A new project called Lisburn in Focus has just been awarded £740,000 funding over the next 5 years to make the Lisburn City Council area more accessible to blind and partially sighted people.

The project, overseen by a partnership between Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Guide Dogs, Lisburn City Centre Management (LCCM) and Lisburn City Council, aims to make blind and partially sighted people feel more secure at home, confident and motivated to go out and safer  in the outdoor environment. The scheme will install a navigation system known as "React", a first in Northern Ireland after gaining popularity in Great Britain.  The React system, already successfully trialled in Lisburn, lets users know where they are, giving information as they walk around the City through spoken announcements triggered by a fob in their pocket or handbag.  It can then give additional information which enables them to orientate themselves further.

Alan Clarke, City Centre Manager said, ‘Lisburn City Centre Management looks forward to working with our partners at RNIB, Guide Dogs and the City Council over the next 5 years to deliver this project.’

The Mayor of Lisburn Cllr Allan Ewart, commented ‘Poor sight can lead to vulnerability, loss of confidence, isolation and loneliness, often with poorer mental or physical health as a further consequence. The Lisburn in Focus project, will make big changes to the lives of an estimated 3,000 with sight loss problems in the Lisburn City Council area and many more who visit.’

David Mann, himself registered blind and a resident of Lisburn, who will be managing the project said ‘Lisburn is no better or worse than anywhere else for blind and partially sighted people, but with our partners we aim to turn it into a beacon of excellence which others will have to follow.

The React system is just one element of Lisburn in Focus, other elements will address how businesses and service providers provide information and interact with blind and partially sighted people, look to make them feel safer at home, safer and less stressed outdoors and encourage involvement in the life of Lisburn, a City that is safe and accessible. 

‘So, we hope that Lisburn will indeed be in focus for all of its residents with sight loss, and that this city can serve as a model of excellence that everywhere else will want to emulate,’ said David

For further information please contact Gavin Campbell, Lisburn City Centre Management, gavin@lisburnccm.co.uk  02892660625
Or David Mann, RNIB, David.mann@rnib.org.uk  028 9032 9373.

PHOTO (left to right) Alan Clarke, Lisburn City Centre Manager, David Mann, RNIB and The Mayor of Lisburn Cllr Allan Ewart outside Lisburn Bus Station, one of the venues the new React System will be installed.