Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris has taken up the challenge of navigating parts of her Constituency while wearing a blindfold.

The blindfold walk was organized by the charity Guide Dogs is part of an awareness drive in Essex. The event saw Rebecca guided around busy streets in Tarpots, Benfleet shadowed by Gill Jones, Guide Dogs Orientation and Mobility Specialist. Then later Rebecca experienced relying only on a white cane to guide her.

Rebecca Harris said:

“Although the streets I walked down were incredibly familiar, that all changes when you can no longer reply on your sight. It was very easy to lose my bearings after only a few minutes of walking down the street. Once blindfolded you have to rely on other markers, such as tactile surfaces by crossings. This experience was a truly unique insight into how hard visually impaired people have to work to avoid obstacles.”

Guide Dogs Herts, Beds and Essex Engagement Officer Siobhan Meade said:

“We were very grateful to Rebecca for taking up the challenge to experience the environment in the way people like me, who are blind or visually impaired do on a daily basis”

Siobhan noted that pavement parking and rubbish bins scattered across pavements are particularly hazardous: “People aren’t usually malicious when parking on pavements, it is more likely that they simply wouldn’t know how dangerous it can be for someone without sight to have to step in to a busy road. Blindfold walks like these are a great way to get the message out that simply by not blocking or parking on pavements, you’re helping people”.