The RNIB has just launched the new ‘Be Helpful Guide’ and campaign with the aim to encourage more sighted people to offer a helping hand or voice, rather than waiting to be asked.

As we know the world is not really designed with blind and partially sighted people in mind and recent RNIB research tells us that almost 9 in 10 blind or partially sighted people may need some help when they’re making an unfamiliar journey.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Lisa Hughes, RNIB’s Senior Campaigns Officer, to explain more about the pivotal role that many blind and partially sighted people played in the development of the ‘Be Helpful Guide’ and campaign.

Lisa outlined some of the main things that blind and partially sighted people would like sighted people to offer them when they are out and about, and things that they would like sighted people to be aware of when offering help and advice such as introducing themselves and saying when they were leaving too.

Along with a mention about the ‘Be Helpful Guide’ campaign film that features blind and partially sighted actors which really helps to illustrate the issues that blind and partially sighted people face when out and about and how helpful that assistance from sighted people can be too.

To find out more about the ‘Be Helpful Guide and campaign along with how to download a copy of the guide do visit - https://www.rnib.org.uk/our-campaigns/be-helpful-guide/

(Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath)