Scotland: Street Charter toolkit Part of our ‘Who put that there’ campaign Contents Foreword.........................................2 Introduction.....................................3 Street Charter...................................3 The Law..........................................5 The main problems................................8 Inaccessible crossings New developments: shared space Parking on pavements Advertising boards (A-boards) Street and cafe furniture Wheelie bins and recycling bags Overgrown shrubbery and branches B Scotland – supporting people with sight loss B Scotland registered charity number SC0393016
Transcript
Scotland: Street Charter toolkitPart of our ‘Who put that there’ campaign
Street Charter...................................................................................3
The Law............................................................................................5
The main problems...........................................................................8
Inaccessible crossings
New developments: shared space
Parking on pavements
Advertising boards (A-boards)
Street and cafe furniture
Wheelie bins and recycling bags
Overgrown shrubbery and branches
Other issues or challenges.............................................................22
How we can help............................................................................22
How to organise a blindfold walk....................................................23
RNIB Scotland – supporting people with sight loss
RNIB Scotland registered charity number SC0393016
Foreword
Sight loss in Scotland could almost double by 2030 due to our ageing population and the rise of health conditions such as diabetes.
Our streets must be more accessible, yet they remain a daily obstacle course. Getting to work, the shops, the GP surgery, local services or simply meeting friends for coffee can be like running the gauntlet, with increased fear and anxiety, and a real risk of injury.
Personally, I have frequent encounters with A-boards, bins and badly parked cars – and recently almost broke a couple of teeth on what appeared to be a jutting out railing. Paradoxically, pedestrian precincts are particularly hazardous as the absence of vehicles seems to attract even more street furniture.
I know it’s difficult to keep our streets obstacle-free, but I also know that our local authorities could do much more to make them accessible and inclusive for everyone.
If decision-makers understood how blind and partially sighted people (including cane and guide dog users) navigate the street environment, they could help tackle one of the biggest barriers faced today by people with sight loss.
I’m delighted to endorse the RNIB Scotland Street Charter as a way to begin the much needed dialogue between decision-makers and their visually impaired residents. I believe this toolkit will enable blind and partially sighted people to develop their own Street Charter in partnership with their local authority, which will go a long way to making our streets more accessible for everyone.
Sandra Wilson Chair, RNIB Scotland
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Introduction
Around 188,000 people in Scotland are living with significant sight loss and the number of Scottish people with this could almost double to 400,000 between now and 2030. Blind and partially sighted people can often face challenges getting around their local area. Nearly everyone who took part in a 2014 RNIB survey said that in the last three months they had collided with at least one obstacle, and a third of people had suffered an injury from a street obstruction. Some people have told us that they were so intimidated by the risks outside that they ended up staying at home and becoming isolated. This is simply not acceptable.
We are calling on decision-makers to work with local blind and partially sighted people to develop a Street Charter and to review their existing policies around the highway. To support this process, RNIB Scotland has created this booklet to help shape and guide the development of a Street Charter. We explain what a Street Charter can look like, the main problems and possible solutions that are available, and which laws and policies exist to support your case.
We hope you’ll find this booklet useful, and best of luck with your Street Charter.
Street Charter
We’re calling on local authorities to engage with blind and partially sighted people in their area and develop a Street Charter that puts a ‘clear highway’ policy at the heart of their local decision making.
In essence, a Charter is a simple document that shows a commitment, or list of commitments, which is abided by everyone involved. So in this case, the local council and campaigners will decide on actions to take regarding various street obstacles. By
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signing the Charter, the local authority makes a pledge to implement the Charter’s action points. We imagine the finished Street Charter will be between one and two pages long, stating the issues and the action points agreed between the local council and campaigners.
Charters are a tried and tested engagement tool which can open up conversations between campaigners and decision-makers. They are often used to recognise quality, set standards, define duties, gain agreement and establish goals. A Street Charter needs to be flexible enough to take into account the local geography, characteristics and features of the area, while at the same time being shaped by the knowledge of people who rely upon kerbs, tactile paving and crossings. This booklet provides all the information and guidance you’ll need to create a Street Charter.
