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Blind people call for cash aid to get out to work
DAVID Blunkett MP joined members of South Yorkshire's blind community at a rally outside Parliament calling for better benefits to help them live independent lives.
Sean Harper, of South Yorkshire Royal National Institute for the Blind, said blind and partially-sighted people have their disability living allowance reduced if they are able to walk.
But he says getting out and about leads to extra costs, such as looking after guide dogs and paying for taxis where public transport is difficult.
He criticised the system for a 'complete disregard for people's needs.'
He said: "We want to know why the Government believes it is easier for a blind person than someone in a wheelchair - who receives a full mobility allowance - to get out and about."
Almost a dozen blind and partially-sighted people from South Yorkshire attended the rally organised by the RNIB.
Mr Blunkett addressed a crowd from all over the UK.
The Sheffield MP said extra support is needed if blind people are to take advantage of plans to extend a programme aimed at encouraging more of them into work.
"The announcement in July of the doubling of the funds allocated to the Access to Work programme is bold and very welcome.
"But there is a paradox of increasing the ability to take up work when the access to the first steps needed to get back into a job are difficult and sometimes impossible."
He said problems could be resolved by the Government extending the higher rate of mobility allowance, available under disability benefits, to blind people.
Many experience problems including a 'nightmare' getting access to travel, which can stop them being able to take jobs or have active social lives.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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