In the bustling center of Kathmandu, where everyday sounds and a lot of problems can be heard, Equity Nepal has been working hard to protect the rights of the blind or have low vision.
This blog goes into great detail about how important it is to push for change and protect rights of the blind people. Come along with us on this journey to learn about the problems, the progress, and how you can help with this goal to change the world.
The Unseen Struggles of Visually Impaired People in Nepal
In a society that frequently overlooks the value of sight, individuals who are blind confront several hidden challenges. Obstacles may be built through prejudice, restricted access, and societal misunderstandings. Understanding these obstacles is the initial stage in effecting change.
Ensuring Access to Service
Making sure that people who are blind or visually impaired can get services is very important for them to learn the skills and specific information they need to be successful as a blind person.
People who are blind or have low vision are very worried about the trend toward declining to support the very limited platform that has been helping blind people. By doing these things, you not only take away the chance for people to work and get services in a place that fits their needs. Maybe more importantly you also take away the knowledge, experience, and specialized training of the staff who need to teach blind and visually impaired people.
Access to Information
One of the biggest problems for blind and visually impaired people is getting information and using modern technology to do so.
Anger and frustration are all too common in blind people who can’t use their skills because they weren’t given Braille, tape, large print materials, or an accessible computer. For independence, it’s important to be able to get to, manage, and change information. It is just as important to know how to use computers, software, and electronic information.
The real issue is twofold: (1) getting access to different formats, and (2) the way the technology is built. The first problem can be fixed by making sure that people can quickly get alternative formats, such as Braille tapes, large print, or audio versions of visual content. Second, access problems are caused by the way the technology is built. Computers can be used by blind people if they are built right.
The huge amount of written information has made things harder for blind people over the years. It’s harder for blind people to get information than for anyone else. These people’s freedom is being taken away even more by new technologies.
Equal Opportunity
Equal opportunity is a basic right that many visually impaired people still can’t get. Even though technology has improved and more people are aware of the problem, blind people still face big problems in school, work, and everyday life.
It is still hard for them to get access to braille, screen readers, and other technologies that help, which makes it hard for them to do as well as their sighted peers.
People who fight for the rights of the blind should focus on making environments that are welcoming, making sure that everything is accessible, and spreading the message that being blind does not mean being unable to do something.
We can get closer to a world where people who are blind or have low vision have the same chances to succeed and contribute as everyone else if we work on these problems.
STIGMA
Being blind in a society that favors the sighted involves committing some frequent errors. The misconception held by those who are not visually impaired is that their inability to perform tasks is the cause of their creations; however, this is not the case. The inaccessibility of our world is the true cause.
Being blind or having low vision doesn’t say anything about how smart or unhappy someone is. The fact that people who can see can’t imagine their lives without sight doesn’t mean that people who are blind or visually impaired have a sad or unpleasant life because of their disability.
Finding and Keeping a Job
Working while blind is an entirely different experience. Intuitively, the lack of accessible employment opportunities and work environments could potentially render the employment of a visually impaired individual a liability for an organisation.
This significantly affects the self-esteem and emotional health of the visually impaired, in addition to destroying their economic independence. Individuals with impaired or no vision are incapable of supporting themselves due to their limited alternatives.
“Give me a job and evaluate my performance prior to passing judgement; I will do my absolute best.”
Raising Awareness and Addressing Societal Misconceptions
To enhance the development of abandoned visually impaired individuals, it is critical to confront the presence of societal obstacles and biases that might prevent their advancement. Not only are the blind themselves aided by addressing the issue of abandonment, but doing so also contributes to the development of a more compassionate and inclusive society.
By eliminating social biases and giving opportunities to succeed, we can protect rights of the blind, realise their potential, and value them as members of our communities.
Empowering the Voiceless
Fighting for the rights of the blind people is like giving someone a voice who doesn’t have one. It’s about making the world a better place for people who are blind or have low vision to live with respect and equality.
These rights are not special rights for blind people; they are basic rights that every person deserves. This includes being able to go to school, get a job, get medical care, and live freely without being judged.
Advocating for Equal Education
Giving people power starts with educating them. Equity Nepal has been fighting for equal educational opportunities for blind people directly, and indirectly. We think that everyone should be able to get an education that helps them grow.
Breaking Employment Barriers
Breaking down barriers to employment is another important part of fighting for the rights of the blind people. People who are blind are just as smart and skilled as everyone else, and they should have the same job opportunities as everyone else.
The Journey Ahead
Fighting for the rights of the blind people is a long, hard road full of ups and downs. It has to do with turning problems into chances and misunderstandings into knowledge. We can continue to change the lives of the blind for the better by working together to give them the rights and chances they deserve.
Join Us in Advocating for Change: The Rights of the Blind
Your contribution to Equity Nepal constitutes a crucial part of this paradigm-shifting project. We can collectively establish an ideal world in which individuals of all visual abilities can flourish and realise their aspirations.