Vision Ireland

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Award Level

Bronze, Silver, Gold

Challenge Area

Community Involvement, Personal Skill

Age Group

14 - 18

Region

Leinster, Connacht, Munster, Ulster

Online / In Person

In-Person

About

Vision Ireland is Ireland’s national sight loss agency, dedicated to empowering people who are blind or vision impaired to live independently and participate fully in society..

Website: https://vi.ie/

Challenge Area Activities

Community Involvement:
Vision Ireland operates 130 retail shops across Ireland. Gaisce participants at any level can volunteer in one of these shops to fulfil their Community Involvement Challenge Area.

Personal Skill:
Participants can take part in the The LENS (Learning, Empowering, Networking and Skills) programme for visually impaired young people.

Programme Breakdown

The LENS (Learning, Empowering, Networking and Skills) programme is a structured transitional support programme designed to support students with vision impairment as they prepare for senior cycle and progress into further education, training, and employment.

Registration is now open and will remain open until June/July. LENS will then begin in the school year from September to May. Please contact Vision Ireland directly for more information and to register for this programme.

The programme focuses on helping students with visual impairments better understand themselves and explore pathways to college and future careers, while developing compensatory strategies and essential life skills. LENS help students build confidence and independence, empowering them to navigate challenges and live independently.

A key component is skills development, including accessing information, communication, socialisation, and independent travel and living skills.

Students complete five modules over the academic year, engaging in weekly two-hour online sessions led by Vision Ireland staff, alongside in-person days at the end of each term.

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