Call for extra support for visually impaired

The leading sight loss organisation in Scotland is calling for Lanarkshire’s two local authorities to tackle the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on visually impaired people.

As both North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire council’s prepare for local authority elections on May 5, Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans have already launched their elections manifesto as part of a World Optometry Day reception for MSPS at the Scottish Parliament.

The manifesto calls for action from all od Scotland’s local authorities to create better chances for blind and partially sighted young people by increasing specialist teachers and resources available in schools; to include visually impaired people in planning processes to ensure accessible community spaces; and to promote good eye health and establish links with the third sector.

It also calls for accessible and affordable local transport networks for the creation of an inclusive Scotland for blind and partially sighted people.

This includes the establishment of new national rail travel policy for Scotland which would enable free rail travel across Scotland for any holder of a National (Scotland) Concessionary Travel for Blind Persons card and their companion.

Craig Spalding, chief executive of the charity, told the Advertiser: “Blind and partially sighted people have been profoundly and disproportionately affected by the impact of coronavirus.

“As Scotland embarks upon its recovery from the pandemic, it’s

essential that all local authorities prioritise sight loss to ensure visually impaired people are supported to live independently and well. Sight Scotland and Sight

Scotland Veterans’ manifesto lays out actions for local authorities to take forward for the creation of an inclusive Scotland for visually impaired people.

“The number of people in Scotland affected by visual impairment is rising, and there will be over 200,000 visually impaired people in Scotland by

2030.

We believe it’s time for local authorities to focus on sight loss right now.”

You can read Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans’ 2022 Scottish Local Authority

Manifesto Gavin Jarron, employee at Sight Scotland’s Royal Blind School, gives his backing to the organisation’s plea