Overview

In 1954 the Beacon Club began as a social group for people who were blind and vision impaired.  It was officially established by the Bermuda Society for the Blind Act in 1957, operating a sheltered workshop out of the historic Beacon House.

After 50 years of operation the need for a workshop diminished as sheltered employment was no longer sought and in 2009, in a public-private partnership with the then National Office for Seniors and the Physically Challenged, the Bermuda Society for the Blind and the Department of Statistics conducted a survey of the blind and vision impaired population. The results and recommendations of this survey led the Bermuda Society for the Blind to develop the infrastructure to provide specialized professional vision rehabilitation services, and promote public awareness, education events and social activities.

In 2018, the Bermuda Society for the Blind changed its name to Vision Bermuda to more accurately reflect our mission to serve anyone whose vision loss impacts their day-to-day activities, as well as their families, carers and also professionals with an interest in vision impairment.

We help people with no and low vision to maintain independence, learn new skills and participate in social and physical activities to reduce loneliness and isolation.

We provide:

• Vision rehabilitation therapy
• Orientation and mobility support
• Assistive technology and equipment information and training
• Small group training workshops
• Public education to promote awareness and good vision care
• Monthly meetings to help facilitate living well with vision loss
• Weekly social activities
• An equipment retail service
• A library of audio books on CD

We are the only organization in Bermuda to provide a full range of specialist services supporting people of any age with low or no vision.