Vision Ireland

16/10/2026

If you wonder why inclusion in sport is so important, please take a moment to read Hilary's story...

Hilary Devlin, Eye Clinic Liaison Officer at Vision Ireland, All-Ireland Visually Impaired Rugby Team member and lifelong Leinster Rugby fan, never believed she would play for any sporting team, let alone represent Ireland.

"At school, playing sport, I was always just told to 'sit over there'.

"So at our first match, I was probably more excited about getting the kit and looking the same as everybody else. I was so, so proud of myself."

Hilary says before joining the team, she didn't have many friends who had the same experiences with vision as her.

"I would definitely say that there were periods in my life when I was lonely, in a way that I didn't connect. I felt there was a bit that never clicked. Rugby has given me that, and I would love other people to feel that."

"If somebody had told me five years ago that I would be playing rugby, I would be as fit and strong as I am now, and that I was going to Japan to represent Ireland... the hairs stand up on the back of my neck."

16/10/2026

The 2026 Clear Our paths survey by Vision Ireland reveals that almost 60% of people who are blind or vision-impaired have been injured due to temporary obstacles left on footpaths.

This and other startling findings mark the beginning of the charity’s 2026 Clear Our Paths campaign, urging the public to keep our footpaths clear of hazards that might pose a risk to someone who is vision-impaired and going about their day.

Read more via the link below -

The 2026 Clear Our Paths survey has revealed that almost 60% of people who are blind or vision-impaired have been injured because of an obstacle encountered on a footpath. This and other findings were revealed as part of the Clear Our Paths campaign, where Vision Ireland is urging the public to cons...

16/10/2026

“Access to sport and physical activity for people who are blind or visually impaired should not be a privilege; it should be a reality" -
Minister of State Charlie McConalogue.

This time last week the Vision Sports Ireland summit was opened by the Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD, who delivered an opening address highlighting the importance of removing barriers and creating meaningful opportunities for people who are blind or vision impaired to participate in sport and physical activity. Minister McConalogue commented on the event; “We have made real progress, but we must continue removing barriers, raising expectations, and creating opportunities for people to discover what they are capable of. Inclusion should not be the exception in Irish sport. It should be the standard.”

Everyone at Vision Ireland and Vision Sports Ireland truly value the support received from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport through Sport Ireland and look forward to continuing to work closely to meet our ambitious targets set out in our strategy.

The Beyond Vision Summit reflects Vision Sports Ireland’s ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive sporting landscape, where people who are blind or vision impaired can access meaningful opportunities to participate, develop and progress at every stage of life.

A special thank you to Minister Charlie McConalogue TD for joining us last week.

15/10/2026

In our latest episode of Advocacy Talks, Madeline speaks to Ger Duggan, who is a member of Vision Ireland's Midwest Local Advocacy Network.

In the episode, Ger talks about the significance of the white cane as both a mobility aid and a symbol of independence and inclusion for people who are blind or visually impaired. She shared her experience of learning to use a white cane and how using it has given her back her independence after losing her sight.

Listen now on Spotify via the link below or wherever you get your podcasts -
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0EGWLcplrHeoy4UEAe6vtJ

Advocacy Talks with Vision Ireland · Episode

15/10/2026

Loads of people have already signed up or their Free Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses and visited us at our roadshows.

But if you haven’t done so, registering your interest is the first step.

Eligible people who are blind or have low vision can register their interest via https://meta.vi.ie/ or via the dedicated phone number 01 882 1910

15/10/2026

In 2025, Vision Ireland issued 1,092 white canes, mobility canes and support sticks free of charge to people throughout Ireland.

Behind every one of those canes is a personal story of someone gaining greater independence. Whether that's returning to work or education, travelling more confidently, or simply feeling safer and more connected to their community.

For more than two decades, Vision Ireland has continued to provide white canes free of charge thanks to the generosity of our supporters, donors, retail customers, partners and fundraisers.

Their support ensures that financial circumstances never become a barrier to accessing a mobility aid that can make such a significant difference in someone’s daily life.

Celebrating 1,092 gifts of independence this International White Cane Day. Every year on 15 October, Vision Ireland proudly joins organisations and communities around the world in marking White Cane Day, a global celebration that recognises the white cane as a symbol of independence, confidence and....

15/10/2026

At Vision Ireland, we're incredibly proud that we've been providing white canes free of charge since 2000, ensuring that nobody is prevented from accessing this essential mobility aid because of cost. In 2025 alone, we issued 1,092 white canes, mobility canes and support sticks to people across Ireland.

What's even more remarkable is that this support is provided without dedicated Government funding. Instead, it's made possible through the kindness and generosity of our supporters, donors, fundraisers, partners and customers who support our retail stores. Every donation and every act of support helps someone take a step towards greater independence.

As we mark White Cane Day, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who makes this possible. Behind every cane we provide is a person gaining confidence, mobility and the freedom to navigate their community with greater independence.

Through this, we're helping create a more inclusive Ireland where people who are blind or vision-impaired can live the lives they choose, with the support they need to get there.

14/10/2026

An incredible 99% of blind and low-vision people regularly encounter hazards such as wheelie bins, parked cars, and overgrown branches on public footpaths.

Of 220 survey respondents who were blind or vision-impaired, almost all of them say they encounter temporary obstacles on footpaths. 65% say they encounter these hazards frequently while out and about. Alarmingly, most respondents say they have suffered an injury caused by an obstacle, and almost one third of them have had to visit a hospital or doctor because of it.

In the link below are some conversational points that you can use when chatting to your friends and family to help raise awareness of the temporary obstacles on our footpaths.

Temporary obstacles are things that can be removed or prevented with ease which would create a safer environment for people who are blind or vision impaired but also for other pedestrians such as wheelchair users, parents with prams or those with other access needs. The aim of the Clear Our Paths ca...

13/10/2026

"I realised the worries were my own and they were just kids" - Vision Sports Ireland parent Grannie.

Speaking on stage at last week's Beyond Vision Summit with her daughters Rose and Willow, they gave us real insight into their lived experience and the impact sport has had on their lives.

The Beyond Vision Summit 2026 was opened by Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport Charlie McConalogue.

This incredible event brought together representatives from Government, Local Sports Partnerships, National Governing Bodies for Sport, members and sector partners to champion greater access, inclusion and opportunities in sport and physical activity for people who are blind or vision-impaired.

To learn more, you can visit the link below -
https://visionsports.ie/vision-sports-ireland-celebrates-world-sight-day-with-second-annual-beyond-vision-summit/

11/10/2026

In the context of a persistent cost of living crisis, and in a country where up to 76% of people with disabilities still live at risk of poverty, it is disappointing that other calls by Vision Ireland went unanswered in this Budget.

Without our suggested changes to welfare means assessments, many people in need of Blind Welfare and Blind Pension will remain ineligible or receive inadequate weekly rates. On technology, access to aids and appliances will continue to be restricted in the absence of proposed VAT cuts and other reforms.

In not implementing these and other measures, Budget 2027 will not deliver the scale of change required to fully support the 296,000 people in Ireland who are blind or vision impaired.

Read our full comment on Budget 2027 via the link below -

Vision Ireland's response to Budget 2027 Yesterday afternoon, the Minister for Finance and Minister for Public Expenditure presented Budget 2027 to the Dáil, outlining the changes to tax and public spending for the coming year. In other words, how the Government will spend money differently in 2027...