On the occasion of International White Cane Day today, 60 visually impaired persons participated in an orientation event organized by Help Foundation here.
In a bid to encourage use of White Cane and create awareness about this assistive tool for visually impaired among the sighted population, HELP Foundation J&K organized White Cane Safety Day at Srinagar in commemoration of international White Cane Day falling on 15 Oct every year.
The programme was attended by more than 60 persons with visual impairment, who spoke on the role and importance of white canes and shared their experiences.
A short skit ‘Bu Te Mean Loore’ Me and My Cane depicting the role and importance of white cane was performed by a group with visual impairment who are under training at Shehjar Rehabilitation Centre run by HELP Foundation.
The daylong event was attended by senior officials from State Government and chaired by Muhammad Shafi Pandit, former Chairman Public Service Commission.
Speaking on the occasion Nighat Shafi, chairperson HELP Foundation said that it was the prime responsibility of the society, especially those gifted with sight to recognize the issues faced by visually impaired in our society.
On the same note, Pandit said that most people who lose eye sight are gifted with multiple other talents which we need to be recognized and brought to focus for the benefit of visual impaired community.
“Help Foundation has been working across State in the fields of education, women empowerment, child care, health care and disability services. The civil society organization also runs Shehjar Rehabilitation Center for persons with visual impairment. The center provides training in orientation and mobility, activity of daily living, braille, computer, personality development and sports activities. The skills taught at the centre enable blind or visually impaired people to live independent and productive lives. The centre also provides free hostel and meals,” the foundation said in a statement.
White Cane aids its user to scan their surroundings for obstacles or orientation marks, but is also helpful for other traffic participants in identifying the user as blind or visually impaired and taking appropriate care.