Students from Glasgow Caledonian University’s Graduate Diploma in Low Vision Rehabilitation took part in practical training at Milngavie station on Wednesday 25 October.

The training used a stationed train at Milngavie station, which was upgraded three years ago, to give the future vision rehabilitation specialists hands-on experience in teaching visually-impaired people to access railway travel safely.

It provided the students with knowledge and experience that they can use to teach a client the route to the railway station using a long cane, and also gave them skills to familiarise the person with the main features of the station and train.

ScotRail provided the facilities for the training as part of its efforts to make rail travel more accessible.

Patrick Nyamurundira, ScotRail Access and Inclusion Manager, said: “ScotRail is committed to making the railway accessible for all, and we will do everything we can to ensure as many people as possible can access our services.

“Facilitating training sessions like this play a key role helping to build confidence, and allowing visually impaired people to travel independently and safely on Scotland‘s Railway.”

Simon Labbett, guest lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University, said: “Giving blind and partially sighted people the confidence to use public transport is absolutely essential.

“Thanks to ScotRail’s generous initiative, Scotland’s next generation of vision rehab specialists will feel more confident in promoting access to train travel with their clients.”