Amazing Sydney Transport Race Builds Confidence for Blind Teens
13 January, 2012
Sydney is a busy and difficult place to navigate at the best of times, but could you imagine how much more challenging it would be if you were blind or had impaired vision?
To kick off 2012, seven teenagers with impaired vision took over Sydney last week in an "Amazing Race" style challenge designed to help improve their travel skills for a future of independence.
Photo caption: Moris Sawa from Boseley Park enjoys navigating around Manly for the first time.
The Guide Dogs NSW/ACT initiative is the first of its kind and saw the teens, aged 12 to 18, compete in three groups using tactile Braille maps, talking GPS mobile phone software, long canes and public transport to find iconic landmarks, like Bondi, Manly, the Opera House and Paddy's Markets.
The two-and-a-half day adventure aimed to improve the confidence of young people with vision impairment so that they can enjoy travelling independently throughout their lives. It will focus on developing their skills for travelling safely and independently around a busy, city environment.
"As people with impaired vision won't have the chance to drive themselves between destinations, arming them with the skills early in life to successfully negotiate public transport is incredibly important," said Amy McKibbins, an Orientation and Mobility Instructor with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT's Westmead office.
As part of their Amazing Race challenge, the teens enjoyed a surprise sail on a yacht on Sydney Harbour, a walk through the botanical gardens and had lunch on the Opera House steps.
Prizes were awarded to the group of teens that successfully navigated their way to the finish line at Parramatta first.
In the past year, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has provided free, tailored services, including public transport training, to around 640 children and youths across NSW and the ACT.
By 2020, around 300,000 NSW and ACT residents will be affected by vision loss*.
For more information about Guide Dogs NSW/ACT's services please acll 02 9412 9300.
ENDS
Media: Please contact Sally Edgar, 0413 753 241 or media@guidedogs.com.au
* An Access Economics report commissioned by Vision2020 published in 2010, Clear Focus: The Economic Impact of Vision Loss in Australia in 2009, found that 575,000 Australians over the age of 40 experienced vision loss, including being blind, with this figure to increase to 800,000 by 2020. Guide Dogs NSW/ACT estimates that in 2009 more than 200,000 people across NSW and the ACT experienced vision loss, including being blind, with this figure estimated to increase to nearly 300,000 by 2020.