Sense of the Past Exhibition at the Braid, Ballymena

There are currently an estimated 46,000 people living with sight loss in Northern Irelandand, until now, no comprehensive record of the experiences and heritage of the community existed.  This project, funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) explores the social history of blindness in Northern Ireland from 1800, through wartime, right up to present day. 

The publication and exhibition features a diverse range of themes including the history of education, employment and legislation, from institutions such as the Ulster Society which established the first deaf and blind school inBelfastin 1836, to the introduction of legislation which paved the way for inclusion in social and leisure activities.  It also provides unique insights into the development of statutory and voluntary sector services to support blind and partially sighted people including RNIB NI, the Blind Centre for NI and Guide Dogs for the Blind. 

Local inspirational figures, such as sportswoman Janet Gray, adventurer Mark Pollock have made personal contributions to this project.  Historical figures are also featured and include pioneering Victorian engineer Alexander Mitchell who is known as the inventor of the screw-pile lighthouse.  

David Mann, Chair of RNIB NI and ‘A Sense of the Past’ steering group member spoke of his involvement in this project. "A lot has changed for blind and partially sighted people over the last two hundred years.  Once objects of pity, we now assert our rights to self-determination and full inclusion in society.  Changes in legislation and in technology over the past century have opened up ever wider horizons, but society still puts many unjustifiable barriers in our way.  The historical perspective which this exhibition and book afford us should serve to strengthen the determination of RNIB and of blind and partially sighted individuals to continue the struggle for a more equal and inclusive society in which we can play a full role."

The publication and exhibition has had a wealth of input from members of the blind and partially sighted community in Northern Ireland and the interactive and accessible exhibition utilises the ‘Pen Friend’ which is an accessible media tool to allow blind and partially sighted visitors to listen to a narrative of information contained on six display panels covering chapters within the book.

The exhibition will run at the Braid until 31 July 2014.  For group bookings please contact Noreen Mullan at the Braid on 028 2565 7161.