RNIB Northern Ireland

17/10/2026

Climbing to new heights with and Accessible Adventures Ireland CIC

We had a great time at Gilford Community Centre this week, with 10 people conquering the 30 foot climbing wall.

Some trepidation, some grit, and some pride, as people pushed themselves and were encouraged and guided from instructors down below.

It was great to have a couple of new people come out with us for the first time, and some familiar faces help make sure it was a day full of laughs.

We'd love to welcome you or your friend or family member along some time. Check out our latest programme and get in touch at the link in comments below. And if you've any ideas for what you'd like to do next, let us know!

Image descriptions:
1-Group of 12 people of various ages and sight wearing their harnesses at the front of the big pink climbing wall,giving big thumbs up to camera
2- Person over halfway up the climbing wall with instructor and RNIB's ever enthusiastic Una giving encouraging and guidance from below

16/10/2026

We are delighted to recognise Bangor's Ken Carson for his efforts in raising awareness and making positive change for others in his community, by asking him to be RNIB's newest ambassador 🤩👏

At a special event in Bangor Castle last week for World Sight Day, Ken gave an impassioned speech about 'the power of people'. Particularly in the latest work with Ards and North Down Borough Council to make it NI's first 'Visually Aware Borough'.

Ken spoke of how support from RNIB and sensory support throughout his own journey since experiencing a significant deterioration in his sight since his 40s has been life changing, alongside the vital connections he's built with other people with sight loss through 'walking through open doors presented by RNIB', and encouraged others to take opportunities presented to them.

Most recently, working together with others as chair of Bangor SIGHT (Sight Impaired Group Helping Transformation) the group were proud to have played a part in the new Bangor Ring Road, making journeys safer and more direct for so many local people to enjoy and benefit from for generations to come.

"Patience and positivity pays off" says Ken. We have no doubt there'll be more to come.

if you'd like to get involved with our campaigning work, or be willing to share your story to encourage others to reach out for support, please do get in touch. Drop us a message or email [email protected].

15/10/2026

You may have seen someone out using a long white cane to help get around, yeah?

Well did you know there are several different types of long canes that blind or partially sighted people may use and what they signify?

For example:

1. Long white cane with red stripes - I have both sight and hearing loss

2. Shorter white cane that is held but doesn't touch the ground - This is a 'symbol cane' and one people may bring out at certain times when they feel they need a little extra help in finding where they're going or understanding that they may need a little extra time to do something

3. Long cane in a different colour, or different coloured tip- I am registered blind or partially sighted but I also like to express myself, or go a bit offroad!

Many people, particularly those who have experienced sight loss in later life, have told us they were really hesitant about using a long cane.

That they felt it would make them seem more vulnerable or people would be thinking certain things about them or having pity for them.

Yet, for those that have actually made that step, most wish they'd gone for it sooner! That they'd be lost without it now and it's given them so much more confidence and independence.

Where are you in your journey today? Have you found a white cane has made a difference to your life, in terms of safety too? Tell us in the comments and let's encourage and inform others.

If you're a 'sighted' person, you can make a big difference to people's everyday life and confidence with small changes and awareness – Here are five things you can do today for White Cane Safety Day:

1. Be mindful of people using white canes (and guide dogs) and always yield the right-of-way.

2. Do what you can to improve accessibility in public spaces – trim back overhanging hedges, put your bins away promptly, advocate for businesses to keep pavements as clear as possible.

3. In indoor spaces, such as offices and restaurants, tuck your chair in when you leave the table or desk, and don’t leave bags and coats where they become trip hazards.

4. Learn how to guide a blind or partially sighted person - contact us to discuss some training for your organisation or community group: [email protected]

14/10/2026

Take our short survey
How can AI smart glasses benefit blind and partially sighted people?
AI smart glasses have the potential to increase independence for blind and partially sighted people by providing hands-free access to information, text, object recognition, navigation and descriptions of their surroundings.
However, the misuse of smart glasses has attracted media attention and public concern.
Share your thoughts in our survey. tiveTech
https://www.rnib.org.uk/news/take-part-in-our-survey-on-ai-smart-glasses/

Image shows a man wearing a pair of the Meta Ray-Ban smartglasses and reading a menu.

13/10/2026

You can see an RNIB ECLO at any stage of your sight loss diagnosis.
Eye Care Liaison Officers (ECLOs,) offer practical and emotional support to anyone affected by sight loss, including families and carers, and give you advice on how to lessen the impact your eye condition may have on your life.

ECLOs can support you to:
• Maintain your independence
• Understand your eye condition and treatment
• Apply for benefits and concessions
• Stay in employment or education
• Use technology to help you with tasks
• Understand the Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI) process

An RNIB ECLO may be asked to speak to you in the clinic by an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, or a nurse. But the team are happy to accept referrals from you, Family members or carer, GPs/ healthcare professionals, and Voluntary organisations.
Get in touch with the team on: Tel: 07903553492 or 07749386869. Email:[email protected]
This image shows an RNIB ECLO called Jenny chatting to a lady in a clinic setting.