We cover the main challenges that blind and partially sighted people face when out and about:
Inaccessible crossings
New developments: shared space
Parking on pavements
Advertising boards (A-boards)
Street and cafe furniture
Wheelie bins and recycling bags
Overgrown shrubbery and branches.
Each section has an overview of the issue, the legal framework and possible Street Charter options. In addition, at the back you’ll find a guide on how to organise a blindfold walk in your local area, which can help decision-makers understand the issues.
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We believe this type of meaningful engagement will empower residents, and help prevent some of the injuries, anxiety and isolation that blind and partially sighted people face on a daily basis.
If you have any questions or need support, just get in touch with RNIB Scotland.
The Law
There is a significant body of legislation, regulations and guidance which is relevant to blind and partially sighted people’s access to the street environment. The main laws that support our case in Scotland are:
Roads (Scotland) Act
Under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, it is the duty of the highway authority to assert and protect the rights of the public to use and enjoy the footway (the term ‘footway’ in this instance meaning pavements). They also have a duty to prevent obstruction to the road which means keeping streets clear.
It is a criminal offence under the Roads Scotland Act 1984 to wilfully obstruct free passage along the road and to deposit anything on the highway which causes an interruption to, or obstruction of, the road.
So streets should be kept clear of obstacles and clutter, enabling people to walk along them without any problems.
Equality Act
The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful for public authorities, including highways authorities, to discriminate in the exercise of a public function. They also have a duty to make reasonable adjustments including changing practices, policies and procedures which have a discriminating effect, and to take reasonable steps to
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enable disabled people to avoid substantial disadvantages caused by physical features.
The Public Sector Equality Duty in the Equality Act 2010 came into force in April 2011. This is often referred to as the General Duty. Scottish public authorities must have ‘due regard’ to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations. The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 places specific duties on Scottish public authorities to enable the better performance of the Public Sector Equality Duty. These are also known as the Scottish Specific Duties and include the duty to provide information that is accessible for everyone.
Under the Equality Act Public Sector Equality Duty, public authorities – including highways authorities – are also required to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination under the Equality Act and to achieve equality of opportunity between disabled and non-disabled people. This means anyone responsible for looking after the street environment has a responsibility to eliminate and tackle problems that make a highway inaccessible for disabled people. It is simply not an option to leave things as they are.
International obligations
In Scotland, human rights are protected by the European Convention on Human Rights (‘the Convention’), the UK Human Rights Act and the Scotland Act,1998. An inaccessible street environment may be considered a breach of Article 8 and Article 14 of the UK Human Rights Act. Such arrangements may also breach the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with a Disability, in particular, Articles 5, 9, 19 and 20.
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Inclusive mobility
In November 2002 the UK Department of Transport published ‘Inclusive Mobility – A Guide to Best Practice on Access to the Pedestrian and Transport Infrastructure’.
The guide aimed to provide advice on best practice to assist professionals working in this field and enable them to meet their responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (now superseded by the Equality Act). There is much in it for highway authorities to note. For example:
‘Apart from road works and scaffolding, there are many other, sometimes temporary, obstructions that can cause problems for disabled people, particularly those with visual impairments. A-frame advertisement boards placed outside shops, ladders, overhanging tree branches, dustbins, vehicles and bicycles parked on pavements are all potential hazards.
Wherever feasible, obstructions of this kind should be kept to a minimum and should not encroach on the clear space (horizontal and vertical) needed to provide safe passage for pedestrians.’
The Scottish Government has adopted Design Standards based on ‘Inclusive Mobility’ (see transportscotland.gov.uk) and in 2013 published ‘Roads for All: a Good Practice Guide for Roads’. This highlights good practice to minimise obstruction and emphasises the requirement for traders to seek licences from their local authority for street furniture and A-boards.
