New Delhi: World Blind Union Conference

Self empowerment is their new tenet, and freedom their war cry. Freedom from the crippling inadequacy, of having to be aided at every step for even the most trivial routine of tasks. But all this could change if the members of the Asian Blind Union succeed in implementing their ideas.

These and other related issues which were discussed at a week long conclave organised by the Asian Blind Union (ABU) under the aegis of World Blind Union (WBU). The conference had delegates attending from all over the world. The spirit in this session quintessentially was to embark on a new odyssey of self empowerment at the grassroots level which is a distinctly different approach from earlier years when the emphasis was to obtain help from the better off sections of the society.

Speaking on the self help paradigm Mr JL Kaul, Secretary General of the All India Confederation for the blind said "Our aim is to help those who can help themselves. Over the past one week we initiated new programmes like refresher courses and two leadership training seminars for the people. Moreover there was an effort to provide technical and basic education and equipment for better communication. More than 200 people were given hands-on specialised training for computers and the internet."

Mr Kaul is cynical about the Governmental efforts. When asked about the recent circular issued by Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit his acerbic reply was "Its an eyewash. If the Government schools refuse to accept children its because they hardly have any infrastructure worth naming to support the children with special needs. We have seen many such rehabilitation efforts in integrated settings in which the child is reduced to a mute spectator in a corner of the playground or the classroom."

However the distinguishing feature of the organisation is the commitment and adherence of the people to the true spirit of the cause. Keeping this in mind all the office bearers are visually handicapped.

Source: Empower the blind. The Daily Pioneer, March 11, 2002, New Delhi, India