Sylw - the bulletin of Wales Council of the Blind.

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WCB News.

Sight Loss Council Cymru - Local Action Group Meetings

Local Action Group meetings have been scheduled. [Full story...]

Annual Wales Eyecare Conference 2026 - Booking now open

Booking is now open for the Annual Wales Eyecare Conference which will be held on Tuesday 10th November from 10 am to 4 pm at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. [Full story...]

Local Action Group for Cardiff and Vale area

Get Involved, Be heard, Make Change! We are inviting people from across the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan area to take part in the first Local Action group meeting sitting under the Sight Loss Council Cymru. [Full story...]

Remembering Alun Griffith, Sight Loss Council Cymru representative for the Betsi Cadwaladr region.

We are saddened to share the news that Alan Griffiths, Sight Loss Council Cymru representative for the Betsi Cadwaladr region, passed away at home last Tuesday evening. [Full story...]

'Eight Voices in Darkness' installation by WCB's very own Richard Bowers

WCB's own Richard Bowers is featured in a report on involving people with lived experience in arts-based dissemination. [Full story...]

Commonwealth Games Bronze medal for Wales bowlers

Many congratulations to Wales' Para-mixed bowls B2-B3 pair Julie Thomas and Steffan James, aided by directors Jamie Jones and John Wilson, winners of the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. [Full story...]

Local Action Group for Hywel Dda seeks more members

The Local Action Group for the Hywel Dda Region is looking for more members. [Full story...]

Sight Loss Council - Local Action Group for Betsi Cadwaladr Area

The next meeting of the Local Action Group for the Betsi Cadwaladr Area will be held on Friday 11th September. [Full story...]

Invitation to Attend a Workshop on Adapting Digital Therapy for PTSD

WCB is supporting a university research project that is developing a new digital guided therapy for people with Post‑Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The research team would like to hear from people with vision impairment to ensure the digital programme is accessible and reflects real experiences. [Full story...]

Local Action Group for Cwm Taf Area meeting

The second meeting of the Cwm Taf Local Action Group (LAG), covering Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil, will now be held on Wednesday 14th October at Pontypridd Museum. [Full story...]

Sight Loss Councils Conference 2026 - Small Changes, Big Impact

Members of the newly launched Wales Sight Loss Council were delighted to join the Sight Loss Councils Conference for the first time to celebrate achievement, share ideas and explore how lived experience continues to influence services, challenge perceptions and improve accessibility. [Full story...]

Wales Council of the Blind survey

Wales Council of the Blind wants to hear about your experience with our services and information platforms. [Full story...]

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. [Full story...]

Sight Loss Council Cymru information

The Sight Loss Council's website now includes information about their group covering Wales - Sight Loss Council Cymru. [Full story...]

Consultations and Lobbying.

Transport for Wales consultation on plans to improve Carmarthen Railway Station

Transport for Wales has launched a consultation and drop-in event as part of plans to improve one of South West Wales' busiest transport hubs. [Full story...]

Share your experiences of Vision Rehabilitation with your local Member of the Senedd

RNIB Cymru is calling for urgent action to reduce the delays to vision rehabilitation that impact thousands of people across Wales. [Full story...]

Have your say on braille and accessible food labelling.

The Braille Food Labelling Campaign is asking blind and partially sighted people across the UK about their experiences of food packaging. Medicines have carried braille for years. The campaign wants the product name in braille on food too, alongside a QR code or NaviLens for the full information. [Full story...]

British Blind Sport survey

British Blind Sport (BBS) is launching a new research project and want to hear about the sport and physical activity preferences of blind and partially sighted people across the UK, particularly those who are currently mildly active/inactive and not engaged with the organisation. [Full story...]

Have your say on Bridgend’s Active Travel Network Map

Bridgend County Borough Council is inviting feedback on its Active Travel Network Map as part of a statutory 12-week public consultation running from 13 July to 5 October 2026. [Full story...]

Blaenau Gwent Active Travel Network Consultation

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council is currently reviewing its Active Travel Network Map (ATNM) to help make walking, wheeling and cycling safer, easier and more accessible for everyday journeys across the county borough. [Full story...]

Survey -What does bus travel make possible?

RNIB Cymru and Bus Users Cymru are looking at the difference bus travel makes to the lives of blind and partially sighted people across Wales as part of this year's #CatchTheBus campaign, and they are asking people with sight loss to share their experiences and tell them what bus travel makes possible in their lives. [Full story...]

Have your say on the future of bus services in North Wales

Transport for Wales is urging people in North Wales to share their views and opinions on the future of the region’s bus network, as the next phase of plans to improve bus services in Wales gets underway. [Full story...]

Chance to help research into designing apps to help disabled people make journeys

The University of Southampton is doing research on how to best design apps that help disabled people plan and make their everyday journeys. [Full story...]

Have your say on priorities for the Senedd Health and Social Care Committee

The Senedd/Welsh Parliament's Health and Social Care Committee is planning its work for the Seventh Senedd (2026–2030) and is particularly interested in your views on the Welsh Government's priorities for health and social care. [Full story...]

Have your say on well-being in Powys

Powys County Council is asking people living in the area for their views on their draft Well-being Assessment, and help to shape future priorities across Powys. [Full story...]

Help Shape the Future of Walking, Wheeling and Cycling in Neath Port Talbot

Neath Port Talbot Council is updating its Active Travel Network Map (ATNM) and is running a public consultation on the changes. [Full story...]

RNIB Cymru survey - Vision Rehabilitation services.

RNIB Cymru would like to hear about your experiences of Vision Rehabilitation services. [Full story...]

Thomas Pocklington Trust launch 'Listening Month Survey 2026'

This July, Thomas Pocklington Trust is launching Listening Month 2026, and wants to hear directly from blind and partially sighted people across the UK. [Full story...]

Have Your Say on Public Transport in Wales

Researchers working with the Welsh Government want to hear about people’s experiences of using public transport in Wales and they are keen to speak to a wide range of people, including blind and partially sighted people, [Full story...]

Sight Cymru Strategic Plan Consultation

Sight Cymru is running a consultation on their strategic plan. [Full story...]

Disability Sport Wales survey

Disability Sport Wales is running a survey is to help them understand what current provision there is for vision impaired people, and what provision is wanted and needed by V I individuals and groups within Wales. [Full story...]

Study to explore visual imagination in individuals with sight impairment.

Invitation to participate in research on visual imagination and sight impairment. [Full story...]

Opportunity to help Companies House improve their services

Companies House is looking to run short interviews with people who have accessibility needs and especially want to hear from people who have registered, or are thinking of registering, as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). [Full story...]

Reports and Publications.

Contact Cymru updates information resources

Contact Cymru has published new factsheets and webinar recordings to help families in Wales find clear information on benefits, social care, education and planning for their child’s future. [Full story...]

Back to School - Advice from Nystagmus Network

As the new academic year starts, Nystagmus Network reminds parents that it has a selection of downloadable guides packed with information on how best to support your child as they navigate school. [Full story...]

Autumn 2026 issue of Retina UK's newsletter available

The Autumn 2026 issue of 'Look Forward', the newsletter of Retina UK, is available. [Full story...]

Marfan Trust Summer 2026 Newsletter available

The Summer 2026 edition of Marfan Matters, the newsletter of the Marfan Trust, is available. [Full story...]

Back-to-school checklist for families with disabled children

As the new school year starts, Contact has published a useful checklist for families with disabled children, covering everything from education support plans to transport, medical needs and sensory support. [Full story...]

Wales is Leading the UK on Access and Equity in Eye Care

The latest General Optical Council (GOC) Public Perceptions Survey provides independent evidence that Wales is leading the UK on access and equity in eye care. The findings suggest people in Wales are more likely to access eye care services, more likely to seek help first from an optometrist when they experience an eye problem, and more likely to benefit from equitable access to care than elsewhere in the UK. [Full story...]

Latest CHECT newsletter available

The Spring/Summer 2026 edition of 'InFocus', the newsletter of The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) has been published. [Full story...]

Practical tips for travellers from LOOK

One of Look's mentors has produced some practical tips for people with vision impairment who are going on holiday. [Full story...]

Summer edition of Blind Veterans UK's 's newsletter available

The Summer 2026 edition of 'Debrief', the newsletter of Blind Veterans, is now available on their website. [Full story...]

Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) finds it is “not fit for purpose”

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has published an Interim Report as part of the review into PIP carried out by Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability. The report has revealed deep-rooted problems in the design and delivery of PIP with the assessment described as dehumanising and stressful. [Full story...]

New Government funding to increase the number of specialist interpreters available to support deafblind people across the UK

The UK Government has announced plans to significantly increase the number of interpreters for Deafblind people through the funding of interpreter competency sessions. [Full story...]

Latest edition of Guide Dogs' 'Forward' magazine available.

The Sring/Summer 2026 edition of Forward, the Guide Dogs’ magazine for supporters, clients and the general public has been published. [Full story...]

New guide for parents - 'How Nystagmus is Diagnosed'

Nystagmus Network has published a new guide for parents - 'How Nystagmus is Diagnosed'. It covers all the tests a small child may undergo, explaining what they are for and includes information on support services available for families. [Full story...]

Choosing the right cane tip - Advice from Henshaws

If you're a long cane user who struggles to use your cane on certain surfaces, a different tip may be the solution. A new resource on Henshaws website highlights some of the different cane tips, which differ in size, shape and materials. This makes each tip suitable on different surfaces and in different scenarios, so that your cane can meet your needs. [Full story...]

Managing Eye Drops - Advice from Glaucoma UK

In a blog on the Glaucoma UK website, a Consultant Nurse shares practical advice that can help people use drops effectively and comfortably. [Full story...]

All Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Vision Impairment publishes progress report

One year on from the publication 'Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives', the UK's All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Eye Health and Vision Impairment has published a new report assessing progress on the employment of vision impaired people and setting out priorities for the year ahead. [Full story...]

Deafblind UK Manifesto for Senedd Election

Deafblind UK has released a manifesto for the Senedd elections, which has been sent to candidates from all major parties across Wales, calling on them to advocate for change that will enable deafblind people across Wales to thrive. [Full story...]

College of Optometrists publishes manifesto for Wales - 'Securing sustainable eye care'

In advance of the elections to the Welsh Senedd on 7th May, the College of Optometrists has published its manifesto for Wales - 'Securing sustainable eye care'. [Full story...]

Can you trust AI for health information? Advice from Glaucoma UK

When searching for information on the internet, the first response is increasingly produced by Artificial Intelligence (AI). A blog from Glaucoma has advice for people who go online for health advice about how to ensure that the information is accurate and reliable. [Full story...]

Vision Partnership publishes report on the the role of a Vision Rehabilitation Assistant (VRA)

The Vision Partnership, a group of sight loss charities including RNIB and Guide Dogs, has published the results of research into the role of Vision Rehabilitation Assistants, who are being used increasingly to help fill gaps in support. [Full story...]

RNIB Cymru Manifesto for Senedd Election - 'A Fairer Wales: Equality in Sight'

RNIB Cymru has published a Manifesto for the Senedd election on Thursday 7th May 2026. [Full story...]

RNIB's Platform for Change report highlights the barriers faced by blind people when travelling by rail

A new report from RNIB describes the barriers faced by blind and partially sighted people when trying to use the UK's rail services and calls for change. [Full story...]

Disability Wales launches 'Access to Politics: Charter for Political Parties'

Disability Wales has launched 'Access to Politics: Charter for Political Parties', a practical roadmap for political parties to support the meaningful participation, representation and influence of disabled people in political life across Wales. [Full story...]

Winter edition of MACS Focus Magazine available

The latest (Winter 2025) edition of 'Focus', the quarterly magazine of Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support (MACS) is available. [Full story...]

New booklet from BBS UK: 'How Can We Help'

A new booklet from BBS UK titled 'How Can We Help?' is a simple guide to the support that the organisation offers for people affected by Bardet Biedl syndrome. [Full story...]

RNIB Campaigning highlights of 2025

RNIB has produced a summary of their campaigning highlights in 2025. [Full story...]

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. [Full story...]

Disability Wales launch Disabled People’s Manifesto 2026-2031: From Barely Surviving to Truly Thriving

Disability Wales has launched its 2026–2031 Manifesto, From Barely Surviving to Truly Thriving, alongside a new commitment card designed to hold political parties and candidates accountable ahead of the 2026 Senedd Elections and beyond. [Full story...]

Building inclusive employment at Sight Cymru

How Sight Cymru Champions Inclusive Employment for People with Sight Loss. [Full story...]

Results of Retina UK's Sight Loss Survey 2025 published

Retina UK has published the results of its Sight Loss Survey 2025, which give an insight into the continuing challenges faced by people living with inherited sight loss. [Full story...]

Disability Wales publishes 'A Year in Review: Chief Executive’s report 2024/25'

Disability Wales has published a report on the activities and achievements that shaped the 2024/25 financial year. [Full story...]

Guides to good mental health from RNIB

RNIB's Counselling and Wellbeing team have produced a series of guides to promote better mental health. [Full story...]

'Menopause and Behçet’s' medical factsheet updated

Behçet’s UK has updated its medical factsheet on 'Menopause and Behçet’s'. [Full story...]

Specsavers 'Access to Care Report 2025' calls for expansion of community eye care services

A new report from Specsavers looks at access to eye and hearing care across the UK. It calls for more care to be delivered in the community, closer to home and cites recent changes to eye care services in Wales as an example of good practice. [Full story...]

Optometry Today feature looks at how eye care in Wales is changing

An article on the Optometry Today website looks at how the need to address long waiting times for eye treatment has prompted innovation in Wales. This includes offering more eye care on the High Street through enhanced General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) contracts that enable optometrists to provide increased treatment and monitoring in the community. [Full story...]

Access.

Guide Dogs turns 20-Week ultrasound scans into sonograms for parents with sight loss

Guide Dogs has launched First Hello, a pilot transforming traditional 20-week printed ultrasound scans into tactile sonograms enabling vision impaired parents, and other family members and friends with sight loss the opportunity to experience ultrasound scans. [Full story...]