Street and cafe furniture.................................................................17
Wheelie bins and recycling bags....................................................19
Overgrown shrubbery and branches..............................................20
Inaccessible crossings
Crossing the road is an essential part of negotiating the local area. The provision, or absence, of accessible crossing points affects blind and partially sighted people’s desire and ability to get around.
Padma, who has campaigned successfully for two crossings in her local area, shares her story:
“One crossing we campaigned for was on the road that links the railway station to the path leading to the high street. The road is very, very busy with four junctions feeding into it, and a fire station nearby. There is a college campus on one side, so students were crossing there all the time. There was no alternative route for me to use, because without crossing that road I couldn’t get to the bus stop. I often had no other option than to take a risk. I knew it was an accident blackspot and decided we had to do something about it. I wrote several letters to the council, as well as contacting other
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organisations such as the bus users group, residents’ association and students’ association. Networking is vital – without it, my campaigns wouldn’t get anywhere. After two years we were successful and a new crossing was installed, which was a great result.”
The Law
As well as the requirements of the Equality Act, outlined earlier, the following provisions are relevant:
Guidance on the use of tactile paving surfaces, published by the Scottish Government and the Department for Transport, advises that tactile paving is used at crossings.
Local Transport Note 2/95 ‘The Design of Pedestrian Crossings’ (1995) recommends the use of audible and tactile signals unless local conditions suggest otherwise.
Inclusive Mobility Guidance states that: ‘Tactile indicators should not be considered as a substitute for audible signals, as they are required by different people. Although some will benefit from both.’
In relation to the likely requirements of the Equality Act, the following example is taken from guidance published by the Disability Rights Commission (predecessor of the Equality and Human Rights Commission) in relation to the Disability Discrimination Act. It is likely to be persuasive in relation to the interpretation of the Equality Act:
‘A highway/roads authority is installing a new pedestrian crossing at a busy junction. The highway authority is likely to be carrying out a public function in determining that the crossing is required, where to site the crossing, and what type of crossing it will be. It will thus be covered by the public authority function provisions. When designing the crossing the authority considers the design requirements of disabled people. Consequently, it consults with disability groups
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and ensures that the crossing has a flush kerb, is fitted with audible, visual and tactile indicators and that the appropriate tactile paving is installed. It also ensures that there is adequate time allowed for the “safe to cross” phase.’
Street Charter options
Local authorities should explore the following options with blind and partially sighted people for inclusion in their Street Charter:
Work with blind and partially sighted people to review and audit crossings.
Enforce national guidance when it comes to the use of audible beeps, rotating cones and tactile paving.
Regularly monitor and maintain the accessibility of crossings and look at increasing crossing times, especially in busy areas.
Ensure that reporting processes for potential new crossing points are accessible for blind and partially sighted people.
New developments: shared space
We all want to make our streets safer for pedestrians, but many people do not realise what a devastating impact removing crossings, kerbs and tactile paving has on people with sight loss. Over half of the blind and partially sighted people in our research reported that recent building developments in their area had made it harder for them to get about.
Naomi lives in an area where shared space is already a reality. She shares her experience with us:
“The pavement and the road are at the same level and there is no definitive kerb edge. In order to navigate shared space, drivers and pedestrians are expected to make eye contact, to let each other
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know who has the right of way. If you’re blind, you can’t make eye contact. My local council wanted to get rid of the crossing, kerbs and tactile paving, but I have been campaigning to keep them. Kerbs and tactile paving help me know when I’m approaching a road. They tell me where to stop, so I remain safe. The pedestrian crossing is also really important because the area has many side streets and busy bus routes. The planning team at the council thought it would be OK to just put a thin strip along the edge of the pavement instead of wider tactile markers, but I explained that a blind person could step over a thin line while walking normally, and not know they’ve missed it. They seem to be listening, and at the moment the crossing and tactile paving are still in place.”
