As part of our 1,500 members celebrations, we caught up with one of our newest members, Vision for Access CIC, to find out more about their work and their reasons for joining VONNE.
At Vision for Access CIC, our mission is simple but powerful and that is to make the digital world more inclusive for people with sight loss. Based in South Shields, we’re a social enterprise founded and led by people with lived experience of sight loss, which shapes everything we do.
We know first-hand how frustrating it can be to face unnecessary barriers online, whether it’s a website without alt text, poor colour contrast, or forms that can’t be completed using a screen reader. These aren’t small inconveniences, they stop people from accessing vital information, services, and opportunities. That’s why we set up Vision for Access, to work with organisations of all sizes to break down those barriers and make inclusion part of everyday practice.
Practical Training and Awareness
A big part of our work is helping others understand what accessibility looks like in practice. Earlier this year, we ran a free online session, Accessibility Basics: Inclusive Websites for People with Sight Loss. The session was designed for small charities, businesses, and content creators who want to make their websites easier to use but don’t necessarily have technical expertise.
We introduced simple, achievable steps ranging from adding descriptive link text to checking colour contrast and shared real-life examples of “quick wins” that make a huge difference. The feedback was fantastic, and it showed us just how much appetite there is among organisations to learn and improve once they know where to start.
Supporting Accessible Healthcare
Alongside our digital work, we’re also developing training on the NHS Accessible Information Standard (AIS). This standard sets out how health and social care services must meet people’s communication needs, and it was recently updated by NHS England. Our training will help staff understand the changes and put them into practice, so patients with sight loss and other communication needs have equal access to care.
Building Partnerships
We’ve been fortunate to work with a wide range of partners already, from design agencies helping us build our own accessible website, to technology companies keen to improve their platforms. One of our proudest achievements is creating our Access Assured Verification Scheme, which recognises organisations that meet good practice standards in accessibility. By celebrating those who are doing it well, we aim to set examples others can follow.
Why We Joined VONNE
At the heart of Vision for Access is collaboration. We believe change happens when organisations share knowledge and work together, which is why joining VONNE felt like a natural step.
As one of VONNE’s newest members, we’ve already seen the value of being part of such a strong voluntary sector community in the North East. Membership helps us stay up to date with policy and funding changes, build relationships with other charities and social enterprises, and feel part of a shared movement for change. It’s also a chance to contribute our lived experience and expertise, so accessibility becomes part of the conversation across all areas of voluntary work.
Looking Ahead
We’re proud to be part of VONNE at this milestone moment of 1,500 members. For us, it’s not just about being counted among those numbers, but about the opportunities to connect, collaborate, and make a difference together.
At Vision for Access, we often say that accessibility is everyone’s business, and being part of VONNE means we’re alongside hundreds of organisations who share that belief in making things better for our communities. We’re excited to continue the journey.
Find out more about Vision for Access CIC and their work at: https://visionforaccess.org.uk/