This project brings together stories from young people in the United Kingdom living with vision impairments, highlighting their experiences and challenges in transitioning through key life stages. Supported by the University of Bath and funded by Guide Dogs, the project was initiated by Dr. Karin Petrini and Dr. Michael Proulx, alongside Dr. Aikaterini Tavoulari, who brought both clinical and academic expertise.
The team collaborated with a diverse group of young people from across the UK, some with additional disabilities, who acted as co-researchers and played a key role in shaping the project's direction. After ten months of collaboration, they decided to create an audiobook, also available in print, to share their stories with a wide audience, including individuals with vision impairments, healthcare professionals, universities, and other stakeholders.
The audiobook features powerful, personal accounts of navigating life transitions, such as moving from childhood to adulthood, relocating to a new country, and transitioning to independent living. The stories highlight both the barriers these individuals faced and the support systems and tools that helped them overcome challenges.
Ultimately, the project aims to inspire, educate, and connect people, offering insights that could help others facing similar life transitions, while fostering greater understanding for those who engage with individuals with vision impairments.