The Law
The duties in relation to the Equality Act and the Public Sector Equality Duty are particularly relevant to the issue of shared space. Under the provisions of the former, it is unlawful for a public authority to discriminate in the exercise of its public functions. This includes highway functions. Section 20(4) requires that, where a physical feature puts a disabled person at a substantial disadvantage in comparison to a person who is not disabled, an authority is required to take such steps as is reasonable to remove the disadvantage.
Shared space schemes undoubtedly place blind and partially sighted people at a particular disadvantage and so authorities will need to make reasonable adjustments to mitigate these effects.
‘Designing Streets: A Policy Statement for Scotland’ (2010) states that:
‘Shared space, and level surfaces in particular, can cause problems for some disabled people. The absence of a conventional kerb in level surfaces can pose problems for some blind or partially sighted people, who often rely on this feature to find their way around. The lack of visual cues may also pose problems for pedestrians with cognitive difficulties. It is therefore important that level surface
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schemes include an alternative means by which visually-impaired people can navigate. Such elements can be designed in collaboration with local people, including representatives from local disability groups and access panels.’
The requirement of the Public Sector Equality Duty requires local authorities to specifically consult with blind and partially sighted people about shared space schemes and to carry out an equality impact assessment of the scheme. Where negative impacts are identified, the local authority will need to consider changes to the scheme in order to eliminate discrimination and better promote equality of opportunity. Where appropriate safeguards are not possible, a local authority should consider whether it is appropriate for the scheme to go ahead.
Street Charter options
Local authorities should explore the following options with blind and partially sighted people for inclusion in their Street Charter:
Work with blind and partially sighted people to assess existing shared spaces on grounds of safety. Where safety issues are identified, mitigating measures need to be taken including the reintroduction of kerbs and crossings.
In accordance with the Public Sector Equality Duty, involve and consult with blind and partially sighted people when new shared space schemes are put forward and make any necessary changes to the schemes. Where this is not possible, they should consider whether or not the scheme should still go ahead.
Parking on pavements
Research undertaken by RNIB shows that people with sight loss often collided with cars parked on pavements (the legal term ‘footway’ is commonly used in Scotland).
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Drivers that use the pavement for parking often think they are doing the right thing by keeping the road clear, but fail to realise the consequences of their vehicle now blocking the footway. The result is that people with sight loss often cannot see the obstruction until it is too late, and collide with the parked vehicle.
Charlotte has experienced these problems in her area and shares her experience:
“The main route I have to take to get to the bus stop and the shops has a lot of cars parked on the pavement. It’s normally deliveries for the local businesses and things like that. Walking into wing mirrors, or the back of the car itself can really hurt. I often can’t get round the car by staying on the pavement, so have to walk out onto a main road which has fast traffic and buses. To tackle this I’ve spoken to the police and the local businesses to explain why this is an issue and how we can work together to address it. Sometimes the police send a duty officer out to speak to the car owners. They’ve also discussed the possibility of issuing penalties if the drivers continue to block the footpath.”
The Law
As well as the duties outlined in the introduction, there are additional provisions around parking on pavements.
Under section 72 of the Highways Act 1835, it is an offence to ‘wilfully ride upon any path or causeway by the side of any road made or set apart for the use or accommodation of foot passengers. Or to wilfully lead or drive any carriage of any description upon any such footpath or causeway.’
Local authorities have powers under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to restrict or prohibit footway parking on individual streets by the making of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), but this can be a costly process.
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The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 states that it is illegal to drive on footways but the position is less clear with regards to casual or occasional parking on footways.
The police have powers under the Highways Act 1986, which makes it an offence to obstruct the free passage of the highway, but the police appear reluctant to take enforcement action on cars parked on footways. Enforcement action can vary, depending on the individual police officer, and it is unrealistic to expect vulnerable pedestrians to report an obstruction and await the arrival of a police officer to confirm it. In some cases, the individual will know the person concerned, as a neighbour for example, and there may be a reluctance to create a potential conflict.
