Subscribe.
To subscribe to our fortnightly email bulletin (free of charge), please go to our Mailchimp subscription page at http://eepurl.com/dE3CJj
About WCB.
Wales Council of the Blind is the umbrella agency representing vision impairment within Wales. We work to campaign, lobby and support the improvement of services for people with sight loss. [Read more...]
Latest news.
VICTA Grant Scheme 2025 opens for applications
VICTA's grant scheme for children and young adults (ages 8 to 29) with vision impairment is open for applications. The programme is designed to help young people build or maintain their independence and retain control of their lives and leisure time.
For full details of the scheme, including the items that are covered and eligibility criteria, click here. All grants are reviewed and awarded on a quarterly basis at the discretion of the VICTA Trustees and are dependent on available funding. Dates for 2025 are:
- July to September - apply by 19th September
- October to December - apply by 5th December
RSBC offers free activities for VI children and young people in North Wales
If you live in North Wales, you can register your child or young person for free, VI-friendly sports this summer, like climbing and blind baseball, as well as other thrilling activities like ziplining.
These activities are organised by the Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) and start in July 2025. All you need to do is register here. Spaces for these events are limited, so register now to make sure your place is confirmed, because spaces will be allocated spaces on a first come, first served basis.
Consultation Questionnaire: Welsh Government Draft Disabled People's Rights Plan 2025–2035
Wales Council of the Blind is seeking the views of people with vision impairment on the Welsh Government's Draft Disabled People's Rights Plan 2025–2035 and has devised a questionnaire .
Responses to the questionnaire will help the Welsh Government ensure that its plan reflects the lived experiences, rights, and priorities of disabled people in Wales. You can complete it here. The closing date for responses is 4th August.
You can read the Draft Disabled People's Rights Plan 2025–2035 here.
Wales Pioneers Eye Care Reform: Optometrists can now certify vision impairment for all conditions
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership and Optometry Wales have announced that, in a first across the UK, Wales will allow optometrists to officially certify Vision Impairment for all types of eye conditions. This major change is expected to improve support for people with sight loss and reduce the pressure on busy hospital eye departments.
The change has been welcomed by Wales Council of the Blind's Director, Owen Williams, who has shared that he is “delighted”. You can read the announcement, including statement from WCB here. There is also a report about this development on the Optometry Today website.
Welsh Government Consultation on Draft Disabled People's Rights Plan 2025 to 2035
The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on its 10-year Draft Disabled People's Rights Plan for Wales.
The plan is based around the Social Model of Disability and the principles and obligations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled People. It defines four overarching areas for action:
- Neighbourhoods and places.
- Employment, income and education.
- Independent living.
- Justice and supporting environments.
Save the Date - Wales Eyecare Conference 2025
The annual Wales Eyecare Conference 2025 will be held on Thursday 6th November at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.
Further details will provided later. For information about previous conferences, click the 'Eyecare Conference' tab at the top of this screen.