How accessible is your business to visually impaired people?

When blind and visually impaired people prepare for a night out, it usually takes a little more thought and preparation. Think about reading a restaurant menu, or browsing through a hotel brochure or even offering customer feedback forms– tasks such as these are not as accessible for visually impaired people and there is currently a distinct lack of facilities available in most hospitality and catering venues. Services such as the Braille, Audio and Large Print Service at Shire View Centre for Visually Impaired People in Leeds can open doors for businesses to help make their services more user-friendly to blind people. In a time where Corporate Social Responsibility has never been more important, making provision for visually impaired people is a model example of how businesses can demonstrate their commitment to society, helping those who are less able, whilst reaping the benefits of an increased customer base. Transcribing printed materials via a specialist service can ensure that all materials adhere to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, to provide visually impaired staff and customers with information in an approved, accessible format. Michael Cooper from Shire View Centre for Visually Impaired People said: "Blind people are always keen to maintain their independence, however with a limited number of businesses providing adequate facilities for them, particularly in the hospitality and catering sector, this can be quite difficult and often find themselves relying on other people to read menus and other information for them." Shire View Centre for Visually Impaired People works with individuals and SMEs, right through to larger businesses, such as hotel and pub chains. The Service can transcribe any printed material into Braille or large print, as well as audio format for people to listen to. Cooper added: "We can more or less transcribe anything from restaurant menus and hotel brochures, right through to labels for switches in hotel rooms. We get approached by businesses with all sorts of requests, so we provide a flexible, bespoke service that is tailored to each individual organisation." Shire View Centre for Visually Impaired People is part of the charity Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People. The Society helps to ensure the effective integration of Deaf, hard of hearing and visually impaired people by also providing sensory awareness training to businesses to improve communication skills with Deaf and blind people, making your business more sensory-savvy. Businesses that would like to increase accessibility to blind people or to receive more information on the Braille, Audio and Large Print Service can call 0113 2144540, or email their enquiry to blpa@leedsdeafandblind.org.uk or visit www.leedsdeafandblind.org.uk