New hope for the blind

by Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

Can you think about a life with vision impairment. You can see so many things with your eyes. But if you see a person with vision impairment, what would you think of him? Definitely you will wonder as to how he would communicate, assimilate information, move about and carry on with his day to day life.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 165 million people worldwide have visual impairment.

In Sri Lanka we come across many visually impaired people on the road. Do we really take any notice of them. If you do how many times have you ever thought of helping them in some way. If you are blind there is no need to worry about your weakness. Because now doors are open for those who are blind to spend their life without any mental downfall.

Sri Lanka Council For the Blind (SLCB) which is always ready to help the Blind had the 34th Annual General Meeting at the Colombo Public Library auditorium recently. They have launched so many projects to enhance the knowledge and information of vision impaired persons. S.L. Hettiarachchi, Executive Director and the secretary SLCB, said it was the oldest and main organization for those who are suffering from vision impairment. "Since the day it was founded by Prof. Gunapala Malalasekara, we have rendered a general service. Annually we get a 50,000 rupees grant from the Government. But that amount is not sufficient. So we have to seek public assistance.

Amaradasa Gunawardana, president of the SLCB said "If a person with a vision impairment can write Brail letters or do a job SLCB had helped them to come to that position. Our vision is to make the Blind see what others think they do not see. We need help from the Government and those who like to do social service to fulfil our aim".

The beginning of Sri Lanka Council for the Blind dates back to 1956. This is the premier, principal national service provider organization for the vision impaired people in Sri Lanka. Their services are not confined to selected memberships but open to the vision impaired community at large irrespective of the class, creed or denomination and all in all a non sectarian body. Services provided by the SLCB are provision of Braille and Talking Book Library facilities to Blind or visually impaired students in 13 residential schools in 13 districts including north and east in partnership with Sightssavers International Sri Lanka, assisting the visually impaired students pursuing higher studies, rehabilitation of the war blinded and the adult blind, providing assistance for self employment with a view to discourage them to be mere objects of charity. SLCB also provides financial assistance to bereaved families of blind and so many services provided by the SLCB.