More needed for the physically challenged

Mmegi Editor | Tuesday February 3, 2015 14:45

To ensure people with disabilities enjoy life to the full, suggestions have been, among other things, that ramps are installed at all public buildings to enable those on wheelchairs easy access.  There has been visible progress in that regard; as of late, ramps can be seen in government and privately owned buildings. They also help our aging members of society who find it difficult climb stairs.

Last week, the Ministry of Education and Skills Development donated Braille documents to the Pudulogong Rehabilitation Centre in Mochudi;  this was just weeks after, Diamond Trading Company donated Braille equipment to the Centre, as part of their three-year project to help build infrastructure and support the school. 

It is our hope that the ministry will produce more of these documents or materials to give the young learners access to more information about government programmes so they benefit once they leave the learning environment. Such documents can also contain information on survival skills for people with disabilities.

Recently, a Good Samaritan blessed a visually impaired student at Limkokwing with a Braille computer keyboard. These are just of the small steps taken to ensure that people living with disabilities are able to live comfortably in society.

But we still need to do more and that can only be achieved through technology. In other advanced countries, automated audio equipment is installed around cities, and in public transport to guide the visually impaired on where they are, which direction they can take and where their next stop is. We can try similar technology by first installing it in government buildings.

Another encouraging development is that some stores have recently introduced Braille labels for products. This will enable visually impaired people to purchase their preferred goods without having to engage a third party. This will hopefully restore their dignity.

However, there is one aspect that we seem to be leaving behind as a nation – sign language. It is important that we all make efforts to learn sign language in our spare time.  We can achieve that by acquiring and distributing pamphlets on sign language. Those with powers and privileges should invest in promoting sign language by erecting billboards, and dedicating newspaper spaces to this important endeavour.  With the year 2016 around the corner, this exercise will take us a step forward to achieving our national goals, among them, a nation that does not discriminate according to gender, or physical abilities.