National Express West Midlands (NEWM) has become the latest operator to sign a charter created by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) at a ‘Swap with Me’ event on Thursday (8 March).
The charter sets out how bus companies can improve its services for the visually impaired.
Swap with Me
Swap with Me helps to show the barriers people with sight loss face when travelling on buses.
Joe Lee-Dowd, RNIB campaigns assistant, says: “With Swap with Me, the swapping is important, but the discussion they have between each other at the end is vital.”
The event allowed drivers and those visually impaired to swap places for the afternoon. The drivers were given different glasses – each representing a different eye condition.
NEWM driver Terry Arnold says: “Doing this has made me realise the things they have to deal with, I feel I can I can relate now.”
In the driver’s seat
As well as drivers experiencing what it’s like to have sight difficulties, those who were visually impaired were given the opportunity swap with the drivers, and sit in the cab.
Carol Trigg lost her sight in 2012 and now uses a guide dog to assist her on her journeys.
Says Ms Trigg: “I think this event is a really good idea because we can communicate with the drivers.
“I hope they can appreciate the restriction we have with transport, but it makes us independent and a part of the community. The accessibility available makes us healthier – physically and mentally.”
