https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62qd6ezp8do

Women with visual impairments have not been sufficiently included in conversations about violence against women and girls, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has said.

Georgia Hussey, a 20-year-old student from Belfast, rarely goes out socialising at night because she said the easiest way to protect herself is to stay at home.

"If I'm out in the street and I can't see my friends because it's dark, I'm just going to panic.

"I don't want my friends to feel a responsibility over me either."

Laura Cummings from RNIB said the reality is that there are additional challenges for women who have sight loss. Laura Cummings pictured in Belfast's cathedral quarter wearing a pink RNIB shirt, she has long brown hair in a ponytail and glasses Image caption,

Laura Cummings said women with sight loss experience additional challenges on a night out

"So if you're a woman and you go out, and you have additional challenges, perhaps you are attacked.

"You won't recognise your attacker, you won't be able to describe your attacker to the police. These things are on peoples' minds."

Ms Hussey was registered blind at birth.

"I'm not convinced that if something were to happen, I would be able to find myself a way out safely," she told BBC News NI.

Many of her peers wouldn't think twice about heading out for the evening. Life as a young blind woman means she's concerned about her safety and feeling vulnerable.

"Not being able to tell at night in the dark who is around me is unsettling."

She also dislikes getting a taxi and getting home often involves a planned lift from her mum. Georgia Hussey pictured in Harp Bar Belfast, wearing a green puffer jacket - she has shoulder length blonde hair, there is wood panelling on the walls, an Old Irish Whiskey mirror and red velvet seats Image caption,

Dawn Hopper said there is a sometimes a perception that she doesn't see anything

In September, a new strategy to tackle violence against women and girls was launched at Stormont.

A few months later in December, PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned that inadequate officer numbers was affecting his service's ability to deal with violence again women and girls.

Dawn Hopper, from Antrim, has glaucoma and is registered as severely sight impaired.

She said she can feel vulnerable on a night out.

"When I have Micky [her guide dog] with me, or the cane, it brings extra attention, there's a perception there perhaps that I don't see anything.

"The idea of a night out in a pub is challenging, with your drinks on a table, how do you know what drink is yours?

"So I think when you're visually impaired you have to take control of what situation you are safe in. It shouldn't be that way.

"I would love to get out and have a wee boogie, go to the nightclub, and I'm sure people think it's very strange, that girl with the white cane and then she's out dancing. So it's always a challenge to keep pushing them [doors] open."

Safe travel is also a concern for Dawn.

"I wouldn't be able to tell if we were going down a different road or different route." Shot of dawn from waist down in green jacket, black leggings and brown boots, holding a golden Labrador with a lead and neon vest around him, they are stood on a patterned tiled floor with red velvet seats in background Image caption,

Dawn is guided by her dog, Micky, which she said brings extra attention

Stephen Anton, from the Licensed Taxi Operators Association, told BBC News NI the industry is actively working to help protect vulnerable people.

"Legal taxis used correctly are safe. Book a legal taxi, for two reasons. The drivers are qualified, properly insured and have been vetted with a correct licence.

"Taxi companies have to have a licence too, log every journey, which means if there is an issue, you have some recourse."

Mr Anton said pre-booking taxis, having a conversation about journey routes or preferences with your driver and sharing a journey electronically with a friend or family via app options can reassure passengers.

He added that many vehicles also have built in sat-nav devices, which could allow audio descriptions of routes switched on to further reassure passengers of their journeys.

Taxi drivers are under a duty to carry guide, hearing or certain other assistance dogs in their vehicles, with exceptions for drivers with certain medical conditions

A driver who refuses to carry one, or makes a charge for doing so, is guilty of an offence and could be fined up to £1,000

Other issues were raised by the women which they say act as barriers to going out at night.

There were concerns about street advertising, empty bottles or litter dropped on the floor creating hazards. Or, if they sat a handbag beside them on the floor, trusting that it won't be lifted.

There have been initiatives within the hospitality sector to become more inclusive for those with vision impairment.

Last year, Derry City and Strabane District council passed a notice of motion which would see how QR codes could be made available at local venues to allow easy access to menus, which is currently being scoped out.

