The World’s First Period Detection Product for the Blind
What is FlowSense and how is it useful? As you approach your teens, you will start to notice changes in your body. You might get spots. Your voice might change. You might discover hair growing in new places, like down there or under your arms. Emotionally, you might also find your mood changes a lot and feelings become more intense. Whatever it is, the most important thing to remember is, you are not alone. These changes are all normal, and every one of your classmates, both male and female, will be experiencing them too. In today's [...]
VICTA Changemaker Ruqaiya’s Art Ehibition
Can you see me now? An Exhibition by Blind Artist Ruqaiya Asim. Ruqaiya is one of our fantastic VICTA Changemakers and is currently studying a BA in Fine Arts at University College London. She is also the winner of Cass Art Prize, People’s Choice Award 2024. A Tactile Journey Experience how I, as a blind person, navigate the world, break barriers, and challenge stereotypes. Let’s make the world more inclusive! On display between 1st – 29th March 2025. Opening event: Saturday, 1st March, from 11 am – 2 pm. Tea and coffee will be available. Opening hours: Monday [...]
Be inspired. Showdown players tell us how the sport that’s for everyone has helped their mental health
This #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek VICTA Sport wants to highlight that sport is for everybody and that sense of being part of something and supporting each other can have a really positive impact on your mental health. We chatted to Ellie, Millie, Al, Zehra and Sam, who have all come to showdown in different ways and at different stages in their sight loss journey, but can all agree on the fun, friendships and confidence they've built by giving it a go! Find out what showdown is, why you should give it a try, and how to find a team to play [...]
Young Achiever’s Poetry Win!
'My Special Eyes' by Young Achiever Dotty We want to say a huge congratulations to one of our Young Achievers, Dotty! Dotty recently entered a poetry competition through her school and was selected to have her poem published in the Young Writers Wonderverse anthology, Embracing Moments. We interviewed Dotty to find out more about her poem 'My Special Eyes'. Dotty wrote her poem in braille, and it was transcribed into print for the anthology. You can read Dotty's champion work below - well done Dotty! My Special Eyes I have special eyes They [...]
Upcoming Opportunities in Goalball
Look out for these brand new opportunities with Goalball UK Throughout February and March you can sign up for a couple of fantastic opportunities to try out - or return to - goalball. Check out the details from Goalball UK: Mersey Sharks Goalball Academy Aspire Day – Liverpool Date: Sunday 9th of February – 12:45pm until 4pm Venue: Anfield Community Sports Centre Lower Breck Road, Liverpool, L6 0AG This day is for you if you want to: Learn how to play goalball or improve as a player. Have fun and meet new people. Discover goalball clubs near you. [...]
Pieces of Hope: a Playlist Diary of my Self-Discovery Journey
My Playlist to Self-Discovery In 2022 I wrote a piece accompanied by a playlist of songs and lyrics that help me 'spill brain' and communicate when things are getting a little too much. Since then I have written another piece about how I have finally been able to achieve my goal of taking up a dance class. This has proven an inspiring time of self-discovery for me. Without knowing, one of my dance teachers consistently chooses music that has turned the dancefloor into a space for me to take pause and connect with the world around [...]
Tactile Times Online Advent Calendar
Tactile Times are in the Christmas Spirit! Tactile Times have just launched their fully accessible, online advent calendar for the third year in a row. Are you tired of print advent calendars that just feel like...well...paper? This one is different. It is fully accessible with all major screen readers using a computer or phone, and you can access it with a BrailleNote Touch as well. You might even hear a few familiar voices along the way! You can visit it to open the first couple of doors right now. Tactile Times will have a new [...]
New Technology: The Hable One External Braille Keyboard
Is the Hable One Worth It? As a blind Apple fan, I rarely leave the house without my iPhone. I use it for everything: sending and reading messages; making phone calls; Googling; online shopping; reading articles and social media; ordering Ubers; watching TV shows; listening to Spotify... the list goes on. But despite being one of the most accessible devices in my arsenal, there is one thing I find challenging about the Apple iPhone: typing. I'm a lot slower at typing on a touch screen than I am on a BrailleNote Touch. [...]
Choose Respect for Anti-Bullying Week 2024
It’s Anti-Bullying Week! As a proud member of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, VICTA is delighted to be celebrating this very important week, from Monday 11th to Friday 15th November. Join in with us on the VICTA Student Portal to learn more and encourage others to Choose Respect. Choose Respect This year’s Anti-Bullying Week theme is Choose Respect, so that children and young people can feel empowered to do something positive that will combat the harm and hurt caused by bullying. How have you shown Respect? Comment on this post or email students@victa.org.uk letting us know how you have shown [...]
The pros and cons of having a guide dog or cane
VICTA Changemakers Blindness Awareness Month Ruqaiya qualified with Guide Dog Bertie in April 2023. She chats about some of the pros and cons of owning a Guide Dog, the things she hadn't thought about and the positive things Bertie brings to her life as a university student. Find out more by watching Ruqaiya's video below. Don't forget to give @VICTAUK a like and subscribe on YouTube to stay up-to-date with our latest videos. By Ruqaiya Asim You can also find me Instagram, TikTok and YouTube @ruqaiya.art
