Vision-impaired residents, disability advocates call for action over accessibility in WA

Vision-impaired West Australians and disability advocates say work can be done to improve accessibility and public awareness.Like many people in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Gary Paul wears fluorescent clothing most days.After several close calls, the vision-impaired senior said he routinely approached some of the Goldfields city's busiest pedestrian crossings with trepidation."You press the button, go across the road, and people drive straight through the traffic light," Mr Paul said.

"These works include the realignment of ramps and tactile pavers to ensure those with visual impairment or using mobility aids can confidently move around our city," he said.But from the state's remote heart to the middle of Perth, accessibility problems – and a lack of awareness among the general public – remain a burden for many within the vision-impaired community.Advocacy WA chief executive Stu Schonell was recently left unimpressed with a busy Perth intersection.

"Each shire really needs to have a full accessibility assessment done to have a look at footpaths and roads and traffic lights and crosswalks, and make sure that they actually do meet current Australian standards," he said."You'd think by now we'd have it right, but we don't," he said. "All Western Australians have a responsibility in creating the type of community we all want to be part of and proud of," he said.Debbie Van Luxemborg was eight years old when she was diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition.

"I've told all my people that I come across who are visually impaired, the first thing you need to know is a sighted person does not know what you are going through," she said."It's traumatic enough to go blind," he said.State and Territory Government

Vision Impaired Disability Access Pedestrian Hazards Safety Walking Don Punch Stu Schonell Advocacy WA

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