‘Please give me space’ snoods and lanyards help disabled people socially distance in Edinburgh

Reports of people with hidden disabilities confronted in public for not being able to keep social distance leads to launch of wearable aids in Edinburgh

Jonathan Attenborough with his guide dog said he was struggling to adhere to the new rules when out and about in Edinburgh but the products have helped.

Products available include face-coverings, badges, snoods and lanyards saying “Please give me space”.

The range was launched after research from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) found that nearly three-quarters of disabled people felt that it is difficult to socialise.

The same research found that a small number had reported being confronted by other members of the public for being unable to keep a distance.

Face-coverings, badges, snoods and lanyards saying “Please give me space” are all available to order.

More than 80 percent of people surveyed felt that a social distance indicator was a good idea as it would help others understand that they needed space and provide them with more confidence when in public areas.

The products have been created as part of the ‘Please give me space’ project created through a combined effort of RNIB, Hidden Disabilities and the UK Cabinet Office.

Hidden Disabilities employee Chantal Boyle said: “We have developed ‘Please give me space’ in response to Covid-19 and the need to social distance. Its purpose is to alert others that they need help to maintain social distance when they see someone wearing it.”

Initial product testing saw a number of disabled people trying out the lanyards and snoods on Edinburgh’s streets.

Testers reported back that the products have them more confident being in public areas and helped them adhere to social distancing.

Jonathan Attenborough who has impaired vision said he was struggling to adhere to the new rules when out and about in Edinburgh but the products have helped.

The 31-year-old said: “The restrictions that have been put in place in shops and supermarkets are all either visual signs telling you where to stand, or arrows showing you where the one-way system is that you need to follow.

“None of these have been made accessible for blind and partially sighted people, so prove challenging if you can’t see them.

“I was pleased to find that people did keep further away from me whilst I was wearing the lanyard and face covering, and even more encouragingly, people seemed to engage and be interested in the wearables and what they mean."

The ‘Please give me space’ emblem has been designed inclusively for any person who feels anxious about social distancing, by giving them a way to signal to others that they need to be given space.

Mr Attenborough said: “I do feel more confident going out whilst wearing them and feel it could be extremely useful, not only for people with sight loss, but for anyone who feels anxious about going out during this time.

“I think the products created by RNIB are fantastic, and hope that others with sight loss find them beneficial over the coming months.”

To find out more about the 'Please give me space' initiative or purchase the social distancing products, please visit pleasegivemespace.uk.

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