Airport staff trial walking aid designed by blind man
BY COLETTE CRAMPSEY A WALKING aid invented by a blind man and his neighbour is set to take off – after airport staff decided to use it to assist the visually impaired.
Tom Forsyth, 65, and artist Laura Maclean, 35, from Anniesland, Glasgow, walk their dogs together and created the Ramble Tag to improve the experience of guided walking.
Their invention – a harness with a handle that straps on the arm – eliminates the potential awkwardness of a stroll with a stranger by avoiding the need for direct bodily contact.
Now the friends’ product has been snapped up by Glasgow Airport, who spotted the Ramble Tag’s potential to be used by staff helping visually impaired passengers navigate a busy terminal.
The device first came to their attention when Tom received support from their assistance crew. As a staff member guided him from an aircraft, Tom got chatting to them about the invention.
Paul Scott, the airport’s terminal compliance manager, said: “The decision to trial the Ramble Tag came about following a chance meeting between one of my colleagues and Tom Forsyth, who had stepped off a flight.
“Tom explained the concept behind the Ramble Tag, which we thought was an excellent idea, and we quickly took the decision to trial it. It’s a very simple yet unique product that could make a real difference for people with visual impairments.”
Tom said: “I’m dead chuffed. Proud as well.
“Our product is designed in Glasgow and being used in our airport – it’s great.”
Tom, who worked as a graphic designer before losing his sight due to diabetes complications, added: “Where it might be very useful for airport staff is for cultural differences.
“It makes it so easy for someone to hold the handle without any bodily contact.”