By Alfred Kollie
‘’To fully practice real democracy as a nation, Liberians should promote the rights of physically challenge by creating the necessary environment to live freely,’’ a Liberian official has said.
Richard Ngafuan, Assistant Minister of Labour Statistics was speaking in Monrovia on Monday at celebrations marking White Cane Safety Day, which saw street parade by the blind and people with disabilities.
Led by the National Union of Organizations of the Disabled (NUOD), Liberia’s visually impaired joined those in other countries around the World to celebrate the day set to mark the importance of the White cane.
World White cane safety fell on the 15th of October. It is observed annually across the World as a tool for blind as well as a symbol for people with visually impaired.
White cane is a symbol that can be used to achieve independence and also a tool for blind or the visually impaired in society.
Assistant Minister Ngafuan stressed the need for equal opportunity for people living with disabilities in Liberia, stressing respect for the white cane at all times.
He wants people with disabilities given equal access in education, health, job and other key areas in society, in order to ensure their betterment and called on all Liberians to respect their rights.
The Liberian junior minister challenged citizens in both the government and private sectors to give equal opportunity to individuals living with disabilities in schools and them the same facilities.
James Yarsiah, a member of NUOD and executive director of the National Advocate of the Disable Association said the objective of the white cane safety day is to educate the world about blindness and how the blind and visually impaired can live and work independently.
Yarisah said the day is intended to celebrate the abilities and success achieved by people with visually impaired in a sighted world. It is also intended to honor the many contributions being made by the blind in society.
“The ability to travel safety or work independently is a challenge face by us in our society,” Yarsiah noted.
The blind and people with disabilities in Liberia are said to be facing tough challenges such as access to affordable, accessible transportation, which are affecting their ability to access to education, health care, employment.
In a proclamation issued at the weekend to mark the white cane day, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said: “It further indicates that since the invention of the White Cane, it has become a significant symbol of courage and hope in blindness. It also serves as traffic sign and courtesy request from police, motorists and pedestrians to give the right of way to the blind, including, access to all public transports.”