Navigating and transport research

• Four out of every 10 blind and partially sighted people are not able to make all the journeys that they want or need to make.
• When surveyed, two-thirds of people of working age and one-third of people of pension age had collided with an obstacle on the pavement in the last three months.
• More than half of blind and partially sighted people say they need support to get out of the house.
• Nearly three-quarters (71 per cent) of blind and partially sighted people use a mobility aid.
• More than three quarters of blind and partially sighted people travel by bus and this increases to 87 per cent for people of working age making it the most popular public transport mode.
• Over a one year period, 73 per cent of guide dog owners reported they had been refused by a taxi or PHV driver at least once.

Navigating streets, public spaces and buildings, as well as using transport to get around, is a significant barrier for people with sight loss, particularly if the environment or mode of transport is unfamiliar, changeable or not designed in an accessible way. 

Most of the stats above are taken from My Voice, which is a valuable source of evidence of the experiences of blind and partially sighted people in relation to navigating and transport. For full references contact [email protected]. Further research on this topic can be found below.

Wayfinding project

Wayfinding encompasses all of the ways in which people orient themselves in physical space and navigate from place to place. This report is the first phase of RNIB's Wayfinding project and focuses on a review the current available solutions. Published 2010.

• Download the Wayfinding report and read the key findings.

Travel, transport and mobility

The aim of the research was to gain a clear understanding of the opinions and circumstances of registered blind and partially sighted people in relation to travel, transport and mobility. Published 2009.

• Download the Travel, transport and mobility report and read the key findings.