Conversation started today 1:37pm Pewa Poppy Kambonde Here is my real name Marian Ampweya 1:40pm Jehoiackim Kateve May you send the information to my facebook please? I waiting I want to write your story... Or you can send the fax at 61 263733 attention to Kateve 1:45pm Pewa Poppy Kambonde k i will send it now 1:53pm Pewa Poppy Kambonde This year Namibia will celebrate the White Cane Day under the theme: “ Controling my own life through self-determination and independent living”. This theme was chosen to inform the public of the challenges experienced by people with visual impairments in Namibia. The Namibian Federation of the Visually Impairedis aware of many cases in which people with visual impairmentsare discriminated against by their own family members (including their father and mothers) and by the community at large.For example, there arepeople with visual impairmentswho receivethe disability grant, but they never have any power over their own money. In many cases the family are the ones to handle the money and decide what to buy for them, with the individual having no choices. In another case, a woman with a visual impairment was denied the opportunity to attend the rehabilitation training or to participate in social activities with other people with visual impairments with the reason being that if she leaves the house, there will be no income for other members of the family. Some people with visual impairments are still kept inside the houses without giving them proper food or water to clean themselves.Many don’t have proper accommodation; as a result, they are forced to sleep with small children in the same room, although they are elders. These are a few of the many reasons that NFVI needs to continue to raise awareness throughout the country in order to reduce or stop this discrimination against people with visual impairments. We need to work together as one community. It is time now for some Namibians to stop practicing cultural beliefs which discriminate against people with visual impairments in the country. Through development and equalisation of rights and opportunities, visually impaired people can now compete with sighted people. This means that visually impaired people, through education and training,can have the same opportunities as all other Namibians and they can work in various sectors or fields. At the Service Centre on Pasteur Street, Windhoek West, NFVI is offering independent living programmes and rehabilitation courses. These enable people with visual impairments to know their fundamental human rights and learn that they are able to control their own lives and make decisions. Living independently does not mean that we should push our people with visual impairments out of their family homes to live alone, but it simply means that visually impaired people need to make their own decisions based on their own feelings. For example, they should decide what to buy with their money, when to go to bed, when to have a family or get married, when they should visit their friends and with whom they should live. The White Cane is a tool which contributes to the independent living of people with visual impairments. With the White Cane, people with visual impairments can walk independently and practice using their mobility skills. However, the White Cane is not just a tool which helps people with visual impairments to protect themselves when they are moving around in our community so that they do not hurt or bump themselves. One of the important uses of the White Cane is as an international symbol which allows people with visual impairments to be recognized among other people.It allows the motorist to know that this person is a visually impaired.The White Cane also reflects light during the night, which also helps with safety. The Road Authorities should consider making the White Cane symbol as one of the road signs in our country which would have a significant impact on improving awareness regarding the safety and rights of persons with visual impairments.In order for us to avoid unnecessary accidents, it is very important for all Namibians to know the value and importance of the White Cane. We also need to educate our young children so that the next generation better understand the challenges encountered by persons with visual impairments, helping to create a “society for all”, as mentioned in the National Policy on Disability. In 2012 the White Cane Day was celebrated in Khorixas in the Kunene region. Over 375 people attended the event and the Special Advisor at the Ministry of Gender and Child Welfare on behalf of the Hon Doreen Siyoka addressed the gathering. We thank all our supporters during this successful event. This year NFVI is planning the White Cane Day Celebration in Usakos, Erongo Region on the 15th October 2013. A number of activities have been planned to take place,including a march to the sport field where the event will take place. It is anticipated that the First Lady of Namibia, Madam Penehupifo Pohamba will deliver the keynote speech(yet to be confirmed). Finally, we are encouraging all Namibians to consider the rights, safety and needs of persons with visual impairment and provide reasonable accommodation to ensure that all people with visual impairments have access to the services which NFVI provides to the public and all services offered to the general public. For more details and information, please contact - Namibian Federation of the Visually Impaired 061 220 835 [email protected]
Posted on: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 12:00:45 +0000