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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.
Workshop on the Disabled People’s Rights plan for Wales
Wales Council of the Blind and Vision Support are running an event in Llandudno on 27th June to discuss the Welsh Government's Disabled People’s Rights plan for Wales, details as follows:
- Date: Friday 27th June
- Time: 11:30-3pm
- Location: Mostyn Art Gallery, 12 Vaughan Street, Llandudno, LL30 1AB
- Plan:
- 11:30 am - Workshop
- 1 pm - Buffet
- 1:30/45 - Workshop
- 3 pm - End
You can read the draft plan here.
Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill published
The UK Government has published the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill and MPs are due to vote on the proposals shortly. You can read the Government's statement on the Bill here.
The proposals are largely unchanged from those in the consultation document, which were opposed by disabled people across the UK. The consultation remains open until 30th June, and there is still time to ask your Member of Parliament to vote against the changes. You can read RNIB's response to the Bill on their website. This webpage includes a link to a form which enables you to contact your MP.
WCB's West Wales Forum Meeting
If you have sight loss and live in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire or Ceredigion, join us at our West Wales Regional event to share your views on the Draft Disabled People’s Rights Plan. Refreshments and a buffet lunch will be provided.
The meeting is on Monday, 7th July, 2025, from 11.30am - 2.30pm at Carmarthen Bowling Club, St. Peter's Street, Carmarthen SA31 1LN. For more information and to register your attendance, send an email bec@wcb-ccd.org.uk or owen@wcb-ccd.org.uk, or call 02920 473954.
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.
Disabled People’s Rights plan for Wales
The Welsh Government will shortly be consulting on a draft Disabled People’s Rights plan for Wales.
This plan, based on the work of the Disability Rights Taskforce, sets out their cross-government 10-year ambition and the long-term outcomes they are working towards to ensure disabled people can flourish as equal members of Welsh society, and to challenge discrimination and prejudice. A Taskforce worked together to develop the recommendations which informed this plan. Disabled people were active partners in the Taskforce’s process, sharing insights and lived experiences, which have shaped actions to address disabled people’s rights and dismantle existing barriers.
They now want to encourage all members of the public, in particular disabled people and stakeholders, to take part in the consultation. Your input is essential to improving the Disabled People’s Rights Plan, making sure it meets the needs and goals of disabled people.
Wales Council of the Blind will be working with its members to hold a series of workshops on this – if you would be interested in taking part, please contact bec@wcb-ccd.org.uk.
UK Benefits Reform Consultation: accessible versions and consultation events
Accessible versions of the UK Government's consultation documents are now available, and details of consultation events are also on the website.
You can order consultation documents in the following formats:
- Braille
- large print 20 point
- audio CD
- printed copy of the Easy Read version or the full publication
The Government is running some face-to-face and online events during May and June, including an event in Cardiff on 3rd June. Places must be booked in advance.
For further information, to order an accessible version and book a place at an event, click here. This webpage also includes a link to the consultation document.
How could the proposed changes to benefits affect you? Information from the Macular Society and RNIB
The Macular Society has provided a summary of the UK Government's proposals for changes to the benefits system, which are currently out for consultation. You can read the summary here.
Sight loss and other disability organisations are encouraging people who are concerned about the changes to contact their MP. You can do this using a form on the RNIB website.
You can read the full consultation document, ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’ here. Accessible versions of the consultation document have not yet been published. The consultation is currently set to close on 30th June, but this is subject to extension to ensure that the it will run for a full 12 weeks after all of the accessible versions of the paper are published.
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.