Discover some of the ways you can read and write using Braille, by going on a journey with Alice, who talks through the Braille devices she has used.
Tag: independence
Top tips for spring for people with a visual impairment
Read our top tips for getting out and about safely in spring if you are visually impaired.
Accessible microwaves: What’s on the market?
Discover different options for accessible microwaves: low budget microwave with dials and bumpons, talking microwave, and Alexa controlled microwave.
Travel assist project with TfGM (update)
Learn about our partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester, supporting the development of their Travel Assist solution.
Service user takeover: Meet Hadisa
Meet Hadisa, a Henshaws service user who shares her experience of living with a visual impairment. Learn how Henshaws has supported her.
Meet Philippa-our First Step Advisor
Meet Philippa, our First Step Advisor. Learn about her role and her responsibilities.
A descent into darkness: 10 rules of engagement
Simon Mahoney, a totally blind military veteran, talks through is 10 rules of engagement, his top tips for anybody coming to terms with sight loss.
Super Lidar: An app for exploring your environment
Find out about Super Lidar, an app that uses the Lidar scanner to enable you to find people and objects around you.
Meet Geoff-Henshaws service user takeover
Meet Geoff, a Henshaws service user who shares his experience of living with a visual impairment.
Nina’s Day-A day in the life of a Henshaws service user
Meet Nina, a Henshaws service user, who shares her experiences of visual impairment through a life in her day.
Henshaws Digital Enablement Service: Impact of Covid-19
Find out how Covid-19 has impacted on our Digital Enablement Service, and the need for technology during the pandemic.
AirTags: Helping you find your items
Find out about AirTag, Apple's answer to item tracking. Find out how it compares with Tile, another item tracking solution.
Voice Activated printing: Using Alexa to print and scan
Learn about linking Alexa to an HP Printer, and some of the ways in which you can use Alexa to print and scan.
Accessible TV Guide on Freeview Play
Find out all you need to know about Freeview Play's accessible TV guide, designed for people with all levels of vision.
Envision Glasses: AI for your eye
Learn about the features of the Envision Glasses, AI-enabled smart glasses designed specifically for visually impaired people.
Supporting mobility with a Sunu Band
We took the Sunu Band, a wearable assistive device, on a test drive to see how it can support people with sight loss with their mobility and independence.
Introducing the RealSAM smart speaker
RealSAM, the people behind the 'In Your Pocket' accessible phone, have developed a smart speaker skill so that you can access audiobooks and podcasts on a Google smart speaker.
Our guide to the Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI)
Read our handy guide to find out everything you need to know about the Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI).
Pregnancy test re-designed for people with sight loss
The RNIB have launched a prototype pregnancy test for visually impaired people, making it possible for the first time to find out results independently.
Recognising money if you have a visual impairment
Find out how to recognise money if you are visually impaired, and learn how the process has become easier since the introduction of polymer banknotes.
Tech Talk’s Top Tech of 2020
Find out what our Trafford and Oldham Tech Talk members voted as their favourite piece of technology in 2020.
Laundry Lens: An app to help with clothes washing
Find out about Laundry Lens, an app that can help you to interpret laundry labels when washing your clothes.
Henshaws helps university students with ‘The Future of Work’ project
Henshaws staff were asked to support undergraduate students from Manchester Metropolitan University on a project focussing on workplaces of the future for disabled employees.
Using Pingit if you have a visual impairment
Find out about Pingit, an accessible solution for managing your money.
Visiting Manchester Central Library post-lockdown
We offer digital technology assessments at Manchester Central Library, so we went along to check out what's changed at the building since the COVID-19 lockdown.
Getting out and about: Using a smartphone to navigate independently
Hear from Lynne Nicholson, who is visually impaired and uses her smartphone and navigation apps to travel independently.
Dictation solutions put to the test
There are a number of dictation solutions available, but which one is the best? We thought we would try some of the most common versions side by side to see how they performed.
Out and about on the high street after lockdown
Mark discusses how shops and services have changed since lockdown restrictions eased, in order to help better inform visually impaired people of what to expect when they go out.
COVID InSights: Nina’s story
'COVID InSights' is a new series from Henshaws in which blind and visually impaired individuals share their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic through videos and blogs.
Coming out of lockdown if you are visually impaired (Part 2)
As the pandemic lockdown restrictions across the UK are eased, we discuss tips for how people with sight loss can prepare themselves for the 'new normal' in our towns and cities.
Life as an Enablement Officer at Henshaws
Kate, our Enablement Officer based in Oldham, explains her role in supporting the local sight loss community and the services that she delivers on a daily basis.
Coming out of lockdown if you are visually impaired (Part 1)
As lockdown restrictions across the UK are eased as part of the roadmap to recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, we discuss how people with a visual impairment may need support.
Henshaws feature on BBC North West Tonight
Henshaws were featured in a report by BBC North West discussing the issues facing blind and visually impaired people during the Covid-19 pandemic, including social distancing.
Top tips for mindfulness during lockdown
Maria, our Enablement Officer for Tameside, discusses mindfulness tips to try and overcome any negative emotions you may experience during lockdown.
Top tips for social distancing if you are blind or visually impaired
Our Senior Rehabilitation Officer, Simon, shares his top tips for social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic if you are blind or visually impaired.
How an Amazon Echo Show and a Wifi Hub connected a family during lockdown
Mark discusses how his first thought on the announcement of the Covid-19 lockdown was getting his elderly relatives some connectivity with an Amazon Echo Show.
