[Blind-rollers] For anyone in the UK

[Erica Cole]

Hi Sasha 
I'm furious and I haven't even seen the consultation. I'm going to put this
info around the organisation of disabled people I'm with and see what they
say, and give that consultation an earfull!

>From Erica in Nottingham
-----Original Message-----

From: blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sasha Ayres
Sent: 15 March 2010 13:10
To: blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Blind-rollers] For anyone in the UK

Help protect blind wheelchair users' right to freedom in the UK.

The Department for Transport is currently consulting on proposed changes to
the laws covering powered mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs.  One of
the proposed changes is to introduce a fitness to drive test that would
include an eyesight test.  Imposing a vision requirement would have
appalling consequences for those of us who are blind and need to use a
wheelchair; it would rob us of our right to freedom.

With appropriate use of long canes, guide dogs and/or electronic obstacle
detectors, blind people can and do safely use powered mobility vehicles.  I
support the need to promote the safe use of powered mobility scooters and
powered wheelchairs.  I would support any moves to improve the training
available to blind users of powered wheelchairs.  However, the assumption
that good eyesight is necessary for the safe use of powered mobility
scooters and powered wheelchairs is prejudice, discriminatory and utterly
unacceptable.

I am blind and use a powered wheelchair, a long cane and an ultrasonic
obstacle detector.  Most of the time, I detect obstacles (including people)
using the ultrasonic obstacle detector and manoeuvre around them without
making contact at all.  Sometimes my cane contacts an obstacle (or person)
but this is no different than for a blind person who is walking.  Since the
initial period of learning to control the chair, which I did entirely on
private land, I have never hit an obstacle or person with my wheelchair.  

My powered wheelchair is able to go at speeds up to 4mph.  I find that this
speed is safe in quiet uncluttered areas.  In more crowded or difficult
areas I slow the speed down.  Personally I would not feel very safe going
above 4mph but other blind users using other obstacle-detecting or
obstacle-avoiding tools may feel safe at higher speeds.  There may be a case
for restricting the maximum speed for blind users to be appropriate for the
obstacle-detecting/avoiding tools they are using but any such restrictions
should reflect genuine distances at which obstacles can be detected and the
space needed to manoeuvre and must not be based on prejudice assumptions.

Using my power chair with a long cane and ultrasonic obstacle detector I am
able to independently and safely get out and about.  If the use of powered
wheelchairs were restricted to those with good eyesight, blind wheelchair
users, such as myself, would be trapped in our homes and robbed of our right
to freedom.

Don't let the Department of Transport imprison blind wheelchair users.
Please respond to the consultation on proposed changes to the laws governing
powered mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs (DFT 2010-10) available
online at http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2010-10/ and oppose the
inclusion of an eyesight test in the fitness to drive test.

The mor of us who respond, the better our chance of preventing this change
from being enacted.  I do hope that you will act on this and I would
appreciate it if you would please let me know what action you have taken.
If you would like to discuss the issue further, please contact me.

Please note that this is a UK only consultation.

Yours sincerely,

Sasha Ayres



      

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