A MAN is hoping to raise awareness of the challenges blind people and those with disabilities can face in day to day life.

Imtiaz Naqvi, from Little Horton, is currently writing a book - Walking in the Dark - to highlight some of the barriers.

Mr Naqvi, 68, was born with full sight, but in later life was diagnosed with macular dystrophy, registered partially sighted in 1976 and then registered blind in 1983.

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Since then, he has worked through a number of organisations to prove disability is no barrier to success.

Much of this is through his work with organisations like the Bradford Association of Visually Impaired People (BAVIP), the Royal National Institute for the Blind, Deafblind UK and Bradford Talking Media.

He’s also worked with local hospitals and his GP practice to help make improvements for visually impaired people.

The disability is seen differently within different cultures. In spite of this, I was prompted to write down my personal experiences as an Asian blind man, for the reason that it may encourage people to change their views and attitudes towards disabilities, particularly blindness" - Imtiaz Naqvi

As part of the book, Mr Naqvi will talk about the challenges he has faced during his employment and in education, how blindness is seen in his culture, plus his own personal experience of hospitals, dentists, GP surgeries and transport.

He said: “The motive behind writing this book is to raise awareness about disability issues to the general public as well as service providers such as hospitals, GPs, public transport services and employers.

“The disability is seen differently within different cultures. In spite of this, I was prompted to write down my personal experiences as an Asian blind man, for the reason that it may encourage people to change their views and attitudes towards disabilities, particularly blindness.

“I truly believe that this book will inspire and give a deep insight into the life of a disabled person. Moreover, what barriers come with it.”

He has asked others to share their own experiences as part of the book, which will be offered to professionals, students, educational establishments, service providers, as well as the disabled community, in the hope of giving a valuable insight into the life of a blind person.

One of Mr Naqvi’s main crusades is to make a difference in GP surgeries and it’s a mission spurred on by his own experiences.

He says he has encountered a number of problems, including doctors not coming out to call him in person.

He believes this is happening nationally.

Mr Naqvi said BAVIP is eager to discuss how services and facilities can be improved to help those who are visually impaired.