Disability charities call for new braille labelling legislation

Marking the start of National Braille Week, Sight Scotland and Disability Equality Scotland said braille labelling should be made a requirement for a much broader range of retail goods.

At present, only medicines require braille labels, leaving braille users at a disadvantage to sighted shoppers in identifying other goods they wish to purchase and use.

Responsibility for labelling legislation is moving to the Scottish and UK governments, having previously been a matter for EU laws.

Davina Shiell, director of communications for Sight Scotland, said: “Ensuring information is available in braille is vital for the inclusion of visually impaired people in our society. We know that some businesses and retailers are taking action to produce more information in braille, but still the vast majority of products do not have labelling in braille.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, when it was made harder than ever for blind and partially sighted people to access even basic provisions such as food, we believe this is exactly the right time to ensure retailers extend the provision of braille labelling.

“We are pleased the Scottish government has indicated they will be reviewing policy and legislation on labelling. We hope they will support our proposal for new legal responsibilities to provide braille labels on a greater range of products.”

Morven Brooks, chief executive of Disability Equality Scotland, added: “Disability Equality Scotland firmly supports the introduction of braille labelling across a wider variety of goods.

“Statutory requirements for braille labelling are long overdue and until they’re in place visually impaired people will remain at a significant disadvantage in society.”