Other activities, like dog fouling, can already be reported anonymously. The lack of clarity in relation to parking on footways is unhelpful to pedestrians, drivers, the police and parking enforcement officials.
The Scottish Parliament has seen several attempts to legislate against pavement parking. Sandra White MSP’s proposed Responsible Parking (Scotland) Bill is currently before Holyrood. However, the Scottish Parliament‘s Non-Government Bills Unit (NGBU) takes the view that the Bill falls outwith the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament.
In 2014, Mark Lazarowicz MP introduced a Private Member’s Bill which aimed to resolve the impasse in the Scottish Parliament. In September 2014 he withdrew his Bill after receiving confirmation from the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland that there was willingness to resolve the situation, by means of a legislative order if necessary, subject to the Scottish Government agreeing/requesting the necessary changes. This may happen over the next few months.
In the meantime, with the notable exception of London, there are relatively few local authorities in Britain, and only one in Scotland
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(Aberdeen City), that have used these TRO powers to restrict pavement parking.
Street Charter options
Local authorities should explore the following options with blind and partially sighted people for inclusion in their Street Charter:
Ban pavement parking and support the Scottish and other national legislation to do this.
Use existing powers such as Traffic Regulation Orders to introduce bans where practical.
Work with the police to use their existing powers under the Highways Act and other legislation to keep the pavement clear of obstructions caused by parked vehicles.
Work with the police to engage with blind and partially sighted people and the wider community to improve awareness of the dangers of parking on pavements.
Advertising boards (A-boards)
Advertising boards or A-boards are in general use across the country. They physically obstruct the pavement and present a trip hazard, especially to people who cannot see them. Nearly half of all blind and partially sighted people who participated in our research stated that they had collided with an A-board in the last three months, often resulting in cuts and grazes. The temporary and mobile nature of these boards means that blind and partially sighted people cannot learn where they are, so struggle to avoid walking into them.
Phil has been drawing attention to the problems associated with A-boards in his local area:
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“A-boards are a big issue for me. I’ve campaigned on this for about four or five years. We did an audit back in 2010, and recorded over 300 A-boards in our town. We plan to do another one this year to see what has changed. I’ve knocked into A-boards before, which can be painful. Sometimes if you’re using a cane, it can get stuck underneath. Even for a well trained guide dog it’s difficult – for example in the past when my dog tried to avoid a pushchair, she went straight into an A-board. It’s like navigating around an obstacle course.
To tackle this problem I’ve attended scrutiny committees at my local council, and raised the problems caused by A-boards at the access group which I sit on. I’ve also taken our local councillor on a blindfold walk to highlight the problems that A-boards can cause blind or partially sighted people. We’re trying to get the system improved. At the moment the licensing department at the council rely on people to report A-boards, but don’t always do anything with that information when they receive it. We want them to commit to tackling the problem.”
The Law
As well as the duties outlined earlier, there are additional provisions relevant to obstruction by A-boards.
Under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (Scotland) Regulations 1984, it is an offence to display an outdoor advertisement without the consent of the local planning authority. There are a number of categories of deemed consent, but A-boards do not appear to fall under any of these. In order for consent to be granted, the advert would also need the explicit consent of the highway authority.
Street Charter options
Local authorities should explore the following options with blind and partially sighted people for inclusion in their Street Charter:
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Have a zero tolerance of A-boards on pavements and have clear policies available to the public.
Work with local blind and partially sighted people to monitor and mitigate the impact of any temporary obstructions that appear on pavements.
Work with local business owners to make them realise how A-boards cause real difficulties for blind and partially sighted people and to consider alternative forms of advertising.
Street and cafe furniture
Many items of street furniture, including tables and chairs, hanging baskets, bollards and lamp posts, appear on highways for practical and aesthetic reasons. Permanent street furniture which is sensibly placed, like railings and benches, can be useful navigation aids for people with sight loss.
