News from Northern Ireland

In this news section you can keep yourself up to date with all the latest news on our events and activities taking place in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.

For the first time in over two years, blind and partially sighted children from Northern Ireland have met face-to-face

On Saturday, 21st May, 20 families were brought together by sight loss charity RNIB at Belfast’s W5 for a day out with a difference.

New Helpline will Enable Blind and Partially Sighted People to Vote Independently for First Time

The right to vote independently, and in secret, is a cornerstone of our democracy, yet up until now, many of the 56,400 blind and partially sighted people in Northern Ireland haven’t been able to vote independently or in private.

Family from Crumlin on fundraising mission for RNIB

In August 2021, Alfie Hannaway's parents were told he has ocular albinism – a genetic condition affecting his eyesight. Just a few months later, they learned his sister, Clíodhna, also has the same condition.

A Jurassic Adventure for Children with Vision Impairment

Live from California, dinosaur expert extraordinaire Jack Horner joined an online event hosted by sight loss charity RNIB to share his expertise with over 50 children from across the UK.

Kilwaughter Minerals praised for prioritising eye care

RNIB in Northern Ireland praises local employer Kilwaughter Minerals Ltd for their efforts in raising awareness of the importance of looking after employees’ eyesight.

Call for NI Businesses to "Get on Board" with RNIB Drive to Strengthen Inclusion Practices

Belfast Lord Mayor supports initiative to help NI businesses "see the employee, not the sight loss" 

Banbridge Sisters' singing raises £3,000 for RNIB

Mollie and Beth Gibson took on the Take on 250 challenge, raising £3,000 by singing for 250 hours.

Charities unite in calling for better support for children and young people with sight loss in NI

The call comes as a five year project undertaken by sight loss support charities RNIB (the Royal National Institute of Blind People) and Angel Eyes NI comes to a close. 

Translink paves the way

Sight loss charity RNIB praises the transport provider for ensuring tactile paving exists at all its stations.

Blind TV Licence concession made easier to access

A ground-breaking agreement between the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), TV Licensing and the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) will make it much easier for people with severe sight impairment to access a blind concession TV Licence.

Great news for blind and partially sighted people in the Coleraine area as organised face-to-face activities resume

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), in partnership with Irish Bowls, have launched Dander Bowls - a walk and a chat followed by a game of bowls at Coleraine Bowls Club every Monday morning. It’s been a big hit with blind and partially sighted people in the area.

Nan Murray from Newtownabbey warns others with diabetes to not take their eyesight for granted this Diabetes Week

There are now 100,000 people in Northern Ireland living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. This shocking number includes the estimated 12,000 who have not yet been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. All of whom are at increased risk of diabetic eye disease as well as glaucoma and cataracts.  

NI Retailers Come Together to Support Customers with Sight Loss

Retail NI, the Federation of Small Businesses in NI and a wealth of local shops and businesses have mobilised alongside sight loss charity RNIB to ensure blind and partially sighted shoppers and patrons are protected at the present time.

RNIB Launch new Wellbeing Check-ins for Mental Health Awareness Week 2021

Adults and young people over the age of eleven, who are blind or partially sighted, and anyone in their support networks, can now avail of a one-off Mental Wellbeing Check-in as well as counselling or confidence building programmes through the Need to Talk project, run by the charity RNIB in Northern Ireland.  

Springhill Tesco customers help create a lifeline for people with sight loss during lockdown

Ken Carson and Pauline Canning from Bangor are on a fundraising mission to sponsor two new RNIB Talking Books for the 1,700 blind and partially sighted people in Northern Ireland.

Working to ensure the vaccine programme is accessible for blind and partially sighted people

Health Minister Robin Swann has praised sight loss charities RNIB and Guide Dogs in Northern Ireland for creating advice for staff involved with administrating the coronavirus vaccine to blind and partially sighted people.

RNIB makes accessible books free for children in Northern Ireland for World Book Day 2021

To celebrate World Book Day on Thursday (4 March), we're giving away thousands of books in braille and audio formats for children with vision impairment across Northern Ireland.

