Angel Eyes NI

03/06/2026

Angel Eyes NI invites you to join an online information session on the new My Care app, which forms part of the digital Encompass computer system being introduced across Northern Ireland’s health and social care services.

📅 Date: Wednesday 10th June.
🕗 Time: 8.00–9.00pm
💻 Location: Online

The My Care app will give you access to your Patient Profile – allowing you to view your and your child’s medical information, appointments, test results, and medications securely in one place. This session will help you understand how to use the app to manage healthcare more easily and effectively.

Contact Lisa Allen for a link.

07546970883
[email protected]

We highly encourage all parents and carers to attend and ensure you are ready for the move to this new digital healthcare system.

Kind Regards,
Angel Eyes

29/05/2026

We were delighted to attend the official launch of the NaviLens QR codes at Belfast Grand Central Station alongside and partners from the Translink Accessibility Working Group.

We are incredibly excited to see this innovative technology officially launched, helping to make travel more accessible and inclusive for everyone. We have been proud to work closely with NaviLens and support this important project.

This also links closely with our own QR Code campaign led by our young people. Following the success of the council motion encouraging the use of QR codes for menus in hospitality venues, we are now working with local venues alongside NaviLens to explore how QR technology can also support accessibility and wayfinding.

It’s fantastic to see accessibility-focused innovation continuing to grow across our communities. 👏

28/05/2026

We would like to give a massive thank you to Killymurris Presbyterian Church who completed a 24-hour stay out in aid of Angel Eyes NI!
Thank you to everyone who took part, donated, and helped make the event such a success in raising a fantastic £845.43!

27/05/2026

LAST CALL- SEAG Access Arrangements Q&A Session
Wednesday 3rd of June 2026 @ The Children's Law Centre, Belfast
6pm – 7.30pm

Registration for the SEAG entance assessment is now open.
If you are unsure of the access arrangements available or would like to explore them in more detail beofre submitting your access arrangements request, join us on the 3rd of June at the Children's Law Centre to discuss Access Arrangements for visulally impaired pupils.

We are hosting a Question and Answer session in collaboration with the Children’s Law Centre with their SEND Specialist Legal Adviser- Rachel Hogan. Rachel works within the legal team, giving specialist support on special educational needs and disability issues.

This is a unique opportunity to ask questions, discuss your child’s rights and meet like-minded parents at a similar stage in their child’s educational journey.

Register now: [email protected]

NOTE- This is an in-person event at The Children’s Law Centre, Rights House, 2nd Floor 127-137 Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 1SH.

Picture shows the SEAG logo on a purple background: SEAG Schools' Entrance Assessment Group

26/05/2026

Supporting Children with Visual Impairment in Early Years Settings

We were delighted to attend the All Together Now: Foundations of Belonging for Early Year's conference at Southern Regional College last week.

The conference focused on embedding inclusive practices where every child is seen, heard, valued, and supported from the very beginning.

Thank you to everyone who joined our workshop to learn more about supporting children with visual impairment in early years settings. It was wonderful to see such engagement and enthusiasm, with attendees leaving with a greater understanding of visual impairment and feeling more confident in supporting inclusion for these children.

We were also inspired to hear from Chris Quinn, whose commitment to championing the rights of all children is at the heart of everything he does. We are grateful for his continued support of Angel Eyes NI.

Quinn

Picture one shows Education Advocate, Sarah Mathison and intern, Nathan Hood at Angel Eyes NI stand with Angel Eyes banner behind them and resources on a round table.
Picture 2 shows Education Advocate, Sarah Mathison talking at the front of a classroom with adults sitting on chairs listening.
Picture 3 shows Sarah and Nathan smiling for a selfie with Children's Commissioner, Chris Quinn.

25/05/2026

Collaboration and Working with Other Organisations

Hi everyone, it’s Nathan, Angel Eyes NI Intern.

Recently, I had the chance to work with the RNIB and share my experience as a young person with a visual impairment.

I attended two events:

• I joined a consultation with the Department for Infrastructure to discuss the new Active Travel Plan — including challenges like floating bus stops and pavement parking. As someone who relies on walking and buses, this really matters to me.

• I also spoke to the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust about making public consultations more accessible — highlighting simple but important things, like how poor contrast (e.g. white paper on white tablecloths) can create barriers.

I’ll be honest — speaking in front of people was outside my comfort zone.
But it was worth it. Both experiences showed how organisations work behind the scenes to improve accessibility and protect the rights of visually impaired people.

I’m really glad I said yes to these opportunities!

Photo of people sitting and standing behind a table in two rows. The woman in the centre is Liz Kimmins and she has black hair and is wearing a red suit jacket. Nathan is standing on the far left in a dark blue shirt.

24/05/2026

Ten is too young.

That’s why we’ve joined 60 organisations in calling on the NI Assembly to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

You can add your support at buff.ly/r2ymC2n
It’s time to raise the age

23/05/2026

A big thank you to the medical students at Queen's University Belfast for brining our first Teddy Bears Hospital and Caitlin from Acting Up for a brilliant fun filled day on Saturday 16th May. Strand Presbyterian Church provided the setting for this great interactive event. I don't know who had the best time - the students or Angel Eyes NI families!!!
This event was funded by The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland.
Keep a look out for upcoming events and Summer days out.

21/05/2026

A qualitative study on the impact of virtual reality on parents’ understanding of visual impairment was carried out in partnership with Angel Eyes NI and Queen's University Belfast We would like to say a massive thank you to our parents who participated, the Queen's University Belfast team and our clinician Rebecca.

Here is a quote from a parent that participated in the study:"Getting an accurate idea of what she sees was incredible. We have much better into what she’s dealing with now."

Here's what our CEO Sara has to say:
"This is such an important piece of work and I’m incredibly proud to have been part of it alongside such a wonderful talented team.

For me, this research goes far beyond technology. At its heart, it is about helping parents and carers better understand how a child with a visual impairment experiences the world and what that means in everyday life, education, independence and emotional wellbeing.

One of the things we have consistently seen through Empatheyes VR experienced and training is that when people experience visual impairment from another person’s point of view, it changes conversations, confidence and advocacy. Families often tell us they finally feel understood, and professionals begin to think differently about accessibility and inclusion.

While this particular study focused on children and young people with visual impairment, the learning extends much wider. The same immersive approach is proving incredibly powerful in helping professionals, families and communities better understand adult sight loss and visual impairment conditions too which is supporting more inclusive practice across healthcare, education, workplaces and public spaces.

A huge thank you to Gerry, Chloe Michael, and everyone involved in bringing this study to publication. It is wonderful to see immersive simulation and lived experience being recognised together within research.

Really proud of what this represents for Angel Eyes NI, Empatheyes and the future of simulation-based learning in visual impairment."

Children born with visual impairment perceive the world differently, which can lead to developmental delays that are often difficult for parents to understand. This uncertainty can leave them unsure of how best to support their child. Virtual Reality (VR) offers simulated experiences and is increasi...

19/05/2026

We’re Hiring – Education Advocate

There’s still time to apply!

Join Angel Eyes NI and help children and young people with visual impairment, and their families, access the support, confidence and opportunities they need to flourish.

We’re looking for a qualified teacher with a passion for improving outcomes and making a real difference.

• 16 hours per week
• Flexible & hybrid working
• 4-day week (pro rata)

Closing date: Monday 25th May

Find out more and apply here:
https://www.angeleyesni.org/vacancies