With new designated Voi bike hire areas like this one appearing across Glasgow, I have a question which I'd be interested in hearing people's thoughts on: Do such areas, only demarcated by white lines and filled with free-standing bikes, create a navigation problem for people with visual impairments?

Cont./

#glasgow #voi #publicspaces #rnib

Blind Gaming Group Levels Up After Five Years

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Scotland is marking the fifth anniversary of its pioneering blind and partially sighted gaming group, a thriving community that brings together gamers from across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Formed in November 2020 during the pandemic lockdown, the online group provides a vital safe space for like-minded gamers with sight loss to build friendships, share experiences, and act as a collective voice advocating for better inclusion across the mainstream gaming industry.

The group’s success demonstrates the immense social and community value of gaming. Louise Meeke (39), who has been part of the group since 2021, shared how it provides a sense of belonging:

Gaming helps me feel less disabled. For me, gaming is about spending time with my friends, indulging in a pass-time we all enjoy and can talk about for hours… I was hesitant in the beginning, but I’ve made so many friends. Discord is great because we can all meet online from anywhere, have our mics on, and just chat together while we game, as if there’s no distance between us. To me, it’s freedom and a real community that I belong to.

Kellie Dingwall (31), from Edinburgh, who uses her experience to help others find accessible games, highlights the group’s practical value:

I love that I’ve learned about opportunities to get involved in accessibility in gaming, and that I’ve been able to help others find games they can play through sharing my own experience.

The Critical Need for Accessibility

The RNIB’s work extends far beyond community building. The charity is a key advocate for advancing accessibility in video games, working directly with developers and creators.

The RNIB’s Accessible Gaming Report found that 76% of gamers with sight loss said their ability to play was significantly affected by their condition. More worryingly, only 15% of surveyed game developers felt they had a sufficient understanding of players’ accessibility needs.

Input from groups like the Blind Gaming Group is vital to close this gap and shape the next generation of accessible game design.

A Call to Developers

James Kyle from RNIB Scotland’s Community Social Action team, emphasised that small design changes can make a huge difference, particularly for the games industry in Scotland.

We know there are thousands of people with sight loss who enjoy gaming on all the mainstream platforms just as much as those who are fully sighted. Sight loss is a a spectrum, and there is so much that game developers can do – from menu narration and high-contrast modes, to scalable UI, and enhanced haptic feedback – to make games more playable.

The Royal National Institute For Blind People Scotland offers resources and opportunities for developers. The Design For Every Gamer (DFEG) initiative aims to create a better gaming world for people with sight loss and is a rallying cry to the industry to start making real change. The organisation also offers the opportunity for studios to connect directly with gamers with sight loss through its Game Player Testing Panel, ensuring that developers design for every gamer.

Game creators looking to understand accessibility needs can find more information about the RNIB’s DevKit and testing panel on the RNIB website. Gamers with sight loss can join the community by calling the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.

#anniversary #BlindGamersGroup #games #RNIB #RoyalNationalInstituteForBlindPeople #scotland

Very pleased to learn that my Nearly Departed train app was discussed warmly on the #RNIB Tech Talk podcast.

I learned about this after getting an email from a new user who is visually impaired and installed the app after listening to the show.

Just found and used this free online hearing assessment test provided by the RNID. Result is the advice to get a full hearing assessment done as I show signs of hearing loss (something that my family has been telling me for a while...)

#RNIB #HearingLoss #HealthCheck #Pardon

https://rnid.org.uk/information-and-support/take-online-hearing-check/

Swansea man finds marathon motivation in friend with sight loss

Danial Ahern, 31, will run the iconic event to raise funds for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), a decision inspired by his friendship with para-athlete James Ledger.

James is a sprinter with bilateral coloboma and nystagmus, conditions which affect his sight meaning he’s registered blind.

The pair met in school and soon became inseparable, bonding over a love of sport and a shared competitive spirit. Although Danial enjoyed his own successes in boxing, competing for both Wales and Great Britain, he always looked up to James and his achievements in athletics.

Having started running as a teenager with the Swansea Harriers, James has since competed at events all over the world, including the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast, narrowly missing out on last year’s Paralympics through injury.

Danial, a Commercial Training Manager for a company based in Swansea and Cardiff, said: “I’ve known James since we were in primary school, and I’ve always admired the way he hasn’t let sight loss slow him down. He faced quite a few challenges when we were younger, but he faced them head on and he’s gone on to achieve some amazing things like competing at the Commonwealth games.”

This will be Danial’s first time running the London Marathon, having unsuccessfully applied 10 times in the past. When deciding on a cause to support, the decision was clear.

Danial said: “I’ve done a few half marathons for different charities in memory of my nan, but this time around it only felt right to run in recognition of James and everything we’ve been through together.

“I want to raise awareness of some of the difficult things he’s gone through, but also celebrate all his achievements. He’s been my friend for as long as I can remember, he was by best man at my wedding, and I can’t wait do this in recognition of that friendship.”

Nathan Owen, RNIB Cymru External Affairs Manager said: “We’re so pleased that Danial is supporting our work by running the London Marathon. His hard work and dedication will help us continue to support blind and partially sighted people in Swansea and beyond, and we’re extremely grateful to him and everyone running for us this year.”

Danial’s now concentrating on staying in top form ahead of the big day on April 27. He’s still hoping to raise as much money for RNIB as possible – his fundraising page can be found here.

#Charity #LondonMarathon #paraAthletes #RNIB #Swansea