Focus on Int’l Disabled Day

Persons with Visual Impairment (PAVI) and all the other Organisations involved in work towards the development of persons with disabilities, in tandem with the Disability Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Social Services Delivery, will engage themselves in a week of activities that will lead up to the observance of International Day of the Disabled on Saturday November 3, 2005. From PAVI’s corner of this community, we will execute this rhythm by heightening the awareness of our population and simultaneously educating the readership on the various areas of concern to those who are visually impaired and perhaps to you the public. In so doing, PAVI will present seven articles in this newspaper on interesting topics, today, Monday and Thursday of this week.

For the past ten years PAVI has been delivering services and advocating on behalf of the community of persons with visual impairment to ensure their independence and acceptance by society. In so doing, the Organisation has extended assistance to the adult population through our Community-Based Adjust-ment Programme. The two most significant aspects of this Programme are the training in the use of the white cane to ensure independent mobility and in the use of the computer, which positions the person with a visual impairment at the window of the world of information.

The latter has moved PAVI, with the assistance of the Caribbean Council for the Blind, to train a volunteer (who is low-visioned) in Information Technology and develop an IT Training Lab to train our consumers.

We have created a Youth Movement, which assists other young persons with visual impairment in peer counselling and instills in them a positive outlook so that they would reach out and grasp opportunities. Our Early Intervention Programme was developed so that the process involved in preparing a child that is visually impaired to grow and achieve his/her highest potential should begin from early, that is, in the formative years. The programme therefore targets the parent and the child from birth to seven years of age. Most important in all that we do, is the fact that PAVI stays connected to its community and the wider community as a whole, through its Radio Programme which is aired on Inspirational Radio every Sunday for half-an-hour, from 2 pm.

It is from this background that PAVI will bring to you in the week ahead, the issues that confront our clients as they challenge the society to be a participator and a contributor, in their continuing development socially, academically, culturally and inspirationally. The Organisation will also give its own perspective and offer solutions. PAVI wishes the community of persons with disabilities and the Organisations that work toward the development of this community all success in their work.

A MESSAGE FROM PAVI

In recognition of Disability

Awareness Week

Coping with low vision

As my eyes were being tested, I waited patiently for the news I feared most which was told to me. I had cataracts in both eyes and my vision would be affected.

I learnt about PAVI and I contacted the office. Coping skills were taught to me by a Rehabilitation Officer. I learnt to take care of myself as my lifestyle changed. I made changes in my house, my room was lighted up. I placed things where it would be quite accessible, especially clothing, shoes and cosmetics. I used lots of rubber bands on items and also strips of tape to identify items.

Challenges I faced on the road

I memorised landmarks and humps in the road so I would not be lost. The road I feared the most because of bad pavements and potholes. When crossing I would listen very carefully to the traffic before I crossed. I was determined to get around. I attended group meetings where I was encouraged by other members. I was supported by my family and I am now able to go about freely without fear. I am a care giver at PAVI. I light up people’s lives.

Christine Ragbir, PAVI Member

I have been diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa from birth. At night I can only see where there is light and during the day I can function on my own. My eye condition is hereditary. As a young person with visual impairment I experience some challenges. Very often Low Vision persons do not get assistance they need from sighted individuals. Many times if I am with a totally blind person either the blind person gets assistance and I am left or I am asked to assist that blind person. In many instances I myself need the assistance. In some instances when I find myself in a position where I need a guide and cannot get that assistance, I will borrow a cane and people will still not give me the guidance that I will need. As a young person with Low Vision, colour coding is very important, especially in the area marking the edge of steps and pavements. For a totally blind person the cane can indicate the edge of the step or pavement. I also had the experience of walking into glass doors. If the edge of the doors are marked then a Low Vision person will be able to recognise the doorway.

Asenath Mcewen, PAVI Member

My name is Linus Mc Ewen, my eye condition is Retinitis Pigmentosa. I am low vision and encounter the following challenges: Lighting in buildings must be well lit in order for me to find myself around in the building. To my knowledge there are a lot of important buildings in this country that do not cater for persons with low vision.

I am therefore appealing to the persons in authority to be sure that buildings are well lit with fluorescent bulbs. Open manholes can be very dangerous to any one with a visual impairment. It can be very difficult to maneuver pavements with unexpected objects such as sand and gravel.

When work is being done in the public on pavements and buildings a ribbon is usually tied to block the public from using that part of the pavements. I am suggesting that bright coloured ribbons be used to better assist persons with low vision.

Louis McEwen, PAVI Member

Persons with Visual Impair-ment (PAVI) commemorate Internatinal Day of the Disabled on December 3. Look for more information on the disabled in Tomorrow’s Newsday.