However, problems are caused when they are poorly placed and managed, overused, or when the obstacle itself is hard to see or detect properly with a white cane.
Over half of blind and partially sighted people who participated in our research have collided with both permanent and temporary street furniture.
Dianne shares her experience with us:
“Street furniture has become more and more of a problem in my area. Often cafe tables and chairs aren’t cordoned off, so you can end up walking into people when they’re eating their meal. This is really embarrassing for me, and must be awful for them too. Trying to dodge the obstacles can be very frustrating, and it’s even harder if I’m with my young son. I try to remember where bollards and flower baskets stand, but if I forget, walking into them can be quite painful.
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I have taken part in blindfold walks to help people understand the issues, and I’ve spoken on the radio and in newspaper articles about street accessibility. I joined the disabled council auditing group. It has people with lots of different disabilities and they can impact council policies and have their say.”
The Law
As well as the requirement to keep highways free from obstruction and the Public Sector Equality Duty as outlined on page 5, there are additional provisions relevant to permanent street furniture:
Under section 120 of the Roads (Scotland) Act, local authorities are required to have regard to the needs of blind and partially sighted people when placing lamp-posts, bollards, traffic-signs, apparatus or other permanent obstructions in a street.
Street Charter options
Local authorities should explore the following options with blind and partially sighted people for inclusion in their Street Charter:
All cafe furniture must be licensed, with care being taken to ensure that the tables and chairs are adequately cordoned off and do not constitute a hazard. Licensing requirements must be enforced.
Set up accessible ways for blind and partially sighted people to report collisions and injuries they experience.
Monitor how many blind and partially sighted people are being injured due to collisions with obstacles.
In accordance with section 120 and the Public Sector Equality Duty, undertake a street furniture audit with blind and partially sighted people to ensure that it is as safe as it can be.
In accordance with section 120 and the Public Sector Equality Duty, when town centres and neighbourhoods are
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redeveloped, proactively engage with blind and partially sighted people around design of the development and implementation of street furniture.
Wheelie bins and recycling bags
Wheelie bins and recycling bags are now a common sight on most pavements. Almost all local authorities request that these are left on the highway to be collected. With scheduled collections for different types of recycling and waste on various days across the local area, the pavements are obstructed several days a week.
Our survey results showed that just over half of the blind and partially sighted people who participated have collided with wheelie bins and recycling sacks. Some people even told us they avoid going out on bin days because it was just safer to stay indoors, despite this often being inconvenient for them.
Mike explains:
“Bins are a nuisance. I am instructed to put my bin on the corner of a major road, which is also a crossing point for children going to school. The refuse collectors don’t put the bins back in the same place so I’m never sure if I’ll end up bumping into them or not. The pavements near my house are very narrow, so the bins take up quite a bit of space and I often end up having to go into the road. I’d be very reluctant to go out on bin day if I didn’t have my guide dog.
Also when I go to town, often shops leave their black sacks on the pavement. I have almost tripped over a mound of bags, and it’s worse as it gets dark. Even if you have a small amount of sight, being able to see a black sack, on a grey pavement in the dark is incredibly difficult.”
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The Law
The requirement to keep highways free from obstruction and the Public Sector Equality Duty are particularly relevant to this issue, along with the requirements of the Equality Act as outlined earlier. The duty to make reasonable adjustments to practices, policies and procedures that place blind and partially sighted people at a substantial disadvantage, is likely to require local authorities to reconsider policies that require bins to be placed on the highway.
Street Charter options
Local authorities should explore the following options with blind and partially sighted people for inclusion in their Street Charter:
All bin crews to be trained in why it is so important to store bins as safely as possible.
Run awareness campaigns to encourage residents to be considerate in how they place their bins.
Give consideration to the requirements of the Equality Act in relation to their waste collection policies.
When negotiating contracts with waste management companies, build in ‘clear highway’ policies as part of the contract.
Where residents can leave bins in an accessible area off pavements and footpaths, this should be required and bin crews should return bins back to this safe place as well.
