Renfrewshire Visually Impaired Forum

13/06/2026

Today I had a conversation with a follower from Central America about life after losing our sight. What amazed me was that although we live in different countries and cultures, we found ourselves talking about many of the same experiences. We talked about loneliness, isolation, friendships that faded away, and how difficult it can be when support isn’t there when you need it most.

People often tell us, “Just be positive,” or remind us that everyone faces challenges in life. And they’re right. Every human being experiences difficulties, disappointments, loss, and struggles. The thing many people don’t fully understand is that blind and disabled people experience those same human realities without sight, or full mobility, and for many of us without any quote and quote family support, or inclusion.

We know we’re not the only ones who struggle. We don’t believe our problems are more important than anyone else’s. But when you’re blind, or have a disability, every challenge can come with additional barriers that many people never have to think about. A sighted person facing a difficult situation can often jump in the car, drive somewhere, visit a friend, or change their environment. For many blind people, even simple activities require transportation, accessibility, planning, and frequently help from others.

This is not about negativity or asking for sympathy. It’s about acknowledging a reality that many blind and disabled people live every day. Positivity matters. Hope matters. Gratitude matters. But positivity alone, or, a statement like "the blind are not the only ones who have life difficulties," doesn’t create accessibility. Positivity alone doesn’t replace friendships that have disappeared. Positivity alone doesn’t remove the barriers that many of us face anytime we decide to participate in a community event, or activity.

What many blind and other disabled people need isn’t pity. It’s understanding. It’s inclusion. It’s being invited, considered, and remembered. I believe most people genuinely mean well when they suggest us to "just be positive because we all have life difficulties," but unless someone has lived without sight, or any other physical disability, it can be difficult to fully understand how blindness or a disability affects everyday life and the way we navigate challenges that everyone faces.

And if you’re feeling isolated today—whether you’re blind, disabled, or simply going through a difficult season of life—I want you to know that you’re not alone. just my follower from Central America, I live a similar situation. Reach out to those who you know they could offer some support, seek out community, focus on meaningful relationships, and remember that your worth is not determined by who stays or who leaves. We all need connection, purpose, and belonging.

No matter where we come from, we all face challenges. Some of us simply face those human challenges while navigating a world we cannot see, or eassily participate in. May we all do a better job of listening, including, supporting, and reminding one another that none of us are meant to walk through life alone. ❤️

Blind With A vision On YouTube:

https://youtube.com/?si=uKbcVxEy2Ua2CmgP

12/06/2026

What's it like being a blind or partially sighted football fan during the sport's biggest event?

Throughout this year’s World Cup tournament, RNIB’s Telephone ‘Football Focus’ group are giving their take on all of the action from the tournament.

Keeping the participants in line is RNIB Scotland Community Connections Coordinator Neil Atkinson😉

Neil: We’ll touch on Scotland there up first. So Macar, we've got an easy 2 am fixture on Saturday night into Sunday morning against Haiti. So, first of all, how are you looking forward to Scotland being back in the World Cup after nearly 30 years? And what's your plans for watching that peculiar kick-off time on early Sunday morning?

Macar: I have to say, you know, since we qualified by beating Denmark in November, I think I kind of got really excited about it. And then I think, knowing that when you want the groups when the matches managed, the excitement's just building and building and building and building.

And like you said, Dave Clark signing these new contracts, that's made it even better. And the fact that we've qualified and with the fact that we qualified so long ago, the fact that the team spirit is just in the group, which it's brilliant. And I feel really, really excited about this World Cup because I just, I believe, I don't know what it is, but I just believe.

Neil: But all very exciting. And another thing that's obviously important to mention is around the audio description and audio commentary offerings from both BBC and ITV. So, ITV and STV for that matter in Scotland are offering their kind of traditional audio descriptive commentary. So as long as you have audio description turned on your device, then it will offer the audio descriptive alternative commentary that they would do and they have done for past tournaments and I think going back to the Six Nations when they started that offering. So, that's for all the Scotland and England games.

Whereas BBC slightly different, you access it in the same way. So, turn on your audio description on your device and they're actually offering an alternative enhanced commentary. So not specifically audio description, but what they're doing is offering an alternative where you can listen to the Radio 5 Live commentary, which is naturally more descriptive as it comes through the radio, but also these The Radio 5 Live team have been trained to give a little bit more enhanced description specifically for people who have low vision or blind and are watching a game on a TV. You can listen to the radio commentary via your TV live on the match.

So, an interesting way to do it. It'll be interesting to see how it works out. I'm going to listen to the radio commentary, the alternative commentary on BBC and see how that goes because I really enjoy listening to radio commentary as it is. I think 5 Live do a great job in that way. And yeah, it'll be exciting to see how that turns out for our community specifically.

Listen to the full podcast episode here:
https://bit.ly/4xFfkX0

[Image: A football with bright yellow splatter paint effect against a blue background.]

07/06/2026

05/06/2026

Following a recipe gets a lot harder when you can't read the steps.

RNIB and Tesco have done something practical about that. "Now We're Cooking" is a collection of 100 popular Tesco recipes, rewritten to be accessible. Shorter steps, clear timings, and cooking tips made with sight loss in mind.

You can get them as an audio version, in braille, as an ebook that works with screen readers, and as videos with closed captions. All of it is free.

A simple, practical resource for more independence in the kitchen.

What recipe would you most want in an accessible format? Let us know in the comments.
https://bit.ly/4xoUAme

[Image description: Text on a bright purple background reads: "100 Tesco recipes. Now accessible." and "Free, from RNIB and Tesco." To the right are two bowls of fresh food. One holds salmon, rice, cucumber, tomato and a lemon wedge. The other is a grain salad with feta, avocado, mango, walnuts and tomato. A knife and fork rest between them.]

05/06/2026

Are you excited by the idea of riding in a self-driving taxi, or would you be worried about the absence of a driver?

Self-driving taxis will be coming to UK streets later this year, for a pilot starting in London.

They have the potential to make a positive impact on blind and partially sighted people, as long as they’re safe, accessible and intuitive for everyone.

Tell us your hopes and concerns in the comments – they’ll help us work with the autonomous vehicle industry and the UK Government.

You can also fill in our short survey (link in first comment).

[Image description: Would you ride in a self-driving taxi? Graphic with an outline illustration of a taxi with a wifi symbol on top.]

26/05/2026

Blindy Girl Rule #10:

If someone leaves the room and you don't realize it, you weren't talking to yourself. You were practicing your storytelling for later.

25/05/2026

I'm looking forward to presenting a masterclass for the Braillists Foundation tomorrow. If you are a blind university student or know someone who will be starting university, consider registering to learn more about how you can use braille in higher education.

This is aimed at the UK education market, but the more general tips will hopefully be universal!! Register here: https://braillists.zoom.us/meeting/register/WQJnV2jxSRK2dmiHgtXR7A #/registration

Please note: I used AI to generate the image attached to this post, but the text and all other content is my own.