More than 40 white canes and braille papers worth over NZ$5000 handed to Fiji Society for the Blind

More than 40 white canes and braille papers worth over $5000NZD has been donated to the Fiji Society for the Blind by the United Blind Persons of Fiji today.

United Blind Persons of Fiji is an NGO that advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities especially for visually impaired and low vision persons.

Chairperson of National Disability Awards Rajnel Prasad says this donation is part of their community service program that will assist visually impaired students that cannot afford to buy a white cane.

There are total of 17 students enrolled in school this year who received 7 cartons of braille papers and more than 40 whitecanes.

The school headteacher Sharmila Chandra says braille papers are not published locally and therefore more funds are being used yearly to buy from other countries.

Orientation and mobility instructor, Vilisi Nacei says that the Fiji Society for the Blind is the only agency providing the programs for the visually impaired.

She also says that for a blind or severe low vision student one of the challenges they face is the limitation on independent movement.