Overgrown shrubbery and branches
Many campaigners have described the problems caused by overhanging branches and shrubbery when walking around their local area, particularly in the summer months.
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Paul told us:
“I think that very little is done to tackle shrubbery which spills from residential properties and past their property boundaries. For me, as a guide dog user, this is a nightmare especially on narrow paths as it causes my dog to take a wider line and head towards the road, or alternatively puts us dangerously close to other obstacles. Overhanging foliage which often catches me in the face, such as rose bushes are the worst.”
The Law
Sections 50 and 51 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 set out conditions requiring the removal of overhanging branches and hedges which cause an obstruction or inconvenience to pedestrians.
Local authorities will also be liable for any damage or injury resulting from overhanging branches and shrubbery, as a result of the law relating to nuisance where they are aware, or ought reasonably to have been aware, of the nuisance or danger caused by the foliage.
Street Charter options
Local authorities should explore the following options with blind and partially sighted people for inclusion in their Street Charter:
Set up accessible ways for blind and partially sighted people to report overgrown shrubbery and branches.
Act swiftly upon these reports by alerting the residents or taking action if it is a council-owned property.
Run awareness campaigns to encourage residents to be considerate in managing their shrubbery and trees.
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Other issues or challenges
We want the Street Charter to be useful to all campaigners, regardless of where you live in the country.
If, when looking at the options given for each of the main street challenges, you think there is a better solution, do go ahead and suggest it as a Street Charter commitment.
Equally, if we’ve not covered a street environment issue that you think is important to address in your area, do highlight it to your local council and ask them to improve things.
Have a think whether there are local groups that could support your cause – for example, parent groups or other disability groups who would support the calls in your Charter.
Is your local council already doing a great job?
If your local council already tackles many of these street issues in an efficient way, the Charter can provide a way to acknowledge the great work they’re doing, while also asking them to address the problems they haven’t tackled yet.
How we can help
We hope this booklet provides you with the main information you need to create your own Street Charter in partnership with your local council. Please let us know how you get on, so that we can keep a record of the activity taking place to tackle these issues across the country.
Over the course of this campaign, we will produce a variety of toolkits to aid you in creating your own Street Charter. Keep an eye on our website or call the Campaigns Hotline to find out what’s available.
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If you have questions, or want advice, just get in touch with RNIB Scotland and we’ll do our best to help.
Or find out more information on our website rnib.org.uk/onmystreet
How to organise a blindfold walk
Any Street Charter focused on keeping streets free from clutter must have the needs of blind and partially sighted people at the heart of its design.
By involving people with sight loss when delivering or designing street environment policies, councillors and local authority officers will gain a better understanding of the impact of sight loss on mobility. This could include aids and adaptations people use to get around and the impact of obstacles and clutter on movement.
A blindfold walk brings decision makers together with blind and partially sighted people to talk about the street environment. The group may focus on a specific area, for example a pedestrianised zone, local pavement or high street. They may also discuss plans for a new development.
To start with, campaigners with sight loss talk about the area and share their experiences of walking around it.
Councillors and officers will then get to experience wearing simulation-spectacles or sim-specs, which simulate different eye conditions. Wearing sim-specs, they are encouraged to walk along the pavement and cross a road. Throughout the experience, decision-makers are guided, so they can talk about how they feel wearing the spectacles.
A council official who recently attended a blindfold walk told us:
“The walk covered pedestrian zones and streets with signalised and uncontrolled road crossings in the city centre. Different blindfolds and glasses replicated different types of visual impairment. I found it very worthwhile. It gave me an opportunity to experience the problems encountered on a daily basis by blind and partially sighted people.”
Whilst on the walk
Whilst walking the councillor will be shown a number of features and asked to consider their usefulness in aiding navigation through the street.
Features and discussion points may include:
Contrasting colours – what colours were used?
Any designated areas such as cycle ways, floating bus stops – how did you keep out of the cycle path?
