In Ireland the National Council for the Blind (NCBI) ran its’ annual Clear Our Paths campaign from 21st -25th August. The aim was to remind and urge the public and businesses to play their part in ensuring people who are blind or vision impaired can navigate safely and confidently on footpaths. The campaign focused on the impact temporary obstacles can pose to those living with sight loss, for example cars parked on footpaths, overhanging branches, dog fouling, street furniture not cordoned off, wheelie bins strewn on paths and cycles and e-scooters.
This year we secured a total of 203 media pieces, 33 of which were interviews. Many of the media opportunities were done in partnership with our advocates who are blind or vision impaired who generously shared their own personal experiences.
During the campaign we shared the results of a survey in which participants identified the obstacles they come across most frequently and gave details of injuries they have received as a result of them. Shockingly, 40% of respondents had sustained injuries and 70% reported that their confidence had been negatively affected as a result of temporary obstacles on footpaths.
A blind man with a white cane attempting to navigate around a shop sign in the street.
The reach of the campaign was over 18 million people, meaning that the entire population of Ireland saw or heard about it a few times during the week!
A man with a white cane trying to navigate between a dustbin and a lamppost on the street.