Talking Vision is Vision Australia Radio’s flagship program, discussing the latest news and issues from a blindness and low vision perspective.
On May 9 the Victorian government’s Department of Transport and Planning is holding a Try Before You Ride event at Southern Cross station in Melbourne for passengers who are blind or have low vision to find out more about the network, including the support that is available should they need it.
Sam caught up with DTP customer relations officer Fiona Demark to tell us all about the day, and why it’s so important to not only the department but to her personally as someone with lived experience of low vision who understands firsthand how daunting public transport can be.
“I know a lot of people with vision conditions are a little bit reluctant to go on public transport especially to travel independently, so it’s really an opportunity for people to experience the network and feel safe and confident when they’re using these transport options,” Fiona said.
“Even when for example they change the platform at the station it’s not something to panic about and think “oh my god how do I get home?” It’s knowing that support is there and there are plenty of staff at the station and that assistance is there at your fingertips,” she said.
Listen to the full interview on Omny or in the player below:
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