While the majority of the public is excited at the prospect of getting back out to the shops again, many of the 56,400 blind and partially sighted people in Northern Ireland are anxious.

Social distancing has proved extremely difficult when shopping and eating out, as has navigating new street and store layouts and an array of new pavement furniture as people dine outside pubs and restaurants.

Social distancing 

As we move out of lockdown, people with sight loss are telling RNIB that they are anxious and less confident. Some are avoiding going out altogether with a sense of loss of independence.

RNIB has welcomed the renewed support of NI’s retail world as a wealth of prominent retailers have stepped up to the mark to ensure blind and partially sighted people feel more confident when shopping.

“As a blind person, independence is something that has been hard fought for and I don’t want the pandemic to rob me of that.”

Andrea Begley, chair of RNIB NI’s Action and Advisory Committee and former winner of the BBC talent show The Voice UK, said while she’s not confident going out alone just yet, she hopes she will regain her confidence and independence soon.

She said: “To be honest, as independent as I use to be, I’m nervous about being out. I have been out and about with other people guiding me, but I definitely wouldn’t be 100 per cent keen on going out completely on my own just yet.”

Simple guidance

Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive, Retail NI, said “Last year, we were alerted to the issues that people with sight loss in NI were facing, particularly around social distancing. We shared RNIB’s simple guidance with our 2,000 strong membership and called on all retailers to follow suit.

“The re-opening of the retail world should be for everyone and we want to offer reassurance that our stores and businesses are doing all they can to meet the needs of everybody.”

The Federation of Small Businesses NI Regional Chair, Brendan Kearney agreed saying:

“After what has been an incredibly difficult period for businesses, thankfully much of the economy is now able to re-open. However, mitigations to control the spread of the virus, such as one-way systems, social distancing and hand sanitising, are still required to keep people safe. Many of the aids which encourage this good practice are often visual, and therefore not suitable for those who are blind and partially sighted.

Non-visual guidance

“We would encourage business owners, as they re-open their doors once again, to consider how they can support those with sight loss, including providing non-visual guidance and support in their premises.

“Small businesses are at the heart of the community, and that is why it they have such an important role to play to ensure that everyone is supported and feels comfortable when they visit their businesses. To help them to achieve this we will be sharing guidance from RNIB with our 6,000 members in Northern Ireland, containing useful tips on how to support blind and partially sighted people as we re-open our economy but also seek to contain coronavirus.”

The Kennedy Centre, Belfast, alongside Victoria Square, Foyleside and Fairhill Shopping Centre, is just one of the many NI shopping centres who have pledged its support having raised awareness amongst staff and in circulating RNIB’s best practice guidance to its 43 stores and kiosks.

John Jones, Centre Manager for the Kennedy Centre, said:

“We are delighted to be able to join with the RNIB to encourage our retailers to support the blind and partially sighted members of our community who have found shopping in the current climate very difficult.

“All our retailers were more than happy to get involved and have implemented some good tips for their staff to help assist the blind and partially sighted who visit our Centre. We look forward to liaising even closer with the RNIB in the coming months.”

Berated

Charlotte Bennett, 47, a white cane user who lives in Aghyaran near Killyclogher, County Tyrone said her biggest fear about returning to the shops is being berated by other customers. She explained: “Before lockdown, I would go on the bus by myself to certain shops or to get my hair done at the local college. I would meet up with friends, family and other blind and partially sighted people.

“I’m glad the shops are opening back up again for the economy, but I don’t know if I would feel confident going into a shop again on my own.”

Andrea, who has glaucoma, agrees: “Things are clearly improving; the pledge of support from NI retailers alongside the issue of RNIB guidance and the vaccine uptake does instil confidence in me.

“I am a shopper; I love shopping. Buying stuff online as a visually impaired person can be difficult as there are accessibility issues, so I really do want to be physically out shopping.

“It’s great to see the RNIB guidance being taken on board and implemented and in general, the people of NI are so friendly and helpful, so I feel people with sight loss here do have an advantage. I still wouldn’t feel comfortable going out on my own just yet, not without a guide.

HELPLINE: 0303 123 9999 (rnib.org.uk)

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The post Retailers Help Customers with Sight Loss  first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Social distancing has turned the lives of blind and partially sighted people upside down, with two thirds saying they feel less independent now than before lockdown. Socially distancing safely in places such as supermarkets, restaurants, banks and public spaces, has become a real challenge.

Socially distanced challenges

The simple but essential RNIB guidance circulated by Asda, highlights the social distancing challenges faced by blind and partially sighted people and provides guidance to businesses and colleagues about what they can do to help.

Steve Packer, Special Projects Manager for RNIB, said “It is really gratifying to know that Asda has recognised the challenges that blind and partially sighted customers are facing whilst accessing their food and groceries.

“In sharing RNIB’s best practice guidance on their staff portal they are assisting in educating their store colleagues as to how to recognise a customer with sight loss and assist them where necessary. These actions help to give confidence to those with sight loss who shop at Asda stores.”

Blind or partially sighted

Charlotte Elliott, Senior Manager, People, Asda NI said “Covid-19 has had a big effect on how we all do our shopping, which is why we have done all we can to make our stores as accessible as possible, not least for those who are blind or partially sighted, so we’re really pleased to support the work of the RNIB.

“Our colleagues have guides on helping a wide range of customers with different disabilities to improve store experiences. This includes practical tips such as asking a customer if they want to move to a quieter place, sign language suggestions and emphasising the importance of being considerate and patient.”

Charlene Ferguson, who has Oculus Cutaneous Albinism, said: “In general, I find shopping difficult, but with Covid-19 I have found it even more so. I find the one-way systems hard to navigate as there might only be an A-board telling you which way is in and which way is out.

“I also struggle with the one-way arrow stickers on the floor and socially distancing in general because of my sight loss.”

Understanding and compassion

Charlene, who works as a Family Services Officer for RNIB, welcomes the action taken by Asda. She said “I think this is fantastic. It makes me feel more confident and shopping somewhere like Asda that understands some of the difficulties that blind and partially sighted people have to face. I also would feel more confident in asking a staff member for support and help.

“I hope this will help achieve more understanding and compassion at this very difficult time. I understand that people find it difficult as we are in a pandemic, but also I think people are forgetting kindness at the moment and a little kindness and support and help goes a long way.”

Highlighted below are some of the difficulties facing blind and partially sighted people when trying to safely socially distance and the best practice guidance for businesses is available on the RNIB website here:

Challenges with ‘the new normal’

• How can a blind or partially sighted person tell if they’re two metres away from the next person?
• How can someone with sight loss see the floor markings telling them where to walk and in what direction?
• Blind and partially sighted people have reported being shouted at with shops for not keeping a safe distance and have incurred injuries and embarrassment from Perspex screens at checkouts, etc.
• Guide dogs aren’t trained to adhere to social distancing restrictions.
• Changes in layout to both retail and public spaces brought about by Covid-19 mean that once familiar places are now unknown territory.

The post Asda Pledges Support to Customers with Sight Loss first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.