Norfolk Council responds to the needs of residents with sight loss

RNIB and Action for Blind People are pleased that Norfolk County Council has reversed its changes to the concessionary bus travel scheme. The Council made this decision after listening to the views of local residents and voluntary sector organisations, and looking closely at the impact of the changes on the lives of blind people in Norfolk.

Bernie holds her bus pass

RNIB and Action have been working with local residents and councillors, as well as members of the Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind and the Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People, to raise awareness of the changes to the concessionary bus travel scheme and the challenges those changes presented to people with disabilities, specifically sight loss.

Campaign

Emily Papaleo, regional campaign officer for RNIB, said: “We are relieved the Council has recognised that removing concessionary bus travel posed a risk to people’s independence.

For blind and partially sighted people, free bus travel is not a luxury, it is often a necessity – and one they once again will have access to.” have been working with local residents and councillors, as well as members of the Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind and the Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People, to raise awareness of the changes to the concessionary bus travel scheme and the challenges those changes presented to people with disabilities, specifically sight loss.

Travelling independently

For Kelci Monaghan, who is deaf and blind, the reversal of these changes is especially dramatic. She said: “Travelling for me will be much easier now that I don’t have to worry about what time I leave and can have a companion with me. Before, I never knew how much money to give to the driver and couldn’t tell when I'd reached my stop because I can't see or hear. Thank you to the Council for giving me back the support I need to travel independently – I’m over the moon."

A fantastic result

Bernie Reddington, Assistive Technology Coordinator at Action for Blind People, continued: “This is a fantastic result. It will make an enormous difference in enabling my family to use the buses with far less stress, letting us access vital services. I’m especially pleased to hear that Graham Plant mentioned how the bus trip we took in September informed him of the challenges of travelling without a companion. Thanks so much to everyone who has contributed to making this decision possible.”

Posted on 26 January 2012, in Campaigns