5 years to the day, my memories of the “Big Blind Walk 2018” are still vivid and the fight to prevent, treat and cure eye disease goes on, alongside the extraordinary advances in assistive technologies. Vision enhancement, reading support, obstacle avoidance, object recognition, scene description and even digital wayfinding have made hugely exciting progress. Three standout examples are Be My Eyes, WeWALK and Waymap. Guidance and advice for vi/blind communities before purchase are also so important and the example of Sight and Sound Technology’s wrap-around support for assistive tech users, is impressive.
Within the next 3 years, assistive tech hardware will have become so light, discreet and ergonomically pleasing and the software so clever, responsive and intuitive across so many portables, wearables, solutions and apps, that the so called “level playing field” for vi/blind communities will actually mean something. Individuals experiencing sight-loss will be able to better support their local economies, access educational and employment opportunities, remain mobile and independent, enjoy improved connectivity with their communities plus enhanced mental-health and emotional well-being, all of which would have been unachievable even in 2018.
Enjoy the links and let’s continue the fight to improve vision through science and reduce the impact of sight-loss through assistive technology!
BIG BLIND WALK
MEDIA COVERAGE
➤ Julian Jackson completes Big Blind Walk
A WOODFORD Valley blind man has completed an “incredible adventure” to raise awareness of the need for more funding for eye research.
https://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/16345559.julian-jackson-completes-big-blind-walk/
➤ The Big Blind Walk
Starting on Sunday 29th April 2018, Julian Jackson is embarking on the Big Blind Walk walking approximately 1,000 miles through Great Britain. Starting at Land’s End (Cornwall) and finishing at John O’Groats (Scotland) sometime around 22nd June, taking approximately 7 weeks to complete this challenge.
https://britishblindsport.org.uk/big-blind-walk/
➤ Eyeplan joins Big Blind Walk 2018
Company to walk 20 miles to mark 20 years in business
Eyeplan Ltd, the leading provider of monthly payment eye care schemes in the UK, is celebrating 20 years in business this year. To mark the occasion, the company is sponsoring the Big Blind Walk 2018, a sight loss fundraising and awareness initiative that will see volunteers walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats. The volunteers are headed up by Julian Jackson, Founder and Director of social enterprise VisionBridge. The Eyeplan marketing team will be joining the Big Blind Walk on Thursday 10th May and will walk 20 miles from Frome to Castle Combe.
https://www.eyeplanassociates.co.uk/eyeplan-joins-big-blind-walk-2018/
➤ Raising awareness of sight loss one step at a time
The Big Blind Walk took 55 days and over 2.5 million steps to walk
The founder of social enterprise VisionBridge, Julian Jackson, has completed a 1089 mile walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats in order to raise awareness of sight loss.
Raising awareness of sight loss one step at a time
➤ The Big Blind Walk
This April, Julian Jackson is embarking on the Big Blind Walk to help raise awareness of sight loss.
Starting at Land’s End in Cornwall and finishing at John O’Groats in Scotland, Julian will be walking approximately 1,000 miles through Great Britain over approximately seven weeks.
https://www.metroblindsport.org/tag/the-big-blind-walk/
➤ 60-seconds with…
Julian Jackson
The founder of social enterprise Vision Bridge tells OT about how he is raising awareness of the importance of eye health
https://www.aop.org.uk/ot/science-and-vision/research/2018/01/09/60-seconds-with-julian-jackson
➤ Julian Jackson 8 Jul 2018
Julian Jackson describing his adventures and achievements during his recent epic Big Blind Walk.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=507Il8KyK3s
➤ #25 Big Blind Walk Interview with Julian Jackson
https://gaana.com/song/25-big-blind-walk-interview-with-julian-jackson
➤ Big Blind Walk
Awareness of visual impairment is set to receive a big boost this spring, as one man bids to traverse the length of Great Britain.
https://sensing-nature.com/news/big-blind-walk
➤ Big Blind Walk update
As Julian Jackson arrives at Shrewsbury in Shropshire, he’s over a third of the way through his epic Big Blind Walk
https://sensing-nature.com/news/big-blind-walk-update
➤ #34 Big Blind Walk 2 with Julian Jackson
This week, I catch up with Julian Jackson following the completion of the Big Blind Walk, and share some mischievous Magpie behaviour.
https://casualbirderpod.libsyn.com/big-blind-walk-2
➤ #25 Big Blind Walk Interview with Julian Jackson
A weekly podcast for people interested in wild birds.
This week I talk to Julian Jackson, who is about to embark on The Big Blind Walk, walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise awareness about sight loss.
