Vision Ireland is urging motorists and dog owners to consider how everyday footpath obstacles affect people who are blind or vision impaired.
The charity’s Clear Our Paths campaign highlights the difficulties caused by dog fouling, vehicles parked on footpaths and other temporary obstructions.
In a survey of 220 people who were blind or vision impaired, 99% of respondents said they were affected by temporary obstacles.
Some described how dog waste can soil a long cane and transfer to their hands when the cane is folded, creating difficulties with cleaning and hygiene.
Parked vehicles were another major concern. Some 69% of respondents identified cars as the most common obstacle blocking their route, while 65% said they caused the greatest difficulty.
Vision Ireland warned that an obstructed footpath can force someone with sight loss to step into the road and moving traffic.
The charity is asking the public to clean up after dogs, avoid parking on footpaths and keep pedestrian routes accessible.
Its campaign is highlighting these experiences and encouraging people to share the message throughout October.
