North East Sight Matters explains some of the myths around sight impairment and how we can really help these families to thrive
North East Sight Matters (NESM), the region’s specialist children’s sight impairment organisation, is always searching for new opportunities for their sight impaired children and families. The best opportunities will help build confidence, self-belief and wellbeing – and our region’s culture sector is in an ideal position to help.
There are so many myths and misunderstandings surrounding sight impairment and such a spectrum of eye conditions that it can be difficult to understand and navigate. But Penny and Caroline, two of the directors of NESM, have over 70 years of experience as Vision Rehabilitation Specialists between them. Their third director, Charlotte, is registered Blind and a teacher with Newcastle Children’s Vision Team. They are using this expertise to support families and work with organisations like us to remove barriers for them.
They arrange accessible and interesting activities all over the North East for sight impaired children and their families. These are provided free of charge, ensuring no financial burden on people who may already be struggling. One of the ways this is funded is by offering Vision Impairment Awareness Training, a service they can provide to our cultural organisations.
This also means these families, and other future visitors with a sight impairment, can have more positive experiences when they visit our places and events. It’s a win win.
Visual Impact Awareness Training (VIAT) – The steps
- NESM’s initial contact with a venue can identify any gaps in knowledge. They arrange a pre-visit where the outline of a planned visit for the families is discussed. A risk assessment takes place, co-ordinating this with risk assessments that already exist within our organisations. NESM then advise on environmental factors that could be improved to support sight impaired visitors.
- More formal VIAT is offered to staff and volunteers. This boosts the team’s confidence and helps their understanding so when they meet the families, everyone has a better experience.
- As there is such a spectrum of eye conditions, what works for one person, might not work for another. NESM consults with families regularly, ensuring the needs of their children and young people are met in a very tailored way.
How it’s worked in practice
Newcastle United
Newcastle United asked NESM for help to improve their stadium tours specifically for people with a vision impairment. The tour team was given Visual Impairment Awareness Training, environmental advice and, having listened to specific family feedback, they have significantly changed how these tours are run, making it more accessible and tactile for sight impaired visitors.
Life Science Centre
Life Science Centre (pictured above) has consulted extensively with NESM and now provides excellent experiences for visitors with specific vision impairment needs.
The Bowes Museum
Visually impaired families recently enjoyed a great visit to the museum following a consultation with NESM. The staff participated in an access walk around the building to identify areas of potential difficulty and took part in Vision Impairment Awareness Training.
NESM told us it was clear on the day of their families’ visit that the team had really put a lot of effort into making the visit informative, interactive and interesting. With such an historic building there are no quick fixes, but they are continuing to work with Bowes to make improvements.
A final word from the young people
At the heart of everything North East Sight Matters does are children and young people. These simple, impactful statements, written by the young people are now printed on NESM’s tote bag, reminding us what’s key to helping those with a sight-impairment.
- Don’t assume I cannot do things
- Improve your knowledge
- Be kind and understanding
- If you want to help, don’t be afraid to ask me how
- Glasses don’t make me see like you
- I am not being rude. I don’t see facial expressions or body language
- It’s a cane, not a stick
- Red and white on my cane means deaf and blind
- Blind doesn’t mean darkness
- I am just like you, but unique.
Contacting North East Sight Matters
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 07811956381
Website: northeastsightmattersltd.co.uk
Thanks to Penny Dane for providing the information for this blog.