Well done Ireland!

I'm a Restricted driver after passing in Dec.

Do you guys mind being behind a Restricted Driver since we're only allowed to go up to 45mph on a National Speed road or is it something that infuriates you?

Sometimes if Im on a long stretch I will let an Artic pass me and I am a pretty considerate Driver, despite there not being many considerate drivers about.

Curious if you would expect an 'R' plate driver to let you pass on NS roads or just crack on?

Cheers!

Hey

I'm looking for some advice and recommendations regarding my 2009 Fiat Bravo The car has dents on the rear right door, and I'm considering whether to replace the door with a second-hand one or have it fixed by a panel beater.

The car is 15 years old, and a similar one would probably cost a maximum of €1,500.

To give you a bit of context, the door is in this status since I bought in 2023. I recently passed the NCT, and overall, the car is in good shape. I spent €500 on the brakes in November, and the timing belt will be due in the next 25-30k.

Do you have any suggestions on reliable and affordable panel beaters I could contact? Also, what would you recommend in terms of replacing the door versus having it repaired?

I am open to anywhere in the Republic and the North

I have a limited budget and want to make the most cost-effective decision.

I received quotes for 500Eur to 1000 to fix and paint, while 150 would be to replace the door (however I could not find a silver one)

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance! 😊

https://preview.redd.it/q0f7nttmfmge1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5aebc9c08f15f859d2064a92ad908f2c053b5a4d

https://preview.redd.it/yp9ubxumfmge1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dd84c96de5c23c0cbdedbcb50ba74db25cb862f1

https://preview.redd.it/gntwgvtmfmge1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7e5a72eb041af2bde1b102b38e0cb87d71d997f2

Hi, I’m due to start jury duty on the 3rd, with the extended barrister strikes how likely is it that I’m going to end up driving an hour there, miss out on my wages and not get selected?

Did anyone watch the recent Northern Ireland episodes?

Some nice properties but some awful people.

As you can see this event is very close now! And if you don't know about it well lemme tell you, it's on the 29th-30th of March at the Waterfront Hall. It's also super cheap, only £15 for a day or £25 for the whole weekend! There are fees added for the weekend pass but still so worth it.

Other than tattoos they also have merch vendors and will have performers and a retro gaming section. You can get all this info and more on their website and Instagram page so check it out!

I'm so very excited for this event having booked it ages ago as well as my hotel. I got a weekend pass too so I'll have lots to seee.

I would also love to go with peeps to be able to geek out and just have a good time so feel free to comment here or DM me. Eitherway let's just have a fun time discussing this!💖

Can they not extradite them back or something, following the whole John George stuff it makes me feel bad for the people Spanish people because their country seems to be filled with all the criminals from here, England and elsewhere.

Not only that I thought Spain was also a very expensive country to get to from here.

Hi all, have a 10 year wedding anniversary coming up and wanted to book somewhere for a few nights (not galgorm please) any recommendations? would like somewhere with a spa and some nice food! is Slieve donnard worth the hype?

Have an interview in a week and wondering what questions they may ask and what the assessment process may be?

For background, I have worked as a junior marketing assistant and I am interviewing at a large Belfast company (corporate) for a similar role.

Just nervous about the assessment as I'm not sure what to expect and at my last interview (the job I'm currently in) I did a short 30 minute social media design assessment, so not sure if it'll be similar or more intense.

Any marketers or recruiters out there drop your interview questions below please 🙏

Hoping to come up from Cork to study Dietetics in Coleraine, wondering if anyone has studied this masters and could let me know rough costs? Thanks!

Bob Dylan

Hi Everybody,

Bit off topic to the usual stuff on here but I'm not too sure where else to put it as it only affects NI. But I've heard about a grace period for MOTs are still in place. Would anyone know if there still is one active and how long the grace period actually is? I've asked everyone I know and they say there is one but not too sure on how long it is

Appreciate any answers in advance!

I work as a band 2 clerical officer. The Western Trust is due to launch Encompass software in May. How has Encompass affected their day to day job? Has their job role changed? Has anyone being redeployed? Thanks in advance.

