President commends vital role played by NCBI in Cork

Release Date: Jan 25th, 2008

The President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, today officially opened NCBI’s (National Council for the Blind of Ireland) state-of-the-art premises at Ballincollig in Cork and thanked the organisation for its important work for people with sight loss in the region.

“NCBI’s expansion into this new premises is testament to the invaluable work being done here in the Southern region, and indeed right around the country. Our population is ageing and that places more demand on an organisation like NCBI, which offers support and services to people who experience difficulty with their eyesight,” said President McAleese.

“The organisation has responded to these demands positively by assessing the changing needs of their service users and expanding their reach in the community. For many hundreds of families who face feelings of loneliness and helplessness when a loved one loses their sight, NCBI has been an ever-present, caring friend. I would like to take this opportunity today to thank you for fulfilling that important role,” continued President McAleese.

NCBI’s Ballincollig office is a purpose-built centre, which is fully accessible to people with disabilities. Many public buildings are difficult to access for people with vision impairments, who often cannot make out entrances, read signage or navigate steps and stairs independently.

According to Des Kenny, CEO of NCBI, more forward planning is needed to guarantee accessibility: “A few simple measures can ensure that your building is accessible to as many people as possible. For example, good lighting, different texture underfoot to alert people to steps and stairs, clear, well-placed signage and the use of different colour and contrast can make a building safer and easier to move around for everyone, not just for people with sight loss.”

The cost of providing and fitting out this centre was made possible from the resources of NCBI, assisted by a significant contribution from St. Monica’s Trust and the Health Service Executive. St. Monica’s Trust was established to assist people with vision impairments in Cork.

ENDS

For more information or photographs contact Fionnuala Murphy on 01 8821975 or 087 4116925.

• NCBI is a not for profit charitable organisation which offers support and services nationwide to more than 12,500 people experiencing difficulties with their eyesight.
• About 18 percent of people using NCBI’s services are completely blind, while 82 percent have varying degrees of usable vision.