Visually impaired people from Bradford and the rest of the UK will lobby parliament today demanding an improvement in Disability Living Allowance payments.

The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) argues that visually impaired people are having their quality of life effected and sometimes their lives put at risk due to lack of mobility payments.

The Charity has lobbied the Department of Works and Pensions on several occasions over the issue.

Imtiaz Naqvi, 51, from Little Horton in Bradford will be one of those attending the event in London today.

Mr Naqvi, who lost his sight in his early twenties, said: "This is a very important issue. When you consider mobility payments given to other disabled groups, such as wheelchair users, we receive much less.

"Our argument is that we face similar difficulties as a wheelchair user. They cannot walk but they can see. Because we cannot see we have the danger of walking into hazards such as road works or tripping on dangerous pavements.

"If we received the same amount of DLA we could afford to use taxis and avoid these dangers.

"Some time ago, when I was attending college, I walked to my usual bus stop but there were roadworks there and the stop had been moved. I couldn't find it.

"There was a sign lying on the footpath and I slipped on it. I could have seriously injured myself. Things like this could be avoided very easily if I could afford taxis."

Currently Blind people receive the lower rate of mobility DLA which works out at around £17 per week. Wheelchair users and other disabled groups receive £45, almost three times as much.

The RNIB's head of campaigns, Steve Winyard, said: "How long will it be before a blind person dies as a result of having to undertake a hazardous journey because they can't afford the cost of a taxi?

"Blind people are currently excluded from claiming the higher rate mobility component of DLA, which provides help to disabled people for getting out and about.

"Blind people, who can't drive, can only receive the lower rate of £17 per week. Wheelchair users, who can drive, receive £45 per week."

The reception will take place in the House of Commons Terrace Pavilion between 4.30pm and 6pm this evening.

Among those addressing the reception will be David Blunkett MP, vice chairman of the RNIB.

Mr Naqvi will be attending the event with Caroline Goodwill, Secretary of the BAVIP.