In Touch Folgen

Plans to require voters to show photo ID at polling stations were recently introduced in Parliament under the Elections Bill. But The RNIB are concerned that this will make the electoral process even less accessible for blind and partially sighted voters, who are seemingly disproportionately less likely to hold a passport or driving licence. We talk to the RNIB's Director of Development Keith Valentine about the charity's concerns surrounding this.And we get some answers from Network Rail's Head of Public and Passenger Safety, Allan Spence about their plans for tactile paving across their network. There have been some promising signs emerging from Network Rail over the last 12 months, as they have installed tactile on a significant number of platform edges. However, their current plans to equip all stations by 2029 has been dubbed by charities as not being quick enough. Tonight, we're asking whether this installation could be sped up, what funds are available for said installation and whether any temporary safety measures are being put in place whilst these plans are being carried out.Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth Hemmings

There have been some promising signs emerging from Network Rail over the last 12 months around the installation of tactile paving on the edge of their train station platforms. But tonight, we're questioning whether action is being taken quickly enough to make train stations a safer place for blind and visually impaired rail users. Last year, a Freedom of Information report showed that 35% of the UK’s train platforms did not have tactile paving. But what is the situation a year on?We revisit the discussion about braille’s future within the technological age. Since braille’s invention by Louise Braille almost 300 years ago, it is undeniable that braille has radically enhanced the lives of some blind people and, of course, has continued to do so ever since. But it is also true that it can be a complicated system to learn, it can take great sensitivity of touch, and is only mastered comfortably by a very small percentage of the population. We hear your thoughts on this and those of Dave Williams, The Chair of the Braillists Foundation.Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth Hemmings

Fern Lulham sits in for Peter White.Wheelie bins pose yet another potential obstacle for blind and visually impaired people when navigating pavements. North West Leicester City Council will potentially be able to impose fines to people who leave their wheelie bin on the pavement after bin day. Residents could be liable if there is an accident due to the obstruction. They have recently launched a consultation exercise, that will ask local residents about their thoughts on how to pave their way to a solution. We speak with North West Leicester City Council's head of community services, Paul Sanders on this. Becoming a parent can be both a scary and incredibly exciting experience - especially if you are blind or have a visual impairment. We hear the experiences of some new parents, from when they were expecting to what it is like now they have their little bundles of joy. Are you thinking of having children? We offer some advice from Kate Crofts from Blind Parents UK.Producer: Beth Hemmings