Norma Awarded MBE

Prioriteyes founder Norma Baillie, has defied all odds after losing her sight at the age of nine. to now run Prioriteyes Ltd,. Norma’s exceptional service to the blind and partially sighted community has earned her a well-deserved accolade.

When Norma received news of the honor, she confessed that it felt unreal but expressed her immense joy and gratitude for the recognition her work has received. Her partner, who reads her letters to her every evening, came across the letter announcing the accolade. Typically, the mail consisted of mundane items like gas bills, but this time it held something extraordinary. Norma recalls her partner’s surprise as he said, “I don’t know if this is a joke,” revealing that the Prime Minister had recommended her for the honor. Norma was initially shocked and overwhelmed but had to keep the information a secret, as it was classified.

Norma’s journey to success began when she was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a condition affecting the retina, during her primary school years. Despite the challenges she faced, Norma maintained an unwavering determination and positive outlook on life. She firmly believes that individuals with sight loss should be empowered to live their lives without limitations.

For the past three decades, Norma has been at the forefront of providing frontline training, enabling individuals with varying levels of sight impairment to gain independence and confidence. Her expertise and professionalism have been invaluable to both her clients and staff at PrioritEyes, the company she established. Recognizing the excellence of her company, it has been awarded Positive About Disability status and Disability Confident Employer status.

As the manager of a specialist team, Norma is responsible for UK-wide contract management, supplying locum services to councils, and collaborating with commissioning managers, heads of service, and sensory managers. She is also a Rehabilitation Workers Professional Network (RWPN) mentor, voluntarily supporting workers beyond her own team. Norma’s commitment to the blind and partially sighted community extends beyond her role as a business owner. She became the volunteer RWPN representative for Scotland and played an active role in organizing their inaugural conference.

Even with her extensive responsibilities, Norma continues to work as a rehabilitation specialist. However, her journey of helping the visually impaired began long before she established PrioritEyes. In 2004, she designed the Pathfinder Project, an innovative initiative focused on independent transport and travel training for individuals with disabilities. By applying the principles of vision impairment rehabilitation, safety, confidence, and reduced dependency on others, Norma aimed to empower a wider audience. The project provides practical support to those with sensory, physical, and cognitive impairments, enabling them to travel independently. It has been trialed successfully with various age groups, including children commuting to school and adults accessing employment and training opportunities, fostering the development of transferable skills and overcoming fears.

Norma’s indomitable spirit has led her to accomplish extraordinary feats. She has completed a tandem parachute jump at 12,000 feet, abseiled down the Titan Crane in Clydebank, and conquered the challenging 2,867 feet of Goatfell on Arran. Norma describes the last of these accomplishments as her most difficult challenge, further exemplifying her determination and resilience.

Norma Baillie, a true inspiration, continues to make a profound impact in the lives of those with visual impairments. Through her business, PrioritEyes, and her unwavering dedication to empowering others, she exemplifies the limitless potential that exists within each individual, regardless of the obstacles they face.