12 top tips for shopping for a visually impaired person
Our Senior Rehabilitation Officer, Simon Merrills, shares his top tips for helping a visually impaired person with their shopping, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.
Getting connected and keeping informed using technology
Getting connected with family and keeping informed has never been as important as it is during the Covid-19 lockdown. Read our blog about the technology that can help.
Engaging the other senses in children with sight loss
Most info we gain about the world is through vision. This blog explores sensory learning and ways to encourage children to engage their senses and understand their world better.
7 gift ideas for people with sight loss
Knowing what to get your loved one for Christmas can be a struggle at the best of times. Here's some ideas from us at Henshaws for anyone with sight loss.
Meet Fred the centenarian with sight loss
I was very fortunate to be invited to meet one of our visually impaired service users from Oldham last month, just a few days after he celebrated his 100th birthday!
6 ‘Accidentally’ accessible products for people with sight loss
We review six products, three high-tech and three low-tech, which were not designed for someone with sight loss but are fully accessible and could increase independence.
Eye-D: An app that can act as your eyes
We review Eye-D, an app for iOS and Android that enables people with a visual impairment to be more independent.
Access to Work – making employment possible
If you’re disabled or have a physical or mental health condition that makes it hard for you to do your job, Access to Work is there to support you.
Henshaws support for autistic people
Our Yorkshire services offer opportunities for autistic people to create a pathway to independence.
Specialist College students become athletes for a day
Students at our Specialist College in Harrogate have been getting an insight into what it takes to be an athlete.
Meet Andrew, his beaming smile and zest for life!
Andrew, a student at Henshaws Specialist College, is one of just over 100 people in the world to have been diagnosed with PACS1 syndrome. Linda, Andrew’s mum, shares his story.
First careers event at Specialist College
Our Specialist College welcomed local employers and support organisations onto campus for our first Careers Information, Advice & Guidance day for students and their families.
Holly shares her story
Meet Holly, a student at Henshaws Specialist College. Holly wrote this blog on her eye gaze computer to share her experience of being a young person living with disability.
“I can even read the telephone directory with the magnifier, which is magic! How many people can read the telephone directory?”
Frank has attended Henshaws' Living with Sight Loss course and is a regular at our Tuesday group. He explains how Henshaws has helped him keep in touch with old friends!
Henshaws supporting disabled people with autism
Our Yorkshire services offer opportunities for disabled people with autism to create a pathway to independence.
Sharing expertise
Henshaws Specialist College in Harrogate has been sharing its expertise in working with disabled people with a leading national charity.
Bradford Centre holds successful open morning
Our open morning at Henshaws Bradford Centre gave visitors the chance to find out more about the opportunities we offer for young people with SEND.
Jake helps Team GB to European swimming success
Jake swims with the Downs Syndrome Swimming - Great Britain team. We find out how he and the squad got on at the 2017 European Championships.
Visitors find their future at 4th Leisure, Lifestyle & Work Fair
Henshaws Specialist College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, recently hosted its 4th annual Leisure, Lifestyle and Work Fair, a free transitions event for young disabled people.
Art Maker Safety Day in Knaresborough
We welcomed our local police and fire services to the Arts & Crafts Centre in Knaresborough to find out ways to help us all stay safe.
Top 10 sight loss gadgets for under £50
Check out our top 10 everyday gadgets for under £50 and see how each piece of tech can help those with a visual impairment
How can you play games if you have a visual impairment?
Take a look at the accessible games out there and find out how possible it is for visually impaired and blind people to enjoy video games.
Living Well with Sight Loss course
These short courses are free to attend and aim to give you information and advice about living with your sight loss.
How travel training can change lives
Nic, Disability Support Officer shares her top tips for promoting independent travel for people with disabilities.
Travelling independently; another string to Alisdair’s bow
"I’ve learnt so much with Henshaws, but I’m really excited to share with you one of the biggest achievements I’ve made – travelling on my own from Yorkshire to Scotland!"
How an iPad helped Anita’s independence
The novelty of being able to make calls on her own helped Anita gain an incredible skill...
It’s IMCYP’s First Birthday!
What a year! We are pleased to say that we have just completed the first year of our new BBC Children in Need funded project.
Sharing the sofa with grandma for the first time – Karina’s story
Henshaws College graduate Karina learnt to stand and walk so she could step into her grandma's house and enjoy spending time together as a family. Her Mum Amanda tells her story.
“I love meeting different people and finding out what makes them dance”.
Meet Lee from our supported living service who simply loves his music and is now our resident DJ at our Arts & Crafts centre in Knaresborough!
Braille Group
Our group helps you to keep learning braille; giving people independence, literacy, and the enjoyment of reading.
When not helping is best!
Support worker Bill shared with me his approach to supporting Andrew, and how sometimes it can be best not to help…
“It’s inspiring to meet someone who has faced the same difficulties and still manages to enjoy life”
We speak to two members at our Over 50s exercise class - Sylvia and Kathleen - to find out what they’ve gained from the classes.
Celebrating our students at Henshaws Got Talent
With the final of Britain’s Got Talent taking place last weekend, we’d like to share with you our very own event, Henshaws Got Talent!
College has really helped me on my journey
College graduate Rachael now runs her own arts and crafts business from home. She explains what life is like for her now and how Henshaws supported her to achieve her goals.
How do you walk home on your own without sight?
Travel independently with our VI travel series from Andrew Rose: this weeks covers walking.
Travelling Tips Series for those with a VI – Bus travel
Andrew Rose gives his top tips on how to travel independently travelling by bus with sight loss