Ministry appoints visually handicapped undergrads as development officers

Wehelle Piyathilaka, Maharagama Group Corr

The Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry has appointed 13 visually impaired undergraduates as development officers in the Social Services Department and the Ministry.

The visually handicapped persons no longer require public sympathy but a helping hand to unearth their potential which can be integrated into the country's development.

A Resource Centre using computer technology with all modern facilities was set up in the Social Services Department this year, obtaining the services of visually handicapped undergraduates. The first task of this centre is the recording special books required by visually handicapped persons, to tapes through and distributing them among those concerned.

In addition, a programme is being implemented to give a training on mobility and directions to the employees to enable them to help visually handicapped persons when they visit government offices, corporations or other institutions.

The Social Services Department will strengthen the visually handicapped generations with new knowledge and techniques and provide them equal opportunities and equal participation in the society, in accordance with the United Nations Statutes and provide them opportunities to participate in the development process.

The Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry invites the vision impaired persons specially who are engaged in higher education to take the utmost use of this opportunity.

According to 2001 statistics, the number of visually handicapped persons in Sri Lanka is 69096. Statistics pertaining to Northern and Eastern Provinces and some Divisional Secretariat Divisions, are not included to this number.

There is large number of persons who became blind due to the war. A procedure has now been plan to get the latest statistics regarding all visually handicapped persons.

With the introduction of the Braille system in 1809 by Louis Braille of France, a global media was created for visually handicapped persons for writing and reading.

After the setting up of the School for the Blind at Ratmalana in Sri Lanka in 1912, a large number of visually handicapped persons of this country have been able to achieve higher educational levels.

There are many visually handicapped persons who have obtained University degrees while some are engaged in various professions such as Lawyers, University Professors.