11/10/2026

On World Sight Day this week our intrepid Derry campaigner Rory was on air with now good friend Mark Patterson and also made Mark rather emotional by presenting him with this year's 'Derry City Champion' accolade in helping making the city a 'Visually Aware Space'.🤩

Listen again to their catch up discussing all things living with sight loss here and looking after your eyes.👏

We're very thankful for his support in covering local events and issues over the years, including our latest Tech Fair in Derry in February.

Your voice matters and can make a difference too.

If you'd like to get involved in RNIB's campaigning and influencing work, contact [email protected]

Derry marks World Sight Day 2026 - we speak to the local branch of RNIB.

10/10/2026

While it is possible to live a full and independent life as a blind or partially sighted person, you may come across difficulties at any point in your journey and find a little bit of support helpful.

Did you know RNIB runs a series of emotional support groups for anyone experienced sight loss, or are blind or partially sighted?

These groups are facilitated by a qualified counsellor and provide a confidential and therapeutic space where you can receive support from a professional and others with a similar eye condition or life experience.

Each group runs on teams with audio format only for eight weeks, with a maximum of seven participants, ensuring plenty of time to connect and be supported.

The following groups are available to join:

-Charles Bonnet Syndrome Group
-Retinitis Pigmentosa Group
-Seeking Employment Group
-Staying in Employment Group
-Sight loss after stroke Group
-Glaucoma Group
-Age-related Macular Degeneration Group
-Diabetes and Sight loss group
-Seeing it through groups - this group is open to anyone experiencing sight loss.
-Friends and Family group

You can register interest in joining a group by contacting our coordinator and counsellor: [email protected] , or call via our Helpline on 0303 123 9999

We're here for you.


Image description: Graphic with white writing on pink background. Title:RNIB Emotional Support Groups and bullet points: Age-related macular degeneration;diabetes and sight loss; friends and family group;sight loss after stroke;and more... Subheading:Join today and receive support from a professional and others with a similar eye condition or life experience. Three small images to left and right including:outline of eye, outline of hand using glucose monitor to test drop of blood on finger, and group of 5 people in a circle with two speech bubbles above their heads

08/10/2026

What a World Sight Day we had today!

We are delighted to announce Bangor man Ken Carson as our new RNIB Ambassador for the Ards and North Down area at a special event in Bangor Castle updating on our partnership work in making Ards and North Down Borough Council the first 'Visually Aware Borough' in Northern Ireland.🤩

Ken shared an inspiring speech, highlighting the vital importance of peer support groups, activities, support in grieving sight, building back independence, and walking through doors that open due to support from organisations like RNIB, in enabling him to live such a full life today.

Ken said, "People are thriving now because of the power of people. Losing your sight is a grieving process. I need that vital peer to peer support to get where I am today."

Visually impaired Derry campaigner Rory McCartney was on the airwaves talking about life with sight loss after stroke, and presented BBC Radio Foyle's Mark Patterson live on air with this year's 'Derry City Champion' accolade - recognising Mark's support for local people with sight loss and RNIB in raising awareness over the past number of years, ever since that first 'lifechanging' cup of tea with Rory before he walked him across busy streets blindfolded.👏 (Listen to Mark's emotional reaction in link in comments)

Our staff were also representing the interests of local blind and partially sighted people at two key conferences with local government and health and social care professionals:

Mary Alice and Gillian were at for Day 2 of speaking with our healthcare professionals, charity partners, and government health officials.
Gillian Clifford (RNIB NI's NHS Engagement Manager) said, "We've had great conversations over the two days sharing our 'See It Our Way' guidelines raising awareness of best practice in interacting with blind or partially sighted people in healthcare settings, and hope to see these shared across our Allied health professional networks here."

RNIB NI Policy and Campaigns Manager Paula Beattie was over at the conference today where discussion took place on the future of local councils, co-design policies and reform. Our message of the critical need for the lived experience of people living with vision impairment and the importance of accessibility, was discussed with regards to planning for all community based initiatives.

If you'd like to find out about how to get involved with RNIB's activities or campaigning in Northern Ireland, call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email [email protected]

07/10/2026

RNIB NI is exhibiting at today and tomorrow at .
If you're here, come say hello to us at stand number 42.

Promotional graphic for the Northern Ireland Confederation for Health and Social Care at NICON26. Text reads: "RESET for All: Action by All. NICON26 Conference. We're exhibiting at NICON26. 7th and 8th October, La Mon Hotel." The graphic includes conference branding and abstract network-style purple and teal dots and lines.

06/10/2026

Have you booked your demo of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses available from RNIB?
Do more at home and out and about with these AI-enabled smart glasses that can read text, identify objects, answer questions, and send and receive messages.
Available now from RNIB so contact our Products and Advice Centre team in NI today to arrange your demo via phone, video call or at a venue near you.
Image shows a man sitting down, wearing a pair of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, reading a menue.