A week of events to raise awareness of visual impairment and blindness will be held in September.

It is the second time Manx Blind Welfare Society has run Vision Awareness Week, which is intended to promote improved care for eye health and awareness of the challenges faced by blind and visually impaired people.

The week, which runs from 14th to 20th September, will include an open day at Corrin Court, a series of talks to schools, businesses and local organisations, fundraising events, acoustic shooting and the return of Walk My Way, a blindfolded walk along Douglas promenades.

Manx Blind Welfare Society Chief Executive Ian Cooil said: ‘The first Vision Awareness Week last year was a huge success and we hope to build on that foundation by focusing on taking the message out into the community. There will be a series of talks and presentations which will highlight what we can do as a society to ensure everyone has the opportunity to live their life how they want and as independently as they choose.

‘We want people to understand the challenges, but also to raise awareness of what can be achieved by blind people when barriers to learning, work and social environments are removed.

‘The Society’s aim is to highlight simple steps we can all take to enhance the daily experience of blind and visually impaired people by anticipating and meeting their needs, from cutting overhanging vegetation and not parking on pavements to ensuring education and public services are accessible to all.’

He added: ‘While we are very fortunate to receive excellent support from the Isle of Man public, we know awareness of the challenges blind and visually impaired people face every day must be raised significantly. As a community we can do more for blind and visually impaired people, and Vision Awareness Week is an opportunity to explain how.’

Also taking part in Vision Awareness Week 2015 will be Billy Baxter, a former soldier who lost his eyesight in 1997 after contracting a rare disease. Billy, who is visiting the Island with Blind Veterans UK in September, refused to be held back by his visual impairment and in 2003 set the blind solo world land speed record on a motorcycle with a speed of 164.87mph. He also completed a solo lap of the Donington Park circuit on a Ducati Monster.

In 2004, Billy appeared on BBC TV’s Top Gear, driving a lap as the ‘Star in a Reasonably Priced Car’. Guided by presenter Jeremy Clarkson, he set a time of 2 minutes and 2 seconds, faster than some fully-sighted celebrities.

Billy will be attending the Society’s open day, as well as giving a series of talks about his experiences, the challenges of losing his vision and how he has gone on to live life to the full.

Manx Blind Welfare Society provides vital services for more than 600 people with serious sight loss on the Isle of Man and during Vision Awareness Week the charity will also be publicising the work they do alongside other charities, societies and agencies with blind and visually impaired people.

Further details of the events planned for Vision Awareness Week 2015 will announced in the coming weeks.

To find out more about MBWS, visit www.facebook.com/manxblindwelfaresociety. 

Photo - People of all ages joined in the 2014 Walk My Way event, part of Manx Blind Welfare Society’s Vision Awareness Week, which returns in September.