Greg Smith MP demonstrated his support to improving the lives of people with a vision impairment at an event in Parliament held by the charity Guide Dogs.
The Guide Dogs event celebrated key campaign successes from 2023, including the requirement that will see the majority of buses fitted with audio-visual announcements, reversing plans to close nearly 1,000 railway ticket offices, a new law to tackle problem pavement parking in Scotland, and extra funding for tactile paving on railway stations. All of which will enable people with sight loss to get out and about safely and with confidence.
Greg spoke with guide dog owners and cane users about the differences these changes will make, but also the many challenges that still need to be tackled to enable people with sight loss to travel and live independently.
Commenting, Greg said, "The work of the Guide Dogs charity is second to none and I thank them for all they do for people living with a vision impairment. There is still much to do - and the Transport Select Committee are particularly looking at issues across the transport network where people with a vision impairment are not getting the service they should and we will be making recommendations on how to fix that next year. People with sight loss should be able to rely on all services ensuring they are able to access them without difficulty and go about their lives without inconsiderate hindrances like pavement parking or being wrongly refused access somewhere because of their assistance dog."
Eleanor Briggs Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns at Guide Dogs said: “People living with vision impairment have the right to feel confident, independent and supported in the world. That’s why the progress we’ve seen in 2023 on audio-visual announcements and extra funding for tactile paving are fantastic steps forward.
“However, people with sight loss still face barriers to living actively, independently and well. We want MPs to prioritise solutions to these day-to-day challenges, including introducing laws to tackle pavement parking across the country, and to end access refusals against guide dog owners. We hope that 2024 will bring positive changes that will help people with vision impairment live the life they choose.”
