South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has urged Health Minister Jim Wells to tackle the issue of discrimination against those registered blind in Northern Ireland.
Ms Ritchie, who has been contacted by a constituent, has asked the Minister for Health, Jim Wells, what his Department are dong to challenge the issue of discrimination against blind people.
She said: “I was recently contacted by a constituent who is registered blind. This lady highlighted to me areas of concern she has come across in her day-to-day life, that she believes amounts to wider discrimination against those who are registered blind.
“I do not believe enough is being done by the various Health and Social Care Trusts to deliver a standard of health care packages, to those with eyesight problems. Many people in Northern Ireland who suffer from eyesight loss depend fully on the assistance of the care of team who attends to them.
“They rely on this care team to accompany them on outings, including shopping, assist them in determining monetary amounts to pay their bills and other various daily tasks that we all take for granted.
“Just this week, I have seen in the papers discrimination against blind people in Northern Ireland; James Cosgrove, a blind man who was turned away from a restaurant in Bangor last May because he had a guide dog with him has thankfully been awarded damages. However, the point of this issue is that he should not have been turned away to begin with”.
Ms Ritchie added: “I have urged Minister Wells to outline what the Department of Health currently offers to those registered blind, such as my constituent and Mr Cosgrove in order to help them maintain a better quality of life”.
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