Hi! I am just wondering if anyone knows any hairdressers around the armagh/down area (or even Belfast) that specialise in more alternative cuts, like mullets/shullets??? Thank you!

Viewing houses at the moment and struggling to decide between stretching for something that needs little work or buying something cheaper than needs work done.

When I say something that needs work I mean new flooring, something that has a working kitchen and bathroom but I would eventually want to update.

Has anyone recently got new wood floors put in? Refurbished their kitchen or bathroom?

Was it hard to get someone to do it and finding someone who can deliver it to a decent standard?

I know the costs are high right now to for materials and labor.

It comes down to buying something for 300k and move in straight away or something for 200k and try to get work done in 3 months while continuing to rent. 1700 mortgage Vs 8/900 mortgage.

The cheaper option would cost the same as the more expensive while continuing to rent and getting work done but then you have a huge cheaper expense going forward and ability to overpay and build equity and value.

Curious for any input, thanks

Hi folks, me again!

We still have a few spaces left on our free 12 week recovery support programme if anyone in the Southern Trust area is looking for a bit of extra help in relation to gambling/alcohol/drug addiction.

Our next group is in Portadown beginning Wednesday 12th February. We also run groups in Belfast and the South Eastern Trust, but this is the first time we'll be running a group in the Southern Trust so I've to beat the drum a bit harder for this one. Though if you're interested in the other locations please do comment/message me for more details!

The ARCH group is a free 12 week programme suited to anyone over 18 who has already received treatment (counselling, rehab or working with the community addictions team) for alcohol, drug or gambling addiction and who is sober or using at low levels. Unfortunately it's not suited to people who are in full blown active addiction, but we do offer addictions counselling for people in that position as well.

The ARCH programme is quite unique in that we tailor it to each group we work with rather than just having a set programme that doesn't take people's individual needs and interests into consideration.

The ARCH focuses on learning coping skills that will help you in recovery as well as trying out new things, eg art, music, photography, creative writing or whatever the group is interested in. Best of all, it's a chance to meet other people who understand what you're going through and gives you a space where you can talk freely without fear of judgement.

The groups I've worked with previously have fed back that one of the things they love most about the group is that we don't take ourselves too seriously- having a good laugh is encouraged! We've seen people genuinely change their lives as a result of what they've learned from this programme, and seeing the progress my group members make is the biggest reason I'm so passionate about my work.

If this sounds like something you or someone you know would be interested in, please comment or give me a message and I'd be happy to chat about it in more detail with you.

Cheers!

I’ve been to a few so-called hackathons run by EY, and they seem more like problem-solving sessions for them to take ideas back to their clients. Recent one was about solving pollution problem of ni water hence what I mean solving real issues.

You’re not actually being productive or producing anything—just brainstorming for them over three issues, usually.

I know about online stuff I just miss meeting people in person as work full remote as a developer.

Think like time challenge at the start of the social network create software do a task x time without the drink.

I know about farset labs just a few there don’t get on with and it’s in a weird building.

Everyday I am bombarded with recruitment agents trying to get me an interview. The last one this week was essentially asking over 5 years experience, degree, chartered and the job responsibilities were just insane. All this for 35k ~ 40k.

I know some people will say that this is a lot of money, but you are talking at least 6 years studying plus at least 5 years working. It is just insane. Salaries are so broken compared to the amount of experience and qualifications they ask for.

Unless you are desperate for a job, I really don't know how people can accept these offers.

Hello everyone, I am from the US and just recieved a year long internship offer to work in northen ireland. Through the program I will recieve a housing stipend and a year long visa, I am just wondering if there would be a chance of bringing my fiance with me for the year? I tried looking up all the ways and honestly got a little confused. She would intend on working and or studying there if she could figure out a college situation. This is a very new thing that had just popped up so just trying to learn more about it. Thanks guys

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As always any questions I’m always more than happy to answer 🩵

Very roughly - how much to remove suspended floor and replace with concrete to current building regs? Let’s say 20 square meters? Including all debris removal etc. I’m getting such wildly different quotes I just need a sense check. Thanks.