Workshop on Travel for Passengers with Reduced Mobility Sofia 31 st March – 1 st April 2009 Identifying & Meeting the Needs of People with Low Vision Ann Frye

Information How our senses receive information:  Sight – 70 to 75%  Hearing – 10 to 15%  Touch – 5%  So what happens when the biggest source of information is unavailable to you?

What can “blind” people see? Sight problems range from not being able to read a newspaper or recognise someone across the road, to being totally blind; Most people with sight problems are not completely blind; For some everything looks blurred, others may have tunnel vision or just see shapes and shadows..

Imagine that you are arriving at the airport to take your flight; The first thing you do is look around for information and a sense of direction.. Low Vision

But what if….. You can only see light and dark; Or you can’t see anything at all in the centre of your vision, or at the edges; Maybe everything is blurred..

This is what you might see if you have cataracts – very common in older people.

Some blind people will see the world like this…..

Or like this…..

Arriving at the Airport Many people with low vision will need help when they arrive at airports from other transport modes; Others may be self sufficient using a guide dog or a long cane; The better designed the airport, the less help they will need!

Lighting Good design and, in particular, clear signs can make a big difference: Reflective or highly polished surfaces are disorientating and confusing; Poor lighting levels make navigation much more difficult.

Colour Contrast The use of colour contrast is a low cost and very effective way of helping people with low vision to move around safely and independently.

Audible Announcements Audible Announcements are vital for confidence and independence; Without them people with low vision will be much more dependent on staff time and assistance.

Security Checks Security checks need to be handled with sensitivity and care; Always tell the blind person what you are doing; Always re-pack their bag in exactly the same order..

Exercise Working in pairs with one person wearing the “sim specs”; –Go out to the main entrance to the terminal; –Try to find your way to: A check in desk; An information point; The toilets; A coffee shop. –Take note of the problems you encounter and think about what would help to solve those problems.

Workshop on Travel for Passengers with Reduced Mobility Sofia 31 st March – 1 st April 2009 Identifying & Meeting the Needs of People with Low Vision Ann Frye