In Touch - 03/11/2009

The case of a visually-impaired woman refused a ride on an airport bus because the driver claimed that unaccompanied travel by a blind person was against company regulations. The company in question insists this isn't the case, and has apologised for the mistake. But is there a real clash between the right to travel independently and the demands of health and safety? John Welsman, transport advisor for GDBA, tells us why he thinks experiences vary so much. Our search for ever more unlikely gadgets for blind and visually-impaired people continues as we leaf through the photo album geared especially to the needs of blind people (Co-operative Xest Talking Photo Album), and examine the iPod Touch.