The walk aimed to give the Councillors an insight into the challenges presented by clutter and obstructions on pavements and walkways – and highlight the impact that some changes in road layout may make to the city's visually impaired residents.
East Sussex
Sight Loss Council (SLC) members who advocate for blind and partially sighted people in the community, joined the walk and took the opportunity to
share their own personal experiences of the problems they face on a daily basis.
Cllr Sarah Nield wore the tunnel vision specs said:
"At first, I felt frightened. I was shocked how much I had to trust and rely on my sighted guide.
"The experience was really tiring from the amount of concentration required and I found it difficult to locate where the different sounds were coming from."
Steve Saunders and his guide dog Rosie, the Aids & Equipment Co-ordinator from East Sussex Vision Support, also joined the walk and shared his views as a GD user.
Cllr Jamie Lloyd, who chairs the Active and Inclusive Travel Forum and is Deputy Chair for the Environment Transport and Sustainability Committee, wore the 'light perception only' glasses:
"I felt instantly vulnerable and discombobulated by the urban environment and noises.
"I realised how much street clutter is potentially hazardous to visually impaired people and it makes me realise we need more disability friendly traffic measures in place."