Northern Ireland

RNIB Northern Ireland and Isle of Man supports children and adults with sight loss to live full and independent lives.

We are a membership organisation, committed to delivering services our members need and campaigning for their rights.

Current highlights

RNIB Northern Ireland and Blind Centre join forces

The two largest organisations supporting blind and partially sighted people in Northern Ireland have merged. The RNIB Northern Ireland Merger took place with effect from 1 April 2007. The new organisation has combined the extensive resources of RNIB Northern Ireland and The Blind Centre for Northern Ireland to provide a greater range of services to more people and speak with a united voice to government and the community.

Connect Centre provides a gateway to all our services

The new Connect Centre in Belfast is a one-stop shop for information and advice for people with sight loss. It includes our resource centre, an internet café and access to benefits advice and the job club.

Young Persons’ Forum gains Lottery Award

RNIB Northern Ireland has been awarded £282,000 by the Big Lottery to support a youth campaign. Eye Matter, our Young Persons’ Forum, will mount a 3-year ‘Campaigning For Equality’ project focussing on six issues: Accessible Information, Education, Employment, Independent Living, Transport and Youth Services

Soccer Sight at Windsor Park

Blind and partially sighted football fans will be provided with special ‘Soccer Sight’ audio description commentaries at Northern Ireland’s next international at Windsor Park.

Women prepare for the workplace

The Women Into Work project, funded by the European Social Fund, is training women with serious sight loss in job and IT skills in preparation for the labour market. To date all the participants have completed a course on confidence building. The course is expected to train 70 women over a two-year period.

IFA Awarded first model of excellence.

The Irish Football Association was the first organisation to be awarded a model of excellence for their work by RNIB Northern Ireland. The models of excellence are given to any company/organisation that shows outstanding work with blind and partially sighted people in their field of work.

Content author: webeditor@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 28/03/2008 9:54