TQM report
Nigeria Association of the Blind FCT in their celebration of International white cane day have advised government and the public to improve disability inclusion in the terms of inclusive education, employment and access to public infrastructure.
The chairman of the association, Mr. Obinna Ekujereonye in chat with TQM said that the theme of this year’s celebration is promoting independence and productivity and international white cane day happens every 15th October; it is a day set aside to celebrate the use of the white cane by blind people.
He said that the white cane is the symbol of the independence, authority, power of the blind, if you take away the white cane from a blind person, he or she will fumble and lose direction, it is with the white cane that the blind persons navigate their ways, able to dictate obstacles on their way, move and do what they want to do.
He also said that the theme of the year implies that with white cane, the Blind are independent, and when they are independent, they would be productive. Independent in the work place, able to move around and perform their functions, move around in their houses, and go out to other places without much stress. If this symbol of power is missing, it would be a challenge for a blind person to be productive.
He congratulated the blind people in World, Nigeria especially the ones in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT). He prayed for God to strengthen them and guide them to achieve what they set out to achieve.
He concluded by urging the government to channel more attention into the issues of persons with disabilities by promoting inclusive education, reduce the high cost of education, for the blind, employ more persons with disabilities, promote accessible transport system and more inclusive society in all ramification. He threw more light to inclusive education by citing that if all children are schooling in one environment, it will help children without disabilities to learn how to use braille and sign language. This mix-up in schools will also help to curb discrimination both now and in future.
