Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Member of the Welsh Parliament Angela Burns has highlighted the need to ensure that the challenges facing constituents with sight problems during the Covid 19 crisis are not ignored.

Findings in a survey carried out by the RNIB charity found that:

• 66 per cent of blind and partially sighted respondents feel less independent now compared to before lockdown

• 80 per cent of respondents reported that the way they shop for their essential shopping has changed since lockdown, with half as many blind and partially sighted people now shopping alone

A quarter (26 per cent) of respondents said that they had struggled to get written information in a format that they could read and 17 per cent said that they had struggled to access online information.

Additionally concern was expressed in the survey surrounding the difficultly that blind and partially sighted people experience in observing social distancing whilst outside of their home due to many visual markers enforcing social distancing being inaccessible for people with sight loss.

There were also reports of a lack of understanding from the wider public who felt social distancing requirements were being ignored by partially sighted people who were not able to make out guidance markings or other people.

These findings come at a time when routine eye appointments in Wales have been postponed due the Coronavirus pandemic and it is not possible to have an opticians consultation due to social distancing concerns.

Commenting Angela said: “The majority of the world has had to accept severe restrictions on their movements and daily life and have continued to go about their daily lives within the constraints that the government have imposed.

“Whilst for many of us this has led to temporary, but achievable changes to their normal every day lives, for those people in our community who are visually impaired or blind these changes have made some day to day tasks impossible to carry out.

“I am grateful to the RNIB for carrying out this research which I feel it highlights some of the lesser recognised consequences that lockdown has had.

“We must ensure that blind and partially sighted people’s independence is not compromised due to this virus and we have to ensure that their needs are fully covered and considered when Government’s are drawing up the next set of guidelines.

“I am pleased to support the RNIB’s calls for the Welsh Government to introduce a “coronavirus courtesy code’ which aims to raise public awareness and promote safe social distancing for all pedestrians, road and public transport users and will take into account the needs of people living with a range of hidden health conditions and mobility issues.”