There’s a chance for you to get involved in the Island’s biggest guided walk as Vision Awareness Week returns for 2015.

Walk My Way will take place in Douglas on 20th September, and Manx Blind Welfare Society is inviting the public to get involved.

First held last year, Walk My Way is intended to raise awareness of the free guided walking training the Society offers businesses, charities and other organisations. Guided walking is the method used by sighted people to escort the blind and visually impaired, and the training enables them to assist confidently and safely.

Individuals and teams are invited to sign up now for the guided walk from the War Memorial on Harris Promenade towards the former Summerland site and back. Walkers will be paired up, with one person blindfolded and the other guiding, and can walk as much of the route as they feel comfortable with.

Manx Blind Welfare Society Volunteers Coordinator & Events Organiser Debbie Thomson said: ‘We hosted the first Walk My Way during last year’s Vision Awareness Week and it was a huge success. We had a great turnout and many walkers told us it had given them a different perspective on the challenges faced by the visually impaired.

‘We’d like to have even more people taking part this year, gaining a greater understanding of what we can do, as a community, to remove the barriers to learning, work and social environments experienced by blind and visually impaired people in the Isle of Man.

‘We hope Walk My Way will demonstrate to everyone that takes part why it is so important to understand how to safely and confidently escort a visually impaired person, and will encourage more organisations to sign up for our free training.’

She added: ‘You can enter Walk My Way on your own or with a team. Entry is free, but if you’d like to be sponsored and raise money to support the Society’s vital work with more than 600 people in the Island with serious sight loss, that would be very welcome.’

The second Vision Awareness Week runs from 14th to 20th September and is intended to promote improved care for eye health and awareness of the challenges faced by blind and visually impaired people. It will include an open day at Corrin Court, a series of talks to schools, businesses and local organisations, fundraising events and acoustic shooting

Entry for Walk My Way is free and more details are available by calling 674727 or emailing enquiries@mbws.org.im. 

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

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