Kerbs and dropped kerbs – how can these be used to keep you safe?
Highway line – is it free from obstruction?
Crossing points – could you find the rotating cones and hear the audible beep?
Zebra crossings – how do you know it is safe to cross?
Tactile paving – was it there? Was it contrasting?
Permanent objects – the presence of street furniture, bins and lampposts – could they be navigated? Were they contrasting?
Temporary objects – were you able to avoid the A-boards? Did you have to walk out into the road when a car was parked on
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the pavement? Were you able to spot the road and pavement works before it was too late?
How someone with a guide dog navigates the streets.
How someone with a long cane navigates the streets.
How someone with a symbol cane gets around.
Why they work
Blindfold walks work because they are an interesting activity, providing a safe environment where everyone can come together and learn from one another. There is the opportunity for decision-makers to ask questions of residents living with sight loss, as well as to experience the obstacles and barriers for themselves. These events can be really useful when trying to improve an area or before the design and build of a new scheme.
When?
From experience we know that holding these events in the winter isn’t always a great idea. Bad weather and bad light can make the events difficult although these are conditions which blind and partially sighted people face in reality. Day time is best and will give participants the best possible experience. As a rough guide, an hour is a good amount of time for the walk and discussion.
If the problem you are trying to address is related to a certain time or day, for example cars parked on the pavement or bins put out for collection, then it is probably best to arrange the walk to coincide with it.
We recommend having time before and after the walk to discuss the issues. This meeting can take place in a number of places – a local cafe, council offices or local society. The location just needs to be close to the area of interest. This is the opportunity for the organisers to go over the specifics of the walk with the participants,
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and offer insight of what it is like for people with sight loss walking the area.
It’s important that everyone meets up again after the walk, which will provide an opportunity for people to ask questions and share learning.
Where?
We would recommend identifying the route in advance. If you’re doing a general walk, then try to pick areas which will highlight a number of issues – for example a high street.
Who?
From the local council
It’s great for councillors to better understand the mobility issues faced by the people they represent. It’s also really valuable for local authority officers who are responsible for the street environment and highways to take part in the walks. Finally, any staff members who work on the highways, such as waste management staff, could really benefit from understanding how any obstructions on streets and pavements could affect blind and partially sighted people.
Blind and partially sighted people
If possible, try to get a group of people with different experiences of sight loss together to give a more balanced view of navigation and mobility. Whilst the sim-specs can simulate sight loss, they don’t explain everything. It’s good to understand that people use different mechanisms and aids to get around – the experiences of a symbol cane user to a long cane user to someone who uses a guide dog could be very different. Someone who has lived with sight loss for many years could be in a different emotional place compared to someone who has been more recently diagnosed. It’s also likely that people of different ages are likely to have different experiences.
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Support staff and volunteers
It’s good to have support staff in place. They can be people who work with blind and partially sighted people such as RNIB Scotland staff, local society staff or local authority rehabilitation workers.
What do you need?
You’ll need some sim-specs – these are plastic spectacles which mimic different sight loss conditions. You can get these by emailing RNIB Scotland at [email protected] with ‘Blindfold Walk – sim-spec request’ in the subject line. Someone from RNIB Scotland can guide you in the use of sim-specs and assist you in holding an event.
Stick to these principles:
Keep it focused on sharing experiences.
Keep it focused on the everyday problems that blind and partially sighted people experience.
Keep it fun and informal.
Keep people comfortable – it will help them talk.
Keep it active.
Keep it safe.
Street walk
An alternative to a blindfold walk is to take your councillors on a street walk – no sim-specs or blindfolds needed. Just walking up a street and pointing out the numerous obstacles that cross your path could be enough to get a councillor to think twice about the policies they have in place.
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Making the experience sustainable
We realise staff and councillors change. Why not ask if these blindfold or street walk sessions, or principles from these sessions, can be built into existing training or information that is provided on a regular basis.
Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland12 – 14 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh EH7 5EA
