RNIB commends FSB Northern Ireland

This basic, but essential guidance highlights the extreme social distancing difficulties that face blind and partially sighted people right now and commends the FSB Northern Ireland for helping to raise awareness amongst businesses here about what they can do to help.

As social distancing has come into effect, the lives of blind and partially sighted people have been turned upside down and socially distancing safely in places such as shops, restaurants, offices, banks and public spaces has become close to impossible.

RNIB is trying to raise awareness of how businesses can be more aware about catering for the needs of their customers and indeed colleagues with sight loss and implores businesses to read the simple guidance and make staff more aware of how best to cater for the needs of their blind and partially sighted customers not just at this time, but moving forward as well.

Country Director of RNIB in Northern Ireland, Dr Jacqueline Witherow, said: “Social distancing has proved to be a tremendous challenge for people with sight loss. Our research shows that since lockdown, two thirds of blind and partially sighted people say they feel less independent. Sharing RNIB’s best practice guidance far and wide will help rebuild the independence blind and partially sighted people have lost and provide confidence in navigating a changed world. Just as important, we want businesses and the wider public to better understand the difficulties our community faces and the support they can provide to those with sight loss.”

FSB NI Regional Chair, Brendan Kearney said: “Lockdown has been deeply disruptive and challenging for everyone, as we adapt to social distancing and other measures to keep us safe, but there are particular challenges facing people who are blind and partially sighted. We very much welcome the publication of this guidance by RNIB, which contains useful information to assist business owners and their staff when dealing with blind or partially sighted people in this new environment. With Northern Ireland being a small business led economy, we are delighted to play our part in communicating this advice to our 6,000 strong membership to increase awareness of best practice.”

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.

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