Iceland is offering blind and partially sighted Scots who have been struggling to get groceries during lockdown priority access to its online delivery slots.
The frozen food specialist will be offering visually impaired shoppers a unique code that will let them book available delivery slots on Thursday mornings between 9am and 10am.
It’s hoped the move will help people with sight loss who are facing persistent difficulties accessing food and have no available support from others.
Iceland currently operates within 22 of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas and any visually impaired shopper can book a designated slot as long as they live in a postcode serviced by the supermarket’s home delivery scheme.
Sight loss charity RNIB Scotland said the move will be welcomed by many blind and partially sighted people living alone.
Director at RNIB Scotland, James Adams, said: "Some people with sight loss have experienced a very anxious past three months.
"As we entered lockdown the competition for delivery slots increased, and many of our members reported that they were struggling to get access to their usual reliable supermarket delivery.
"This has been compounded by social-distancing measures which are largely laid out with visual signs and markers, making it more difficult for people with sight loss to navigate shops safely. This move by Iceland will be a relief to many blind and partially shoppers.”
In a UK-wide survey conducted by the RNIB in May, 67 per cent of respondents had experienced difficulty finding a supermarket delivery slot, while three in four reported being very or quite concerned about getting access to food.
Since the lockdown began at the end of March, the RNIB has pressed government and supermarket chains to add blind and partially sighted people to their priority delivery lists.
Anyone with sight loss struggling to access food can call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 between 8am and 8pm, Monday-Friday and 9am and 5pm on Saturday and will be directed to the most suitable option in their local area.
Iceland offers free delivery on online orders over £35 and is currently giving shoppers £5 off when they spend £40 or more at iceland.co.uk.
To get the discount, just enter the code ICEFIVE at the online checkout.
