Blind SA fighting for the rights of the visually impaired
On 3 December the world commemorated International Day for Persons with Disabilities.
On 3 December, the world commemorated International Day for Persons with Disabilities to create awareness of their rights and influence their inclusion and equal participation in mainstream development.
The World Blind Union uses this day to create awareness of the particular challenges that the visually impaired face daily.
“The theme this year is ‘Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality’,” said Terry Mutuku, the Communications Officer at the World Blind Union.
Blind and partially sighted persons worldwide continue to face significant challenges, such as inaccessible environment and non-inclusive education systems and learning facilities.
Blind South Africa (Blind SA) acknowledges that it is a fundamental right for blind and partially sighted persons to enjoy access to the built environment, public transport and public buildings on an equal basis with others.
Terry said that Blind SA urges the government to plan and budget for accessibility requirements for blind and partially sighted persons, including ensuring tactile guidance indicators on the roads, braille and audio on traffic lights, accessible public transport that announces stops, and lifts with speech, among other things.
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