VISPA (Vision Impaired Service Providers Alliance), which is made up of NCBI, Fighting Blindness, St. Joseph’s Centre for the Visually Impaired and Irish Guide Dogs, will mark the first ever Vision Week from 9th – 15th May 2010. The week, which is being sponsored by Specsavers, aims to promote eye health and also what it means to live with sight loss.

In an effort to show what it means to live with sight loss and the fact that blindness does not mean total darkness, an ad will run in Carlton cinemas nationwide for two weeks from 2nd to 15th May, which will show a scene of children playing in a playground that has been distorted to show what the effects of sight loss might be for someone. The image will then become clear and move on to images that represent people living with sight loss and work of the organisations. The ad will be shown in all cinemas except Vue Liffey Valley in Dublin and the Well Park Cinema in Galway.

Another element of the week is the launch of the Make a Difference Awards, which will recognise people who make a difference in the lives of people who are blind or vision impaired. People can vote for someone in a business, in the community, or an individual who makes a difference to them. It could be something like a restaurant that provides a Braille menu or a member of staff at a local shop who goes out of their way to be helpful. The awards will be launched during Vision Week and we will communicate with people who are blind or vision impaired who use our services, asking them to vote. The winners of the Business/Community/Individual categories will be announced on World Sight Day, Thursday 7th October 2010.

There will also be radio ads running for the duration of Vision Week on RTE Radio 1 and Newstalk. Some of the ads will highlight the awards, while others will urge people to have their eyes tested during Vision Week.

Specsavers nationwide are offering €15 eye exams during Vision Week so make sure to take advantage of this opportunity.

Sight Village

This is an unmissable event for people who are blind or vision impaired, for professionals supporting and advising people with sight loss and for all businesses and other organisations wishing to meet the needs of customers with vision impairments.

Sight Village is the UK’s leading expo of assistive technology and is coming to Ireland for the first time during VISPA Vision Week. It provides a unique opportunity to view, try out and purchase the latest technology and low vision products, as well as finding out more about the support services available to people who are blind or vision impaired. It will be at:

Cork: The Oriel Hotel, Ballincollig, Cork on May 11th & 12th
Dublin: The Burlington Hotel, Dublin on May 14th & 15th

Both events will be open from 10am to 4pm each day and admission is free. More information on Sight Village is available from: www.ncbi.ie. Visit www.visionweek.ie from the beginning of May for more information.