Local campaign launched to offer support for people with colour blindness

Colour vision deficiency affects approximately one-in-twelve men and one-in-200 women

Garry Kousoulou (right) campaigns for greater awareness on colour blindness

An Enfield optician and entrepreneur whose colour-deficient grandfather worked as a tailor is offering free colour-vision awareness screening sessions to schools across the borough.

Garry Kousoulou, who previously owned an optical practice in Enfield Town and now runs locally-based business Loving Social Media, wants to help people with colour vision deficiency and the ways they can learn to hide – or ‘mask’ – the difficulties it causes.

The subject is personal to Garry as his grandfather was colour deficient but worked as a tailor, a profession in which recognising and matching coloured fabrics is usually central to everyday work.

Garry said: “My grandfather’s story has stayed with me. He worked with colour throughout his life, yet he was colour deficient. Like many people, he found ways to compensate and carry on.

“Since becoming deeply involved in colour vision, I have realised how much masking happens. Children and adults may memorise the position of colours, ask somebody else quietly, rely on labels or avoid particular tasks. They can become extremely skilled at hiding something they may not even realise is different.”

Colour vision deficiency affects approximately one-in-twelve men and one-in-200 women. It most commonly makes some shades – particularly reds and greens – harder to distinguish. Because inherited colour vision deficiency is present from birth, children can assume that everybody sees the world as they do.

This can create unnoticed challenges with colour-coded worksheets, maps, charts, art materials, science experiments, sports kits and classroom displays. The NHS advises that colour vision deficiency may affect a child’s educational performance and that schools should be able to make adjustments.

To mark Colour Blind Awareness Day this Sunday (6th), Garry is making a free offer to Enfield schools – he can arrange visits to provide age-appropriate colour-vision awareness and screening, subject to arrangements with each school and appropriate parental consent.

The screening is intended to identify pupils who may benefit from further advice and does not replace a professional eye examination or offer any diagnosis.

Garry added: “This is not about frightening parents or putting labels on children. It is about making the invisible visible. If a child is struggling with a colour-coded task, they should not be mistaken for being careless or not paying attention.

“Simple changes – adding words, symbols, patterns and strong contrast instead of relying on colour alone—can make classrooms much more inclusive.”

Separately, Garry is again planning to curate Enfield’s entry for the London New Year’s Day Parade, following the success of the 2025 event, and the professional optician wants eye health, visual inclusion and the borough’s diverse community to remain part of the story.

Enfield residents, schools, community groups, performers, volunteers and optical professionals who would like to take part are invited to register their interest.

Garry said: “The parade gives Enfield a global stage. I would love local families, schools and organisations to join us and help create something colourful, inclusive and unmistakably Enfield – while starting conversations about sight and colour vision that are too often missed.”

Anyone who things they may have colour deficiency with their eyesight can try a free colour-vision screening online:
Visit colorvisioncheck.com/en

Schools wishing to arrange a free session with Garry or anyone interested in joining the New Year’s Day Parade can contact him directly:
Call 07958 510 183
Email [email protected]
Visit coloroncolourblind.co.uk

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