Vision impartment often results in injuries and impaired mobility, Vision Ireland survey finds

A new survey by Vision Ireland has revealed that almost 60% of people who are blind or vision impaired have been injured because of an obstacle encountered on a footpath.

This and other findings mark the launch of the 2025 Clear Our Paths campaign, where Vision Ireland is urging the public to consider the safety of people who are vision impaired.

The charity is calling for increased awareness and behaviour change amongst the public, so that Irish footpaths are kept safe and clear of hazards.

Of 281 people who are blind or vision impaired, 96% say that they encounter hazards such as wheelie bins or parked cars when using a footpath.

The survey asked about the impact these obstacles have on people going about their daily lives.

Almost all respondents say that obstacles impact their ability to navigate footpaths, and 71% say that they have had incidents or accidents which affected their confidence in their mobility.

Of the 58% of people who have suffered an injury from a footpath obstacle, 44 respondents were injured seriously enough that they required a visit to a hospital or doctor.

The types of injuries sustained by respondents vary.

Injuries include but are not limited to cuts and grazes, bruising, broken arms and wrists, concussions, broken fingers, fractured knees, sprained and broken ankles, strained backs, and bruised and broken hips.

The survey gathered data on the types of obstacles people who are blind and vision impaired encounter on our paths.

The most common obstacles faced were parked cars, wheelie bins, and overgrown branches.

Street furniture, bikes, e-scooters, and dog fouling caused further issues for people who are blind or vision impaired.

2024 saw a record number of electoral events in Ireland, and election posters mounted at head height also came up consistently amongst respondents to this year’s survey.

Many people provided insights into the effect obstacles have on their daily lives.

One respondent said: “I often get scratches on my face and eyes from overhanging branches and hedges.

“I have walked into posters at head height often, and will usually try to go out less in the run-up to elections in order to avoid injuries”.

Another wrote: “Obstacles like wheelie bins have caused me injuries.

“When walking with a guide dog, their safety is also at risk, especially when we’re forced to step into the road.

“People don’t think about the impact of their actions, and it’s people like me who suffer”.

Kevin Kelly, Vision Ireland’s Head of Policy and External Affairs said:

“The findings from this survey are startling. With 16% of people requiring a hospital or doctor’s visit due to an accident caused by an obstacle, we want to ensure that everyone understands the potential impact of their actions.

“Changing the behaviour of the public, such as not parking on a footpath or picking up after their dog, could dramatically improve the safety and confidence of the 296,000 people in Ireland who are blind or vision impaired”.

Kelly continued: “This year we also want homeowners to check if they have any overhanging trees or bushes which are encroaching on a path, and could be cut back.

“It is a myth that these cannot be trimmed outside of the hedge cutting season.

“If vegetation is a hazard to people using a road, it can legally be cut back at any time of the year.

“We are urging people to take action if their overgrown bushes and trees are at or below head height, and could injure someone who is blind or vision impaired”.

Chantelle Smith, National Access and Mobility Manager at Vision Ireland said: “Almost every person we surveyed said that temporary obstacles impact their ability to navigate public paths.

“When something blocks the way and forces people out onto the road, they are placed at unnecessary risk.

“We are asking the public to get on board with our campaign and understand the perspectives of people who are vision impaired.

“Everyone in Ireland should be able to use our footpaths safely, independently, and with confidence.”

Vision Ireland’s #ClearOurPaths campaign will run across social media from August 18th to 22nd, each day highlighting the experiences of people who are blind or vision impaired and the everyday obstacles they face on footpaths.

The charity is encouraging others to join in by sharing on their social media, and promoting awareness of the impact obstacles can have and actions which the public can take.