Visibility Scotland

26/12/2025

Our December highlight was not one but two visits down to Meta HQ in London! The first was for a wearables demo event where our Marketing and Administration Manager August had the opportunity to hear about Meta's commitment to accessibility and try out some exciting new technology that will be coming to the UK soon.

On the second trip down, our Social Media Content Creator Lara participated in a very exciting opportunity that we can't wait to share more about when we're able! It was a very busy month, and an absolutely amazing way to wrap up 2025.

Image descriptions:
One: Lara from Visibility Scotland stands in the Meta HQ reception area smiling.

Two: August from Visibility Scotland sits with collaborator Melanie on a sofa in Meta HQ. Both are wearing Ray-Ban Meta glasses.

24/12/2025

A very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the entire Visibility Scotland team. From our family to yours, we wish you a festive season full of good food, quality time with loved ones, and plenty of relaxation.

Our head office and in-person services will be closed from Thursday 25 December until Monday 12 January, with our phone line reopening on Monday 05 January.

Activities and events will resume the week commencing Monday 19 January.

For full closure details please visit the link below:

We help and support anyone, of any age, living with a visual impairment across Scotland - Visibility Scotland festive office closure

23/12/2025

Our November highlight was welcoming Caroline Pakenaite of Deafblind Everest Project on to our upcoming EyeCan podcast - launching in February 2026 - and having the opportunity to hear her speak to our young people.

Caroline aims to be the first ever deafblind person to summit Mount Everest in May 2026, and meeting her was incredibly inspiring. Not only is she an amazing athlete, she also achieved her PhD this year in computer science. We can't wait for you all to hear her story and mountaineering journey in February! Watch this space for more details coming soon.

Image descriptions:
One: Caroline sits in a chair in the Go Radio recording studio. She has medium length blonde hair, glasses, and is wearing a geometric patterned jumper.

Two: Caroline gives a talk to a group of young people involved in Visibility Scotland’s EyeCan CYP project.

22/12/2025

Our October highlight was a truly magical night at GlasGLOW!

This incredible outing was made possible thanks to our wonderful partners hellofreedomandjoy, and the incredible generosity of itison Glasgow.

The attendees had a great time discovering the exhibits, trying out interactive features, and taking in the lively atmosphere.

Favourite moments included toasting marshmallows over the fire, popping fog filled bubbles, and playing in an illuminated tunnel filled with slinkies.

ID: Lynsey from Visibility Scotland stands with an EyeCan CYP participant and her parent, admiring one of GlasGLOW’s light displays

20/12/2025

Taking a look back at September, members of the Visibility Scotland team attended the strategy conference hosted by RNIB Scotland.

Visibility Scotland's CEO, Laura Walker, and Susan Shippey, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, delivered a presentation on the vital work of Vision Collaborative Scotland and its efforts to drive positive change, advance meaningful improvements, and support equitable delivery of vision rehabilitation.

We also heard from a wide range of insightful speakers, including Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health Jenni Minto MSP, Chair of Optometry Scotland Eilidh Thomson, Hannah Tweed from Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, and Professor Andrea Williamson from the University of Glasgow.

It was a brilliant day and inspiring, highlighting the impactful work taking place across sectors to support blind and vision impaired people. There is still more to be done, but meaningful progress is underway.

ID: Laura Walker, Visibility Scotland CEO, sits at a table with three members of the Visibility Scotland staff team. All are smiling.

Guide Dogs Scotland RNIB Thomas Pocklington Trust

18/12/2025

In August, Visibility Scotland’s Dumfries and Galloway Community Support Worker, Steph, visited Lydiafield Care Home as part of a Mostly Ghostly Tours initiative. The day brought together residents to explore personal heritage through storytelling and shared memories.

Five residents contributed meaningful items, including a bagpipe chanter, a cherished bible, family photographs, football cards, and a striking image of a stag hunt. Each object opened the door to valuable conversations, reflection, and connection.

Steph supported inclusivity and accessibility at the event, ensuring that everyone had the opportunity to engage with and celebrate their heritage.

ID: ID: Steph from Visibility Scotland sits with a group of four other people in a room with many windows. Everyone is smiling.

17/12/2025

Highlight number seven! In July we had our EyeCan CYP pizza party, and what an incredible day it was. Young people aged 10 to 25 were welcomed to Visibility Scotland for an afternoon filled with creativity, connection, and plenty of fun.

Throughout the day, everyone had the chance to explore three different activity stations. Our arts and crafts area offered a relaxed space to get creative, try new materials, and make something to take home. The gaming station was busy from start to finish, giving participants the chance to play together, share tips, and enjoy some friendly competition. We were also delighted to have live music, which added a brilliant atmosphere and encouraged plenty of singing along.

