We are delighted to have won the Influencing Award at the Visionary Awards 2026 for our Fair Rail Campaign, which secured free rail travel in Scotland for companions travelling with people who are blind or partially sighted.
The Visionary Awards celebrate the achievements of sight loss organisations across the UK and recognise the difference they make to the lives of blind and partially sighted people and their communities. Their Influencing Award celebrates organisations that have used their voice to create change for blind and partially sighted people through advocacy, campaigning, awareness raising or influencing decision-makers.
Our Fair Rail Campaign put the voices and experiences of people with lived experience at its heart. By listening to and amplifying these voices, the campaign helped highlight the barriers faced by blind and partially sighted people when travelling by rail and made the case for change.
Free rail travel for companions of severely sight impaired people in Scotland has now become permanent Scottish Government policy as a result of this four-year campaign built on persistence, collaboration, and the experiences of those living with visual impairment.
We are thrilled that the campaign, and the contributions of everyone who helped make it happen, have been recognised with this award.
The Fair Rail campaign was led by Lived Experience Policy and Engagement Manager Nicoletta Primo, who said:
"Winning this award is a huge honour and recognition of the power of lived experience in driving change. The Fair Rail campaign was co-designed with blind and partially sighted people, whose voices and determination made this achievement possible. Free companion rail travel is about more than saving money, it’s about independence, confidence and making train travel accessible. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together."
As the national membership organisation for local sight loss charities, Visionary works with sight loss charities to strengthen services and support for blind and partially sighted people throughout the UK.
Speaking on the night, the awards ceremony host, and Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans CEO, Craig Spalding congratulated all shortlisted organisations and winners, highlighting the passion, innovation and commitment demonstrated by all.
Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences, supported the campaign and helped us make the case for fairer rail travel.
You can find out more about our Fair Rail Campaign and its impact here.
Fair Rail Campaign
The Sight Scotland Fair Rail Campaign is calling for free rail travel across Scotland for companions of those with visual impairments.
Lived Experience
Real-life experiences of those with sight loss and/or visual impairment give us an informed perspective from those directly affected by these conditions, so we're better able to influence policy and create campaigns that provide real, needed support.
Our Campaigns
Our dedicated Sight Scotland policy team work with blind and partially sighted people to campaign for positive change. Read more about our campaigning work here.