VocalEyes

http://vocaleyes.co.uk/

There are almost two million people in the UK living with sight loss, including around 360,000 people registered as blind or partially sighted. Sight loss affects people of all ages but especially older people: 1 in 5 people aged 75 and 1 in 2 aged 90 and over have some form of visual impairment. According to the RNIB, this number is set to increase in line with population ageing: by 2050 the number of people with sight loss in the UK could be nearly four million.

What motivates us is equality. Blind and partially sighted people have an equal right to experience the amazing range of UK’s artistic and cultural offer, but while around 60% of theatres and 70% of museums in the UK provide no access to their productions, galleries or special exhibitions for blind and partially sighted people; we have a long way to go before our work is done.

We share many values with the cultural organisations we work with; of the value of art and cultural heritage: and particularly the belief that cultural participation enriches lives and brings a range of positive outcomes:  improved individual health and wellbeing; increased social interaction, self-esteem, self-efficacy and confidence; enhanced social networks. Blind and partially sighted people have just as much a right to these as any UK citizen or visitor.