Three groups concerned about blind awareness advocacy have targeted Linden minibus drivers and school children in their recent campaign.
The Guyana Society for the Blind (GSB), Guyana Blind Cricket Association and the Lindeners Supporting Efforts for the Empowerment of the Disabled (LINSEED) have taken their fight for equality in society to Linden. Last week, the three groups conducted education and awareness sessions with students of the Wismar Hill Primary School, as part of observances for blind awareness month.
President of the GSB Cecil Morris said visually impaired persons continue to face many challenges, despite government’s efforts to stem discrimination with the implementation of the Disability Act. He said the GBS will not lapse in its efforts to ensure that visually impaired persons enjoy their rights.
“Visually impaired persons must be permitted to be active in society and should be allowed to utilize public facilities and transportation,” he stressed. He also stated that often visually impaired persons are left stranded on the street because of their condition.
The groups also targeted a number of other primary and secondary schools in addition to supermarkets. They told their audiences about the causes of blindness and gave tips to prevent it. They also met persons in the transportation sector to champion the cause for blind persons to freely utilize their services.
Additionally, the LINSEED organization has been challenging Linden residents to join in the fight to end discrimination against visually impaired persons. Chairman of the organization Colin Ault, who has set an example for the community, said “the sky is the limit” for visually impaired persons. He also called on the nation to work together and to promote the inclusion of visually impaired persons in the recreation, employment and transportation sectors.
Ault contends that visually impaired persons should not face discrimination in any sector, including the employment sector “as long that person is proficient in doing whatever it is.” In its efforts to fight for the rights of the visually impaired, his group has collaborated with the GSB and together they have successfully staged a number of activities. Ault also noted that despite his disability, which happened at age 19, he pursued a career, becoming a teacher at the Wismar Hill Primary School, later headmaster of the school.
