Defence secretary hails Black Country blind centre
Defence secretary Michael Fallon MP was given an insight into life for the visually impaired during a tour of one of the country's leading sight-loss centres.
Mr Fallon visited Beacon Centre for the Blind, based in Sedgley and paid tribute to the vital work being carried out there.
He was given a tour of the facility, which this year is celebrating its 140th anniversary, by its chief executive, Arwyn Jones, on Thursday.
The defence secretary also took part in a game of goalball – a sport designed specifically for the visually impaired, whilst sporting a pair of blackout goggles.
He said: "Centres like this help give people who have got sight disability confidence that they can regain control over their lives.
"Centres like this let them know that there is the technology and expertise to help them live as normal a life as possible.
"It has been made clear to me that when you suffer from sight loss you go through certain stages, you are angry and frustrated that you can't do the things you used to do, but then slowly you can, and the commitment of centres like this comes to your rescue.
"So these are, literally, beacons of hope for people suffering sight loss."
The centre relaunched itself in 2010 after extensive regeneration work.
Chief executive Mr Jones, who led the tour said hewas delighted to welcome the minister.
Mr Jones said: "I found out about the visit on Monday afternoon so it was quite short notice.
"Of course, we were never going to turn this down, it is always an opportunity for any government secretary or minister, or indeed shadow minister, to pay us a visit so we can explain what it is we do so that it is understood better.
"There are a lot of misunderstandings about blind and partially sighted people, many people think all blind people are totally blind which is totally incorrect - in fact only four per cent of those that are registered blind are totally blind.
"It is a great opportunity for us to explain what we do and how we help people to be as independent and live as safely as they can."
Joining Mr Fallon were the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Dudley North, Afzal Amin, and Councillor Michael Evans.