Calibre Audio adds 150 new children's audiobooks

Calibre Audio has received funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to add 150 new children's audiobooks to their collection. [Full story...]

RNIB Newsagent - Accessible newspapers and magazines

RNIB's Newsagent service provides the main daily and weekend newspapers and a wide range of magazines RNIB's Newsagent service provides the major daily and weekend papers, a wide range of magazines and some specialist publications in a range of accessible formats. [Full story...]

Now We're Cooking: 100 accessible recipes from Tesco

Tesco has produced a book of 100 popular recipes which have been re-written with shorter steps, precise detail and timings, plus new accessible cooking tips. [Full story...]

Audio described performances at theatres across Wales

Some theatres in Wales now have a section on their website where you can find details of all forthcoming audio described (and other accessible) performances in one place. [Full story...]

Virtual reality headset 'life-changing' for visually impaired Cardiff City football fan

A report on the BBC Wales News website describes how the loan of a virtual reality (VR) headset enabled a young Cardiff City FC fan to follow the game himself, rather that relying on a commentary from his parents. [Full story...]

Transport for Wales - Confidence to Travel Scheme

The Transport for Wales 'Confidence to Travel' Initiative, which is funded by Welsh Government, is offering groups/organisations representing people who face barriers to rail travel, (for example as a result of disability), the opportunity to boost their confidence in using the rail network, therefore improving their overall health and wellbeing. [Full story...]

Speed of Sight Driving Experiences - 2026 schedule

Speed of Sight, the organisation that provides motor sport experiences for people with disabilities (including vision impairment), has published its schedule of events for 2026, including some in Wales. [Full story...]

Road safety improvements in Cardiff City Centre

A major project to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists in Cardiff city centre starts on Monday 23rd February. It follows detailed discussions between Guide Dogs Cymru, RNIB Cymru and Cardiff Council. These reflected the safety concerns of local blind and partially sighted people, particularly around the creation of bus stop boarders in the Cardiff Castle and Kingsway areas, which meant that passengers had to cross a live cycle lane to get on or leave the bus. These were installed as a temporary measure in 2020. [Full story...]

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. [Full story...]

Accessible reading for children

2026 is the UK's National Year of Reading, and the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) has written a blog with some useful information about the benefits of reading, with information about of the key services available to help children with a vision impairment and their families access books in ways that work for them. [Full story...]

Accessibility at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff

The Sherman Theatre wants to feel as open and accessible as possible, and to help people to overcome any personal or practical barriers that are stopping them from coming to our theatre. [Full story...]

Guide Dogs' Custom Eyes Books range expanded to include books for older children and adults

Parents, grandparents or loved ones with sight loss will be able to experience the joy of reading to their child or grandchild at bedtime following the announcement that Guide Dogs' Custom Eyes Books is expanding to produce tailor made large print books for visually impaired adults. [Full story...]

Be My Eyes announces pilot programme with BT and EE

Be My Eyes is collaborating with communications providers BT and EE to launch a pilot program bringing on-demand visual support to blind and low-vision customers in the UK. [Full story...]

Be My Eyes and Tesco partner to make shopping more accessible

Be My Eyes has partnered with Tesco for a six-month pilot to bring on-demand, in-store visual support to blind and partially sighted customers across the UK. The new service allows customers to connect directly with trained Tesco agents through the Be My Eyes Service Directory for real-time assistance while shopping. [Full story...]

TUI Holidays set up Accessibility Specialists

TUI Holidays have now set up Accessibility Specialists, including blind Influencer Lucy Edwards, who is also an Ambassador for RNIB. [Full story...]

Events.

Falls Awareness Week 2026

Monday 21st September is the start of Falls Awareness Week 2026 in Wales, when Age Cymru, Care & Repair Cymru and Age Connects Wales remind people that falls are not an inevitable part of ageing, and give advice on how they can be avoided. [Full story...]

Retina UK 'Talking Home and Garden' Peer Support Group

The next meeting of Retina UK's 'Talking Home and Garden' Peer Support Group will be on Tuesday 3rd November. [Full story...]

Inclusive Ten Pin Bowling Competition for Primary ALN Pupils

The Panathlon Foundation is inviting primary schools to take part in an inclusive Ten Pin Bowling Competition for children on the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) register. [Full story...]

Accessibility Powys Drop-in Sessions

Accessibility Powys is running some drop-in sessions for local advice and support with any disability, and help with your technology. [Full story...]

New College Worcester - Workshop for parents

New College Worcester is running a workshop for parents and carers of children with a vision impairment, titled 'Welcome to our World'. The event will be held on the NCW campus on 21st October. [Full story...]

Retina UK - National Peer Support Group Meeting

The Autumn meeting of Retina UK's National Peer Support Group will be held on Thursday 8th October. [Full story...]

RNIB UK-wide Telephone Courses for people with sight loss and their families

RNIB runs telephone courses for a people with sight loss and their families across the UK, covering a variety of topics. [Full story...]

North Wales Society of The Blind Open Day

North Wales Society of The Blind will be holding an Open Day for people living with sight loss at Bangor Library on Monday, 5th October 2026, from 10am to 1pm. [Full story...]

Online session for parents - 'Beyond the Sidelines: Building Sports Confidence and Inclusion'

LOOK and British Blind Sport are hosting a free online session for parents on Wednesday 14th October titled 'Beyond the Sidelines: Building Sports Confidence and Inclusion'. [Full story...]

Sense events in Porth for disabled babies and young children

Sense is holding some events in Porth for disabled children aged 0-8 with complex needs and their siblings who are part of their free Connect and Play service. [Full story...]

Professionals' Open Day at Royal National College for the Blind

There's a free Professionals' Open Day at Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) in Hereford on Thursday 3rd December for anyone who works with a visually impaired young person. [Full story...]

Retina UK peer support group - 'Talking Travel'

The next meeting of Retina UK's peer support group 'Talking Travel' is on Tuesday 6th October. [Full story...]

Glaucoma Support Group Meeting in Wrexham

Glaucoma UK is running a face-to-face Glaucoma Support Group meeting in Wrexham on Tuesday 6th October. [Full story...]

Event for education professionals at New College Worcester

New College Worcester is holding a free, online outreach event for education professionals on 18th November - 'Practical Advice for Supporting Vision Impaired Students in Exams'. [Full story...]

Retina UK's Women's Peer Support Group meetings

The next meeting of Retina UK's Women's Peer Support Group will be on Tuesday 29th September. [Full story...]

Contact Cymru Stronger Futures Progamme: Information Event in Rhyl

As part of their Stronger Futures Programme, Contact Cymru is running an Information Event in Rhyl on Tuesday, 6th October. [Full story...]

Stargardt's Connected Fitness Sessions

Stargardt's Connected is running a series of Zoom exercise sessions with Shreya Mehta, a qualified personal trainer who is also living with Stargardt’s. [Full story...]

North Wales Goalball sessions in Bangor and in Wrexham

North Wales Goalball Club have two sessions coming up, in Bangor and in Wrexham. [Full story...]

