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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.
Accessible Voting in the Senedd Elections on 7th May 2026
RNIB Cymru has provided information on how people with sight loss can vote accessibly in the elections to the Welsh Senedd, which take place on Thursday 7th May 2026.
If you have sight loss and wish to vote, you have a right to request a reasonable adjustment in order to do so independently. The RNIB website has detailed information about voting in the election, including:
- Key dates for registering to vote and applying for proxy or postal votes
- How to find contact details for your local Electoral Services/Returning Officer
- Details of the the adjustments you can request
- Template letters that can be used to make a request
- Accessibility on the day (at polling stations)
You can read RNIB's 'Voting and elections Wales: what you need to know' here.
Local Action Meeting for Cwm Taf region - Get involved, Be heard, Make change.
We have now launched the Sight Loss Council Cymru (SLCC). As part of the SLCC work and as part of the pilot project, three regions will have a Local Action Group (LAC). The first meeting of the Cwm Taf region, covering Bridgend, Rhonda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil will be on Wednesday 18th March.
If you are vision impaired and live in the Cwm Taf area, we want to hear from you. A LAC meets on a quarterly basis. It is a space for people with lived experience to share views and help to shape local services. This group will be essential for the work of the newly established Wales Sight Loss Council. No experience is required, just a passion to make positive change. There is no obligation to attend every meeting, each session focuses on a different theme, with a guest speaker joining us to share their knowledge.
Here are the details of our First Meeting:
- When: Wednesday 18th March
- Time: 10,30 am-2pm (we aim to start promptly so please arrive 15 minutes before)
- Where: Pontypridd Museum, Bridge Street, Pontypridd, CF37 4PE. This is a short walk from the railway station with a bus stop nearby.
Registration is essential – booking closes Wednesday 11th March. If attending with a carer, please also book a place for them to reflect the amount of people attending. You can book via the below options:
- Email: Carys.groves@sightlife.wales or anita@wcb-ccd.org.uk
- Call: Carys – 07753 305631 or Anita 07929 280518
Sight Loss Council Cymru launch event
Sight Loss Council Cymru was launched officially at an event at the Pier Head building in Cardiff Bay on 12th February.
Jane Hutt AM, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice opened the event and around 60 people attended. This two-year pilot gives blind and partially sighted people across Wales a powerful platform to share their experiences, influence decisions, and help shape services at every level. You can find out more about Sight Loss Council Cymru by clicking on the tab at the top of this screen, and there is a report on the launch on the Thomas Pocklington Trust website.
The Thomas Pocklington Trust and Guide Dogs join forces to improve vision impairment awareness training for bus and coach drivers
Guide Dogs and Thomas Pocklington Trust are joining forces to strengthen and expand free vision impairment awareness training for bus and coach drivers across the UK.
This training has been shaped by the insight and lived experience of Sight Loss Council volunteers, ensuring drivers gain practical skills and real understanding of how to better support blind and partially sighted passengers. The involvement of Guide Dogs in supporting delivery nationwide means that even more operators will be reached, helping to make everyday bus travel more accessible, inclusive and welcoming for all. Discussions on how the scheme will be delivered in Wales are underway.
You can find out more on the Thomas Pocklington Trust website. Detailed information about the Bus and Coach Driver Vision Awareness Training can be read here.
Local Action Group meeting for Betsi Cadwaladr area
Are you vision impaired or affected by sight loss? We’re inviting people from across the Betsi Cadwaladr area to take part in the first Local Action Group meeting under the Sight Loss Council Cymru.
These groups bring together people with lived experience to share views and help shape local services. No experience is needed — just a passion to make positive change. Event details:
- Date: Friday 6th March
- Time: 11am – 3pm
- Location: Canolfan Fusnes/Conwy Business Centre, Junction Way, Llandudno Junction, LL31 9XX
If you’d like more information about transport options, or require financial support for travel, please get in touch. Registration is essential, and booking closes on 2nd March. Please call Vision Support on 01244 381515 or email information@visionsupport.org.uk. You can also book here.
Welsh Government publishes Disabled People’s Rights Plan 2025 to 2035
The Welsh Government has published its Disabled People's Rights Plan, a 10-year commitment to making sure disabled people can participate fully and equally in every part of life in Wales.
You can read the Government's announcement here, and read the plan here. In a press release, Disability Wales welcomed the plan but emphasised that 'is vital that the cross-party commitment secured to date follows through beyond the Election to ensure that the demands of disabled people for a more inclusive society in Wales are fully realised.’
Wales Council of the Blind would like to thank members who contributed to the consultation that helped shape the plan.