I might be blind but I've seen the world

TV presenter Amar on breaking down barriers for others to enjoy travel

- BY FRAN BOWDEN

The One Show presenter Amar Latif has “seen” many wonders of the world - despite being blind.

A documentary presenter, his shows include Travelling Blind, Beyond Boundaries, Pilgrimage: The Road to Istanbul, and Myths and Legends. For Amar, 51, refuses to let his disability restrict him.

And in 2004, when he couldn't find a suitable travel firm, he started his own, Traveleyes.

Amar, who lives in Leeds, explains: “I couldn't find a travel company that would allow me to see the world, so I set up my own one.

“I offer fully sighted people half-price travel and in return they become the eyes for the traveller who is blind. It means blind people get independence and freedom.

“Each day, our visually impaired person has a different sighted traveller acting as their eyes. One person might describe buildings, another might describe the flora and fauna, so they get a different experience too.

“We're supporting people to see the world in a different way.”

One of five siblings, Amar was diagnosed with the rare, incurable genetic condition retinitis pigmentosa, causing visual impairment, aged four. His younger sister and brother have it too.