Llanfairfechan Visionaires

Vision Support's Penmaenmawr Visionaires group has moved to Llanfairfechan Town Hall and has been renamed as Llanfairfechan Visionaires. [Full story...]

Sight Village will be in North Wales on Tuesday 22nd September

Sight Village, the free exhibition for people with sight loss, their families,and professionals and organisations working with them, will be at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Tuesday 22nd September. Wales Council of the Blind will be among the exhibitors. [Full story...]

EyeBelive Eyecan - Programme of events

EyeBelieve Eyecan (EBEC), the fundraising support group for children and young people with visual impairment in Carmarthenshire, has a programe of events planned for the coming months. [Full story...]

Vika's Shine Squad - Autumn sessions

Vika's Shine Squad, New College's Worcester's online youth club for young people with sight loss aged 9 to 15 years old, has published its programme of sessions for the autumn term. [Full story...]

Contact Cymru 'Wellbeing in Nature' Workshop - For Dads and Male Carers

Contact Cymru is running a 'Wellbeing in Nature' Workshop for dads and male carers with a disabled child living in in the Wrexham/Flintshire area. [Full story...]

Free wellbeing events in Powys this autumn

Three wellbeing events are being held in Powys this autumn. [Full story...]

Sight Cymru Groups for Ethnic Minority Sight Impaired People and Carers

Sight Cymru runs Sightlife Newport, a welcoming and supportive group for people from minority groups and their carers in the Newport area, and is starting a similar group in Cardiff. [Full story...]

Contact Cymru Stronger Futures Progamme: Information Event in Wrexham

As part of their Stronger Futures Programme, Contact Cymru is running an Information Event in Wrexham on Tuesday, 20th October. [Full story...]

Behçet’s UK - Wales Support Group Meetings

Behcet's UK runs regular online Support Group Meetings for people affected by the condition in Wales. [Full story...]

Retina UK ‘Talking’ Tech Peer Support Group Meeting

The next meeting of Retina UK's ‘Talking’ Tech Peer Support Group is on Thursday 24th September. The group provides a welcoming, safe and friendly opportunity for people to meet up from across the UK to share experiences, tips and information, and meets bi-monthly. [Full story...]

Meet LOOK at the Abergavenny Food Festival

Members of LOOK will be appearing at the Abergavenny Food Festival on 19th September in a session titled 'Baking Blind: Food, Flavour and Visual Impairment'. [Full story...]

Retina UK Interest Focused Peer Support Group - ‘Talking’ Creative Arts

The next meeting of Retina UK's 'Talking' Creative Arts' Peer Support Group will be on Thursday 10th September. [Full story...]

RNIB Training for education professionals supporting learners with vision impairment

RNIB provides a range of online professional development training for those working with a child or young person with vision impairment, and details of events for 2026 are available. [Full story...]

Virtual Monthly Chats for adults with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome

BBS UK leads virtual monthly chats for adults with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome, a rare, genetic disorder, which affects approximately 1 in 100,000 babies born. [Full story...]

Event for education professionals at New College Worcester

New College Worcester is holding a free, online outreach event for education professionals on 23rd September - 'Introduction to Supporting Students with a Vision Impairment'. [Full story...]

Vision Support Social Groups (in person)

Vision Support runs a range of social groups that meet in person in North Wales. [Full story...]

RNIB UK-wide 'Living Well with Sight Loss' telephone and online courses.

RNIB has scheduled further presentations of its 'Living Well with Sight Loss' course. The courses are open to people with sight loss across the UK. [Full story...]

Supporting your child's sleep - In person workshop for Parent Carers in Wrexham

Contact Cymru is running a free in person workshop all about supporting your child's sleep on Thursday 24th September at the Wellbeing Hub, Wrexham. [Full story...]

Digital Glaucoma Support Group meetings

Glaucoma UK has scheduled more online support group meetings. [Full story...]

West Wales Vipers - Training session in September

West Wales Vipers Goalball Club is running a training session in Carmarthen on Saturday 19th September. [Full story...]

Llandrindod Wells Stroke Café - Change of venue

The Stroke Café in Llandrindod Wells has moved to a new location and would love to welcome you there. [Full story...]

Sight Cymru Social Support Groups

Here is the current list of social support groups that are run by Sight Cymru. [Full story...]

VI Tennis and Bowls with Sight Cymru

In addition to their range of social groups, Sight Cymru organises vision impaired tennis and bowls sessions in Newport. [Full story...]

Contact Cymru Wellbeing Workshop Programme in Wrexham

Contact Cymru is running a free, eight-session workshop programme for parent carers of children with disabilities and additional needs living in Wales, starting on Thursday 15th October. [Full story...]

Retina UK's Men's Peer Support Group meetings

The next meeting of Retina UK's Men's Peer Support Group will be on Tuesday 15th September 2026. [Full story...]

Stargardt’s Connected 2026 Conference

The 2026 conference of Stargardt’s Connected will be held on Saturday 21st November from 10am -5:00pm. You can now register to attend online or in-person (in central London). [Full story...]

Macular Disease Conference 2026 - ‘Hope for the Future’

The annual conference of the Macular Society will be held online on Saturday 12th September, and you can also join in using your telephone. [Full story...]

Sight Cymru 2026 Annual Conference and AGM - Full programme published

Sight Cymru will hold their 2026 Annual Conference and AGM on 15th September 2026 at Whitehead Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport NP10 8LA . [Full story...]

Deafblind UK Conference 2026 - 'In Touch: Exploring touch, tactility and deafblindness'

This year's Deafblind UK Conference will be held online, on Thursday 8th October. [Full story...]

Behçet’s UK 2026 Conference & AGM

Behçet’s UK's 2026 Conference & AGM will be held in Nottingham and online on Saturday 17th October. [Full story...]

Retina UK's South Wales Local Peer Support Group

The next meeting of Retina UK's South Wales Support Group will be held online on 8th September at 7pm. [Full story...]

Vision Support's Social Circle taking a break

Vision Support’s Social Circle meetings are going to be taking a break due to low numbers. [Full story...]

Blind Ambition monthly Zoom sessions and WhatsApp groups

Blind Ambition runs a range of monthly Zoom sessions and WhatsApp groups for blind and partially sighted people to provide a supportive network where your voice is valued and your experiences matter. [Full story...]

RSBC Connecting Families Online Support Sessions - bringing parents and carers together

Connecting Families is a series of online group sessions organised by the Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) which are designed to bring together parents and carers of children and young people with vision impairments. [Full story...]

Cardiff Vision Impaired Rugby is welcoming new players to join their friendly and inclusive team

New players are warmly invited to join the friendly and inclusive Cardiff Vision Impaired Rugby team. [Full story...]

Bridgevis activities include two new groups

Bridgevis (Bridgend & District VI Society) runs a range of activities and events for people with sight loss in the area, and has recently set up a new Evening Group and Book Club. [Full story...]

Adults with Albinism Online Meetings

The Albinism Fellowship has scheduled a series of online sessions for anyone age 18+ who has Albinism, living in the UK and Ireland. [Full story...]

