18 Oct 2017

Botswana Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted (BABPS) in partnership with other institutions serving persons with visual impairment commemorated the White Cane Safety Day on Tuesday.

The event was aimed at addressing and representing the rights of persons with visual impairment in Botswana, and was commemorated under the theme: Reduce Road Fatalities, Avail a White Cane and Free Mobility for All.”

The event kicked off with a walk and the mayor of Gaborone, Mr Kagiso Thutlwe took part to show his support.

Giving a keynote address, Central Transport Organisation’s (CTO) deputy general manager, Mr Raphael Ramatu said the White Cane Safety Day marked a day to raise public awareness about safety and the independence for persons living with blindness and partial sight.

He said the white cane was the most common mobility for blind people, and that it was used by blind and partially sighted people all over the world.

Mr Ramatu added that it was recognised worldwide as a symbol of freedom, independence and confidence as it enabled a blind person to move about freely and safely.

Mr Ramatu als noted the accidents and fatalities that took place between January to September last year and 2017.

He said 344 deaths occurred in 2016 and 328 in 2017, a reduction of 16. He noted that about 106 fatalities took place in 2016, and that they were still to find out how many would take place this year, but hoped that they would be reduced drastically.

“In celebrating the White Cane Safety Day, the World Blind Union (WBU) is drawing attention to share spaces, an increasing tend found mainly in town centres, where pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists spontaneously share the same space,” he said.

He noted that shared spaces could cause significant safety hazards for blind and partially sighted persons if designed in an unsuitable way.

Mr Ramatu also noted that the blind and low vision persons were at a disadvantaged as they could not make eye contact with drivers and cyclists to move into a shared space area.

He added that the partially sighted people should live in a world that “is accessible, safe and easy to navigate.”

“City planners and other stakeholders have to consult and include blind and partially sighted people in planning, designing, implementation and monitoring of safe shared spaces,” he said.

Mr Ramatu also noted how the Botswana National Road Safety Strategy advocated for improved safety of road designs and planning and established a link between land use planning and transport planning.

He also urged the nation to recognise blindness and visual impairment as a human rights issue, and that persons with disabilities have the right to enjoy the highest attainable standards of health without discrimination.

National Brands Limited Botswana (NBL) human resource manager, Ms Rose Jonas donated 200 white canes which were received by Mr Mmusi Tlhabano from Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA Fund) as one of their social responsibilities in giving back to the community.

Every year, NBL takes one per cent of their profit to help assist and aid non-profit organisations in Botswana.

BABPS hopes to have 14 000 white canes pledged by members of the community or organisations by the end of next year to insure and avail a white cane to every single person with visual impairments for free. Ends