Sight Scotland is urging more restaurants and venues to ‘open their doors’ to the vision impaired.
The charity has produced a free Customer Service guide aimed at the hospitality industry, which gives simple advice and tips on what venues can do to improve the visitor experience for the vision impaired.
The new Sight Scotland campaign has been inspired by Swanston Brasserie, situated about five miles south of Edinburgh City Centre, which has become one of the first restaurants in Scotland to place accessibility for the visionary impaired at the top of its priority list.
The Customer Service Guide gives venues simple hints and tips on how venues can easily improve the visitor experience for someone who is blind or partially sighted; including how to welcome them, where to seat them, how to best guide them to their seat, how to describe a menu if there is not a braille or large print option, and how to serve someone with vision impairment.
Gillian McDonald, Director of Operations at Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, says: “We are really hoping more restaurants and venues open their doors to the vision impaired. Small, easy changes can make such a huge difference to someone with a VI, and this is why we are launching our restaurant accessibility campaign. When visiting a bar or restaurant it is important that everyone is made to feel as welcome and comfortable as possible from the moment they step in the front door to the moment they leave.”
Sam Lockhart, who is Marketing Manager at Swanston Brasserie, comments: “As a society we need to work on education, and improve our understanding that everyone is different, but these differences should not prevent anyone from doing things they enjoy. I very much believe that we should try and give 100% to everyone.
As a society we need to work on education, and improve our understanding that everyone is different, but these differences should not prevent anyone from doing things they enjoy. I very much believe that we should try and give 100% to everyone.
“Unfortunately, most people with a VI have anxiety; they don’t like new places and they don’t like surprises. This is why it is so important for them to know a venue is accessible and that the staff are friendly and aware of what assistance they may require. People with a VI spend their life planning, so if they find a restaurant or venue which suits their needs, and where they are well looked after, it stands to reason that they will return.
Sam adds: “I want to stress that this has not been a financial burden and most of the changes we have made are small and easy to implement.”
Request a FREE copy of our customer Service Guide
We are encouraging all restaurants, cafés and venues to be more welcoming and accessible to people with visual impairment.
Sight Scotland celebrates 230 years
We recently celebrated our 230th year anniversary with an event in the Grassmarket in Edinburgh. Over 120 people attended the event, which was a mix of celebrating the past but also looking forward to the future.
Award-winning fundraising manager says building an engaging fundraising culture is the key
Stephanie Shanks, Fundraiser of the Year for 2023, says building a positive fundraising culture is the key to unlocking success.
Sight Loss Councils Scotland
Sight Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans, Visibility Scotland and Thomas Pocklington Trust are excited to announce that together we are launching Sight Loss Councils across the Central Belt of Scotland and in Dumfries and Galloway.