By: Debbie Jeffery
People with sight loss often face transportation barriers. Without the option of driving a car, many people who are blind or partially sighted rely on public transportation.
In most New Brunswick municipalities, public transportation is not accessible for people with sight loss for various reasons, such as a lack of audible next-stop announcements; identifiable transit stops with tactile walking surface indicators; accessible signage, and clear procedures for passengers to request assistance from transit operators.
Recognizing the lack of accessibility, some municipalities have offered free transit passes for people who are blind or partially sighted.
In 2014, the City of Saint John cancelled the free transit accommodation given to people who are blind.
We Are Passengers, a New Brunswick advocacy group, has been advocating on this issue by preparing a private members bill to be introduced to the New Brunswick Legislature. If passed, this bill would offer free transit for those who are blind throughout New Brunswick in municipalities with sustainable public transit. Currently, Moncton is the only New Brunswick municipality that offers free transit to people who are blind.
Marisa Hershey-Misner, Chair of We Are Passengers, was inspired to act when she saw how direct the impacts of lack of affordable and accessible transit were on those living with sight loss.
“We obviously can't drive. Add to that, people who are blind are significantly underemployed. This just results in even greater social isolation,” says Marisa.
For more information about We Are Passengers, contact Marisa Hershey-Misner, Committee Chair of We are Passengers, at marisa.ambassador4blind@gmail.com.