Dr Neil Hudson MP, veterinary surgeon and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee member demonstrated his support to improving the lives of people with a vision impairment at an event in Parliament held by the charity Guide Dogs.
The Guide Dogs event celebrated key campaign successes from 2023, including the requirement that will see the majority of buses fitted with audio-visual announcements, reversing plans to close nearly 1000 railway ticket offices, a new law to tackle problem pavement parking in Scotland, and extra funding for tactile paving on railway stations. All of which will enable people with sight loss to get out and about safely and with confidence.
Dr Neil Hudson MP is a longtime supporter of the charity and spoke with guide dog owners and cane users about the differences these changes will make, but also the many challenges that still need to be tackled to enable people with sight loss to travel and live independently.
Specifically Dr Hudson MP spoke with Pete about his experiences of being turned away by businesses because he has his guide dog with him.
Dr Neil Hudson MP, said:
"As constituents will know I am a proud advocate for Guide Dogs UK and speaking with guide dog owners really brought home, on an emotional level, what important work they are carrying out.
"It was a real delight to meet with Guide Dogs to discuss the year's incredible successes and I hope to build on these in 2024."
Eleanor Briggs Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns at Guide Dogs said:
“People living with vision impairment have the right to feel confident, independent and supported in the world. That’s why the progress we’ve seen in 2023 on audio-visual announcements and extra funding for tactile paving are fantastic steps forward.
“However, people with sight loss still face barriers to living actively, independently and well. We want MPs to prioritise solutions to these day-to-day challenges, including introducing laws to tackle pavement parking across the country, and to end access refusals against guide dog owners. We hope that 2024 will bring positive changes that will help people with vision impairment live the life they choose.”