Derry man teams up with RNIB to warn of increase in hallucinations

RNIB is warning that ongoing lockdown and coronavirus restrictions could be causing a spike in hallucinations due to sight loss.

Sight loss charity plays cupid

Once upon a time, two people with sight loss met on an RNIB day trip, fell in love and lived happily ever after.

Blind Northern Irish gamer takes on "inaccessible" gaming industry

It’s "game on" for blind and partially sighted players in Northern Ireland and Scotland with the launch of a new gaming group.

Asda pledges support to customers with sight loss

RNIB acknowledges the support of Asda in circulating RNIB’s best practice guidance to 140,000 staff across 640 UK-wide stores, 23 depots and three home offices.

Supporting people with sight loss into employment

Only one in four blind and partially sighted people of working age are in employment, but RNIB’s Eye Work Too programme is working to change that.

Our Future is Now in Our Hands

Children and young people with sight loss in Northern Ireland are celebrating as today marks the launch of an exciting new project that will empower them to shape their own future.

People with sight loss can bank on support from Ulster Bank

RNIB (the Royal National Institute of Blind People) has praised Ulster Bank for the measures it’s taking to meet the needs of its customers with sight loss.

RNIB Praises NIHF for Supporting Blind and Partially Sighted People

Sight loss charity, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), has praised the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF) for circulating RNIB best practice guidance to its 100 members and showing support for the 55,600 people living with sight loss in Northern Ireland.

First Ever Museum Zoom Tour for People with Sight Loss in NI

Sight loss charity the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has been working with National Museums NI to ensure its four sites are more accessible for blind and partially sighted people. 

RNIB commends FSB Northern Ireland for supporting blind and partially sighted people

RNIB has acknowledged the support of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in circulating RNIB’s best practice guidance to its 6,000 members.

RNIB NI Welcomes the Accessibility of the StopCOVID NI App

As part of RNIB NI’s ongoing campaign to address accessible healthcare information, they have been working with the Department of Health and Digital Health and Care NI, to ensure that the new StopCOVID NI Proximity App is accessible.

RNIB and Guide Dogs launch guidance on social distancing for NI

We have developed guidance on social distancing for blind and partially sighted people in NI.

RNIB NI warns of "double lockdown" for people with sight loss

As lockdown eases, we are warning that blind and partially sighted people’s independence is increasingly under threat.  

"Anxious about my eye appointment, but I'm so glad I went"

We are urging people to continue to attend their scheduled eye appointments.

Getting "most important information in a generation" to people with sight loss

RNIB NI and Guide Dogs for the Blind have praised the role played by Executive Ministers in distributing vital information. 

RNIB Northern Ireland calls on all retailers to ensure blind and partially sighted shoppers can socially distance safely in store

Some local brands have stepped up but growing numbers of people with sight loss are contacting RNIB about the challenges they face regarding social distancing and shopping.

Advice for blind and partially sighted people during coronavirus

The devolved government and the community sector in Northern Ireland have mobilised to give local help.

"Thank you for enabling me to shop safely and independently"

RNIB Northern Ireland has been working with local retailers to get shoppers safer access to groceries and essentials.

More good news for accessing groceries in Northern Ireland

Four hundred and eighty seven SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO, ViVOXTRA and ViVO Essentials stores have pledged their commitment to supporting blind and partially sighted people.

Musgrave provides essential support for blind and partially sighted people

RNIB praises the retailer for the support it is offering during the coronavirus pandemic.

RNIB NI responds to coronavirus with specialist support

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is offering support to people affected by sight loss in Northern Ireland after unprecedented changes to everyday life.

Coronavirus crisis - RNIB Northern Ireland urges public bodies to ensure important information is accessible 

Ensuring blind and partially sighted people can access quick-changing health information and advice is critical.

