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.
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.
Get Shady with Specsavers and RNIB NI
It’s National Sunglasses Day today (Thursday, June 27) and to mark it, sight loss charity RNIB NI has teamed up with Specsavers, Newtownabbey to offer one lucky person the chance to win a pair of Hugo Boss designer sunglasses worth £149!
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.
Northern Irish Songstress Andrea Begley has a new single and an exciting new role as the Chairperson of RNIB’s Network Committee.
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.
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.
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 transport provider, Translink, are first in NI to sign up to our RNIB Bus Charter.
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, GP’s, 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 are proud to announce Andrea Begley as our new ambassador here in Northern Ireland.
RNIB supports people with sight loss to claim over £950,000 in unclaimed benefits
From April 2014 to March 2015 RNIB NI Welfare Rights team secured a life changing £956,896 in previously unclaimed benefits for people who are blind or partially sighted across Northern Ireland.
RNIB launch free counselling service for older people living with sight loss in Northern Ireland
RNIB NI are pleased to announce the launch of a free of charge sight loss counselling service for older people recently diagnosed or living with sight loss.
Volunteering - an experience of a lifetime
Alan Edgar is one of our longest serving volunteers who is still dedicating his time to RNIB after 47 years of hard work. Find out why...
Tour de Towpath on a Tandem in pink!
Northern Ireland was awash with pink during May with the Giro d'Italia paying a visit to our shores and local blind and partially sighted tandem riders did not want to be left out of the celebrations!
Sighted Guide shopping service launched for blind and partially sighted people in Northern Ireland
A new Sighted Guide shopping service was officially launched on 29 April in Belfast at the Castlecourt Shopping Centre.
This Heritage Lottery funded project presents an insight into the social history of blindness in Northern Ireland, from 1800, through wartime, right up to present day. The accompanying exhibition features artifacts and personal stories of those living with sight loss.
Sensory Engagement Programme launches online toolkit for service providers
As a lasting legacy, the Sensory Engagement Programme (SEP) launches online resource for service providers at events in Derry/Lderry and Dundalk.
RNIB NI launches sight loss and the workplace publication
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB NI) announce the launch of their publication entitled ‘This IS working in Northern Ireland’.
RNIB NI celebrate success of the Community Engagement Project
RNIB NI celebrates the success of the Community Engagement Project (CEP) in West Belfast, at an event in Parliament Buildings, Stormont.
Energy company, NIE, donate £2000 to RNIB NI
NIE's 'Staff and Pensioners fund' have donated £2000 to RNIB NI to purchase tandem bicycles for use by people who are blind and partially sighted.
This IS working in Northern Ireland tells the story of 11 men and women who are blind or partially sighted. They are working in a wide range of jobs, supporting themselves and their families, contributing to their employer’s success and using their energies and talents to further the wealth and wellbeing of our society.
For more information on RNIB NI news stories, please contact:
Aidan McLoone, Communications and Marketing Manager
Tel: 028 9032 9373
Email: [email protected]