People around the globe will come together to mark World Sight Day on Thursday 12th October, a day dedicated to raising awareness about blindness and vision impairment.

This annual event serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by vision impaired individuals and the importance of supporting organisations like the Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC).

As the world unites to shed light on this critical issue of eye health, the Royal Society for Blind Children urges individuals, communities, and businesses to participate actively and contribute to the RSBC’s mission of supporting blind children and young people and their families to develop the skills and qualifications they need to overcome the barriers to realising their hopes, dreams, and ambitions.

What is World Sight Day?

World Sight Day, observed on the second Thursday of October each year, is a global initiative organised by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). This day aims to draw attention to the staggering number of people worldwide who are blind or partially sighted. It provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the causes of sight loss, promote eye health, and highlight the crucial role that organisations like the RSBC play in supporting vision impaired children.

Why does World Sight Day matter?

Vision impairment has a profound impact on individuals, families, and communities.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 2 billion people worldwide have a vision impairment, with at least 1 billion having conditions which are preventable or treatable. Alarmingly, the majority of those affected are children. World Sight Day serves as a wake-up call, urging us to act and address the challenges faced by vision impaired children.

Why should you support the Royal Society for Blind Children?

The RSBC believes that all children should have the opportunity to live without limits. By supporting this charity, you will help empower vision impaired children to develop essential skills, gain independence, and pursue their dreams. RSBC understands that vision impairment affects the entire family. They provide emotional and practical support and advice , helping to equip them with the tools they need to support their child’s sight loss journey.

Technological advancements have revolutionised the lives of vision impaired individuals. By fundraising for the RSBC, you can contribute to providing vision impaired children with the support to learn how to use specialist adaptive tools such as screen readers, magnifiers, and Braille displays, and how to use the accessibility tools on mainstream products such as smartphones and tablets, thus enabling them to access information, have greater social engagement and engage in learning.

RSBC provides services to support independent living, including orientation and mobility training in its specialist College and daily living skills such as cookery. Your fundraising efforts can support these crucial services.

Vision impaired children often face social exclusion and limited opportunities for socialisation. The RSBC’s programmes promote social inclusion, enabling vision impaired children to connect with peers and develop friendships. By fundraising for the RSBC, you contribute to creating a supportive community that celebrates diversity and ensures vision impaired children have opportunities to participate in a wide range of social activities.

The charity helps equip vision impaired children with essential life skills, vocational training, and job placement support, supporting them to overcome barriers to employment and taking their place in society.

Director of Philanthropy at the Royal Society for Blind Children, Shalni Sood said: “By supporting the RSBC, you make a profound and long-lasting impact on the lives of vision impaired children and their families. Your fundraising effort can help break the cycle of disadvantage and help transform the lives of vision impaired children, young people, and their families..

World Sight Day presents a unique opportunity for individuals and communities to come together, raise awareness, and help to make a tangible difference in the lives of vision impaired children. By participating in this global event and fundraising for the Royal Society for Blind Children, you play an active role in promoting inclusivity, empowerment, and helping create a brighter future for vision impaired children.