A new campaign is aiming to make members of the public more aware of the potential problems guide dog owners face.

Gloucester Citizen reporter Aisling McVeigh took to the streets to see how visually impaired people cope with these obstacles and experienced the problems first hand.

The campaign, by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, called Don’t Be an April Fool, will encourage bar and restaurant owners, traders, city planners and the public to think about the needs of blind and partially sighted people when walking around.

She joined Reg White, (58), who has been blind for 11 years and said: “As I watch Reg and Dale successfully interact, with Reg instructing Dale and Dale both leading and following, it becomes clear why it takes up to nine months and £30,000 to fully train a dog to this standard.

“And as Dale leads Reg through a series of obstacles on the footpath, I can see how it is worth every penny.”

But Aisling decided to do more than simply conduct an interview for her story.

She donned a blindfold to get a little closer to finding out what it is like without sight.

She said: “After watching Reg it was my turn to put on a blindfold, take hold of the cane and experience the scariest few moments of my life.

“The traffic rushed past, sounding louder than usual and as I swept my cane in front of me I felt utterly helpless and so dependent on Colin, who was walking with me. And that was on a clear stretch of path.

“People may not intend to cause obstacles but until you are in the situation yourself, it is easy not to realise the problem.”

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