We proudly announce the launch of an update of our history book.

This publication retraces the Network’s journey since its foundation, highlighting key moments, challenges, and achievements that have shaped its identity over the past quarter century. Through a combination of archival materials, testimonials, and reflections, the book offers a narrative of growth, resilience, and innovation.

Over the years, the Network has brought together partners, professionals, and communities, fostering cooperation and driving meaningful change within its field. The anniversary book not only documents this legacy but also acknowledges the people and institutions whose contributions have been instrumental to its success.

Launched at the 25-year milestone, it stands as a testament to the Network’s sustained commitment to its mission and its ongoing role in shaping the future of the education and training of visually impaired people across Europe.

We invite you to explore this new version of our history book and discover the story behind our collective impact. Join us in celebrating this milestone and reflecting on the road ahead. 

With the cooperation of Mediavoice company, ENVITER promoted another Webinar, this time about the SpeakyAI App and SpeakyAI Smart Glasses, held on October 20^th  using Zoom.

SpeakyAI App works as a conversational screen reader and accessibility interface that extends digital accessibility beyond the capabilities of traditional screen readers. It enables users to navigate, understand and interact with digital content through natural voice conversation across websites, applications, documents and digital content installed or available on their smartphone, including resources that are inaccessible through conventional screen readers. SpeakyAI is based on Mediavoice’s patented technology, protected in the EU, the US and the UK. Its international market launch will start in the United States in October 2026, as the first step in a broader international rollout.

SpeakyAI Smart Glasses extend the SpeakyAI ecosystem from the digital to the physical world, providing hands-free access to AI-powered assistance through voice interaction.

Activated simply with the keyword “Hey Speaky”, they allow users to receive information about their surroundings, read and interpret visual content, recognise and understand objects and scenes, and access digital services in a natural and independent way. The SpeakyAI Smart Glasses will initially be launched in Italy, before their subsequent expansion to other markets.

Mediavoice is an Italian innovative SME with more than 25 years of experience in digital accessibility and in developing patented voice-based solutions for blind and visually impaired people and older adults.

If you are interested in finding more about these solutions, you can use this address do have access to this webinar recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15bXwa02mB8

We are getting ready for our next ENVITER Blue Sky Meeting, that will take place on October 28^th and 29^th, in Ghent (Belgium), hosted by our member Blindenzorg Licht en Liefde. This opportunity will bring members together to exchange ideas, explore new perspectives and shape the future of our network.

Our Blue Sky Meetings are the perfect space for inspiration, collaboration and forward-thinking — because the best ideas often emerge when we look beyond the horizon!

From 21 to 23 April 2026, 65 participants, representing 28 members of ENVITER gathered in Dublin for the organisation’s Annual General Meeting and the celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Hosted by our member, ChildVision, the event brought together professionals, researchers and service providers from across Europe to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships and explore future directions in support for people with visual impairment.

The gathering combined internal network meetings with a major european conference under the theme:

“Future-Proof Care: Innovation and Sustainability in Support for People with Visual Impairment — Balancing quality, accessibility and affordability in a changing world.”

Conference Program

Theme 1: Person-centred Care

1. “Futureproof School – Living in the present with one foot in the past and the other in the future“, by Agnes Somorjai, BSB Hungary, Eszterhazy Karoly Catholic University Hungary
2. “Moving beyond rhetoric to provide robust, person-centred care: evaluating services through a human rights lens“, by James Forbes, ChildVision, Ireland
3. “Moving toward Stepped Care at Royal Visio“, Mark Lanting & Jolien Makkinga, Visio, The Netherlands
4. “Promoting Inclusion Through Shared Living“, Christing Richardson, ChildVision, Ireland

Theme 2: Technology and AI

5. “From Compliance to Competitive Advantage: The European Accessibility Act, Harmonised Standards, and the Strategic Role of Accessible EU”, by Klaus Höckner, Hilfsgemeinschaft – Austria
6. “AI as a subject in vocational training for visually impaired people. Areas of application”, by Jürgen Hüllen, BFW Düren – Germany
7. “Vigo4AI Visually Impaired go for Artificial Intelligence”, by Dr Irene Sudy, Hilfsgemeinschaft – Austria
8. “EMVI app”, by Henri de Vroey, EMVI – Belgium

Theme 3: Rehabilitation

9. “From Instructions to Understanding, Teaching Navigation Through Segmentation – A Practical Framework”, by Þorkell J. Steindal, NIFBVID – Iceland
10. “Inpatient Ophthalmological Rehabilitation in Germany: A Holistic, Interdisciplinary Approach”, by Prof Dr habil. Kathleen S Kunert, Dr-Ing. Oliver Kolbe, Henneberg Rehaklinik Masserberg – Germany
11. “Find the Puzzle – Coping with Vision Loss after Brain Injury”, Estella Björnsson, Sjónstöðin(IS) Fræðslsetrið Starfsmennt (IS), Rapture-Games (ESP), Blindensorg Licht En Liefde(BE), Berufsförderungswerk Halle(GE)

Theme 4: Media Adaptations

12. “Support for Families of Children with Cerebral Visual Impairment in Serbia: Use of Adapted Materials and Development of a Support Network“, by Valentina Martać, Vesna Vučinić, Branka Jablan, Videti Jasno – Serbia
13. “Road2Braille“, by Laurence Barrier, CRDV – France
14. “Erasmus Project to Create a Bilingual Book on Emotions“, by Aideen Brady, Aisling McDonagh, Tríona Keane, Astric De Foucaud, Louise Balon, ChildVision – Ireland
15. “TouchnMatch – Adressing Barriers for VI in fashion sector”, by Dr Irene Sudy, Hilfsgemeinschaft – Austria

You can find the Abstracts for these communications here and all the presentations in our private Members Area (for members, only).

Throughout the conference, participants engaged with presentations and discussions covering person-centred care, rehabilitation, accessibility, artificial intelligence, vocational training and media adaptations. Speakers from numerous European countries shared innovative projects and practical approaches aimed at improving quality of life and inclusion for people with visual impairment.

The event also provided opportunities to visit ChildVision services, including its equine-assisted activities programme and educational facilities, offering delegates valuable insight into innovative service models in Ireland.

A highlight of the week was the gala dinner celebrating 25 years of ENVITER, marking a quarter century of European cooperation, professional exchange and commitment to advancing education, rehabilitation and inclusion for people with visual impairment.

The programme concluded with project discussions and the development of new collaborative ideas for future European initiatives. An optional visit to Cork allowed participants to further explore Irish services in the field, including Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and regional ChildVision programmes.

The Dublin meeting reinforced ENVITER’s role as a dynamic European platform fostering innovation, collaboration and shared expertise in the field of visual impairment support and services.

We are proud to announce a new milestone in our development: we now bring together 41 member member organisations representing 23 European countries.

This growth reflects the increasing commitment across Europe to strengthening collaboration in the fields of education, training, and support for people with visual impairment. By expanding its membership, ENVITER continues to reinforce its role as a platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and mutual learning among professionals and institutions.

The diversity of the network is one of its greatest strengths. With members from a wide range of national contexts, ENVITER benefits from a rich variety of perspectives, practices, and expertise. This enables more comprehensive discussions and supports the development of solutions that are both locally relevant and internationally informed.

Reaching 41 members is not only a numerical achievement but also a sign of the growing recognition of the importance of cooperation at European level. It highlights the shared commitment to improving quality, accessibility, and sustainability in services for people with visual impairment.

ENVITER looks forward to continuing this path of growth, welcoming new members, and further strengthening connections across Europe in pursuit of inclusive and forward-looking support systems.