A BLIND teenager has warned that the next generation of disabled people may not get the support they need to lead independent lives because of funding cuts.
Jason Monero, 16, is one of dozens of youngsters who receives help from the borough's two mobility workers, who give training to blind and visually impaired school pupils on how to get around.
But last week Waltham Forest Council's cabinet rubber stamped proposals to axe the posts as part of its efforts to save £65million over the next three years.
Jason, of Ramsay Road in Leytonstone, who lost his sight at the age off 11 following surgery to remove a brain tumour, has questioned the move.
He said: “It doesn't make sense. It's not fair not only on the staff but also on those who have lost their sight.
“When I went blind I was quite afraid and couldn't move very far. But when I got the training it really helped my confidence and meant I could get around.
“Without training it's very difficult. You can't live life the way everyone else does, you can't go shopping or get to school.
“If other people don't get the help I did life is going to be very hard for them.”
His mother Eileen Monero, 46, said: “Without the support we would have been completely lost. They've taught him how to use a cane, and how to do things like cross the road and identify money. And they also taught us as a family how to guide and support him.
“I think it's disgraceful that the council has done this. They should be cutting their managers' pay rather than these cuts which will mean children are going to lose their independence.”
The service is based at Joseph Clarke School in Vincent Road, Highams Park, and the council are to approach the school to see if it can continue to fund it in some form.
However, whether this will be possible remains uncertain.
Jason's mobility worker Elaine Norman has been told she will be employed until July, but her future beyond that is not known.
She said: “We just don't know what's going to happen.
The future of provision for blind and visually impaired people in the borough is uncertain and it is a concern.”
The Guardian is awaiting a comment from Waltham Forest Council.
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