Challenges

Some of the many areas in which the blind and visually impaired continually face challenges are medical costs, pay equity, funding and resources, unemployment, equal opportunity, housing and accommodation, relevant legislation and stereotyping.

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While there have been strides made and successes achieved over the years and we have indeed come a long way in various areas, the challenges faced by the blind and visually impaired still linger. Their challenge is to achieve public awareness as it relates to the following areas:

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• To create a public that is both aware and appreciative of the capabilities and human rights of persons who are blind.

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• To create the public awareness to overcome negative attitudes and prejudices against persons who are blind.

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• To make the physical environment more accessible to the visually impaired and persons who are blind.

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• Persons who are blind must have access to information and communication.

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• To develop educational and training programmes for the blind and visually impaired.

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• To eliminate discrimination against persons who are blind seeking employment for which they are adequately trained.

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• To encourage self-reliance and to promote involvement and participation of persons who are blind in the country’s socio-economic development.

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• To eliminate marginalization and discrimination of persons who are blind.

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• To create a social and physical environment favouring the integration and full participation of persons who are blind.

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• The establishment of National Assessment and Rehabilitation Centres to provide counseling and rehabilitative services for the visually impaired and persons who are blind.

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• The allocation of a proportion of specially adapted housing units for persons who are blind in new housing developments.

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• The establishment of hostels to house persons who are blind whose families are unable to cope.

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• The provision of family care services to respond to the needs of their members who are blind and visually impaired.

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• The provision of loan schemes designed to encourage persons who are blind to become self-employed.

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• The creation of opportunities for all children who are blind or visually impaired to be educated