LOOK Parent Support Group Chat Session

Join LOOK for their next Parent Support Group chat, a relaxed and friendly space for parents and carers to come together and talk openly. [Full story...]

Open Day at Royal National College for the Blind

There's an Open Day at Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) in Hereford on Friday 18th September 2026, giving prospective students. their families and professionals working with them the opportunity to find out about study at this specialist residential college of further education for young people with sight loss. [Full story...]

Sixth Form Open Day at New College Worcester

New College Worcester (NCW) is holding a free Sixth Form Open Day on Saturday 3rd October. [Full story...]

Opportunities to try blind baseball in Cardiff, Carmarthen and Wrexham with RSBC

Blind Baseball Cymru have teamed up with RSBC to provide a chance for young people aged 7-25 with a vision impairment and their families (including siblings) to have fun trying the sport of blind baseball at 'Give it a Go' family days in Cardiff, Carmarthen and Wrexham. [Full story...]

Bridgend Macular Group - change of venue

The Macular Society's Bridgend group now meets at St John Ambulance Training Centre. [Full story...]

Touchwood VI Bowling Club near Wrexham

Touchwood is a Crown Green Bowling club for vision impaired people near Wrexham, with helpers and professional coaches available to provide assistance. [Full story...]

Vision Support launches new group - Llangollen Visionaires

Vision Support's new group, Llangollen Visionaires, is a relaxed and informal space for anyone with a vision impairment. It's an opportunity to enjoy a hot drink and enjoy a friendly chat in a supportive, light-hearted environment where everyone truly understands and “just gets it.” [Full story...]

'Have a Go' activity weekend at RNC in October

There's a 'Have a Go' Activity Weekend at Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) in Hereford on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October. [Full story...]

Nystagmus Network virtual support networks

Nystagmus Network runs virtual support groups for parents of children with nystagmus, and for adults living with acquired or congenital nystagmus. They are an opportunity to meet like-minded people, share experiences, make new friends and support each other. [Full story...]

Radnorshire Association for the Blind to start holding a monthly social group

Radnorshire Association for the Blind (RAB) is to start holding a monthly social group, which will meet in Llandrindod Wells. [Full story...]

Change of venue for Sight Cymru's Blackwood Club

Sight Cymru's Blackwood Club now meets in Tir Y Berth Village Hall, Horne Street, Tir y Berth, Hengoed, Caerphilly, CF82 8AJ. [Full story...]

Update on activities at North Wales Society for the Blind

There have been some change to activities run by North Wales Society for the Blind (NWSB). [Full story...]

RSBC launches ‘Step On Up’ online group for young people preparing to finish year 11

Young people with vision impairment in Year 11 who are starting to think about life after Year 11 or who maybe little worried about the upcoming exam season are invited to join the Royal Society for Blind Children's new Step On Up group. [Full story...]

Short online sessions for health and social care professionals from RNIB

RNIB runs a programme of short online sessions for health and social care professionals working with people who have a vision impairment. [Full story...]

Sight Life Wellbeing Workshops and Young Persons Project in Swansea

In addition to its programme of regular activities, Sight Life is running Wellbeing Workshops and a Young Persons Project in Swansea. [Full story...]

Deafblind UK Job Club

Deafblind UK's online Job Club meets fortnightly (on Fridays), to give support and advice to anyone with sight and hearing loss who is looking to find employment. [Full story...]

'My Macular and Me' webinars

The Macular Society runs a monthly webinar, giving people affected by the condition and those working with them the chance to find out more about macular conditions from experts. [Full story...]

Thomas Pocklington Trust 'Let's Talk Jobs' workshops

Thomas Pocklington Trust Employment Team is running monthly online 'Let's Talk Jobs' workshops for blind and partially sighted people who are seeking employment or a volunteering role. [Full story...]

Royal Society for Blind Children 'Moving on up Group: Transitioning to Secondary School'

The Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC)'s Moving on up Group is for young people who are in Year 6 and who want to share their thoughts and chat with others who will be moving to Year 7 in September 2026. The group meets monthly, via Zoom. [Full story...]

Deafblind UK fortnightly Tech Support Surgery

Deafblind UK runs fortnightly Zoom sessions for on-the-spot tech support for people with dual sensory loss. [Full story...]

Treorchy Sight Loss Group

The Macular Society's group in the Rhondda has been transferred to Sight Life, and is now called the Treorchy Sight Loss Group. [Full story...]

Sight Life activities in Cardiff, Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot and RCT

Sight Life runs a wide range of activities, in person and via the telephone, for people with sight loss in Cardiff, Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taf. [Full story...]

Aberystwyth and District VI Club

Aberystwyth and District VI Club meets on the first Monday of the month. [Full story...]

Free Eye Care Professional training from Glaucoma UK

Glaucoma UK has developed an online training session for any professionals supporting people with glaucoma, such as ECLO’s, sight sector staff, domiciliary care workers, nursing teams, optometrists, pharmacists and sensory teams. [Full story...]

Behçet’s UK Online Support Group for spouses and partners

Behçet’s UK has launched a new online Support Group for the spouses and partners of people living with the condition. [Full story...]

Torch Trust regular Zoom meetings

Torch Trust, the Christian sight loss charity, runs three regular groups which meet via Zoom. [Full story...]

Behçet’s UK launch Men's Online Support Group

Behçet’s UK is launching a new Men’s Behçet’s Support Group for any men affected by the condition living in the UK. [Full story...]

Technology.

Guide Dogs 'Tech Selector'

Guide Dogs 'Tech Selector' is a resource to help you identify the right mainstream and assistive tech for you. [Full story...]

World first gene therapy treats Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS)

An eleven-year-old girl from London has become the first NHS patient to receive a revolutionary new treatment for Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS), a progressive form of severe blindness. [Full story...]

New Tech Factsheets from Deafblind UK

Deafblind UK has a new range of factsheets on many aspects of technology. [Full story...]

Sharon’s Shortcuts – How to Use a PC without the Mouse

Sharon's Shortcuts is a free educational resource for anyone who loves to use keyboard shortcuts, whether out of choice or necessity, particularly people who use screen readers, such as JAWS, who have to rely on accessing everything on a computer with the keyboard. [Full story...]

Henshaws guide to Meta glasses

The Henshaws website includes a new guide to Meta Glasses, AI-powered smart glasses that have become very popular amongst people with sight loss. [Full story...]

Pioneering treatment saves sight in patients with rare eye condition

BBC News is reporting that experts at Moorfields Eye Hospital have developed an eye injection that has saved the sight of patients with a rare eye condition called hypotony. [Full story...]

Microsoft's Disability Answer Desk

Microsoft's Disability Answer Desk is where customers with disabilities get support with Microsoft Office, Windows and Xbox. This could be on your laptop, PC, phone or tablet. You can even ask for help with third party applications on Microsoft devices. [Full story...]

Revolutionary new PRIMA implant restores some vision to patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

A group of blind patients can now read again after being fitted with a life-changing implant at the back of the eye. The microchips were inserted in five patients at Moorfields Eye Hospital as part of a clinical trial. [Full story...]

Opportunities.

