Hereford students ’empowered’ by Chris McCausland’s Strictly win

The 47-year-old attended the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) in the 1990s and recently visited in 2022 as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations.

Chris, who teamed up with professional dancer Dianne Buswell in last year’s competition, was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in his 20s which caused him to lose his sight, and was the first blind contestant in the show’s history,

A month on from Chris’ win, a spokesperson for the Hereford college has said: “The RNC community couldn’t be more proud of Chris and Dianne. For many of our students, it has provided representation and boosted self-belief.

Students celebrating Chris McCausland's winStudents celebrating Chris McCausland’s win (Image: ROB DAVIES)

“Chris has ignited a vital conversation about disability. He and Dianne have powerfully demonstrated that with adaptations, support, and a touch of glitter, people with disabilities can achieve almost anything.

“This resonates deeply with RNC’s mission. We empower our students to live independently, pursue higher education, and secure careers. But ultimately, they require the support of employers to embrace their talents.

“As Chris stated in his Channel 4 alternative Christmas message, disabled people are talented and are capable of excelling in a range of roles. The crucial step is for businesses and organisations to recognise this potential.

“Thank you, Chris and Dianne, for breaking down barriers and showing that blindness is not a limitation.

“We invite businesses to join us in creating a more inclusive workplace. If you are interested in providing work placements, please contact 01432 265 725.”

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The college also has dance provision of its own, with activities coordinator and trained dancer Beth Wood running a ballet class.

This activity has been offered to RNC students for the last two years, with those participating finding that it gives them a “feeling of freedom and relaxation”.

Ms Wood has previously organised other types of dance classes like street dance workshops as well.

Students involved in the graffiti projectStudents involved in the graffiti project (Image: ROB DAVIES) Among other creative endeavours at the college, the RNC also recently unveiled a new graffiti-style mural celebrating the achievements of blind and visually impaired athletes.

Student Kai Codrington had the idea to start the project, which was commissioned by agency Blank Walls with artists Andrew Everitt and Alex Thompson leading the project.

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