Street accessibility audit for RNIB (ongoing)

RNIB have asked for help with street accessibility audits which helps blind and partially sighted people navigate the streets more easily. Only 9% of affected adults feel safe walking independently.

RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) is a charity supporting blind and partially sighted people across the UK. It works to remove barriers, promote independence and ensure everyone with sight loss has the opportunity to live life to the fullest. For more information on this campaign, read https://www.rnib.org.uk/campaign-with-us/support-a-campaign/inclusive-journeys/accessible-streets/.

To participate, walk a local journey and fill out the survey below. Share your findings with RNIB via the email campaigns@rnib.org.uk with subject: Islington street audit.

Here are the survey questions you need to answer:

Which street did you walk? Please share a postcode and town / city so the route can be identified.

Briefly describe the weather

Are you familiar with this route? Yes, I use it regularly Yes, I’ve used it before No, this was my first time using it

If this was a familiar route, were there any changes or unexpected obstacles compared with previous journeys? Yes No Not applicable (unfamiliar route)

If yes, what had changed?

What issues or obstacles did you come across? (Choose all that apply) Uneven, damaged or narrow pavements Missing or damaged tactile paving Difficult road crossings Bins on pavements Bikes or e-scooters A-boards or advertising signs Street / café furniture or other street clutter Overgrown shrubbery Pavement parked vehicles Street works/ roadworks Poor lighting Shared pedestrian/cycle space Temporary obstacles on a familiar route None Other

Describe if and how these barriers impacted your journey

What do you think would make this street more accessible?  For example:
Stronger enforcement of pavement parking rules Better pavement maintenance Removal of unnecessary street clutter Better signage More accessible crossings

Is there anything else you would like RNIB to know about this journey?

More generally, is there anything else you have noticed on local streets that you believe makes it difficult for people to move around safely and independently?