RNIB Scotland calls on Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing to give blind and partially sighted people better access to online shopping during coronavirus pandemic
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A national sight loss charity is calling for blind and partially sighted people to be included in the priority group able to access online shopping.
RNIB Scotland has written to Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism, urging him to make the change.
In his letter James Adams, the charity's director, said: "As the challenges of food shopping have increased amid the uncertainty around Covid-19, several UK supermarkets have prioritised opening at certain times of the day for vulnerable and older people.
"However, this vulnerable category is restricted to people who were identified as being at severe risk of medical illness from Covid-19, and does not account for people with sight loss, who have been facing severe issues accessing food.
"Blind and partially sighted people often rely on a combination of touch and guiding from another person to navigate. But the current unprecedented demand on supermarkets make this much more challenging.
"Moreover, for the visually impaired who can shop, the social distancing markers on floors and the introduction of one-way routes around supermarkets cannot easily be navigated by either long cane or guide dog users.
"The additional touching of goods in supermarkets increases the possibilities of transmitting Covid-19."
He said that online shopping was the best available alternative for those affected by sight problems but added: "However, many blind and partially sighted people have contacted us to tell us that the supermarket delivery slots they relied on before the pandemic are booked up for weeks, resulting in them being unable to access essentials.
"We are asking the Scottish Government to urgently work with supermarkets to ensure that people with sight loss are considered a priority group able to access online shopping."
RNIB Scotland – along with other the sight loss charities including Guide Dogs, Thomas Pocklington Trust and Visionary – have written to leading supermarkets to ensure people with vision loss are considered through this difficult time.
