Veterans with sight loss can now traverse Scotland's iconic mountains, thanks to virtual reality headsets.
Sight Scotland Veteran's Hawkhead Centre is offering a virtual reality (VR) travel experience for veterans of the Armed Forces with visual impairments who attend the activity centre.
Many of the veterans attending our centre have low vision, and can see images on the VR goggles.
Brian Wilson, who is in charge of I.T. at the Hawkhead Centre, explains: "As the VR screens are very close their eyes and have large, bold images, it helps people with low vision see better and close up. Some of them find it quite overwhelming the first time they experience it.
"It opens up a whole new world to a person with visual impairment."
Centre Officer Jason Turnbull has been taking a 360-degree camera on his walks up Scottish mountains. Through his recordings, veterans using the VR glasses are able to experience Scotland's great outdoors again.
Jason says: "I had previous experience with VR headset, so I was very keen to try it at Hawkhead. I watched 360-degree videos on YouTube and thought to myself ‘I can do better than that’. So, I bought a 360-degree camera and took it up the hills with me.
“I then began showing the veterans who are keen hillwalkers, and those who weren’t, the footage and there was a very positive reaction. They said it was ‘like being back on the hills’.”
"The VR is just wonderful, it is just like you are back there again, it brings back so many happy memories for me.
"I can see the whole landscape, all the tremendous views, it really is like I am walking up the hills again.”
- Noreen Smith, a former Army nurse who has macular degeneration
Noreen Smith, a former army nurse who has Macular degeneration, regularly attends Sight Scotland Veterans' Hawkhead Centre.
Noreen says: “The VR is just wonderful, it is just like you are back there again, it brings back so many happy memories for me. I can see the whole landscape, all the tremendous views, it really is like I am walking up the hills again.”
Jason says he is creating a collection of VR videos for veterans.
Jason says: “I thought, I am on to something here, so I have been going around as many Munros as I can so they can come with me.
"I am starting with the centrally located ones, in and around Crianlarich, like Ben More and Stob Binnein. I edit the footage and show the veterans when I come back, and they are saying it is absolutely unbelievable.
“It’s reawakening something in them. It is so rewarding to watch them and see their reaction. Perhaps it has been many years since they’ve climbed that hill, but they realise where they are.
"The VR allows them to revisit somewhere that was special to them. It triggers all those memories and sparks positive feelings within them."
Brian says the virtual reality glasses offer plenty of games and experiences for people with vision loss.
"The VR games, such as Table Tennis or Beats, are also great for them, as it gets them moving and helps them keep fit and improves hand-eye coordination. The VR gives them the chance to do things they never thought they would be able to do again."
The VR goggles can be a very relaxing experience too.
“It is fully immersive and allows them to completely forget about the outside world," Brian says.
"They can forget about their eye condition or any other problems or stresses they have and just relax and enjoy the experience. One of their favourite programmes is to take a canoe trip through the Grand Canyon, a few of our veterans have fallen asleep during this as they find it so relaxing."
Brian adds: “The I.T. suite at the centre is extremely popular, we help the veterans with all their I.T. needs. Basically, if we can help them we will. We teach them how to use a computer, supply and train them on using Synaptic tablets and smartphones, keep them up-to-date with the latest apps. Technology is just so important for a person with a vision impairment.”
We are thrilled that veterans with sight loss have been enjoying these VR experiences so much.
The I.T. suite is just one of our offerings for veterans. Other services we offer for free include:
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Installing equipment: getting veterans a new phone, a scanner or a special reading tool
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Supplying walking or safety aids: from long canes to adapted kettles, your home will work better for you
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Giving people independence: the charity trains people with sight loss to walk with a cane
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Expanding social circles: meet like-minded people at one of Sight Scotland Veterans’ centres
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Teaching new skills: learn to paint, draw, cook, shoot or work out at the centre, or boost your IT skills
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Getting back into sport: build your strength in a staffed gym l Providing emotional support: talk to any of the skilled centre staff or build a new friendship with a fellow veteran
Do you know someone experiencing to their vision, who might have served in the Armed Forces or done National Service? If yes, may be eligible for our support. Please get in contact and we'd love to explore what services and support we can offer.
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