MINGORA/ MANSEHRA:
White Cane Safety Day was observed in parts of the province on Wednesday.
To mark the international observance, women, men and children with visual impairments participated in a rally in Mansehra. The event was organised by the Right to Live Organisation.
The walk started from King Abdullah Teaching Hospital and ended at Mansehra Press Club.
Children from various private schools also joined to express solidarity.
A ceremony was held at the press club where the speakers highlighted the rights and role of people with visual impairments.
They urged special attention be paid to “white cane holders” as they can and should be a vital part of society. Speakers also stressed on the needs of those with disabilities. Special facilities for education, health and livelihood programmes should be designed for them, said participants.
The role of the government was also mentioned in the speeches. Speakers demanded the government ensure the implementation of policy in which job quota is reserved for people with visual disabilities.
National Youth Assembly member Tashfeen Shah and DSP Zulfiqar were among those who spoke at the ceremony. A similar walk was held in Abbottabad and Haripur.
Swat
An event in honour of the day was held at Swat Press Club and was attended by a large number of people with visual impairments from different areas of Swat.
“The aim behind celebrating the day is to make the local, national and international communities aware about the problems faced by people with visual impairments,” said Hafizur Rahman, a teacher at an institute in Swat for people with disabilities.
According to the organisers, the number of men registered with visual disabilities stands at 373 but the real number is higher. Many of them are highly educated but they are unemployed.
“People without disabilities often curtail our rights by pretending to have disabilities,” said Nasir Khan, the district president of the Pakistan Association of the Blind. “This way, they steal jobs from the quota reserved for people with visual impairments in government departments.”
People with visual impairments who attended the ceremony said they can do everything that people without impairments can.
“Although I cannot see since I was born, I try to live just like any other person,” said Arifullah. “I am fond of radio and listen to songs in my free time.” And like everyone else, Arifullah said, he also felt bad when people mocked him for perceived shortcomings.
Colonel Sikander, the chief guest at the ceremony, said people should come forward to help solve the problems of those who have disabilities.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2014.
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