RNIB Scotland

14/04/2026

We've had some great visits to Kelvingrove Museum and Provan Hall house recently!

The groups had descriptive tours and object handling opportunities, to help them enjoy their visits even more. They even found a wild haggis on display!

Having previously delivered visual awareness sessions to colleagues at these venues, it was great to see their accessibility and inclusion knowledge put into practice.

It’s encouraging to see how inclusive approaches can make cultural spaces more welcoming and enjoyable for everyone.

To join one of our upcoming museum visits to Kelvin Hall on 6 May, or Riverside Museum on 3 June, contact: ScotlandCommunityConnection@rnib.org.uk

[Image description: 1. At Kelvingrove, a participant handles a neck vertebrae bone from a giraffe. 2. The group outside at Provan hall, listening to a guide. 3. In a white brick cellar space at Provan hall, the group listen to the guide. 4. The group listen to the guide inside the living quarters at Provan hall. 5. At Kelvingrove, a guide smiles and gestures towards a haggis on display.]

Provan Hall Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum

13/04/2026

David lives on one of Scotland's remote islands. When his ophthalmologist referred him to an RNIB Eye Care Liaison Officer (ECLO), he didn’t want to have the urgent surgery needed to save his remaining sight.

Our ECLO gave David a call. He was anxious, but she took the time to listen. Eventually, David opened up about why he didn’t want to go. The surgery was on the mainland, at a hospital he had difficult personal memories with, and he couldn't face going back.

She explained that eye surgery is no longer at the hospital but at a specialist treatment centre. She also suggested counselling, to help him with what he was going through.

Funding was arranged for someone to travel with David from the island. The onsite ECLO at the treatment centre was briefed and ready to meet him and David’s medical team were kept informed, so they were ready for his stay.

David went ahead with his surgery and stayed on the ward for a week for further treatment, with face-to-face support from the onsite ECLO throughout.

During his stay, David mentioned he often spilled his tea. The ECLO told him about a liquid level indicator, a simple device that makes hot drinks safer to prepare.

When David got home, he told us: "The only people I trust are the two ECLOs. Without their support I would not have had my surgery."

Good support after sight loss means having someone who understands your practical and emotional needs and is there for you when it matters most. If you or someone you know is affected by sight loss, we’re here to help.

RNIB Scotland is backing the Support After Sight Loss Campaign as part of Vision Collaborative Scotland. Our manifesto also calls on the Scottish Government to improve support after sight loss so that everyone in Scotland, wherever they live, gets the support they need.

Read on our website:

Support after sight loss

10/04/2026

Make sure your voice is heard in the Scottish Parliament elections this May: register to vote before Monday 20 April!

Register to vote: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

More on our website about voting accessibility: https://www.rnib.org.uk/nations/scotland/voting-in-scotland-and-uk-elections/

[Image description: A woman smiling and kneeling in a garden in front of a rock and flower bed with plants which spell out 'I'm registered to vote'. The Electoral Commission logo.]

08/04/2026

Come and meet our friends from VisionAid at our next Products event on Thursday 16 April, from 10:30 - 3:30.

Find out more about their products from friendly and knowledgeable specialists, including voice-activated mobile phones; handheld, transportable and desktop magnification; having information read aloud; and hands-free magnification.

Find us at our community hub at 12-14 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh.

[Image description: Alan, holding his folded up white cane, looks at magnifiers and lights in our Product Centre.]

07/04/2026

Sun, wind, rain… then sun again! But whatever the weather, this World Health Day we've got two simple reminders for your eyes.

Wear your sunglasses: UV rays can damage your eyes and increase your risk of conditions like cataracts. Look for the CE or BS mark when buying a pair.

Book a free eye test: They don't just check your vision, they can pick up early signs of other health conditions too.

All about keeping your eyes healthy: https://www.rnib.org.uk/your-eyes/how-to-keep-your-eyes-healthy/

[Image description: A pair of lambs lying down in snow on a sunny day. We've added some cartoon pink sunglasses to protect their eyes!]

02/04/2026

Interested in improving your public speaking skills?

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

We know public speaking can be daunting, but this course will help you build confidence in all kinds of situations from social settings to job interviews.

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

[Image description: Allan from RNIB Connect Radio speaks with confidence at a conference podium, with a BSL interpreter next to him.]

01/04/2026

"Books made such a difference to my life. That's where audio books come in handy... it's open up a new world for me.'

Earlier this year, we launched a community display at Kelvin Hall featuring stories of objects that our curators used to use. Krishna spoke to RNIB Connect Radio's Amelia all about radio and reading.