Disability Wales is recruiting for new Board Members

Disability Wales is recruiting for new Board Members, who can help give a greater voice to disabled people by championing and lobbying for change. [Full story...]

Mental Health Support Groups for people with vision impairment / sight loss and their carers in Northeast Wales

Healthy Minds Matter is a Community Interest Company (CIC) which helps to support people with their everyday mental health, particularly those who may not meet the criteria for clinical support. The company is running a new 6-month National Lottery Wales funded initiative to support the mental wellbeing of people living with sight loss and carers of people living with sight loss (as a separate group) in Northeast Wales. [Full story...]

Have a go at making a podcast

Tom Walker, a freelance BBC producer and podcaster, is keen to hear from organisations supporting people who might benefit from having a go at making a podcast. [Full story...]

VICTA launch 10-13 Young Leaders Taskmaster Club

Inspired by the Channel 4 hit show, VICTA is running a Young Leaders Taskmaster Club of fun, interactive activities and challenges, designed to develop important life skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, communication and resilience. [Full story...]

Job opportunity with Sight Cymru - Vision Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS/ ROVI)

Sight Cymru have a vacancy for FT/ PT Vision Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS/ ROVI). Job Share and/or part time can be considered. [Full story...]

Paid Opportunity: Join NHS Wales’ Mental Health Research Lived Experience Panel

Mental health services in Wales are changing to become ‘open access’, meaning that people will be able to seek support on the day they need it, at the level they need. Research is to be carried out to evaluate how the system works, and members of the public are needed to help make sure the research evaluation is sound. [Full story...]

Transport for Wales Non-Executive Director Opportunity (Accessibility & Inclusion)

Could you help shape the future of transport in Wales? Transport for Wales (TfW) is looking for a Non-Executive Director with expertise or lived experience in accessibility, inclusion and disability to join its Board. [Full story...]

Sports Opportunity: Pickleball

Jon Hayes of Special Olympics Swansea is supporting Swansea University and Frenz Pickleball with the development of an audible pickleball for blind and partially sighted players, and is looking for feedback. [Full story...]

LOOK Healthy Parent Carer Programme - Update

The Autumn 2026 presentation of LOOK's Healthy Parent Carer Programme is now fully subscribed, but an additional presentation of the course has been scheduled in Spring 2027. [Full story...]

Fundraise for LOOK and receive free ticket for Jeremy Bowen's 'Truth Under Fire' tour

LOOK’s Patron, BBC’s International Editor Jeremy Bowen, is heading out on his Truth Under Fire tour this autumn, and the charity has been invited along to 23 venues across the UK. Anyone who volunteers with Look during the evening by collecting donations, will get a free ticket to the talk. We’re looking for volunteers to help us fundraise on the night. No experience needed. [Full story...]

Shape the future of Behçet’s research by taking part in 'Our Future Health' research programme

Behçet’s UK is asking people aged 18 and over with the condition to help ensure that people living with Behçet’s are represented in one of the UK’s most ambitious health research initiatives by taking part in 'Our Future Health', the UK’s largest health research programme, delivered in partnership with the NHS. [Full story...]

MACS Meet-up and Panto in Wales

MACS, the UK's national charity for children born with one or more of three rare conditions, Microphthalmia (small, underdeveloped eye), Anophthalmia (no eye) and Coloboma (a gap or cleft in the eye structure), is holding a fun-filled weekend for members in Wales. The event will bring families together for a weekend packed with activities, great food, laughter, and a trip to see 'Beauty and the Beast' at Cardiff New Theatre. [Full story...]

VICTA Sport Leadership Camp 2026 at RNC

VICTA's Sport Leadership Camp 2026 is an opportunity for young people (aged 14 to 17) with vision impairment to enhance their personal development and equip themselves with the tools to become an effective leader by earning a Level 1 Qualification in Sports Leadership. [Full story...]

Thomas Pocklington Trust 'Get Set Progress' internships 2026/27 are open

Thomas Pocklington Trust are offering a range of paid internship opportunities for blind and partially sighted people across the UK. Whether you're looking to take your first significant step into work or return to employment after sight loss, there could be an opportunity that's right for you. [Full story...]

Welsh Government encouraging people from all backgrounds to apply for Public Appointments

In Wales, Public Appointments are usually made by a government minister, to the board of a public body, and cover everything from the arts to sport and consumer interests to more specialised areas, such as historic buildings and monuments. The Welsh Government is committed to making these appointments open, inclusive, and accessible to a wide range of talented individuals, including people with sight loss, ensuring that all voices have the chance to make a difference. [Full story...]

Free swimming lessons for vision impaired children in South Wales

The Royal Society for Blind Children have been working with Halo Leisure to provide swimming lessons for VI children, who live in Wales. Halo have pools based in Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, Tondu and Pontypool. [Full story...]

RSBC offer a loaning scheme for Meta Glasses

The Royal Society for Blind Children is the first Vision Impairment charity in the UK to offer a loaning scheme for Meta Glasses, allowing service users the chance to trial this new assistive technology, free of charge. [Full story...]

VI Tennis in Swansea

Weekly Vision Impaired Tennis sessions will be re-starting on Friday 5th June from 4pm to 5pm at the Swansea Tennis Centre. [Full story...]

Free discounts for charity workers and volunteers

If you work or volunteer in any role within a charity organisation you are entitled to discounts from Charity Workers Discounts. This includes charity workers, fundraising staff, volunteers and office based staff. [Full story...]

UCAN Collective

UCAN Collective is a new creative group for blind and vision impaired people aged 18 plus, who will be creating performances, film, audio, comedy, presentations, and making work based on their lived experience. [Full story...]

New eye condition-specific UK telephone support groups

RNIB has announced new eye condition-specific UK telephone support groups. [Full story...]

Guide Dogs 'My Time To Play' starting in Cardiff

Guide Dogs Cymru are looking to set up a My Time To Play group in Cardiff starting in July. [Full story...]

'Ballet Cymru 3' - Inclusive ballet classes in Rogerstone, Newport

Ballet Cymru is running weekly inclusive ballet sessions which are suitable for children with sight loss aged 8+. [Full story...]

Monthly walks for guide dog owners

Some part of Wales have a monthly meet-up for guide dog owners, where they can walk, talk, socialise and allow their dogs to have a run and play with each other. There is also the opportunity to set up a group in your area, if one doesn't already exist. [Full story...]

Ceredigion Association for the Blind seeks volunteers for their Technical Support Service

Ceredigion Association for the Blind is looking for three volunteers for their Technical Support Service to cope with increasing demand. [Full story...]

Guide Dogs 'My Time To Play' programme is expanding in Wales

Guide Dogs is expanding its My Time To Play programme, bringing fun and supportive group sessions to those parts of South and West Wales with the greatest demand. [Full story...]

RNIB Talk and Support - New telephone group for LGBTQ+ community

The RNIB Talk and Support team are planning to start a new monthly social telephone group for people from the LGBTQ+ community who have sight loss. [Full story...]

Welshpool and District VI Club seeks new members

Welshpool and District VI Club, a social and entertainment group for people with a vision impairments and carers, is looking for new members. [Full story...]

