NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF THE UNITED KINGDOM "SUPPORT THE VOICE OF BLIND PEOPLE" Registered charity Number: 236629 PRESS RELEASE Issued by Issued by Jill Allen-King MBE, NFBUK Public Relations Officer Tel: 01702 477899 Mobile: 07850 515100 EUROPEAN BLIND UNION International White Cane Day 15 October 2009 New Threats to Blind and Partially Sighted People's Mobility On this International White Cane Day, EBU highlights the importance of blind and partially sighted people's independence and asserts their right to travel to their workplaces, schools, shops and other public places as safely and comfortably as their sighted peers. Blind and partially sighted people use a number of mobility aids, including the white cane, guide dogs, and electronic way finding systems, whilst people with low vision rely mostly on their sight and on clear visual signage. Far from being limited to cluttered and uneven pavements and discriminatory attitudes, obstacles to mobility also include inadequate urban planning which has recently led to visually impaired pedestrians facing two new dangerous threats. Safe pedestrian space is no longer available in an ever increasing number of European cities where the Shared Space urban schemes are being implemented. Pavement and pedestrian crossings are completely removed to create a shared surface where safety becomes a matter of eye contact between pedestrians and drivers. These schemes are dangerous to all pedestrians and exclude blind and partially sighted people from public space. The silent engines of newly introduced hybrid and electric cars and buses pose another safety threat to all those who rely mainly on their hearing to assess whether it is safe to cross the street. Whilst EBU is supportive of greener engines, the challenge should be to identify a technology that is both environmentally-friendly and safe for pedestrians, thus benefiting all. Shared Space schemes and silent vehicles affect a wide range of pedestrians: blind and partially sighted people (including those with hearing and other impairments), young children, seniors, runners, cyclists, and any inattentive pedestrian. EBU therefore calls for a reclaiming of public space for all through the full implementation of the design for all principles. The right to equal access to public places, including public transport and the built environment, is very much dependant on adequate design. It is therefore vital to take users' needs into account at design stage when building, refurbishing and maintaining public equipment and services so that the blind and partially sighted can walk safely, independently and with confidence. We call upon decision-makers, designers and manufacturers to consult us, we have solutions to share with you. The European visually impaired movement and its organisations are constantly working on promoting a safer environment for all, conducting user-centred research and producing reliable guidelines. Mrs Jill Allen-King, MBE, Chairperson of the EBU commission on Mobility and Transport, who is totally blind, said: in the UK, members of the National Federation of the Blind have organised two public demonstrations against these shared space streets, one in Ashford in Kent on Pavement Day (June 6th), and the last one on September 24th, outside Kensington and Chelsea Town Hall. Our members have already stopped some councils from removing our pavements and our pedestrian crossings, and will continue to campaign against these dangerous shared space streets. For further information please contact:- Mrs Jill Allen-King, MBE, Public Relations Officer, National Federation of the Blind of the UK, on: 01702 477 899, or mobile, 07850 515 100. 12 October 2009 Registered Office: Sir John Wilson House, 215 Kirkgate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 1JG Telephone: 01924 291313 Fax: 01924 200244 email: nfbuk@nfbuk.org