The Charity Guide Dogs for the Blind, teamed up with Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Police and RNIB to help clean up target areas in the LS6 postcode area of Leeds.
The agencies teamed up to help remove fly tipping, assist in cleaning up the area and to talk to local residents. Staff and volunteers from the Guide Dogs charity were on hand to meet residents to talk about the problems facing people with sight loss when footpaths are blocked by wheelie bins, cars parked on pavements and overhanging bushes.
Debbie Linford Engagement Officer for Guide Dogs, said: “Cars parked on pavements and wheelie bins are an everyday nightmare for blind and partially sighted people, as well as other pedestrians. Too often people with sight loss are forced out into busy roads because a pavement has been blocked. Imagine how terrifying that can be when you can’t see on-coming traffic. It’s an unwanted barrier to the freedom and independence a guide dog brings. This action day is a great example of different organisations coming together, and we want to continue to work with them to ensure local authorities and West Yorkshire Police do whatever they can to address these problems.”
Guide dog Zeus – a black Labrador, and his trainer Janet Champion were on hand to demonstrate how a guide dog can be forced in to the road. A few lucky individuals also had the opportunity to put on a blindfold and experience first-hand how disorientating and scary it can be to navigate our footpaths without sight.
If you would like to find out about the different ways you can help Guide Dogs campaign for clearer, more accessible streets please go to www.guidedogs.org.uk/supportus/campaigns/ or call their Leeds office on 0345 143 0210
