Award categories

This award recognises individuals who have shown great commitment and courage in campaigning to improve the world for blind and partially sighted people. The successful nominee would have campaigned on an issue(s) to make the world or their community a more equitable and inclusive place for people with sight loss. They will be able to demonstrate how their efforts have positively impacted blind and partially sighted people in the UK.

The Eye Care Professional Award acknowledges outstanding health and social care professionals and organisations that demonstrate unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care incorporating both clinical and non-clinical support. Nominees will demonstrate they are delivering best quality care that supports each individual’s eye care and sight loss journey and a commitment to collaboration, actively engaging others to promote a person-centred approach.

This award recognises someone who uses social media to break down the barriers faced by blind and partially sighted people and galvanise support for a social issue. The winner of this award creates strong, inspiring content that dispels, misconceptions about people with sight loss. They generate community involvement and discussion, successfully raise awareness, and positively influence social change.

This award seeks to recognise a team that has made a significant contribution to improving the lives of blind or partially sighted people. These could be eye health or sight loss sector professionals working together to make a significant impact upon improving the patient/customer experience, sports teams showing dedication to their sport via performance or inclusion, or community groups who have worked together to have a positive impact on the lives of blind and partially people. Nominated teams should demonstrate excellent teamwork, direction, leadership, collaboration, and achievement.  

This award will recognise an organisation which has committed to providing an accessible and inclusive workforce for blind and partially sighted employees. From making significant efforts to ensure their hiring process is fully accessible, supporting any new or existing workers with sight loss, to raising awareness of sight loss amongst their sighted employees. Whatever the specific action they have taken, the winner of this award will have demonstrated that they have instilled clear values as an inclusive employer.

This award recognises individuals who have dedicated their time, skills and energy within their community or organisation to have a positive impact on the lives, health and wellbeing of blind and partially sighted people. The successful nominee will be someone who has tirelessly and selflessly given their time to support a blind or partially sighted person or group and who can demonstrate the impact their commitment and actions have had on blind and partially sighted people.

This award recognises an individual or organisation that continues to show a commitment to understanding the everyday challenges faced by blind and partially sighted people and strives to address these learnings by showing their commitment to accessible and inclusive design. Nominees will have demonstrated a commitment to continuous development in accessible design, creative use of technology to improve accessibility or simple solutions into everyday experiences that make life easier and more inclusive for blind and partially sighted people.