Advertisement

Canadians who are blind and partially sighted ask for patience during the COVID-19 pandemic

Click to play video: 'Canadians who are visually impaired and blind ask for understanding during pandemic'
Canadians who are visually impaired and blind ask for understanding during pandemic
WATCH: The CNIB Foundation hopes to spread awareness about the new challenges people who are blind or partially sighted face during the pandemic. As Tracy Nagai reports, physical distancing restrictions have left some people feeling especially isolated, and there are also concerns for people who have guide dogs – Jun 5, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a number of unique challenges for people who are blind and partially sighted.

We understand social distancing,” Diane Bergeron with CNIB Guide Dogs said. “It’s just not always possible.”

Bergeron said she’s heard some troubling feedback from Canadians who are partially sighted or blind who have been judged for being out with their sighted guide during the pandemic.

A sighted guide is a person who guides a person with blindness or vision impairment.

Story continues below advertisement

“We do recommend that if you need a sighted guide who is not living with you that you use gloves and a mask to keep yourselves and everyone else safe,” Bergeron said. 

Click to play video: 'Limiting touch during COVID-19 an added challenge for Alberta’s blind community'
Limiting touch during COVID-19 an added challenge for Alberta’s blind community

Bergeron is blind and has had different guide dogs to help her over a span of more than 30 years.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Currently, she’s paired with a two year old golden retriever named Carla.

Bergeron said while Carla is cute and well cared for, it’s important that people don’t try and touch her.

“At the best of times you should never touch a guide dog without the owner’s or handler’s permission because that dog is concentrating,” she explained. 

Story continues below advertisement
Click to play video: 'Recognizing the unique challenges COVID-19 presents to people with disabilities'
Recognizing the unique challenges COVID-19 presents to people with disabilities

Bergeron also pointed out while it’s important for humans to limit the surfaces they touch when they’re out in public, touching animals also poses a risk.

“If you’re petting my dog and I pet my dog… we could be passing [COVID-19] back and forth off the dog’s fur.

I think its important for everybody to just demonstrate some understanding and empathy at this time and to try and make sure we’re all there for each other.”

Sponsored content

AdChoices