Brightening lives of the visually impaired

Disability Expo 2015 showcases talents of people with disabilities

KARACHI: With the motto to empower the visually impaired, Karachi Vocational Traning Centre (KVTC) provided a platform to people with disabilities to showcase their talents and connect with other society members.

KVTC organised Disability Expo 2015 at the Expo Centre on Thursday. The event was held to mark the upcoming International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3.



More than 30 stalls, including pottery items, face-painting, embroidery work, were set up to display the works of the children with disabilities.

The event was organised to empower the disabled people, said KVTC arts coordinator Shahna Naqvi. Events like these encourage people with disabilities to become active members of society, she claimed.

Performances to remember

A stage was set where the students performed on different tableaus and songs. In separate groups, boys and girls showcased their taekwondo skills. A sports area was also set up where students participated in different competitions.



The visually impaired students also enacted a play to pay homage to students who lost their lives during the terrorist attack at Army Public School, Peshawar, on December 16, 2014. The students performed on the ISPR song, Bara Dushman Bana Phirta Hai. The performance highlighted the courage and resilience of the school children and it left the audiences teary-eyed.

KVTC's vision

The organisation wants to spread the message that people with disabilities simply need to be empowered, said Mariam Roshan of KVTC.

"Our organisation provides training to the disabled people and then, we provide them jobs too," said Naqvi. According to her, KVTC runs a clothing brand called 'Jiddat' that provides jobs to the disabled students from KVTC.



She also told The Express Tribune that KVTC teaches cooking, music, sewing, candle making and embroidery to its students.

The Switzerland consulate-general Karachi Emil Wyss, Finance Minister Murad Ali Shah, and MQM senator Haseeb Khan also visited the expo.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2015.