Navigating large events with low vision

Large events, such as festivals, major sporting events, and concerts, are a great way to connect with your community and enjoy your interests. However, these busy events often bring large crowds, disrupt public transport schedules, and cause heavy, more unpredictable traffic. These conditions can be disorientating for people living with low vision, and feelings of anxiety or being overwhelmed are perfectly normal. But understanding these potential challenges and planning ahead can make a big difference. Here are some of our top tips to prepare for any large event.

Plan ahead and know your journey

Major events often disrupt regular travel with road and station closures, limited parking, and changes to public transport services. No matter how you intend to travel to an event, planning your route well in advance helps you to build familiarity and prepare for potential variables before they happen.

• If travelling by car, pre-book parking where possible, or find out if the event has dedicated taxi bays. This will allow you to plan the walk between your car or taxi in the days leading up to the event.
• Visit your state’s transport website to check for road closures and changes to public transport services.
• Transport websites and apps like Google Maps can plan your trip out step-by-step.
• Night-time events can increase the risk associated with using public transport. If possible, consider other transport options such as a taxi, driving, or a lift with a friend or family member.
• Most events offer accessible tickets or seating options. Contact the venue or event ahead of time to find out what accommodations they offer and if any Audio Description is available.

Once you know your route, completing a practice run of the journey during a calmer period is a great way to prepare for travel on the day. Though it may feel somewhat unusual to make the trip without attending the event, this is a very common strategy practised by people living with low vision and blindness every day. When walking through, identify some key landmarks along the route you can orientate yourself with on the day. Many will make the trip multiple times to ensure they feel comfortable navigating it in darker or busier conditions.

On the day

Even with preparation and practice, navigating an event on the day can still bring many variables. Crowds and changing lighting can obscure potential obstacles or even create further hazards which weren’t there during your practice run. But there are tools which can help you to navigate these challenges in real time.

• Bring a hat, torch, and your prescription glasses with you to make the most of the light available at different locations and times throughout the day.
• Different cane types can help you with mobility, navigation, and letting others know you may need some extra space in a crowd. A cane you already use for balance can also be used to identify drop-offs or steps, or a specialised ID cane can be used to indicate your low vision.
• For further support, an Orientation and Mobility specialist can teach you to use a white or long cane, which provides more detailed information about obstacles and drop-offs on the ground. Read our article on white canes to learn more.
• If you don’t own a cane, items like a walking stick, shopping jeeps, or wheelie walkers can also be used as object finders and to create space in a crowd.
• Walking along the outskirts of a crowd or travelling along a building line or barrier can help keep you grounded and steady, preventing you from getting caught up in a bustling crowd.
• Wear a badge, pin, or card which identifies you as having low vision. SeeWay has a free card you can print off at home, or you can order one online from various low vision retailers. Download your free identification card.
• Use technology such as Be My Eyes for support. This app can be used with both smartphones and Meta smart glasses. Learn more about both tools with our articles on Be My Eyes and Meta smart glasses for low vision.

Bringing someone along

Not only can having a friend or family member with you make for great company, but they act as a grounding point in large crowds and can support you identifying obstacles in crowds or dark conditions. A companion can be particularly useful at night, when safety concerns may be greater. They don’t have to be there as a carer; they can just be there to enjoy the event with you, with the additional bonus of providing some extra support where needed.

Sometimes you may have to reach out a little further to find someone available for an event. But the bigger the event, the greater the likelihood someone you know is already looking to attend. Try reaching out to your wider social network – it might be a good opportunity to get closer to an acquaintance.