This thread about those bumpy pavements went viral because it’s a lot more complex than you thought
8.
At my office we also have an indoor version of the striped tactile in front of lifts! pic.twitter.com/YCgmgJQBL4
— Dr Amy Kavanagh (@BlondeHistorian) June 13, 2018
9.
When tactile paving isn’t properly maintained and the bumps or ridges degrade it can be very unsafe for VI people. Like here it’s hard to tell where the road starts. If you see tactile paving in poor repair please report it. pic.twitter.com/YwGLGZjZGZ
— Dr Amy Kavanagh (@BlondeHistorian) June 13, 2018
10.
VI people use other tactile cues like drain covers, pavement texture changes & level changes to navigate. I use this drain grate that follows the south side of the kings cross plaza to get to the pedestrian crossing, stay in a straight line & avoid crowds. pic.twitter.com/SjUN0hfhIO
— Dr Amy Kavanagh (@BlondeHistorian) June 13, 2018
11.
Visually impaired people navigate using tactile paving in different ways. Cane users feel the vibrations & Listen to the sounds. Guide dog handlers, VI people being guided or VI people not using a cane will usually use their feet to feel the textures.
— Dr Amy Kavanagh (@BlondeHistorian) June 13, 2018
12.
If you see a visually impaired person pausing on tactile paving they are probably feeling it in order to work out their route or what kind of obstacle there might be. Leave us to it, don’t grab us or take us across a road unless we ask for help
— Dr Amy Kavanagh (@BlondeHistorian) June 13, 2018
13.
Unfortunately across most of the country there aren’t tactile pavements at road crossings. In my local area there are several crossing points with no tactiles. In unfamiliar areas the lack of tactile paving can make independent travelling very difficult for visually impaired folk pic.twitter.com/C5H455Iv5l
— Dr Amy Kavanagh (@BlondeHistorian) June 13, 2018
14.
If you found this thread useful & informative why not give @SponsorAPuppy a couple of quid a month? @guidedogs provide so much support & training to visually impaired people like me. They support me live a more independent life with my cane whilst I wait for my guide dog!
— Dr Amy Kavanagh (@BlondeHistorian) June 13, 2018
