Blind tasks raise awareness (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)
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Blind tasks raise awareness
10:30am Thursday 18th October 2012 in News
PITFALLS: Anne Rickard and Don Morley watch David Rickard try to make and drink a cup of coffee blindfolded
MAYOR David Rickard was in the dark when he stepped into the world of the blind and partially sighted in Bridport.
The town’s first citizen and mayoress Anne Rickard were blindfolded for a walk through town for the Lions Sight Day and Guide Dogs Week.
They also tried to drink a cup of coffee at Jaxsons deli blindfolded and stopped off at IJ Brown opticians to hear of the dangers of leaving eye conditions untreated.
Coun Rickard said that it was an interesting experience to walk through town blindfolded.
He said: “It made us more aware of the pitfalls of going around town, especially on a busy Saturday morning.”
He added that there was still lots of things to do to make the streets better for the blind, partially sighted and those people with various disabilities.
Coun Rickard said that the day also brought home how important it was to have regular eyesight checks and to address vision problems before eyesight deteriorated.
There were also stalls in Bucky Doo Square where people got to see a guide dog and find out more about what it was like to be partially sighted by trying on special glasses or a blindfold.
The Lions, Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and Dorset Blind Society joined forces for the event.