Listen in: https://bit.ly/41ASbWA

Don’t miss the display at Kelvin Hall, available until August.

[Image descriptions: 1. In the Glasgow Life museum archive, a group of participants standing and sitting around a table, looking towards Krishna speaking. 2. Krishna, wearing blue handling gloves, holds a radio. 3. Krishna speaks to two session facilitators, with braille books open in front of them.]

31/03/2026

What do tennis balls have to do with braille?

When learning braille, a muffin tin and tennis balls can be a simple, tactile way to understand the six-dot braille cell and how different letter patterns are formed.

If you’d like to learn braille, we offer free tutoring on Fridays at our Edinburgh community hub. Our sessions are open to anyone interested in learning braille, whether you’re completely new or already have some experience.

Classes run weekly with an experienced tutor. Pop us a message at: ScotlandCommunityConnection@rnib.org.uk to find out more.

[Image description: A photo of some hands touching some tennis balls sitting in a muffin tin. The muffin tin is oriented so its six cups resemble the six-dot layout of a braille cell.]

26/03/2026

Blind and partially sighted voters will soon be able to cast their vote more independently and in secret thanks to new card ballot paper overlays with audio support, being introduced for the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections.

The new overlays align with ballot papers and work alongside an audio candidate list, helping voters confidently mark their choice. The video shows what you can expect when you go to vote this May.

[Video description: A point-of-view video of a person going to vote. They enter the polling station and approach polling officers who describe the ballot papers and voting aids. The new card overlay is attached to the ballot papers. In the polling booth, they call the helpline for the audio ballot paper, and go to make their vote. They put the folded ballot papers into the ballot boxes. With thanks to RNIB Scotland and the Electoral Management Board for Scotland.]

25/03/2026

Last week, we celebrated a fantastic milestone for our Swap With Me project with trainee bus drivers across Scotland- 100 sessions!

The lovely RNIB Connect Radio team were there to capture the event. Listen in at: https://audioboom.com/playlists/4635931-rnib-scotland-celebrates-100-swap-with-me-events

RNIB Scotland recently marked a milestone with it’s Swap With Me public transport project.

24/03/2026

Our wonderful colleague Roslyn is marking 5 years as an ECLO in the Highlands!

Eye Care Liaison Officers (ECLOs) act as a vital bridge between hospital eye clinics and wider support services, offering patients a safe space to talk about the emotional impact of sight loss while also helping them access practical support to maintain their independence.

Based at the National Treatment Centre – Highland, Roslyn has supported over 1,000 patients at all stages of their eye health journey.

In one case, a patient who experienced sudden sight loss following a medical emergency was initially being considered for permanent care due to the level of support they were expected to need. After speaking with Roslyn, practical arrangements were put in place to help them return home safely.

Working alongside family members and support services, Roslyn helped arrange practical measures at home as well as advice on benefits and links to social and leisure activities. The patient has since been registered as severely sight impaired and has returned to many of the activities they enjoy.

“Finally! Someone gets it and gets me,” the patient said. “Everyone was so negative telling me what I couldn’t do, but you told me that I could do it all!”

Roslyn says supporting people through difficult moments is a key part of the role.

“I love my role as an ECLO and find it incredibly rewarding when you see that glimmer of hope and confidence return, however small.”

Well done Roslyn!

If you or someone you know would like to speak to an ECLO or get support in your area, contact RNIB’s Helpline on 0303 123 9999.

[Video shows Roslyn, standing in a medical corridor, talking to camera.]

20/03/2026

We're coming to a library near you!

Come and say hello at any of our upcoming drop-in sessions hosted in the libraries listed below. You can find out more about our services or seek support for someone you know living with sight loss. If you’d like to speak to anyone before your visit, please contact ScotlandCommunityConnection@rnib.org.uk.

Dates for your diary:
Lockerbie: Friday March 20th, 12:00 - 14:00.
Inverness: Tuesday March 24th, 10:30AM -2:00PM.
Aberdeen Central: Monday March 30th, 11:00AM - 2:00PM.
Coldstream: Tuesday March 31st, 1:00PM - 4:00PM.
Moffat: Wednesday April 1st, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM.
Ewart Library, Dumfries: Wednesday April 15th, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM.
Strathblane: Friday April 22nd, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
Bridge of Allan: Friday May 1st, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
Bannockburn (Stirling): Friday June 5th, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
St. Ninians (Stirling): Friday June 5th, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM.
Dunblane: Friday June 3rd, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM.

[Image description: James seated at an RNIB Scotland stall with pink table cloth, banner, and leaflets, speaking to someone sitting down holding a white cane.]