Supermarkets: How are they supporting Visually Impaired people?

During Covid-19, we have all had to change the way we shop and I have had to resort to online shopping. It has not been an easy task as I am visually impaired and I know many who are also visually impaired have experienced difficulties as they have tried to go out to shop but were turned away because no-one is going to guide them in the shops. We spoke with many during the Blind Ambition advice session webinars

https://www.blindambition.co.uk/blog/categories/events we were running that had been refused access due to the 2m social distancing measures.

In addition, many I know did not have priority slots for delivery as they were not classified as 'vulnerable' on the Government list. I have been busy writing to my MP and speaking with various supermarkets to try and change this and we know the charities such as RNIB, Vision UK, Guide Dogs, Thomas Pocklington Trust and Visionary have also been lobbying to create this change and make sure visually impaired people are being considered and part of the vulnerable list.

Joy Morrissey is my local MP and since my letter to her, has written to all supermarkets. To date she has received a response from Tesco, Sainsburys, Iceland, Morrisons, Co-op and Aldi. To date, Waitrose, Asda, Lidl and online Ocado have not yet replied.

You can read further blogs with reviews of all supermarkets I have used as well as snippets from responses from letters. https://www.blindambition.co.uk/blog/categories/reviews

(Image of male and female shopping in Supermarkets, displaying red and gree chill peppers)