Supporting Children and Young People with Sight Loss

Realise project

Supporting children and young people with sight loss

“I’ve really enjoyed the swimming lessons I got through Realise. I’ve finally found something I can be good at.” Anna O’Connor, age 12

About Realise Project

The Realise Project supports children and young people with sight loss, aged between eight and 20 years,across Northern Ireland to develop the confidence and skills to make the move from:

primary to post-primary education
post-primary to third level education
education into employment.

We support children and young people to build their confidence and skills through various fun activities, tailored workshops and residentials at our chalet in Share Discovery Village, Lisnaskea.

This support is broken down into age appropriate categories.

Aged 8-11 years

Aged 12-16 years

Aged 17-20 years

8 to 11 year olds

One to one tuition in an activity of their choice such as swimming or music

Taster sessions using magnification or speech on accessible digital technology such as the Apple ipad

Confidence building activity residentials at Share Discovery Village

12 to 16 year olds

One to one tuition in a chosen activity

ICT workshops and careers support

Confidence building activity residentials

Participation in Duke of Edinburgh Award

“The summer camp was great fun. We did archery, pottery and lots of team games. I made lots of new friends through the Realise project.” James Douglas, 11

"The Realise Project gave me the opportunity to experience new things, form good friendships, and get an IT qualification.” Emma Davey, 18

17 to 20 years old

Confidence building activity programmes
One to one training in accessible technology, including participation in an ITQ qualification
One to one careerssupport including help with job searches, completing application forms, and interview techniques.
Participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award
Structured work placements

Improving understanding of sight loss

We are also happy to visit schools and youth groups to deliver Visual Awareness Training. This interactive training provides the opportunity find out what it might be like to have sight lossthrough our ‘simulation spectacles’.

We’ll dispel some of the myths surrounding sight loss, teach how to guide a friend who is blind or partially sighted, and how to include children and young people with sight loss in everything you do.

Contact us

If you are a parent or guardian, a professional working within the education sector or a young person aged eight to 20 and would like to know more about the Realise Project, just get in touch!

Realise Project

RNIB Northern Ireland

First floor Embassy Building

3 Strand Road

Derry / L’Derry

BT48 7BH

Tel: 028 7136 6060

Head Office

RNIB Northern Ireland

Victoria House

15 – 17 Gloucester Street

Belfast

BT1 4LS

Tel: 028 9032 9373

rnib.org.uk/northernireland

facebook.com/rnibnorthernireland

twitter.com/rnibni

Funded by the Big Lottery Fund, Empowering Young People programme