Koninklijke Visio clients and pupils walk from Haren to Euroborg for accessibility
Twelve clients and pupils of Koninklijke Visio walked and took the train from Haren to FC Groningen's stadium to call for better accessibility in public space.
On White Cane Day (Dag van de Witte Stok), twelve blind and visually impaired clients and pupils of Koninklijke Visio walked and took the train from Haren to FC Groningen's Euroborg stadium. They called for better accessibility in public space.
The group set out from Visio De Heukelom on the Rijksstraatweg in Haren. With the walk they also asked for attention to accessibility on the way to the stadium.
Saskia Dijkstra, who coordinates leisure activities and volunteers at Koninklijke Visio, said the walk underlines how important an accessible environment is. "Our clients and pupils know the paths around Haren well, but going out without guidance is almost impossible in many places," she said. "An accessible route gives them the freedom and independence to take part in society."
Patrick, a Visio client, said the white cane is indispensable. "The cane is really my eyes," he said. But when a pavement suddenly narrows, he said, he no longer knows how to continue and needs someone to help him.
Dijkstra appealed to the public to be considerate. "Don't just park your bike on the pavement or on a guidance line," she said.
Koninklijke Visio
Koninklijke Visio is a Dutch expertise centre for people who are blind or visually impaired, offering education, rehabilitation, care and support. It runs several locations across the Netherlands, including Visio De Heukelom in Haren, where clients live and train in daily skills. It is a common reference point in the Netherlands for independent living and mobility for people with a visual impairment.