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Sight impairment charity in Jersey | EYECAN

EYECAN supports Islanders of all ages in Jersey, Channel Islands, with sight impairment. Previously known as Jersey Blind Society.

Mobility Scooter Campaign

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Mobility Scooter Campaign

EYECAN has recently led a multi-agency response to reports of accidents involving mobility scooters and pedestrians with hidden disabilities. The Group developed a free guidance DVD, and an Assessment form and Code of Conduct for use by scooter retailers. We hope this initiative will boost the confidence of scooter users, promote safe travel and raise awareness of hidden disability.

 

Mobility Scooters

The Road Safety Panel are supporting the Mobility Scooter User’s group’s new safety initiative aimed at promoting the safety of mobility scooter users and those they interact with.

This really useful package has been produced with the expertise of Shopmobility, The Department for Growth, Housing & Environment, Jersey’s Occupational Therapy Department & Liberty Bus.

This fantastic resource will really help anyone, whether an experienced scooter user or someone totally new to the world of mobility scooters.  If you are a family member thinking of buying a scooter for a loved one, this package is a MUST watch.  It’s incredibly easy to make an expensive mistake when buying a scooter.

The package consists of a guidance DVD, a leaflet to support the DVD and a series of interviews with pedestrians, who have hidden disabilities, explaining why they may not be able to move swiftly out of the way of an approaching scooter.  There is also a programme aimed at helping Retailers to ensure that islanders wanting to buy a scooter make the right choice.

The Guidance Video


This video (with subtitles) provides guidance about purchasing and using a Mobility Scooter and advises prospective scooter purchasers of important considerations when choosing a scooter.  It also covers things like the Law, getting to know your scooter (all the controls), how to safely use and manoeuvre the scooter when out and about in a variety of different environments as well as how to travel on the bus with your scooter.

Pedestrians with Impaired Sight


This video helps scooter users to understand the needs of sight impaired pedestrians.  There are several different types of sight impairment all of which make manoeuvring through busy environments and crossing roads potentially dangerous.

Pedestrians Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

This video helps scooter users to understand the needs of people with a Hearing Impairment who may not hear a scooter approaching them.

Pedestrians with Slower Response Times


This video helps scooter users consider the needs of people with head injury, stroke, or any other disability which may delay reaction time.  The man in this video was hit by a mobility scooter.

Witness to an Accident


Hear this ladies account of what it was like when she was witness to an accident which resulted in a serious injury, and her advice to any scooter operator who may get into difficulties when out in the community.

Locally Approved Retailers; ‘Code of Conduct’

‘Locally Approved Retailers’ who are supporting this scheme, have signed a Code of Conduct.  Retailers will ensure new staff will be supervised until they are trained to sell a scooter.  They will also make sure anyone thinking of purchasing a mobility scooter is properly assessed to ensure they are cognitively and physically fit enough to use a scooter, and that the scooter they purchase is suitable for their needs.  A leaflet and guidance DVD will be given free of charge to anyone considering the purchase of a scooter as well as guidance and practical experience on how to use the scooter.

The following are approved Retailers:

Guardian Medical Supplies, Saville Street, St Helier Tel 732335

Lloyds Pharmacy, 7-8 The Parade, St Helier Tel 722862

Mercury Medical Jersey, Augres Garage, La Route de la Trinite Tel 610055

Technicare, Rue a la Dame, Five Oaks, St Saviour Tel 888975

Thinking of Visiting Jersey and Need to Hire a Mobility Scooter?

Shopmobility Jersey, is a scheme which provides mobility scooters, power and manual chairs and other equipment for the use of disabled people. It is based in the lower ground floor of the Sand Street car park and has reserved parking for those using its services. It is open from 10 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Saturday inclusive and closed on Sundays and Bank and Public holidays. Equipment can be hired for the day or delivered free to hotels or private addresses for longer term hire. Other items include shower stools, raised toilet seats on frames, tri- and quad-walkers (Rollators) etc.

Mobility scooters and manual chairs are also available at Jersey Zoo.

The prices are on the web on www.shopmobility.org.je and enquires can be made either by telephone, +44 (0) 1534 739672 or by writing to office@shopmobility.org.je

Guide Dogs Week 2017 7th – 15th October

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Guide Dog Week 2017

7th – 15th October 2017

This Guide Dogs Week people all over the UK are Moving it for Money to help ensure Guide Dogs can help as many blind and partially sighted people as possible.

Facts about guide dogs:

  • The average working life of a guide dog is six to seven years.
  • At the end of 2016, there were 5,015 active guide dog owners in the UK.
  • Guide dogs are responsible for around 8,000 dogs at any one time – active working guide dogs and those enjoying their retirement.
  • Guide dogs breed in the region of 1,300 guide dog puppies each year.
  • 828 people were matched with a guide dog in 2016.
  • It costs £35 per week to keep a partnership together.
  • Total cost from birth to retirement of a guide dog is £56,800.

In the video below, which is audio described, Steve talks about how he led an ordinary life, until one night the lights went out. He’d lived with glaucoma for many years, but after an operation he woke up and his world was totally black. Steve speaks about how becoming a guide dog owner helped get the old Steve back.

For more information about Guide Dog week visit https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/guidedogsweek#.Wds16miPKUm