And, of course, no party is complete without good food. Everyone came together to enjoy delicious pizza and chat with new and familiar faces.

We look forward to hosting more opportunities for young people to connect, have fun, and feel part of our community.

ID: Sharon and Aarti from hellofreedomandjoy and Lynsey from Visibility Scotland stand with EyeCan CYP pizza party attendees.

15/12/2025

June at Visibility Scotland had two special highlights: we celebrated a milestone birthday, marking 166 years of supporting and empowering vision impaired and blind people across Scotland. We also launched our neuro cycling programme, EyeCan Cycle, for the first time in partnership with Cycling Scotland and Bike for Good Glasgow.

For many people, visual field loss after a stroke can mean giving up driving and losing confidence on the road. Through the rehabilitation opportunities and compensatory strategy training offered by Visibility Scotland, participants were supported to rebuild that confidence and enjoy getting back on a bike.

We ran a second session of the programme in November, and are hoping to run more sessions in the new year depending on funding. If you'd like to learn more or support EyeCan Cycle, please get in touch by calling 0800 987 1087 or emailing info@visibilityscotland.org.uk

ID: EyeCan Cycle participants stand with Ali from Visibility Scotland and Nina and Josh from Cycling Scotland outside the Bike for Good headquarters. Everyone is standing next to their bike and smiling.

13/12/2025

In May, Visibility Scotland had the opportunity to collaborate with accessible ticketing platform Humanitix. We are very proud of the partnerships we have launched and strengthened during 2025.

The spirit of partnership was powerfully demonstrated in May when we supported Humanitix, an accessible, non-profit ticketing platform that reinvests profits in social good, with launching here in the UK. Humanitix shares our vision of an inclusive and accessible world where everyone can participate, and it's well worth considering them for all your ticketing needs.

ID: from left to right, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes MSP, Humanitix co-founder and co-CEO Adam McCurdie, and Visibility Scotland CEO Laura Walker standing together smiling.

12/12/2025

Are you currently working as an occupational therapist? Do you have experience of working with stroke survivors with vision impairments?

We would like your help in the development of our new rehabilitation programme and technology.

We are running two focus groups:

Focus group one: Tuesday 16th December 11:00 -12:00 pm (in-person at Visibility Scotland, 2 Queen's Crescent, G4 9BW)

Focus group two: Wednesday 17th December 2:00 - 3:00 pm (online)

For more information please or to register to attend please contact: Dr Lauren Forsyth – lauren.forsyth@strath.ac.uk

Image description: Text based poster with the logos of University of Strathclyde Engineering department and Visibility Scotland. The text on the poster contains the same information as is detailed above.

University of Strathclyde

10/12/2025

Our fourth highlight of 2025 took place in April, when our board members Natalie and Aqeel proudly completed the Glasgow Kiltwalk in support of Visibility Scotland. Despite the cold and wet weather, they stayed committed and pushed through every mile to raise awareness for the vital services our organisation provides. Their dedication reflects the spirit of our community and the difference that passionate individuals can make. We are truly fortunate to have such engaged and supportive board members who lead by example and actively champion our mission.

ID: Natalie and Aqeel stand together smiling in front of the Glasgow Kiltwalk finish line. Both are wearing Visibility Scotland tops.

10/12/2025

Yesterday our Marketing and Administration Manager August traveled bright and early (or rather, dark and early at this time of year) down to London to attend a wearables demo event at Meta.

We've experienced firsthand the impact of Ray-Ban Metas for people who are blind and vision-impaired, and it was amazing to hear about all the ways Meta integrate accessibility into their designs. It was evident that there is an incredible amount of care and consideration that goes into thinking about the access needs of many different groups at every stage of their design process.

Another highlight of the day was getting to see the amazing Blind Girl Swims again. Stay tuned to hear her story on our upcoming EyeCan podcast in February 2026.

If you or someone you know would like to try out the Ray-Ban Metas and their accessibility features, please reach out by emailing info@visibilityscotland.org.uk or calling 0800 987 1087. We have a demo pair available for people to try in our office, and our wonderful Community Worker Andy is always happy to guide people on how best to use them as an accessibility tool.

Image descriptions:

One: August and Melanie sit together on a sofa whilst demoing the Gen two Ray-Ban Metas. Mike the guide dog takes a well-deserved nap in the background.

Two: Beth from Meta presents on the importance of inclusion in technology. On the screen behind her are logos of various charities including Guide Dogs UK, RSBC, CNIB, Braille Institute, RNIB, Be My Eyes, United Spinal Association, and Visibility Scotland.

Three: August and Melanie stand outside the Meta office together smiling. Mike the guide dog is in the foreground.