We’d like you to meet our newest AccessAble champion, Torie Tennant, who will help spread the word about AcccessAble and the vital work we do.

I’m Torie.  I’m a 30-year-old guide dog owner from Northern Ireland.  I’m currently working on my second guide, dog Vivvy. I chair the disability consultation panel for my local health trust and am a trustee of Angel Eyes NI.

I was born 3 months early and am totally blind due to Retinopathy of prematurity.

In my spare time, I love walking; I play visually impaired tennis and do a bit of yoga.  I used to go to an art class and like to listen to The Archers.  I would have also walked my local parkrun.

I first heard of AccessAble back when it was called DisabledGo.  I was part of a group that shadowed the surveyors for a shopping centre in Belfast.  We helped create a guide for the shopping centre.  I have recently become involved again with AccessAble due to my involvement in the health trust panel.

I think it is great having a website and App where you can find out in advance where an accessible toilet is, or if somewhere has a hearing loop, for example.  It takes some of the stress and anxiety away if you’re visiting somewhere new.

I look forward to working more with AccessAble and becoming an AccessAble Champion.

 

Read More: Torie's Blog