the_hawk :
My impression of events from reading the story was that when Ryanair asked if any assistance was required, Mrs Hurst simply said "No", rather than explaining the exact nature of the group. That is simply the impression I got and may not be correct.
I'm not suggesting anyone was lying or trying to deceive, rather that only limited information was offered. Blind people may not think of themselves as disabled, but to all practical intents and purposes they are, and it is vital that Airlines, ferry companies etc are aware of this as it does have an effect on safety issues.
Quite simply, it is yet another reminder to actually read the terms and conditions when you buy/book something, rather than just ticking the box and assuming all will be well.