Councilmember Schokker lays a tile: Keep the lines clear

Councilman Hubert Schokker and Collin Eisema of the Voorschoten Social Domain Advisory Council laid a tile in the town center today to raise awareness about guide lines. A walk through the village with someone who is visually impaired reveals that obstacles are still frequently placed on the guide lines.

People who are visually impaired find their way by following natural guide lines. These include, for example, the facades of buildings or green spaces. When natural guide lines are not available, they rely on tactile guide paths to find their way on the street. Tactile guide paths are made of raised-edge tiles and run in the direction of travel. Ribbed tiles can be found, for example, at crosswalks, bus stops, and train stations.

Parking bicycles or placing objects such as trash containers on guide lines seriously disrupts the walking route of people with visual impairments and can put them in danger. This can cause them to lose their sense of direction and put them at risk of colliding with objects or ending up in dangerous situations.

Councilmember Schokker: “A small gesture of understanding and compassion can make a big difference in the lives of people with visual impairments. It’s important to keep the guide lines clear. These lines are essential for people with visual impairments to navigate safely in traffic and in public places. So, remember: keep the guide lines clear and help ensure accessibility and safety for everyone.”