There is still time to be part of the first ever Vision Awareness Week, which starts on Monday.
Manx Blind Welfare Society is organising a week of events to raise public awareness of the challenges faced by blind and visually impaired people living in the Isle of Man, promote eye health and highlight the charity’s work and services.
Vision Awareness Week begins on Monday, with the official launch at the Manx Museum in Douglas. This event, supported by Specsavers, is an opportunity to find out more about the work and services of Manx Blind Welfare Society, the aims of Vision Awareness Week and what the island community can do to embrace visual impairment in society.
The launch will also be addressed by ‘the world’s fastest blind man’ Steve Cunningham. Steve lost his sight at 12 and holds three world records.
Tickets, priced £10, are available by calling 674727 or visiting Corrin Court, Onchan.
Throughout Vision Awareness Week there will be roadshows around the island giving people the opportunity to find out more about services available for visually impaired people in the Isle of Man, and information on how to look after your eyesight.
The roadshow will be from 10am to 3pm at Castletown Civic Hall on Tuesday; Corrin Hall, Peel, on Wednesday; Ramsey Town Hall on Thursday; and Promenade Church, Douglas, on Friday (September 19).
The week concludes with the island’s biggest ever guided walking event on Sunday, September 21. Sponsored by Conister Bank, Walk My Way will encourage the community to experience the challenges faced by visually impaired people and learn some skills which they can use every day.
Entrants will be paired up, with one blindfolded, to walk from the War Memorial on Harris Promenade in Douglas to opposite the Empress Hotel on Central Promenade and back.
To find out more about MBWS, visit www.facebook.com/manxblindwelfaresociety