News Round-up

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On Your Skates

Paralympian Libby Clegg, who has Stargardt Macular Dystrophy, is the latest celebrity contestant to sign up to ITV series Dancing on Ice. Libby, who is the first blind skater on the show, said that along with professional partner, Mark Hanretty, the duo use “touch and verbal communication” on the rink. Although the celebrities have set themselves a fair challenge, Libby knows her appearance on the show can also go a long way to inspiring others to face their fears. She said: “I’d love for people with disabilities, or just in general, to come out of their comfort zone, set yourself a little goal and just do it.”

FIGHT OR FLIGHT

Major consumer group, Which?, who for over 60 years has been “asking probing questions of businesses” have turned their attention to the aviation industry. The independent group found that 25% of 363 disabled passengers quizzed who had used special assistance at an airport were unhappy with the support provided. Furthermore, 46% of travellers with reduced mobility felt flying was not an option for them due to the stress it caused when airport assistance was not booked or was insufficient when provided. Travel editor for Which?, Rory Borland, said: “Not one single person should have to suffer the indignities and pain we heard about in the course of this investigation. It seems these experiences of inadequate airport accessibility services are all too common, so it’s unsurprising that thousands of disabled travellers feel unable to fly.”

LONDON TRAVEL PLEDGE

London mayor, Sadiq Khan, has vowed to provide free travel across London for those travelling with a disabled passenger. Khan said: “My job is to stand up for all Londoners. I want to ensure everyone in our city can access our fantastic transport network, and that travel in the capital is inclusive and affordable.”

If his bid to lead for a second successive year is successful, the current mayor plans to ensure disability groups are consulted so the scheme can reach its full potential. Alan Benson, from Transport for All, said: “The rights of disabled people are rarely put front and centre by policymakers, so this is a welcome change. The provision of a companion pass is an access requirement, in the same way as a lift is; without it, many disabled people simply cannot travel as they can’t travel alone.”

research funds available. She laments: “It’s shameful that in 2020 so little national research funding goes to eye research, especially when science offers so many possibilities to transform lives and there are breakthroughs happening every day.” Head ophthalmologist and Chair of the Grant Application Panel at Fight

for Sight, Chris Hammond, argues development must continue. He stresses: “We know that serious sight loss doesn’t discriminate - it can affect anyone at any time and it is on the increase. We are so close to outcomes that were not possible a decade ago, yet so much more needs to be done to develop new universal treatments.”

Research charity Fight for Sight has teamed up with leading ophthalmologists to tackle the funding issues surrounding understanding sight loss. The charity has reported that only 1% of UK grant funding has been attributed to eye research, despite evidence that 20% of the UK population will experience some sort of sight deterioration in their lifetime. Dr Rubina Ahmed, Head of Research at Fight for Sight, condemned the