RNIB Scotland

01/06/2026

Happy Volunteers Week!

Meet Antoni, one of our wonderful volunteers at our Edinburgh Products and Advice Centre, helping customers find the products that make everyday life a wee bit easier.

A huge thank you to Antoni and every single one of our volunteers for your time, care, and dedication which means the world. Look out for more volunteer stories coming later this week!

[Video description: Antoni talks to camera while sat in the shop. While he speaks, there is footage of him volunteering in the shop, speaking with a shop customer and fellow volunteers, and of the products available.]

29/05/2026

This lovely bunch are from our Glasgow Queens Park Walking Group who meet every Monday at 9:45am for a gentle stroll, usually followed by a cuppa at a local café.

If you'd like to join them, pop a message to ScotlandCommunityConnection@rnib.org.uk

[Image description: Ten smiling people on a sunny day standing together smiling in a park.]

22/05/2026

Exciting news from Café VI!

We’re delighted to share that our community café will now open Tuesday to Friday, 10am – 3pm. We're looking forward to welcoming you even more throughout the week, whether you’re popping in for a catch-up, a quiet moment, or friendly company.

Find us at RNIB Scotland, 12-14 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh!

[Image description: Billy and Sylvia enjoy a cuppa and cake in the café. Café VI logo with Robert the Brew- a blue teacup wearing a kilt, holding a white cane, and giving a thumbs up.]

21/05/2026

Global Accessibility Awareness Day is a good time to start making your social media posts accessible.

Here’s your checklist to save today and use every day.

[Image description:
Tick off your Global Accessibility Awareness Day checklist:
Add alt text to images in your posts
Capitalise the first letter of each word in hashtags
Use one emoji and never use as bullet points
Make sure your videos work audibly and visually
Add subtitles, checking for accuracy
Listen to feedback you get on accessibility]

20/05/2026

Registration for SVS is now open!

This year’s SVS (Scottish Vision Strategy) Conference will take place in Edinburgh on 22 September.

Our 2026 conference will focus on Putting Patients First. We will be showcasing speakers from across the sector, with input from Scottish Government, The Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland, The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland and Optometry Scotland.

There is no charge to attend, however spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Please use this link to register: bit.ly/4umUVDZ

[Image description: James Adams, Director of RNIB Scotland, stands at the front of the room at a podium speaking to the SVS 2025 audience who are sat around tables. There is a BSL interpreter too and on the two screens behind James is the conference branding.]

19/05/2026

Just a reminder that we're at Vision Zone in Aberdeen and Dundee this week!

Find us 11am - 2pm:

Aberdeen Central Library tomorrow, Wednesday 20 May, and at Dundee Central Library, on Thursday 21 May.

[Image description: Daryl at the RNIB Scotland stall with a pink tablecloth and pop up banner, and lots of products and assistive tech on the table in front of him.]

17/05/2026

"It's helped me to have the confidence to speak out."

Hear from Jen on RNIB Connect Radio about our Public Speaking Course, which just has a few spaces left! https://bit.ly/49INjmM

We're partnering again with Glasgow Speakers Club to run a weekly Public Speaking course for blind and partially sighted people this summer.

Participants will develop confidence speaking in different situations from social settings to job interviews. Our previous participants delivered fantastic speeches at Glasgow City Chambers, and we’re excited to do it again!

The course will take place as weekly sessions on Wednesday afternoons in June and early July, with a final event on 13 July.

Let us know you're interested by popping a message to Conor.Joseph@rnib.org.uk

[Image description: Previous participants, including Jen, standing proudly next to a lectern at Glasgow City Chambers.]

14/05/2026

Some upcoming events this month! Please note, our Products and Advice Centre in Edinburgh will be closed while our team is travelling on these dates.

Vision Zone events are free, drop‑in support and information days held across the UK for people living with sight loss, their families, carers, and professionals. They bring together local and national sight‑loss organisations, charities, and assistive technology providers in one accessible venue, making it easier for people to find practical help and advice. Find us next week, 11am - 2pm at:

Inverness Library on Tuesday 19 May.
Aberdeen Central Library, Wednesday 20 May.
Dundee Central Library, Thursday 21st May.

Also look out for our RNIB Scotland pop up information stalls at: Strathblane Library on Friday 22 May 11am- 1pm and Helensburgh, Victoria Halls on Tuesday 26 May, 11am - 3pm.

If you’d like to speak to anyone about your visit, please contact ScotlandCommunityConnection@rnib.org.uk

[Image description: RNIB Scotland Project Support Officer Ian speaks to a stall visitor, beside an RNIB stall with various products and assistive aids.]

13/05/2026

Fantastic news for Scotland's railway stations!

We're thrilled to announce the completion of tactile paving across stations in Scotland, helping blind and partially sighted passengers feel confident and safe while travelling.

Tactile paving is a raised, studded texture which can be felt underfoot or with a white cane, providing an important warning when approaching the platform edge.

Many thanks to Network Rail for sharing this update.

Journeys for visually impaired passengers are now safer at stations across Scotland as Network Rail completes a project to install tactile paving on platforms.

08/05/2026

A big well done to Daryl, Kellie and Amanda for completing their barista training!

Thanks to the lovely folks at Change Please, they had the opportunity to receive accessible and inclusive barista training in our RNIB Scotland café, and a 12-week placement in a local coffee shop.

For blind and partially sighted people, gaining hands-on vocational skills like these can help build confidence, independence, and employment skills.

Well done all!

[Image description: Daryl, Kellie, Kirsty and Amanda, all smiling in front of a Change Please banner. Daryl, Kellie and Amanda are holding their graduation certificates.]