Rye Harbour welcome Steve from East Sussex Vision Support

Arthur Sloman

Visitor Experience Manager

We were delighted to be visited by Steve Saunders from East Sussex Vision Support at the end of October.

Steve was able to provide lots of helpful feedback regarding what it’s like to visit Rye Harbour Nature Reserve whilst experiencing sight loss. We had planned to meet each other before, but high winds and rain at Rye meant that we had to cancel. The nature reserve and Discovery Centre are already highly accessible for individuals with sight loss, but the weather is one thing that can make any visit challenging.

Steve himself is totally blind and needed help from his guide dog Rosie and his assistant Gez, who acted as a sighted guide for the visit. Steve will be offering some free training to staff and volunteers inside the Discovery Centre to help them understand what it’s like to experience sight loss and how best to guide someone who is blind or partially sighted.

Many people who love nature and are beginning to experience sight loss may be disheartened by the thought that they can no longer enjoy wildlife watching. With Steve’s help we are able to offer more opportunities to connect with the incredible wildlife on display at Rye.

East Sussex Vision Support have kindly donated a desk magnifier to the Discovery Centre that includes a long-range camera for observing birds and other wildlife at a distance. For anyone who struggles with using binoculars this gives a unique opportunity to take part in bird watching by viewing the image on a 12-inch screen instead. We’ve already started using this device with visiting school groups to help them learn about the nature reserve. The desk magnifier works as an excellent microscope for examining natural materials collected as part of the children’s activities.

If you would like access to the desk magnifier during your next visit to the Discovery Centre please e-mail us to book: [email protected]

Steve said: 'East Sussex Vision Support are a Sight Loss Charity based in Hailsham, covering the whole of the rural areas of East Sussex as well as the City of Brighton and Hove. We are able to give help and advice to anyone who is experiencing sight problems. You don’t have to be registered to come to us. We can give advice about eye conditions as well as practical help such as what equipment is available. Call East Sussex Vision Support on 01323 832 252.'