The world of radio – connection & community for blind & partially sighted people
By Scarlett Humphrey Everyone is familiar with the radio - it’s often on in the car, used as a background noise, or turned on to listen to specific shows. With so much choice now available to listen to and watch on so many streaming platforms though, the world of radio can easily be thought of as slipping away. But for many it still stands strong, bringing with it a sense of connection and community. I class myself in this bracket, an avid listener and radio enthusiast… and so do many other blind and partially sighted people. But [...]
Shadow of Light – International Music Competition
By Ellie Wallwork Hi everyone, as some of you might already know, along with being a Changemaker, I am also a visually impaired actor. Below is a wonderful project which I feel so privileged to be involved in! Shadow of Light is an upcoming international feature film, in which I will be playing the lead role of Georgia. If you're a composer for acoustic guitar, you have the chance to be part of it too by submitting your own original piece of work to be featured in the film. You can find out more about [...]
Experiencing nature as a blind person
By Grace Hill Across June The Wildlife Trusts have been getting people involved and engaged in nature for 30 Days Wild. Grace shares her thoughts on exploring nature with sight loss. Hello, I'm Grace and I'm a VICTA Changemaker, and today I'm going to offer some insight into my experience of nature as a blind person. So we often talk about how nature can help our mental health, how going out in nature can help us clear our heads and connect with the world around us. And that is completely true, but there are downsides... [...]
Blind sports – follow Abu on social media
Hi I’m Abu-bakr Ishtiaq and I’m a proud registered blind athlete with the Lancashire Lions. I play a wide variety of blind sports, from cricket to baseball, goalball to athletics, tennis, and more. If it’s a sport for the blind, chances are, I’ve played it! What I want to tell you is simple: if I can do it, you can too! Whether you have fully blind, partially sighted, or just starting your journey there is a sport out there waiting for you trust me once you find your passion, there’s no stopping you. So if [...]
Using technology & cooking when you are vision impaired
By Ikra Shakoor Hi, my name is Ikra Shakoor, I am 27 years old and from Bradford. I have a condition called Bardet Biedal Syndrone which is a rare genetic condition which can affect different part of your body and I also have an eye condition called RP and cataracts. I wanted to share how I use technology and cook in a every day life as a blind person. Accessible Technology A helpful event for accessibility and technology which I attend in Leeds is Sight Village. It's a great event and there is lots of [...]
An original thriller – written & recorded by Talha Noor Tahir
By Talha Noor Tahir Hi, I’m Talha Noor Tahir, a proud Changemaker with VICTA. As a creative writer and voice artist, I specialise in dramatic, suspenseful storytelling that keeps you hooked from the very first word. What you’re about to hear is the prologue of an original thriller - written, voiced, and narrated by me. It’s a glimpse into the kind of immersive, emotionally charged work I love to create. Hope you enjoy the ride. Click below to listen! To get in touch with Talha, please email students@victa.org.uk and we'll pass [...]
Breaking barriers: journey through finance, independence, and empowerment
By Bilaal Ali My name is Bilaal, I'm a determined and passionate blind student pursuing a degree in Accounting and Finance. I'd like to share my journey which is marked by ambition, resilience, and the unshakeable belief that sight loss should never be a barrier to success. I am currently completing a work placement as a Junior Accountant at Nicholson and Co, where I have been gaining real-world experience in essential accounting tasks like bookkeeping, tax returns, and report writing. But beyond just learning how to work with numbers, I'm navigating an industry that often [...]
Misconceptions about guide dogs with Ruqaiya and Bertie
By Ruqaiya Asim I'm blind. My name is Ruqaiya and I'm also an artist and disability advocate. I'd like to talk to you about misconceptions about guide dogs - watch the video to find out more! Have you ever experienced any moments like Ruqaiya with your guide dog? Are you a non guide dog owner who has learnt something new? Let us know in the comments! Follow Ruqaiya on social media to hear more: Instagram: @ruqaiya.art TikTok: @ruqaiya.art YouTube: @ruqaiya.art Stay in the loop! Sign up for email [...]
My Norway Adventure – Chasing the Northern Lights
By Rhiana Ralls Hi everybody, I’m Rhiana and I’m partially sighted, with a number of different causes and variables. I am 20 and live in South West Wales. I'd like to share an account of my recent adventure to Norway and the accessibility of the cruise for others travelling with a vision impairment. We arrived at Newcastle docks the night before our big adventure. The cruise ship Borealis was due to set sail the next morning. I spent that night resting after the 8-hour car journey. The accessible room was nice and the staff at [...]
Digital accessibility – Blackboard Ultra
Hello, my name is Mohammed Alomrani. I am a second year student, studying a degree in Digital Education at the University of the West of England. As a blind student using the Non Visual Desktop Access (NVDA) screen reader, I was invited by UWE's Digital Capability team to test the accessibility of Blackboard Ultra. This opportunity enabled me to challenge the social barriers faced by disabled students in digital learning environments. Some of these challenges included use of virtual learning environments and the inaccessibility of learning materials. The collaboration resulted in a comprehensive blog post titled "Blackboard Ultra and [...]
