Blind woman hopes QR code menus will help diners

Martha McClelland, who is blind, says a council proposal could help visually impaired people dining out

A blind woman has said a council motion to encourage restaurants to add QR codes that read out menus could help visually impaired people feel more comfortable dining out.

Martha McClelland, who is blind and lives in Londonderry, said she would rarely ever go out for something to eat without someone with her, but believes using technology to read out food items audibly is a fantastic idea.

Derry City and Strabane District Council said they will work with the hospitality sector to implement QR codes on menus for customers who are visually impaired.

The hope is that this would encourage blind or partially-sighted people to visit more restaurants in the area independently, without relying on the aid of someone else.

SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid says the council will work with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and charity Angel Eyes NI to help develop the more inclusive menus

"I would usually go out with friends or my husband comes with me to restaurants," she told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

"If I was by myself, I would need to have the server read the menu to me, which can be difficult sometimes if it's a crowded restaurant with a lot of noise.

"I think a QR code is a great idea where I could maybe listen back a few times to what is on offer on the phone [through headphones].

"I am vegan so it could tell me what is vegan and also tell me what the price is."

She said it would also help staff interact better with people who are visually impaired.

"There are 55,000 people in Northern Ireland who are blind or partially-sighted so I think it could help a lot of people."

'Giving people more independence'

SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid, who put forward the council motion, has said the council will work with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and visually impaired charity Angel Eyes NI to help develop the more-inclusive menus.

"During Covid-19, most restaurants and takeaways developed a QR code for their menu and ordering systems and this was all about taking that one step further," she said.

"I think it's just can we make sure that QR code takes you to an accessible menu.

"We believe that such an app could be something that increases text on menus to a bigger print, and also read back menus audibly.

"Just because you're visually impaired doesn't mean you should miss out on the great hospitality available here - imagine going in and not being able to choose for yourself and relying on other people - it's about giving people more independence."

Ms McDaid believes they are the first council in Northern Ireland to introduce such a scheme and hopes it will encourage other local authorities across Northern Ireland to follow suit.