Our 2021 highlights
It’s been a busy year for Sight Loss councils, from hosting our first ever Sight Loss Councils Conference, to launching six new Sight Loss Councils nationwide!
Six new Sight Loss Councils
New Sight Loss Councils have sprung up across the country! 2021 saw the launch of Sight Loss Councils in York, Bedfordshire, Tyne & Wear, West Yorkshire, Essex, and Northumberland!
We have also began to recruit for volunteers in East Sussex and Lancashire.
Sight Loss Council Conference
We held our very first Sight Loss Council conference which saw Sight Loss Council members attend from all over the country to meet, network and share ideas.
Purple Tuesday
On Purple Tuesday, Sight Loss Councils across the country swung into action! Delivering VI awareness sessions in shopping centres, lighting some of them up purple! As well as getting together to create a video project that showcases the unique perspective of blind and partially sighted shoppers. SLC Purple Tuesday activities were even featured on BBC North West Tonight, watch here!
VI forums
This year Sight Loss Councils held numerous VI Forums both virtually and in-person, covering various topics that effect the lives of blind and partially sighted people, from access to sports and leisure, to facing the challenges of ‘Life after Lockdown’.
You can catch up on all our recordings on the news section of our website.
e-scooter safety
Sight Loss councils have been proactive and solutions-focused in their campaigning for further e-scooter safety. Sight Loss Councils across the country have held ‘Meet the e-scooter‘ events that give blind and partially sighted people the unique opportunity to learn more about safety features and raise their concerns to e-scooter providers. Salford’s event in September was featured on BBC NorthWest tonight’s report on e-scooters and their impact on blind and partially sighted people.
#StreetsForAll Phase 2
We launched the second phase of our #StreetsForAll campaign! Which calls on local authorities to commit to our pledge to ensure street redesigns are inclusive and accessible for everyone. Sight Loss Councils are engaging their local councillors to ensure the needs of blind and partially sighted residents are front and centre at the planning stage of street redesigns.
Campaigning against York Council’s Blue Badge ban
York Sight Loss Council continues to campaign against York Council’s traffic regulation order that discriminates against disabled people. York Sight Loss Council’s efforts to voice the concerns of blind and partially sighted people garnered major media attention. York Sight Loss Council were featured on BBC Look North and ITV Yorkshire.
#MakeHealthAccessible
We have launched our #MakeHealthAccessible campaign! Our new campaign calls on the NHS to effectively implement the Accessible Information Standard and engage with #VisuallyImpaired patients. Read more about the campaign below!
Read more about the campaign here
Have you seen our video?
We asked some of our members, why they joined, what they have got involved in and why other blind and partially sighted people should consider joining Sight Loss Councils in their areas. Watch our video below!
Publication date: 14 December 2021
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