Essential Winter Safety Tips for Visually Impaired Individuals
Winter brings unique challenges, from icy pavements to low light conditions. For those with visual impairments, these seasonal shifts can significantly impact daily mobility and safety. This article provides essential winter safety tips for visually impaired people, helping them to navigate the colder months with confidence and independence. By following these suggestions, you can better prepare for the season and avoid common hazards.
Winter Safety Tips For Visually Impaired People
Preparation is Key
Being ready for winter starts before the first frost. Creating a plan and gathering the right equipment can make all the difference.
Plan Your Route
Before you leave home, consider the path you’ll take. Is it well-lit? Do you know if the pavement has been gritted or cleared of snow (not that we get much nowadays)? You can contact local councils to find out about snow-clearing schedules. However, if possible, use technology to help. Navigation apps like Google Maps can help you plan routes, but other assistive technology can help provide real-time updates on your surroundings, like the Meta Smart Glasses, or Gemini Live for some examples. You can find out more about these and more in our latest AI Accessibility Features for Visually Impaired People guide.
Use the Right Gear
The right equipment is crucial for staying safe. For example, a cane is your primary tool for detecting changes in the ground. Its use is even more important in winter to feel for ice patches or hidden slush. A great piece of tech to help navigate with your cane in the dusk/dark is the Ambutech Pharos cane light. This cane light attaches to any Ambutech cane, and lights up the path ahead of you, meaning you still have one hand free. You can get an Ambutech Pharos Cane Light on the RNIB website.
Ensure your footwear has a good grip to prevent slips, like non-slip boots with deep treads are an excellent investment.
Another useful item to take out with you is a pocket torch. Due to it getting dark earlier, it becomes increasingly harder to see clearly in the afternoons. We would also recommend always taking a mobile phone with you. This has a torch built into it, but it’s main use is as a phone and can be used to contact anyone if you need help. You can also use your phone to help you navigate as well as other assistive technologies. You can find out more about the latest AI Accessibility Features for Visually Impaired People in our new article.
Bringing a power bank with you as well could be very useful. The darker evenings make it harder to spot landmarks to help you identify where you are, so using GPS services on your phone becomes more necessary, and therefore keeping charge on your phone becomes even more important.
Dressing for Safety
Staying warm is important, but your clothing can also help with safety.
Bright Colours and Reflective Gear
Wear bright, contrasting colours or reflective strips on your coat, hat, and backpack. This makes you more visible to drivers, cyclists, and other pedestrians, especially during the shorter, darker days. You can also get high-vis jackets that say “visually impaired” on the back so others can be more aware around you.
Protecting Your Hands
Keep your hands warm and dry with gloves or mittens. Not only does this protect you from the cold, but it also helps you maintain a better grip on your cane, if you have one.
Protecting Your Eyes
During the winter months, the sun is a lot lower in the sky. Despite the UV levels being much lower at this time of year, the glare is increased a lot. As well as the sun spending more time closer to eye-level, there are also more puddles, icy patches and snow, that all reflect the light. Bringing sunglasses with you everywhere you go can help protect your eyes, and also make your journeys out and about more comfortable. We have some sunglasses at our resource centre for you to come and try. These Cocoons glasses are designed to wear over the top of prescription eye wear. If you are interested, visit us at Bradbury Lodge, Gordon Woodwood way, Oxford, OX1 4XL, or email us: Info@MyVision.org.uk, call us: 01865 525595.
A rack of Cocoons sunglasses of different tints.
A pair of blue Cocoons sunglasses.
Understanding Winter Hazards
Knowing what to look for can help you avoid danger.
The Dangers of Black Ice
Black ice is a significant risk because it’s nearly impossible to see, even for people with good vision. It often forms on roads and pavements that look wet. Use your cane to tap ahead of you and be cautious on any surface that looks suspiciously slick. As well as this, take smaller steps and slow your walk down to avoid a surprise slip.
Falling Snow and Icicles
Be aware of what’s above you. Heavy snowfall can cause snow to slide off roofs, and icicles can form on gutters. Avoid walking close to buildings, especially scaffolding, where this might be a risk.
Navigating with Your Senses
During winter, your other senses become even more critical for navigation. The extreme cold, while not too common in this country and region, can make it harder to focus, especially for blind and visually impaired people, so keep this in mind.
Listen for Clues
The world sounds different in the snow and frost. A crunching sound underfoot can signal that you’re walking on fresh snow, while a smooth, quiet footfall might indicate an icy patch. Pay attention to the sounds of traffic and other people, as these can also help identify things like slush.
Feeling the Ground
Your cane provides vital information. As you walk, you can feel changes in texture and height. Be mindful of areas where snow has piled up or where the ground feels uneven. This is where your cane becomes one of the most important winter safety tips for visually impaired people.
On the other hand, too much snow can make it really hard to feel things like curbs or path edges, which can be quite dangerous. If this is the case, a good recommendation is to go out with someone else, or it might even be safer to stay at home. Using taxis can also be a good option, even if the distance is short.
Finding Support and Community
Green Walks
One of the best ways to stay active and confident during the winter is by connecting with others. Joining a group can provide a safe and sociable way to get outside. Our Green Walks are a great way to do this. They’re a chance to get out and about during the day, meet other visually impaired people, and share tips on staying safe and navigating independently, even in challenging winter conditions. Find more information about our Green Walks.
Social Groups
For those days when the weather is just too challenging, or you’d simply prefer a different kind of activity, our social groups are a perfect solution. They offer a warm, safe space to meet up and enjoy each other’s company, a great way to stay connected and boost your confidence during the winter. Find out more about our Social Groups.
A Final Word on Winter Safety Tips for Visually Impaired
Winter doesn’t have to be a season of stress. By being well-prepared, paying close attention to your senses, and dressing for both warmth and visibility, you can navigate the colder and darker months with confidence. If you are not confident to navigate independently in the winter, then travelling with someone will help, but even staying at home can be the safest option. These winter safety tips for visually impaired people are designed to help you stay active and safe throughout the season. Remember to take your time and be aware of your surroundings.
If you found this guide useful, check out our other guide on Staying Safe Online for Visually Impaired users.
Check out our other sight loss related Latest News.
