SIR – With the cold, icy conditions forecast to continue for the rest of the year, Action for Blind People are urging local people to spare a thought for residents with sight loss. Freezing weather can be a real pain and can cause inconvenience, but for some visually-impaired people, it can be dangerous and can also mean total isolation. Many blind and partially-sighted people lack confidence getting out and about in good weather, so when frost and ice make pavements slippery, many feel unable to venture out of their front doors, trapped in their own homes.

At Action for Blind People, we’re encouraging everyone who knows a blind or partially-sighted person to check if they need any help. Our top tips are to:

* Contact visually-impaired neighbours to make sure they’re okay.

* Clear their path of ice and snow.

* Offer to drive them to and from their place of work.

* Do their food shopping, so they’re stocked up with supplies.

* Offer to walk with them, guiding them around icy and slippery surfaces.

Your help will be a real lifeline to people with sight loss.

Elizabeth Percy, head of region, Yorkshire and Humber, Action for Blind People