeling certain ways. You find out what’s worked for and helped other people.
When the new smartphones and tablets came out it was a learning curve, and still is, with new things being produced all the time, but you don’t have to try and figure it out on your own.
That’s why these new ‘Go ON NI’ sessions are such a good first step.It’s not as hard as you think, things are so much more user friendly now. I would encourage anyone who has been a bit hesitant before to come along, keep openminded, and willing to be pleasantly surprised.
For me, now, for example, instead of having different, often costly gadgets, I can take a picture of my post and the phone can read out what it says through an app called ‘SeeingAI’, or ask it ‘what’s the weather due to be like today?’ or ‘when’s the next bus?’ from wherever I am.
I’ve also recently started using the library’s audiobook service and am really enjoying it. I can have all the books on my phone or tablet and read anywhere - great if you’re on the bus, waiting for an appointment, or I’ve even got a set of Bluetooth speakers now for when I’m in the shower!
Most people who lose their sight during their lives do so when they’re older, and all this new technology can be daunting. They often think ‘oh no I couldn’t work that’, but you can really be surprised if you give it a go.
Ultimately, I just want everybody to be winners. This is largely still a ‘sighted’ world and any opportunities we have to share with others, or find out from others how we can overcome any struggles, and have a bit of craic at the same time, we’ve got to take them. We’re in this together.”
For more information on the wide range of events and social groups taking place across Northern Ireland, visit rnib.org.uk/NorthernIreland, or call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm.
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Notes to Editor
Upcoming events in Ballymena Central Library, in association with RNIB Northern Ireland:
· Thursday 18 September, 11am – Basic tech support initial session with the ‘GO ON NI’ project
· Thursday 9 October, 11am – Useful products and technology demonstration with RNIB Products and Advice Coordinator
· Thursday 23 October, 11am – New ‘Read Aloud’ group starting