Group seeks support to empower blind persons through skills

The Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind has called for support for visually impaired persons as it prepares to host an Independence Ball and fundraising event.

The event is scheduled for Friday, October 9, at the Shell Zenith Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

The body, in a statement obtained by PUNCH Online on Wednesday, said funds raised at the programme would support the rehabilitation and training of visually impaired adolescents and adults, including free tuition, accommodation, feeding, and training materials.

It also noted that the funds would support vocational courses such as computer literacy, Braille reading, mobility training, crafts and music, designed to equip visually impaired persons with skills to secure employment or establish businesses.

The Chairman of the Executive Council of the FNSB, Arit Tunde-Imoyo, who signed the statement, explained that the organisation had remained committed to empowering visually impaired persons through rehabilitation, education and skills acquisition for over seven decades.

Tunde-Imoyo said the organisation, established in 1955, had provided rehabilitation and training for hundreds of men and women with visual disabilities, enabling them to live with dignity and greater independence.

“Over the last seven decades, FNSB has remained committed to the mission of empowering visually impaired adolescents and adults through rehabilitation, education and skills acquisition.

“From its inception in 1955 to the present day, the centre has been a beacon of hope for hundreds of men and women who, despite visual disabilities, now live with dignity and independence,” she disclosed.

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She added that the centre had, in recent years, expanded its vocational programmes and strengthened its social reintegration initiatives to respond to the changing needs of visually impaired persons.

According to her, the organisation is also continuing to promote inclusivity in education and employment.

Tunde-Imoyo also noted that the rising cost of providing rehabilitation services had placed additional financial pressure on the organisation.

She disclosed that it currently costs more than N1.5m annually to provide residential, educational, mobility and vocational training for each trainee.

“The cost of delivering impactful rehabilitation continues to rise. It now costs over N1.5m per trainee yearly to provide the residential, educational, mobility and vocational training that equips the beneficiaries for full participation in society,” she stated.

The society said the Independence Ball would also provide an opportunity to showcase the talents and achievements of visually impaired persons to corporate leaders, policymakers and philanthropists, while helping to challenge societal misconceptions surrounding visual disability.

The FNSB therefore called on individuals, corporate organisations, government agencies and philanthropists to partner with it and support the programme.