Building a more inclusive North East
Sight Loss Council Engagement Manager, Jack Moffat, shares powerful insights about how lived experience is driving real change across the North East.
“Over the last few months, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside brilliant volunteers, local councils, and organisations to improve accessibility for blind and partially sighted people across the North East.
Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve been up to at the Sight Loss Councils:
Sim Specs Walks – Partnering with councils in Wark, Morpeth, Hexham, and Newcastle to raise awareness of barriers in our streets through simulation walks to increase the accessibility of our streets.
Accessible Transport – Supporting GoNorthEast and Stagecoach with awareness training, bus model feedback, and creating a new Transport Focus Group to ensure user voices shape the future of public travel.
Care Home Training – Delivering vision awareness sessions to care staff across homes like Abbeyfield, De Baliol, Dolphin View, Summer Hill, and The Grange – empowering carers with inclusive practices.
Inclusive Architecture and Construction – Engaging with GT3 Architects and Taylor Woodrow, helping teams better understand the built environment through simulation tasks and practical accessibility tips.
Vision Zone Events and Wellbeing Fairs – Connecting with the community at Alnwick Gardens and Morpeth Library, sharing resources, and collaborating with Guide Dogs, RNIB, Vision Northumberland and more.
Digital and Health Access – Taking part in the #Opencasts research to improve how disabled people access health websites and online services.
Innovation Festival – Representing Sight Loss Councils at the Northumbrian Water Innovation Festival, building meaningful connections with businesses and raising the profile of accessibility in tech and innovation.
Through it all, one thing is clear: real change happens through collaboration – when lived experience leads the conversation.
Massive thanks to all the councils, partners, volunteers, and organisations who’ve supported this work so far.
Onward!”
Publication date: 25 July 2025