Blind man backs bus campaign (From Streatham Guardian)

Streatham blind man Tesfai Berhane backs bus campaign

7:20am Friday 5th October 2012 in News By Alice Foster, Reporter

A blind youth worker who has daily struggles with public transport is backing the Royal National Institute of Blind People’s bus campaign "Stop for me, Speak to me."

Tesfai Berhane, 57, of Streatham Vale, has been blind half his life suffering from detached retina.

He said: "I can’t tell what bus is coming. I have to ask and sometimes I miss them.

"When drivers see a white cane they should have the awareness to inform you of their number."

He added: "The drivers have to be given awareness training, there have to be announcements and the doorway has to be clear."

A RNIB survey of blind and partially sighted people revealed over half had difficulty getting information, such as the bus number and destination, from the driver.

Fazilet Hadi, RNIB's Director of Inclusive Society, said: "Catching a bus should not be a sight test. Local bus travel is a lifeline.

"The difficulties blind and partially sighted people face in making journeys, that other people often take for granted, are unacceptable and often unnecessary.

"We want operators to remember one simple principle: Stop for me, Speak to me."

For more information on the campaign go to visit www.rnib.org.uk/bus or call the RNIB helpline on 0303 123 9999.