Taking Control (Miguel Wiggan/Malachy McGuone)

This podcast explores how sight loss impacts a person’s independence and their interaction with sighted people. The podcast talks of ways in which people with sight loss may feel that their independence is challenged, for example, when someone helps them cross the road, or reading a letter not in their preferred format. In the home, people with sight loss may be viewed by family as not capable of doing basic tasks. This reduces one’s self esteem and can make them feel useless and a burden to others. It talks about how these feelings can effect one’s mental health. It offers suggestions for sighted people to learn more about disability, and offers tips on how visually impaired people can get support.