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POSTAL STRIKE HITS BLIND PEOPLE THE MOST

The National Federation of the Blind condemns the action of the Royal Mail for proposing to strike, leaving Blind people stranded.

Blind people depend on their postal deliveries each day for their talking newspapers, talking books from their library's, weekly and monthly talking magazines, Braille bank statements, and personal correspondence (which include the weekly pension) that they cannot get in any other way. They will also lose access to their weekly radio and television guides.

Sighted people will still be able to go and buy their newspapers; go to their book shops and buy their books and magazines. Blind people cannot do this - we have to rely on our postal deliveries.

Over the past few months our services have been deteriorating . Talking Newspapers have been arriving late and in some cases not at all.

The majority of blind people are elderly and do not have a computer and therefore depend totally on their post.

The majority are housebound and their only hobby is to listen to their talking books and other taped magazines.

Jill Allen-King MBE, who is totally blind, edits two monthly tape magazines for blind people and said the strike would stop these magazines completely. The whole operation depends on the postal service.

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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.