Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing to look at helping blind and partially sighted shoppers; RNIB Scotland wants blind and partially sighted people to get priority access to online shopping slots
MSP Fergus Ewing has promised to investigate whether blind and partially sighted people can be included in priority groupings to access online shopping.
James Adams, director of RNIB Scotland, said: “Blind and partially sighted people often rely on a combination of touch and guiding from another person to navigate. But the current unprecedented demand on supermarkets make this much more challenging. Moreover, for the visually impaired who can shop, the social distancing markers on floors and the introduction of one-way routes around supermarkets cannot easily be navigated by either cane or guide dog.”
He said online shopping was the best alternative but added: “However, many blind and partially sighted people have contacted us to tell us the supermarket delivery slots they relied on are booked up for weeks, resulting in them being unable to access essentials.
“We are asking the Scottish Government to urgently work with supermarkets to ensure people with sight loss are considered a priority group.”
Inverness and Nairn MSP and rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing said he would take up RNIB Scotland’s concerns.
“I have worked closely in the past with this charity and currently with another charity, Sight Action in Inverness, and I spoke to a group of people with impaired vision not that long ago. I am very sympathetic to this and am considering it carefully with my officials,” he said.