Breaking down barriers - RNIB Northern Ireland's community engagement report

RNIB Northern Ireland has published its community engagement report, which gathers the views of blind and partially sighted people and sets out priorities for change.

Time to end inequality for blind and partially sighted people

The Royal National Institute of Blind People in Northern Ireland has issued a call to action to politicians, policy makers and partner organisations, to join them in ending the inequalities faced by blind and partially sighted people here.

Blind and partially sighted voters still struggling to cast their votes

Blind and partially sighted voters still struggle to cast their ballot papers in secret, says a leading sight loss charity as it launches its manifesto for the December 12th General Election. 

Moygashel mum’s magical moment

Zoe Stinson has today handed over a cheque for £1,908.99 to RNIB NI after a hugely successful fundraising campaign in honour of her son Harley. 

Breaking records and barriers

Northern Irish Songstress Andrea Begley has a new single and an exciting new role as the Chairperson of RNIB’s Network Committee.

Shut out due to sight loss

New figures, launched today, show that three-quarters of guide dog owners (76 per cent) have been illegally turned away by businesses and services, such as taxis, restaurants, shops, cafes, hotels and pubs.

Queens University partners with RNIB

Following recommendations that visual awareness training be given to all medical professionals, the Royal National Institute of Blind People in Northern Ireland (RNIBNI) and the medical school at Queen’s University of Belfast, have worked together to embed this training into the QUB medical course.

See it our way

Blind and partially sighted people across Northern Ireland have been instrumental in the development of a new training video and advice card for health and social care staff and volunteers.

Seeing the light

A charity counselling service is helping blind people see the light through their depression.

Charity calls on employers to help young people with sight loss ‘Realise’ their potential

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) in Northern Ireland has called for greater understanding and awareness amongst employers about the positive contribution young people with sight loss can make in the workplace.

‘Mid Ulster Community RNIB Talking Book Challenge’ launches this week!

Jackie Cotton, RNIB NI’s Community Access Support Worker for the Mid Ulster area launches the ‘Mid Ulster Community RNIB Talking Book Challenge’ this week, and the Mill Court Bar and Restaurant in Coalisland is the first local organisation to pledge their support.

Local visually impaired child stars in film to mark RNIB’s 150th anniversary

To mark this milestone, the charity has worked with visually impaired children from across the UK to create a light-hearted short film to encourage people to see the person, not the sight loss.

Charity calls for greater awareness of blindness in Northern Ireland

A survey of people in Northern Ireland has today [16 October 2018] revealed a widespread lack of awareness and understanding of sight loss. 

Realising potential – celebrating the achievements of young people with sight loss

Over the last five years more than 300 blind and partially sighted young people, between the ages of eight and 25, have taken part in RNIB’s ‘Realise Project’.

RNIB appoints new Northern Ireland and Isle of Man Director

Dr Jackie Witherow has been appointed as the new Director of RNIB for Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.

Leading transport provider in Northern Ireland signs up to RNIB Bus Charter

Northern Ireland's leading trans​port provider, Translink, are first in NI to sign up to our RNIB Bus Charter.

RNIB NI launches ‘Get On Board’ research report, highlighting the barriers people with sight loss face in accessing public transport in NI

On Thursday 12 November, RNIB NI launched ‘Get on board!’ an Accessible Transport Summary Report at RADAR NI, Northern Ireland’s first fully interactive safety and life skills education centre, located in Belfast.  

Best Practice Guidance in Creating Accessible Primary Care Services for People with Sensory Loss

Download best practice guidelines developed as support for Health care Commissioners, Health and Social Care Trusts, GPs, nurses and Practice Managers to help improve accessibility to services for people who are deaf, have a hearing loss, are blind or partially sighted.

Andrea Begley joins RNIB as an ambassador for the sight loss charity in Northern Ireland

RNIB NI is proud to announce Andrea Begley as our new ambassador here in Northern Ireland.

• For more information on RNIB NI news stories, please contact: Robert Shilliday, Interim Deputy Director, RNIB Northern Ireland. Email: [email protected]