Challenges of accessibility for people with sight loss visiting Inverness city centre to be highlighted by Inspire Highland
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As a young woman, Sarah Campbell would like to meet up with friends for a coffee in Inverness city centre.
But the challenges of accessibility can be a deterrent for the 22-year-old who is registered blind.
Getting on the right bus, or obstacles such as street furniture, are among the issues she and other people with sight loss often experience.
Miss Campbell will help highlight the challenges during an event being staged tomorrow by Inspire Highland, a group of young people with diverse experiences and disabilities.
Also taking part is Erica Steel (11) who lost her sight following surgery for a brain tumour.
Entitled Eye Am Vibrantly Visible, it aims to show that young people with visual impairments are vibrant and visible and should not be ignored or marginalised.
As part of the activity, a sighted volunteer will wear special glasses which simulate different sight loss conditions as she tries to navigate her way around the city centre and carry out a range of ordinary tasks.
“I only occasionally go into the city centre,” said Miss Campbell who lost her sight as a primary school pupil.
“I cannot get around easily.”
Just catching the right bus from her home in Lochardil can be difficult and despite using a white cane she has found people do not always give up their seat.
Negotiating the city centre streets and shops throws up more problems.
“There are lots of bollards as well as tables and chairs outside cafés.
“You get people talking on the telephone while they are walking and not watching what they are doing.”
This can result in people tripping over her cane.
The lack of accessible menus in cafés is another issue although group members feel this could be overcome with understanding and cooperation from businesses plus the use of technology.
“We want to make people more aware,” Miss Campbell said.
“We want people to stop and talk to us.”
Erica Steel, who is part of Inspire Highland’s Eye Inspire mini group, came up with the title of tomorrow’s event.
“We want to show people blindness is not a definition.
“It isn’t that you are blind and don’t have a life.
“It is not important what medical condition you have.
“You are still unique and have a life.”
Emma Thomas, of Inspiring Young Voices – formerly Highland Children and Young People’s Forum – will wear special glasses which simulate different sight loss conditions during tomorrow’s event.
She will try to navigate her way around the city centre and order drink and food at a café, pay for food and buy something from a shop.
“This event is about celebrating young people who have disabilities and experience challenges in their lives,” she said.
“It is about showing their skills, energy, passions and vitality. We want the public to stop us, speak to us and ask us what we are doing and why.
“We want to dispel the myths and misunderstandings around disability and let people see our strengths and our resilience.”
The event, which also includes Sight Action, takes place between noon and 3pm starting at Falcon Square.
WATCH: Group for young people with visual impairment in the Highlands
