Who we are and what we do

Who we are

• NCBI is a not for profit charitable organisation which offers support and services nationwide to people experiencing difficulties with their eyesight.

• About 18 per cent of people using NCBI’s services are completely blind, while 82 per cent have varying degrees of usable vision.

• Established in 1931 to promote the full independence of people who are blind or vision impaired, NCBI now provides a range of services to over 14,000 people.

• NCBI also provides a range of services to public and private organisations so that their services are accessible to people who are blind and vision impaired.

• We have over 150 staff who deliver our services and are supported by a team of dedicated volunteers throughout the country.

• Our vision is for people who are blind of vision impaired to have the same opportunities, rights and choices as other to fully participate in society.

NCBI Corporate Video

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What we do

Community based services

We offer a range of services to assist people with vision impairments to adapt to their situation and maintain their independence. These services, which include providing advice and information as well as emotional and practical support, can be provided to people at home or in one of our resource centres, which are situated throughout the country. Our services are available to people from all age groups, from birth through to senior citizens. Our community based staff act as the key link between the people we work with and the services we provide.

Low vision service

Our regionally based low vision service can be visited by anyone experiencing difficulty with their eyesight. Here, an optometrist will assess a person’s vision and, working alongside our staff, evaluate the impact that sight loss may be having on that person, before prescribing low vision and technical aids which can assist that person in their daily life.

Rehabilitation and mobility training

NCBI offers training in mobility and independent living skills and provides practical solutions to enable people with sight loss to carry out everyday tasks safely and independently. This service can support people to effectively use their remaining vision or mobility aids and to develop skills so they can get around with greater independence.

Professional and Peer counselling

In addition to professional counsellors, we also provide support through a team of trained peer counsellors who have personal experience of sight loss. They draw on their training and personal experience of vision impairment in providing services and support.

NCBI Library

NCBI’s libraries in Dublin and Cork provide a national braille, audio and large print book service to 5,000 people throughout the country. The library holds more than 10,000 audio, braille and large print books, and sources many more books from other international libraries. We also provide newspapers, popular Irish magazines and journals on audio and in braille to over 1,500 subscribers.

Media Centre

Our Media Centre provides a braille unit and five audio recording studios and is the largest provider of braille and audio material in Ireland. MCS produces material and information in braille and audio formats for people who are blind and vision impaired and to a range of public and private organisations.

Assistive technology

There is a range of technology solutions available to assist people in accessing information and communicating independently. Our staff can offer guidance in selecting and using assistive technologies that can meet a person’s particular requirements.

Centre for Inclusive Technology

NCBI promotes the accessible design of technology for use by everyone, including people with disabilities. CFIT works with public and private organisations to establish standards and to ensure that technologies are accessible.

Resource centres

We have a number of training and resource centres which provide a range of courses, programmes and activities including computer training, fitness classes and art.

Employment

NCBI provides advice to both employers and employees on application procedures, interviews and career advancement, as well as advice on what adaptations can be made to assist a person with a vision impairment in the workplace and on the grants that may be available.

Access and awareness

NCBI staff assess the accessibility of the external environment, public buildings and transport for people, providing awareness and consultancy services to organisations nationwide.

Supporting NCBI

Fundraising

NCBI's fundraising team, the Mrs Quin's shops and the network of fundraisers around the country enable us to continue to develop and deliver high quality and innovative services to the people that we work with.

Volunteering

NCBI was founded by volunteers who continue to contribute greatly to our ability to provide essential support and services and to improve the level of independence and quality of life of people who are living with sight loss in Ireland. Our volunteers enhance our existing services and enable us to provide a broader range of services to a growing number of people.