Guide Dogs Blog Introduction

Welcome to Taking the Lead, our new blog, a place for our committed and professional team to provide their thoughts on the burning issues affecting the blind and partially sighted community.

The new year is traditionally a time for renewing resolve, and so I thought I’d use this first blog to talk about our refreshed commitment to the ‘Talking Buses’ campaign.

Our own research has shown that many blind or partially sighted people are deterred from taking the bus because of the anxiety caused by not knowing where they are on their journey, when their stop is coming up, or even whether they have got on the right bus.

Our campaign to make audio and visual information, including audible announcements of the current stop, next stop and final destination, available on board every bus and scheduled coach service in the UK is a key part of achieving mobility and freedom for blind and partially sighted people. Train companies have been legally bound for some time to employ these systems, but the same laws have not applied to buses.

Soon there will be laws passed in Europe that will give new rights to bus passengers, and in particular disabled bus passengers. We hope this legislation will include new rights of access to travel information before and during the journey, as well as the obligation for all bus and coach staff to have disability awareness training. But this won’t be enough to ensure we have audible and visual information systems provided.

So 2011 will see us renew our call for the UK Government to implement legislation at national level to match that for trains, and refresh our lobbying with bus companies who in tough economic times, are reluctant to invest. And whilst we applaud the companies that have already taken action to install these systems, we will not stop campaigning until blind and partially sighted travellers are able to use every bus service with confidence.

Guide Dogs’ commitment to accessible transport for blind and partially sighted people does not stop there. We are also undertaking other work, such as hosting the Vision for Equality conference in London on January 19 to determine how we can work together to improve inclusivity and access for blind and partially sighted people, not only in relation to transport, but also in employment, education and other aspects of daily living. In the current economic climate, Guide Dogs and the other members of Vision 2020 UK face a huge challenge and this can only be overcome by working collaboratively - both with each other, and with central and local government. I hope many readers of this blog will join us at the event, there is still time to sign up for a Vision for Equality ticket.

But even if you can’t come to the conference, please go out there and lobby your local MP, councillors and bus companies - we need all hands to the pump to give blind and partially sighted people the transport services they deserve!