Northern Ireland

RNIB Northern Ireland and Isle of Man supports children and adults with sight loss to live full and independent lives.

We are a membership organisation, committed to delivering services our members need and campaigning for their rights.

Current highlights

Special Senses day at Belfast Zoo

Belfast zoo welcomes blind and partially sighted people for a series of special animal activities at the Zoo.

The Zoo is offering a special event for people with sight loss. In a series of special senses days, the zoo has organised a ‘meet and greet’ with some of the animals to stimulate hearing, smell and touch. If you are registered for the event you will get the opportunity to touch, feel, hear and smell some of the zoo’s most popular residents.

Blind and partially sighted people will have the chance to meet George the Bearded dragon, Snowball the Hedgehog, Samantha the Royal python, and the Zoo’s herd of Giraffes. Participants will be able to feel how strong a giraffe’s tongue is as they pull leaves off branches during feeding.

Mark Challis, Zoo Manager, says “There is much more to experiencing the zoo than just seeing the animals. We are trying to make the zoo accessible to a range of people and hope that everyone involved will enjoy the arranged activities.”

Back in June the Zoo opened its latest exhibit, the rainforest house. “This will also help visitors understand the heat, humidity and rainfall required for life in a rainforest” said Lisa Shilliday, event organiser.

Charlie Mack, Senior Manager of Regional Services, Royal National Institute of Blind people said “This event is a unique opportunity for senses stimulation, particularly for those with sight loss. I would encourage all blind and partially sighted people to engage closer with the animals of the zoo and the learning experience that can offer”.

The event takes place from 1.30pm to 3pm on the 29 August. The event is free to blind and partially sighted people and their guides where necessary. Pre-booking is essential as places are limited. To book telephone 028 9077 6277 or email media@belfastzoo.co.uk.

RNIB NI gains £483,000 provide quality employment skills training.

The RNIB NI has been awarded £483,000 to run a three year employability skills course. This funding gives the RNIB NI the opportunity to expand its already successful employment service by offering blind and partially sighted people top quality training.

IFA Awarded first model of excellence.

The Irish Football Association was the first organisation to be awarded a model of excellence for their work by RNIB Northern Ireland. The models of excellence are given to any company/organisation that shows outstanding work with blind and partially sighted people in their field of work.

RNIB Northern Ireland and Blind Centre join forces

The two largest organisations supporting blind and partially sighted people in Northern Ireland have merged. The RNIB Northern Ireland Merger took place with effect from 1 April 2007. The new organisation has combined the extensive resources of RNIB Northern Ireland and The Blind Centre for Northern Ireland to provide a greater range of services to more people and speak with a united voice to government and the community.

Young Persons’ Forum gains Lottery Award

RNIB Northern Ireland has been awarded £282,000 by the Big Lottery to support a youth campaign. Eye Matter, our Young Persons’ Forum, will mount a 3-year ‘Campaigning For Equality’ project focussing on six issues: Accessible Information, Education, Employment, Independent Living, Transport and Youth Services

Soccer Sight at Windsor Park

Blind and partially sighted football fans will be provided with special ‘Soccer Sight’ audio description commentaries at Northern Ireland’s next international at Windsor Park.

Women prepare for the workplace

The Women Into Work project, funded by the European Social Fund, is training women with serious sight loss in job and IT skills in preparation for the labour market. To date all the participants have completed a course on confidence building. The course is expected to train 70 women over a two-year period.

Content author: webeditor@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 18/08/2008 10:00