Sight Cymru's Torfaen Social Group seeks new members

Sight Cymru's Torfaen Vision Impaired Social Group meets every other Monday, and is always ready to welcome new members. [Full story...]

VICTA launch Book Club for children and young people

To mark World Book Day 2026, VICTA has launched a new virtual Book Club for ages 5 to 13 and 14 to 29 years. [Full story...]

MACS seeks new members

Tennis Wales offer support to set up vi tennis sessions for groups

Tennis Wales, the national governing body of tennis and padel in Wales, is offering groups representing people with sight loss support to set up vision impaired tennis sessions. [Full story...]

Opportunities to help nystagmus research

The Nystagmus Network website includes a page of information about opportunities to get involved in research into the condition, and help improve understanding and develop treatments. [Full story...]

Marfan and Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Online Clinics

The Marfan Trust is offering people who are newly diagnosed with the condition free one-to-one online clinic appointments with a specialist nurse. [Full story...]

Sight Life looking to set up group for artists

A member of Sight Life is looking to set up a group for visually impaired and sighted artists who are working in the five senses. [Full story...]

Emotional Wellbeing Support training for professionals working with VI children

The Royal Society for Blind Children provides Emotional Wellbeing Support training for professionals who work with vision impaired children, young people and their families in any context where emotional support is not the primary focus of your role, for example as a QTVI, an ECLO, an Ophthalmologist or habilitation worker. [Full story...]

Eye2Eye - Social club for visually impaired people in Flintshire seeks new members

Eye2Eye, the social group for visually impaired people based in Flintshire, is looking for more members. [Full story...]

Prospects Pathway – New Employability Workshops for Young People in Wales from Blind in Business

In March, Blind in Business is launching 'Prospects Pathway', a brand-new employability programme for blind and partially sighted young people in Wales. [Full story...]

VICTA Braille writing competition

VICTA is encouraging children and young people in the UK (aged 5 to 17) to enter the Braille Writing Competition, organised by CNIB in Canada. [Full story...]

Help shape Nystagmus Network's parents' guide

The Nystagmus Network is creating a vital, parent-friendly resource to inform and support families through a child’s nystagmus diagnosis. The new resource will translate clinical guidance into practical, easy-to-understand information for parents and carers, giving them the knowledge and support they need right from the start. [Full story...]

Sense Adventures - Guided activity days and short break holidays for blind and vision impaired people

Sense Adventures offers guided day activities and short breaks in mixed groups to blind and sighted people in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Most activities take place on the Malvern Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty between the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. More recently they have added short breaks in The Gower, South Wales. [Full story...]

Deafblind UK Advisory Group - Your Voice, Your Experience, Your Future

Living with deafblindness brings unique experiences and challenges that only those who share this journey truly understand. The Deafblind UK Advisory Group is made up of members who work together with the charity's staff to make sure that the services they provide reflect the needs and experiences of people who are deafblind. [Full story...]

Rhondda Radio offers community announcements

Rhondda Radio is a community radio station operating in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area. They offer community announcements such as forthcoming community events etc. [Full story...]

Help make Wales more inclusive for vision impaired children – Refer organisations to RSBC

To help make Wales more inclusive for vision impaired children, RSBC is inviting professionals, parents and carers to share the names of any Welsh organisations that vision impaired children and young people access. [Full story...]

New VI Running Group in Cardiff

Cardiff VI Runners has just been launched. It is a friendly and supportive space for blind and visually impaired runners (and guides!) to connect, share experiences, and find motivation. Whether you’re just starting out or training for your next race, you will be part of the team. [Full story...]

Invitation to take part in research on Visual Imagination and Sight Impairment

Researchers at Cardiff University are conducting an online study to explore visual imagination in people with sight impairment. This research aims to better understand why some individuals experience visual hallucinations (Charles Bonnet Syndrome) after sight loss. [Full story...]

Disabled People in Wales Encouraged to Stand for Election with New Access to Elected Office Fund

Disability Wales is encouraging disabled People in Wales to stand for election with support from the Access to Elected Office Fund. [Full story...]

RNIB 'Seeing it Through' Support Groups

RNIB's new 'Seeing It Through' support groups are a safe, confidential space that give you a chance to talk openly to a qualified counsellor, and meet others who have the same eye condition or similar experiences. They’re there to listen, and understand what you’re going through. [Full story...]

Free benefits advice for parents in Conwy and Gwynedd from Contact

Parent carers in Conwy and Gwynedd in North Wales can book free, confidential 1-1 appointments with one of Contact’s expert advisers to get practical, tailored help with benefits and financial support as part of the Claiming with Confidence initiative, which is funded by the Welsh government and in partnership with The All Wales Forum. [Full story...]

Other resources.

Recordings from the Macular Disease Conference 2026 available

If you were unable to attend the recent Macular Disease Conference, recordings are available now on the Society's website. [Full story...]

Useful tips for blind parents

Following the recent publicity given to a pilot project which turns 20-Week ultrasound scans into sonograms for parents with sight loss, an article on the BBC website looks more widely at the issues that vision impaired parents face, and includes some useful hints and tips. [Full story...]

Top Tips for vision impaired people on keeping your eyes safe in the sun

LOOK's website has some useful tips for people with vision impairment on tints, shades and sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun. [Full story...]

LOOK launches new podcast - 'Media Mob Unfiltered'

LOOK has launched Media Mob Unfiltered, a brand-new podcast led by visually impaired young people, sharing real conversations about the things that matter most to them. [Full story...]

Summer Holiday Top Tips for parents from LOOK

LOOK has compiled some useful information for parents to help them keep their vision impaired children engaged and entertained over the long summer break. [Full story...]

Eye Matter - A peer support and social inclusion charity

Eye Matter is a multi-activity peer support and social inclusion charity for anyone over 18 living with a visual impairment. [Full story...]

Blind Veterans UK’s Working Age Rehabilitation Programme

Blind Veterans Working-Age Rehabilitation Program supports and rehabilitates blind veterans to help them live independently. Over the course of five-days, veterans of working age are supported to develop vital independent living skills which will hopefully lead to them accessing, obtaining and remaining in employment. [Full story...]

New diabetic eye screening video

A new diabetic eye screening video is now available from Public Health Wales. [Full story...]

RNIB updates their Sight Loss Data Tool

RNIB's Sight Loss Data Tool has been updated. It is the UK’s biggest collection of eye health and sight loss data, which helps people understand eye health and sight loss at a local level. [Full story...]

Blind Ambition launch new recruitment site for VI Jobseekers

Blind Ambition has launched a new recruitment site designed specifically to connect inclusive employers with blind and partially sighted job seekers. [Full story...]

LOOK resource for parents: Accessible Gaming and Online Safety

LOOK has produced a guide for parents which gives them practical tips on ensuring that their vision impaired child can enjoy gaming, build independence, and stay safe while connecting with others online. [Full story...]

'Faith’s Fakeaways' - New cookbook for people with sight loss

Faith Barber-Hughes, a professional chef with Stargardt disease, has written a new cookbook designed to make cooking accessible for anyone living with sight loss. [Full story...]

