17 September 2008: Raising awareness of disability

Media: 1052 

On Tuesday 16th September, members of East Sussex County Council's Transport and Environment department and local County Councillor Rosalyn St Pierre took part in a disability awareness raising session around the streets of Lewes run by the Lewes District Council's Access Officer, Lewes Area Access Group (LAAG) in association with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. 

The access group was keen to draw attention to the many hazards faced daily by disabled people when they venture out into the pedestrian environment.

The group had opportunities to sit in or push a wheelchair; wear blindfolds or glasses that simulate different types of visual impairment and use a variety of long canes; and wear ear protectors to simulate hearing loss.

They followed a route which included the narrow pavements in Station Street and St Andrews Lane, cracked dropped kerbs at Pinwell Lane, the public telephones in Friars Walk which are difficult for anyone using a long cane to locate. They also visited the Cliffe which has been the subject of discussions between ESCC and LAAG regarding the design of the proposed improvement scheme.

Sue Dunkley, Lewes District Council's Access Officer and Secretary to LAAG, said that she felt the experience had been useful for the participants.  She said "whilst using a wheelchair or wearing simulated spectacles and using a cane does not let you experience what it is like to live with a long term disability it does allow people to gain some understanding of the day to day difficulties that disabled people face". 

For further information contact Sue Dunkley, Access Officer, Lewes District Council tel: 01273 484409, minicom: 01273 484488 or email: sue.dunkley@lewes.gov.uk

 

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Photo: (left to right) Brian Lyons (seated) LAAG; John Robbins, ESCC Transport and Environment dept; Paul Smart, ESCC Transport and Environment dept; Philip Handrihan (seated) ESCC Transport and Environment dept; Sue Dunkley, Access Officer Lewes District Council; Richard Jeneway, LAAG; Veronica Bowron, Guide Dogs for the Blind; Helen Pac, ESCC Transport and Environment dept; Zoe Tweed, ESCC Transport and Environment dept; Councillor Rosalyn St Pierre (seated), ESCC; Chris Friend, LAAG; Carol Borowski, LAAG; Robert Marshall, ESCC Transport and Environment dept; Peter Allen, LAAG and Jim Sinclair (seated) LAAG.

 

Media enquiries: Liz Lacon, Communications Manager liz.lacon@lewes.gov.uk