Derry politicians walk blindfolded to learn about blind persons' experience of the city

Derry councillors and one MLA were guided through the city to gain insight into the experience visually impaired people have in Derry.

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB NI) and North West Regional College organised the event in hopes it will help inform Council decisions going forward.

Derry City and Strabane councillors will experience what it's like to be visually impaired in the city this World Sight Day.

Derry and Strabane Councillor Emma McGinley said she will bring what she’s learned from the experience back to Council.

“This experience organised by RNIB and North West Regional College was incredible,” the Sinn Féin councillor said.

“We did a tour through the city centre with a blindfold on – it's something I was nervous about to start with because obviously you rely on your sight but the team were incredible, guiding you through, telling you where you were going and keeping you updated on where you were at because with the blindfold on you had absolutely no idea, which is a really surreal experience.

“I found it really useful and I think when we get back to council we need to incorporate that into any policies like street installations, signage. I'm sure the planning committee and team will be looking at that when they're looking at planning applications as well but it's definitely a learning experience and I would encourage anyone who gets the opportunity to do it as well.”

Prior to the event Children in Crossfire founder, Richard Moore, spoke about his life as a blind person.

Speaking after the event Mr Moore said while people are generally very caring, any opportunity to add more knowledge will go a long way.

“I think it's good to get any opportunity to create awareness around visually impaired issues and challenges,” he said.

“My experience in life is many people are very kind and very generous towards me as a blind person but in many ways they don't know enough, sometimes, about the challenges that a visually impaired person experiences or even how to approach or handle of a visually impaired person so I think first of all, it's good that people at every opportunity become aware of that.

“I also think it's good to give councillors, officials and decision making bodies the opportunity to understand the issues affecting visually impaired people and the challenges that visually impaired people have every day.

“There's a lot of people without eyesight who are at home that maybe don't have the same ability to just get out of the house and things like that. Only one in four blind people who are able to work are in work so things like that and for employers to learn more about it as well.”

There are approximately 56,400 blind and partially sighted people in the North. By 2030, RNIB estimates there will be a 24% increase in the number of people with sight loss.

Sight loss is a spectrum and every eye condition affects someone's sight differently. The majority (93%) of people who are registered blind or partially sighted have some usable sight.

RNIB says policy makers must work alongside the blind and partially sighted community to raise awareness and place related issues at the centre of public policy planning.

Rory McCartney is partially sighted and lives in Derry. He is a Visual Awareness Facilitator for the RNIB and played a crucial role in organising this event.

He said he was delighted with how it turned out.

“It was excellent. We had cross-party councillors on a blindfolded tour today to get an idea of what it's like to navigate the city blind. All of them had a really great experience,” he said.

“Hopefully going forward now the decisions they make in council will benefit blind and visually impaired people in the city and district.”

The event was originally scheduled to be held on World Sight Day but was rescheduled because of a teachers' strike.

Councillor Sean Mooney said what he gained from the experience would influence his voting on motions going forward.

“It was kind of a crazy experience, my emotions were a bit crazy at times,” the SDLP councillor said.

“My helpful guide was steering me through the whole journey but I was wearing a blindfold. Obviously this is the impact on people who are blind or visually impaired - they have to do this all day every day.

“This has given me awareness and insight to get back to Council and we can raise this, all us councillors, to try and help everyone and move forward with any motions that are brought about this.”

Aldermen Niree McMorris and Chelsea Cooke were also in at the event, as was MLA Sinead Mc Laughlin.

Also in attendance were Councillors Gary Donnelly, Paul Gallagher, Catherine McDaid, Caroline Devine, Antaine O fearghail, John Boyle, Rory Farrell, Sean Fleming, Connor Heaney, Aisling Hutton and Pat Murphy.

According to RNIB every 15 minutes, someone in the UK begins to lose their sight.

To access practical and emotional support or to find out more about the work of RNIB in the North you can call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit its website: www.rnib.org.uk/northernireland