'See it our way' - New podcast from VICTA change makers

'See it our way' is the new bi-monthly podcast series from the VICTA Changemakers, a group of blind and partially sighted young adults. [Full story...]

Preparing for a job interview when you have dual sensory loss

Deafblind UK has some useful advice for people with dual sight and hearing loss when preparing for a job interview. [Full story...]

Deafblind UK launch nation-wide Usher Syndrome Helpline

Deafblind UK has just launched a completely new national helpline service. The Usher Syndrome Helpline is run jointly with Deafblind Scotland, allowing cover for the whole of the UK. [Full story...]

VICTA launch Parent Podcast

VICTA has launched a new service, 'The VICTA Parent Network Voice', a podcast created especially for parents of children and young people with vision impairment. [Full story...]

Sight Loss Advice Emails from RNIB

Sight Loss Advice Emails from RNIB [Full story...]

New resources for professionals from RSBC

The Royal Society for Blind Children has created a dedicated space filled with resources for professionals to help you support children, young people, and families navigating their journey with vision impairment. [Full story...]

Support for older people from Care and Repair Cymru

As the colder months arrive, Care and Repair Cymru is reminding people aged 60 and over that their 'Older not Colder' service supports older people to keep their homes warm and energy bills down. The organisation also provides 'Managing Better', a free home visiting service offering advice and practical help for people over the age of 50 who have hearing loss, sight loss, dementia, or have had a stroke. [Full story...]

'Through our Eyes' Podcast from TPT gives an honest view of student life when you have a vision impairment

The Thomas Pocklington Trust has launched a new Podcast, 'Through Our Eyes', where blind and partially sighted students share their experiences of navigating the student journey to higher education. [Full story...]

Miscellaneous.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

For Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (September), the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) is highlighting the signs of retinoblastoma that parents and health professionals should be aware of, so that it can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. [Full story...]

Forty Years of Guide Dogs Training in Cardiff

Guide Dogs Cymru is marking a special anniversary on Thursday 29th September 2026. It’s exactly 40 years since the official opening of Wales’s first guide dog training centre at Trevillian House in Cathedral Road, Cardiff. [Full story...]

British Wireless for the Blind Fund is now Visably

Following research with people living with sight loss, British Wireless for the Blind Fund has rebranded as 'Visably'. The charity's focus is now on helping people living with sight loss with their tech until it clicks – growing confidence, connection, and independence. [Full story...]

Best of Brecon Awards – Personal Achievement Award for campaigner Nick Lancaster

Congratulations to guide dog owner and campaigner Nick Lanacaster, who has been honoured by Brecon Town Council. Nick, a staunch campaigner for Guide Dogs, won the Personal Achievement category in the 'Best of Brecon' Awards. [Full story...]

Optometry Today feature looks at how optometrists in Wales play important role in preventative healthcare

An article on the Optometry Today website describes the important role that Wales's optometrists play in not only supporting the eye health of their patients, but identifying and managing broader health risks such as smoking and diabetes. [Full story...]

Contact Cymru launch 'Stronger Futures' - New support for families in Denbighshire and Wrexham

Contact Cymru has announced a new programme of support for families of disabled children living in Denbighshire and Wrexham. 'Stronger Futures' follows a similar programme, 'Claiming with Confidence' which has been running in Conwy and Gwynedd. [Full story...]

DWP hiring extra staff to deal with Access to Work backlog

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced that it will recruit an additional 480 extra staff to to clear the backlog in applications to the Access to Work scheme. [Full story...]

Mental Health Awareness Week 2026

For Mental Health Awareness Week (11th to 17th May), we have a reminder that many sight loss organisation provide resources and support to help people with sight loss. [Full story...]

Excellence in Glaucoma Care Awards 2026

Congratulations to Dr Piero Zollet, Glaucoma Fellow at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board who is joint winner of the 'Individual Excellence' category in the Glaucoma Care Awards 2026. [Full story...]

Primary Eyecare Services partners with Wales's Centre for Vision Services Research

'Optometry Today' is reporting that the Centre for Vision Services Research in Wales is partnering with Primary Eye Care Services, a not for profit lead provider in optometry in England supporting the delivery of primary and community eye care services. [Full story...]

Welsh Government Heating Oil and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) support scheme for low income households

The Welsh Government has launched a scheme to support low-income households with the cost of heating oil and LPG, using £3.8 million of funding provided by the UK Government. A household will be eligible for a single £200 payment if they are eligible for the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. [Full story...]

Fight for Sight launches the Children and Young People with Vision Impairment Funding Programme

Fight for Sight has announced a new initiative designed to transform understanding of services and resources available to children and young people with vision impairment in the UK. [Full story...]

Official launch of the Centre for Vision Services Research

An official launch event for the Centre for Vision Services Research was held at Cardiff University in January 2026, with a keynote address from the Chief Medical Officer for Wales. [Full story...]

Update: S.P.A.C.E. – Stakeholder Parent and Carer Engagement Meetings

Stakeholder Parent and Carer Engagement Meetings (S.P.A.C.E) is a coalition of charities and families of disabled children across Wales, led by Family Fund. With elections to the Welsh Senedd taking place in May 2026, parents are being urged to get involved, to help to ensure that families are not just consulted but are actively shaping the future of policy and practice in Wales. A hustings event was held in Bangor in March. [Full story...]

Outgoing CEO reflects on his seven years with RNIB

The outgoing CEO of RNIB, Matt Stringer, has reflected on his seven years in the role in an interview with Optometry Today. [Full story...]

VI Breconshire Support Group - change of venue

Visual Impairment Breconshire (VIB)'s Brecon Support Group (incorporating the macular group) now meets at Brecon Library instead of the Guildhall. [Full story...]

Social opportunities for people with sight and hearing loss: Deafblind UK to launch project across Wales

Deafblind UK is set to deliver a largescale project to improve social connections and use of accessible technology for those with dual sensory loss in Wales. Deafblind Connections Cymru is a four-year project designed to help deafblind people across Wales feel more connected, supported, informed and included in their communities. [Full story...]

Review of optometry in 2025

An article on the Optometry Today website looks at the stories that shaped optometry over the past year in the four nations of the UK, and hopes for 2026. [Full story...]

Impact of the Autumn budget

RNIB has produced an analysis of the impact of the Chancellor's recent Autumn Budget on people with sight loss. [Full story...]

Welsh Senedd report finds 'delays in treatment putting thousands at risk of deteriorating sight'

A report by Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament has raised concerns that more than 80,000 patients in Wales at greatest risk of permanent sight loss are waiting too long for sight-saving treatment. [Full story...]

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board wins Visibly Better Employer Award

Congratulations to Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, which has become the UK’s first health board or NHS organisation to receive a Visibly Better Employer Award from RNIB, demonstrating its commitment to accessibility. The award was presented at this year's Wales Eyecare Conference in Cardiff. [Full story...]

UCAN Productions awarded funding from National Lottery

UCAN Productions has been awarded four years of funding through the National Lottery Community Fund’s People and Places programme. [Full story...]