Accessible menus, clearly labelled make-up and lighting among small changes that could make a big difference to blind and partially sighted people
Leading sight loss charity the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) asked blind and partially sighted people to share the one small change that would make a big difference to them.
Giving people an opportunity to voice what they’re passionate about and what they’ve got a bee in their bonnet about, the results highlight the importance of sharing experiences, frustrations and light bulb moments.
Claire Sisk, content creator, disability advocate and RNIB Ambassador, shared one of her everyday frustrations. Claire said: “My one small, big change would be for make-up brands to make their products more accessible. I’m blind, I don’t use a mirror, but I’ve managed to learn where to place products on my face so that’s not my biggest barrier. When putting on eyeshadow, my issue is knowing what the colours are, if something is called ‘legend’ or ‘whisper’, I have no idea what that means.
“Something as simple as putting the colour next to the shade name or making that information accessible through something like a QR code would make applying make up more accessible for blind and partially sighted people. It’s a small change yet it would make a huge, huge difference.”
For Dan Pembroke, two time paralympic javelin champion, the experience of eating out at restaurants could be hugely improved if the lighting within the building was considered. Dan said: “The one small, big change that would help me in my life is booking a restaurant and knowing there is somewhere bright enough for me to enjoy my dinner.”
Other topics raised by blind and partially sighted people include accessible menus, use of Alt Text alongside images, consistent passenger assistance when using trains, planes or buses, and stairs that have clear contrast.
In a survey commissioned to accompany these one small big changes, almost two thirds (62 per cent) of blind and partially sighted people told us that they only occasionally share frustrations, experiences and ideas with family, friends or colleagues, while 16 per cent said they never do. This is despite 96 per cent agreeing that it’s really important to have the time and space to vent your feelings and get things off your chest.
Summer can be a time when people socialise more. According to the survey, 95 per cent of people said that over the summer months, they would like to have more opportunities to meet with friends and family and catch up over BBQs, picnics, watching sport together or days out.
When asked ‘do you think people are open to constructive recommendations about positive changes they could make?’, blind and partially sighted people indicated they’re hopeful, with almost three quarters (73 per cent) saying ‘definitely, very probably and probably’.
Holly Tuke, Social Media Manager for RNIB and accessibility advocate, said: “It’s important that we talk about these small changes that can ultimately make a big difference to blind and partially sighted people’s lives. If we share our experiences and the changes we’d like to see, along with the solutions, then everyone can play their part in making them a reality.”
“Often the smallest changes have the biggest impact. My one small big change would be for people to interact with me, rather than the person I’m with. If I’m ordering a meal or paying for something in a shop, I want people to speak to me directly, rather than the friend or family member I happen to be with.”
Greater provision of audio description for film and TV programmes is often on the wish list of small actions which can make a big difference.
The survey also asked blind and partially sighted people to share which celebrity they’d most like to voice the audio description of their favourite film or TV show. Out of the 500 responses:
- 29 (6 per cent) requested David Attenborough
- 22 (4 per cent) Morgan Freeman
- 13 (3 per cent) Dwayne the Rock Johnson
Popular female celebrity choices included Ariana Grande, Emma Watson, and Rihanna, while there were shout outs for Dame Judi Dench, Viola Davis, Olivia Coleman and Taylor Swift.
To find out more about how changing your habits can build a better world for people with sight loss, visit RNIB’s Small changes, big difference hub