Celebrating World Laughter Day with blind comedian Jamie MacDonald
In 1995, a doctor called Madan Kataria from India made it his mission to help people de-stress through 'laughter clubs'. These quickly spread around the globe and resulted in the creation of World Laughter Day in 1998. It is now observed on the first Sunday of May. To celebrate the day, I spoke to Jamie MacDonald - a blind, Glaswegian comedian who lives with his wife in Sheffield. The 43-year-old began losing his sight at 16 due to a degenerative eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa. He has since gone on to complete degrees, try [...]
Be inspired. Park runs and marathons as a blind runner
Running or jogging is considered one of the best cardio exercises out there. Just 5-10 minutes a day can help to build strong bones and muscles, while lifting your mood and energy levels. For many, outdoor running can also decrease feelings of loneliness, isolation and depression. However, when you have a vision impairment, it's not as simple as just popping out for a quick morning jog on your own. So how can we enjoy the benefits of outdoor running while keeping safe? One answer to that question is guide running. The activity, which uses a ramble tag, enables [...]
Interview – Accessing STEM subjects as a VI student
For British Science Week, Charlotte Bateman spoke to a blind 16-year-old student (AJ) at the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC), Herefordshire - about making STEM subjects more accessible to VI pupils. While she is currently studying A-Levels in English Literature, Psychology and German, AJ excelled at science during her GCSE education. Below she shares her tips for getting the most out of your lessons, and what to do if you are struggling with the syllabus. What was your experience of science at school? AJ: My experience was pretty mixed. A lot of the issues [...]
Be inspired. VI art student Millie-Jayne’s digital art
Image description: A high contrast digital image. The background image is an abstract photo that has been flooded with colour - bright pink and dark grey, a person is just visible in the centre of the image. In the top-right corner a white flower is overlaid over the other image with transparency allowing the background colours to show through. In the bottom-left there is a blue image overlaid of a tulip with bright yellow accents. Braille dots have been overlaid over the image reading: 'Better to be blind and see with your heart than have two [...]
New opportunity – ITV Academy News Traineeship 2024-2025
The ITV Academy News Traineeship 2024-2025 is open for applications on the ITV Careers website. The link for more information and the online application form is: careers.itv.com/teams/media-entertainment/itv-news/itv-news-apprenticeship Applications Open: Monday 5th February 2024 Close: 23:59 Sunday 25th February 2024 There is an email box for any queries: newstraineeship2024@itv.com Trainee Video: Some of ITVs current and former trainees have contributed to a film about their experience on the traineeship: Additional info Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a 1 day online assessment centre on either 23rd, 24th or 25th April 2024. The traineeship will be 9 months, starting Monday 30th [...]
‘My Voice Matters’ – Children’s Mental Health Week
We’re proud to be taking part in Place2Be’s #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek (5-11 February 2024). This year’s theme is My Voice Matters, and @Place2Be hopes to empower, equip and give a voice to every child in the UK. They've highlighted 10 ways that you can look after your mental health... Top tips for young people Don’t keep it all to yourself and spend too much time in your own head. This can sometimes make it keep piling up, and make you feel worse. Talk to someone you trust and feel comfortable with– a teacher, parent, sibling, cousin, friend... if [...]
New opportunity – TPT online events to help you with transitions
Thomas Pocklington Trust have launched a series of online events to support you in approaching the key transitional stages of your education as a blind or partially sighted student Whether you’re in secondary school, attending college or sixth form, starting university or thinking about employability, they can provide you with the information, advice and support you need to move through mainstream education. The online events that will address three key topics to aid you in transitioning to the next stage of your education: #SocialEyes – socialising and social wellbeing #FutureVision – forward and future [...]
Tactile Times online advent calendar
Tactile Times are getting into the Christmas spirit already and have launched a fully-accessible, online advent calender. If you fancy a change from printed advent calendars this one is fully-accessible with all major screen readers using a computer or a phone and you can access it with a Braillenote Touch. You might even hear a few familiar voices along the way! You can visit it to open the first few door right now: games.tactiletimes.org/advent The will have a new door unlocking each day, and a bumper day on the 24th. It is a great opportunity to [...]
New opportunity – Discover your Paralympic potential
Do you have a vision impairment? Ever dreamt of competing in a Paralympic Sport? Let Paralympics GB help you discover your Paralympic Potential at a come and try day in Autumn 2023. The Paralympic Potential programme is the first step in finding what your future Paralympic sport could be. If you want to find a competitive pathway and unlock the opportunities that sport offers, then now is your time to discover your Paralympic Potential. They are hosting come and try days that will include Judo, Football, Goalball, Rowing, Swimming, Cycling, Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing, Athletics [...]
New opportunity – Internship at Retina UK
Are you looking for a role that will enable you to gain a wide range of experience? Are you keen to make a difference for people affected by inherited sight loss conditions? Then Retina UK's Development Team Internship could be the role for you. Retina UK is a national charity supporting people affected by inherited sight loss and investing in medical research to help make their challenges a thing of the past. The intern will support their information and support services, communications, research development, and volunteering and database development. You will provide administrative assistance to [...]
