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

Diverse Responses to Glidance: A Snapshot of Community Perspectives
Overview: A Community Divided by Hope and Caution
The Glidance device promises to revolutionize mobility for blind people by offering an alternative to traditional aids like canes and guide dogs. It uses advanced sensors to detect obstacles and guide users along the safest path. While many are excited about the possibilities, others question its practicality and reliability. Responses range from enthusiastic support to cautious skepticism, illustrating the complex relationship between the blind community and emerging assistive technologies.
The Enthusiasts: “A Game-Changer in Mobility”
Some users are excited about Glidance's potential to increase independence and transform mobility for blind individuals. For these advocates, the promise of avoiding obstacles and exploring new environments is worth the risks of being an early adopter.
- **Bill**, who tested the prototype, shared his optimism:
“It gently guided me away for safety reasons… Honestly, if you can, I'd highly recommend checking it out. I truly believe this is a game-changer.”
- **Chris**, reflecting on losing residual vision, stated:
“The two things I can’t wait for… are being able to walk down a street knowing I won’t bang into anything… and being able to go to a new place where Glide can take me to that pub everyone raves about.”
The Skeptics: “Cold Mechanized Mobility”
Others were more skeptical, raising concerns about Glidance's practicality compared to established tools like canes and guide dogs.
- **DK1234** dismissed the device as a poor substitute for a guide dog:
“This sounds like a sad attempt at creating a robotic guide dog… I will stick with my loving and alive dog guide. Hahahahaha.”
- **Mr.G** highlighted the risks of over-reliance on technology:
“I think it would be a bad idea to rely 100% on tech to get you around. What happens if the battery runs dry or it breaks when you’re out?”
The Pragmatists: Balancing Hope and Reality
Many respondents struck a middle ground, appreciating the innovation while cautioning against abandoning traditional mobility skills.
- **SusanKing**, an inquisitive participant, sought detailed information:
“What are the materials used? … When you said you felt motors vibrating, did the device actually propel itself, or was motion based on your physical push?”
- **Tony ** acknowledged both the potential and the need for a fallback:
“If it works, it could be transformative, but I’ll still take my cane along, at least on the first trip.”
Comparators: Drawing on Past Experiences
Some respondents contextualized Glidance by comparing it to existing aids.
- **Betty ** reflected on guide dog use:
“When I had my guide dog, I could always tell the gap by my dog’s positioning and movement while boarding or disembarking from a train.”
- ** Kelvin** noted the device’s quality, referencing prior prototypes:
“The body of the unit is metallic… like fancy luggage, but much higher quality.”
Themes in the Conversation
1. **Excitement for Innovation:** Enthusiasts view Glidance as a potential “game-changer” that could redefine mobility for blind users.
2. **Concerns About Practicality:** Skeptics raise issues about weight, internet dependency, and the loss of traditional mobility skills.
3. **Realism and Caution:** Pragmatists and comparators encourage balanced adoption, advocating for a blend of old and new technologies.
4. **Community Engagement:** Many praised Glidance’s developers for involving users in the design process. As **SeasonKing** put it:
“It’s almost as though they are showing potential customers, ‘Here’s a product; what improvements would you like?’… Rinse and repeat.”
Summary of the Discussion
The responses to Glidance demonstrate a community grappling with the promise and uncertainty of new technology. While some see it as a revolutionary step forward, others remain cautious, emphasizing the importance of preserving traditional skills and planning for tech failures.
What unites all these voices, however, is a shared desire for greater independence and inclusion. Whether through canes, guide dogs, or innovative devices like Glidance, the blind community continues to explore the tools that best meet their diverse needs.
Final Thoughts
Glidance’s reception highlights a vital lesson for developers of assistive technology: community engagement is key. By listening to the experiences and concerns of potential users, companies can refine their products to better serve their audiences. As the device evolves, it will be fascinating to see whether it fulfills its promise and how it ultimately reshapes mobility for blind people.

#Accessibility #Blind #ComputerVision #Disability #GDBA #Glide #Glidance #RNIB