Sefton highways team learns about sight loss
Sefton Council is working with Merseyside Sight Loss Council to examine the challenges obstacles on pavements create for blind and partially sighted people. The aim is to make our streets more accessible for people living with sight loss.
Last month officers from Sefton Council Highways team joined Merseyside Sight Loss Council (SLC) to take part in a guided walk using simulation glasses. These glasses mirror various sight loss conditions and allow the wearer to experience what it is like to live with sight loss.
The walk, held in Crosby, gave staff the opportunity to better understand some of the challenges blind and partially sighted (BPS) people encounter.
“It was a very informative session. The sim spectacles and cane training provided additional insight into some of the issues visually impaired people face due to the highway infrastructure.”
SLC members shared their lived experience and highlighted some of the problems they face when navigating the streets. This includes waste bins, uneven pavements, advertising boards, café furniture, and overhanging vegetation.
Sefton Council councillors and staff also learned some basic sighted guiding techniques before being put in pairs for the walk. During the walk, issues caused by obstacles were discussed as they arose. This included officers needing to move advertising boards on pavements out of the way to avoid knocking into them.
As a result of the walk, Sefton Council wants all staff in the highways team to do a sim spec walk as mandatory training. Merseyside SLC has also been invited to host a second and third walk in May and June to the wider team.
Norma Williams, Merseyside SLC member, walking alongside Sefton Council staff members
Feedback from the walk
Mike Wright, Merseyside SLC member, said:
“It was encouraging that Sefton Council officials took our comments and suggestions seriously. The team seemed to be impressed by our positive approach and were receptive to our desire to work with them to achieve satisfactory outcomes.”
Norma Williams, Merseyside SLC member, added:
“Over twenty civil servants from the highways team joined us to learn more about how they can help people living with sight loss. They were eager to understand our concerns, and keen to involve us more in the infrastructure planning stages.
“I am always amazed how successful we are in getting our message across. Comments from staff on the day were positive and they were honest and frank with their questions. It was a really good day for all who took part.”
Kelly Barton, Engagement Manager for North West England, said:
“This was a really well received event. The simulation walk gave officers from Sefton Council the chance to get a real understanding of the issues faced by blind and partially sighted people when navigating the streets.
“It is great to be having conversations with people in the relevant departments at the Council who can make some of the changes that we need.”
Participant feedback
“It was a very informative session. The sim spectacles and cane training provided additional insight into some of the issues visually impaired people face due to the highway infrastructure.”
“A very beneficial and enjoyable session.”
Two members from Sefton Council highways team during the sighted guide session
“Excellent content, and excellent presentation.”
“Fantastic event. I will do all I can to ensure that all my colleagues in the highways department complete the training.”
“It was very useful and something that everyone should experience.”
Sefton Council highways team navigating a clutter street during the sim-spec walk
About Sight Loss Councils
Sight Loss Councils are led by blind and partially sighted members and funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust. We advocate the needs of visually impaired people in our communities and work to improve access to goods and services at a local and national level.
Stay in the know
If you want to stay up to date with news from the Sight Loss Councils, sign up to our mailing list.
Publication date: 10 May 2023