Visibility Scotland

13/11/2025

Office closure 14 November:

Our main office and a majority of our frontline services will be closed on Friday 14 November due to a staff team day. This also means that our Friday cafe is not on. We will re-open as normal on Monday 17 November.

More details can be found at the link below:

We help and support anyone, of any age, living with a visual impairment across Scotland - Visibility Scotland office closure 14 November 2025

13/11/2025

International Day of the Blind, celebrated on the 13th of November, is a vital reminder of the importance of accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunities for people who are blind and vision impaired.

This day shines a light on the daily challenges faced by the vision impaired community challenges that can limit access to education, employment, and social participation. It also celebrates the progress being made through advocacy, technology, and community support.

From screen readers and Braille to audio descriptions and inclusive design, assistive technologies are transforming lives and opening doors to independence. But there is still much more to be done to ensure that accessibility is not an afterthought, but a standard.

Around the world, organisations, schools, and communities mark this day with awareness events, educational programs, and fundraisers, all with one shared goal: to create a more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Let’s take this moment to reflect on how we, as individuals and organisations, can contribute to breaking barriers and promoting true inclusion for all.

ID: A group of people sit around a large table admiring artwork and enjoying teas and coffees.

11/11/2025

Vision impaired and blind young people (age 10 to 25) in the Glasgow area are warmly invited to a special dinner and talk with Caroline Pakenaite, creator of the DeafBlind Everest Project.

On Wednesday 19 November, Visibility Scotland will be hosting Caroline as she shares her extraordinary journey. Caroline aims to become the first ever DeafBlind person to summit Mount Everest and has already completed several major challenges, including Mera Peak, an ultramarathon, and the Three Peaks Challenge.

Join us for an inspiring evening of conversation, adventure, and community. To register for the event please call 0800 987 1087 or email families@visibilityscotland.org.uk - full event details are as follows:

Date: Wednesday 19 November 2025
Time: 5:00 PM to 7:45 PM
Venue: Visibility Scotland headquarters, 2 Queen's Crescent Glasgow, G4 9BW
Cost: Free of charge, dinner provided.
Eligibility: Young people aged 10 to 25 able to travel to the Visibility Scotland office.

To learn more about Caroline and her journey, visit the link below!

RNIB Scotland Sight Scotland Guide Dogs UK Guide Dogs Scotland

Touching the Summit: Breaking barriers and redefining the journey Me at Everest Base Camp trek in May 2023 About me Hi, my name is Caroline and I am on a mission to become the first DeafBlind person to summit Mt. Everest.I have Usher syndrome, a condition that affects both my hearing and vision. My....

05/11/2025

At Visibility Scotland our mission is to empower people with vision impairments and blindness. We are thrilled to say that our VI-tailored self-defence course, provided in partnership with The Scottish Centre for Personal Safety, is off to an amazing start!

Throughout this eight week course, participants will learn the skills they need to ensure their personal safety. Along the way they'll also be building confidence, independence, and trust in themselves. This is just the beginning of their journey, and we can't wait to see where they go from here.

Image descriptions:
One: Alan, Personal Safety Instructor, practices a self defense move with a participant while another participant observes.

Two: Alan explains a move to a participant holding a guide cane.

04/11/2025

Visibility Scotland, as part of Vision Collaborative Scotland (VCS), is delighted to share an exciting development for Scotland’s vision impairment sector.

Two new part-time blended learning courses are launching in January 2026 through a partnership between Vision Collaborative Scotland and the University of Strathclyde! Thanks to the RS Macdonald Charitable Trust, student sponsorships are available for employers from Vision Collaborative Scotland.

Find out more at the link below:


Sight Scotland Sight Scotland Veterans RNIB RNIB Scotland Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland Thomas Pocklington Trust Guide Dogs UK Guide Dogs Scotland

The Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma in Vision Impairment Rehabilitation is the only course in vision rehabilitation available in Scotland. The courses offered are modular and intended primarily for off-campus delivery.

31/10/2025

Earlier this week our CEO Laura Walker spoke at the 30th anniversary event for the Scottish Union of Supported Employment, championing the importance of accessibility and opportunity for vision impaired and blind people in the workplace. We're excited about the work being done by SUSE, and proud to be partnering with them as we make steps towards positive change together.

28/10/2025

A huge congratulations to one of our Dumfries and Galloway community members, Amy Buck, for being shortlisted as a finalist for Dumfries & Galloway Life's Sports Person of the year!

Amy is an incredible athlete, and has been selected to compete in the international blind bowls world championships in New Zealand in 2027. Congratulations Amy and best of luck!

ID: Amy and her mum Jenine on the bowling lawn.

24/10/2025

A magical night at GlasGLOW!

Last night, we had the incredible opportunity to take a group of our young people along to a special preview of GlasGLOW, and what an amazing evening it was.

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

Our young people had the best time exploring the exhibits, interacting with the different elements, and soaking up the atmosphere. Highlights included roasting marshmallows by the fire, popping giant bubbles filled with fog, and interacting with a light up slinky tunnel.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this experience possible. Nights like this create memories our young people will treasure for a long time.

Image descriptions:
One: August, Visibility Scotland staff member, stands with three young people in a pumpkin themed exhibit.

Two: A GlasGLOW light up sign in the botanic gardens.

Three: Freedom and Joy stand with two young people and Laura, Visibility Scotland's CEO.

Four: Emma, Visibility Scotland's HOO, enjoys marshmallows with one of the young people.



The Essentia Foundation - Scotland Foundation Scotland The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland

17/10/2025

Visibility Scotland is working alongside RNIB Scotland, Sight Scotland, Guide Dogs UK, and Thomas Pocklington Trust as part of Vision Collaborative Scotland, collaborating to champion vision rehabilitation and call for real action across the sector.

Last weekend, our Vision Rehab Specialist, Sam Duncan, and Sight Loss Council Member Frank Beeby joined a fringe meeting at the SNP Conference. Frank shared how vision rehab has transformed his life, a powerful reminder of why this work matters.

As Sight Scotland said so well: it’s time for action on vision rehab! Together, we’re driving positive change for blind and vision impaired people across Scotland.

15/10/2025

Working with Cycling Scotland on this project has been incredibly rewarding. During our pilot session, we experienced people's confidence growing in real time, and we can't wait to find out what the future holds!

Having a visual impairment can often be a barrier to people being more active.

A new cycle training pilot organised by Visibility Scotland, Bike for Good Glasgow and Cycling Scotland, specially tailored to support stroke survivors with visual field loss, has set out to change this.

"I’d forgotten just how much fun biking could be – just because you’re vision impaired it doesn’t mean you can’t do it, you’ve just got to find confidence and get out there!"

Find out more about the pilot session and how we’re working together with Visibility Scotland to help more people to get back on their bikes and build their confidence: https://orlo.uk/EZCmL

09/10/2025

Today, on World Sight Day (09 October 2025), we’re excited to launch Visibility Scotland’s new strategy.

Our purpose is clear: to equip people impacted by vision impairment and blindness with knowledge and skills to increase confidence and achieve personal goals.

With our values at the heart of all we do, we’re committed to pioneering services that deliver life-changing impact.

Read the full strategy on our website, linked below:

Visibility Scotland's organisational strategy including mission, vision, values, and impact.- Our strategy