Ballymoney man walks to Stormont to challenge barriers faced by people with sight loss
Ballymoney man Alex Patterson who walked to Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast, with Alliance North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland, and other representatives.
Thursday 5 November 2026
A Ballymoney man who has faced being turned away from restaurants because of his guide dog has walked from Belfast City Hall to Stormont to highlight the everyday barriers faced by blind and partially sighted people.
Alex Patterson completed the challenge on Tuesday (3 November), accompanied by his guide dog Angus and daughter Jana, calling for greater accessibility, respect for disability rights and more support for people waiting for guide dogs.
His campaign has received the backing of North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland, who raised his experiences in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Everyday journeys made more difficult
For people living with sight loss, obstacles that others might barely notice can make getting around difficult, stressful and potentially dangerous.
Street furniture, advertising boards, outdoor seating, roadworks and inconsiderately parked vehicles can all create barriers to travelling independently.
Alex has also experienced being refused entry to restaurants because he is accompanied by Angus, despite legal protections for people who use assistance dogs.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, service providers must make reasonable adjustments for disabled people accessing goods and services. This includes accommodating guide dogs, subject to limited exceptions.
The impact of being turned away
Alex said his walk was intended to raise awareness of access refusals while highlighting the difference a guide dog can make to someone's independence.
He explained:
“Through this walk, I want to highlight two important issues. The first is the need to raise more money for Guide Dogs so more people can experience what I have experienced with Angus. There is currently a three-year waiting list, and it costs around £75,000 to train a guide dog over the first two years of its life, so funding is absolutely vital.”
He also highlighted the emotional consequences of being refused access to businesses and public places.
“The other issue is access refusal. Even though it is illegal, around 90% of guide dog owners will experience being refused access at some point. It can knock your confidence and leave people reluctant to go out. I will challenge it when it happens to me, but even I have to phone restaurants ahead to make sure Angus will be welcome. People shouldn't have to plan their day around worrying whether they will be allowed in. Everyone deserves to enjoy their community without those barriers.”
The waiting-list, training-cost and access-refusal figures cited by Alex underline the scale of the challenges he wants his campaign to address.
Assembly support for Alex's campaign
Alliance North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland praised Alex's determination and his efforts to make Ballymoney and the wider community more accessible to people with sight loss.
Speaking after the walk, she said:
“I’m incredibly proud of Alex and the determination he has shown in undertaking this challenge. As his constituency MLA and a friend, I know how important this issue is to him and how much work he has done to make Ballymoney and the wider community a more sight-inclusive place.
“Having the confidence to go about your daily life, visit the places you want to go and take part in your community should never be something you have to fight for. Yet that is the reality for too many people with sight loss.”
Ms Mulholland said Alex's experiences demonstrated the need for practical improvements alongside greater public awareness.
“Alex has used his own experiences to highlight these issues and push for change, and I was pleased to bring his concerns into the Assembly. But raising awareness is only the beginning. We need to see greater understanding, respect for people's rights and practical changes that make our communities accessible to everyone.”
She also thanked Jana for accompanying her father and recognised the important role Angus plays in his daily life.
A call for communities to become more accessible
Alex's journey from Belfast City Hall to Stormont brought attention to difficulties that can affect people with sight loss whenever they leave home, from navigating pavements to entering restaurants and other businesses.
His campaign is also a reminder that accessibility is not simply about removing physical obstacles. It means ensuring people can exercise their rights, travel independently and participate in community life without fear of being turned away.
For Alex and other guide dog owners, meaningful change would mean being able to make an ordinary journey, visit a restaurant or enjoy a day out without first having to check whether they will be welcome.
