Careers in reaching blind and visually impaired persons

RANJAN K BARUAH

EDUCARE    

We are fortunate because we are able to read this easily but there are many who may not be able to read what is published in this column. We often take for granted the ability to read with ease, but there are many individuals who face significant challenges in accessing written information. I'm referring to people who are visually impaired or blind, who cannot read like we do.

Blindness can be defined as the complete or partial loss of vision, or the inability to see. There are various types of blindness, including partial blindness and legal blindness, each presenting unique obstacles for those affected. As we read this, we're reminded of the privilege of sight. However, many individuals with visual impairments face significant challenges in accessing information.

We should know that even under normal circumstances, persons with disabilities—one billion people worldwide— are less likely to access health care, education, employment and to participate in the community. They are more likely to live in poverty, experience higher rates of violence, neglect and abuse, and are among the most marginalized in any crisis-affected community. We have seen this in many places including our societies as a barrier free environment is still a reality.

One of the positive aspects is that there are options for the visually impaired for reading . We have heard about Braille and it is a tactile representation of alphabetic and numerical symbols using six dots to represent each letter and number, and even musical, mathematical and scientific symbols. Braille (named after its inventor in 19th century France, Louis Braille) is used by blind and partially sighted people to read the same books and periodicals as those printed in a visual font.

Braille is essential in the context of education, freedom of expression and opinion, as well as social inclusion, as reflected in article 2 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Braille is important because eye conditions are remarkably common. The World Health Organization   estimates that globally, at least 1 billion people    have a near or distance vision impairment that could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed.

World Braille Day (WBD), celebrated since 2019, is observed to raise awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and partially sighted people. In November 2018 (Resolution A/RES/73/161), the United Nations General Assembly decided to proclaim 4 January as WBD, recognizing that the full realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms relies on an inclusive written promotion.

There is no doubt that persons with vision impairment are more likely than those without to experience higher rates of poverty and disadvantage. Not meeting their needs, or fulfilling their rights, has wide-reaching consequences: vision loss often represents a lifetime of inequality, poorer health, and barriers to education and employment.

As a career in this field we can choose to be activists or rights defenders and ensure that everyone gets rights and justice .In this case we can choose courses like social work ,disability studies, etc through which we may contribute towards sustainable development by ensuring inclusive development .  A career in which blind and visually impaired people have done and are doing includes professors or teachers, social workers, musicians, etc.

Together we can make one inclusive society for all of us for which we must take positive action. Few may work with visually impaired persons to ensure their rights and people who are visually impaired may choose their professions according to their ability. There are many other career avenues and together we can ensure that the visually impaired can also earn in a decent way instead of begging on the streets as we see many on the streets begging.

  (The write is a Career Mentor and Skill Trainer and currently the Advisor, Skill Employment and Entrepreneurship Department of Bodoland Territorial Council and can be reached at bkranjan@gmail.com or 8473943734)