Cllr’s visually impaired walk a real eye-opener to hazards faced by people with sight loss

The everyday hazards experienced by people who are blind and partially sighted on the streets of Navan and Kennedy Place in particular have been experienced first hand by Cllr Emer Tóibín.

She wore a pair of 'cataract simulation glasses' on Friday morning as she made her way around Kennedy Place accompanied by Geraldine Cussens of the National Council of the Blind of Ireland.

"Walking around Kennedy Place with the glasses was quite an experience. I began to realise what people with impaired vision have to deal with.

"I have a long list of hazards, which I have to give to the council and I have spoken to our engineer about some inexpensive measures that can be undertaken immediately," she said.

"So many things need to be addressed and there are works planned for this area, but there are things that can be done quickly and cheaply - colour contrast on steps would eliminate a trip hazard - yellow paint would be best t make them more visible," she says.

"Tactile markings at the top and bottom of steps would also be a major help and would improve safety."

Cllr Tóibín also called clearly marked pedestrian crossings.

"The current crossing at Dunnes is not really visible to drivers or pedestrians. A lot of people don't even realise there is a pedestrian crossing there. While we were out Geraldine was nearly knocked over because of a car that didn't realise the crossing was there.

"Another measure that could be taken is the installation of handrails in a contrasting colour wherever possible.

"It is hard for anyone with visual impairment to see delivery spots. Directional guidance painted on the ground would allow people to avoid busy delivery spots."

Cllr Tóibín also called for additional accessible parking spaces.

Geraldine Cussens, who is registered blind works for NCBI at their service centre which is located at the back of the charity's shop at Kennedy Place.

"We cater for 700 people with vision impairment and they are in and out a lot.

"A lot of steps aren't clearly marked and there are a lot of trip hazards. It can be very difficult to get around."

Geraldine explains that the glasses Cllr Tóibín wore simulated what it was like to have cataracts, something a lot of elderly people have through ageing.

"A lot of people have other eye conditions as well as cataracts and their vision is an awful lot worse," she said.

"NCBI now has a dedicated team called the Possibility Lab who are prioritising the need to adapt the built environment, removing the barriers encountered daily by our service users when accessing their community."

Geraldine and Cllr Tóibín want to ask the public to email the Possibility Lab at hello@possibilitylab.ie to support those with impaired vision.

Geraldine also appealed for donations to their charity shop in Navan.