It was a privilege to meet with staff and volunteers from Guide Dogs and learn more about their essential services and the challenges faced by people with vision impairments.
Hearing from Helen, a guide dog owner and volunteer, about her experiences of pavement parking was particularly impactful. Her story highlighted how this issue affects safety and independence, often forcing individuals with vision impairments to navigate traffic they cannot see.
This is a critical issue that requires our attention to ensure our streets are accessible and safe for everyone. I am grateful to Guide Dogs for their ongoing advocacy and commitment to improving the lives of people with vision impairments, as I found out myself at Conference in Birmingham this year walking through their interactive High Street with visually impaired glasses.