Balkh disabled, blind people demand education, training facilities

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): A number of handicapped and blind individuals on Wednesday gathered in the capital of northern Balkh province to mark the World Sight Day observed annually on the second Thursday of October.

The blind persons at their gathering in Mazar-i-Sharif urged the government to provide them education and training facilities in the province.

They complained about their lack of access to education as their main issue and accused the government of not honouring its promises with the special people.

However, Labour, Martyrs, Disabled and Social Affairs Department director Najibullah Kohistani said efforts were underway to enhance capacity and education level of the special people and impart them training in various skills.

Niamatullah Mirzae, a disabled, told Pajhwok Afghan News they lacked education programs in the province and the government and other organizations had promised them education and training courses but so far no measures could be taken in this regard.

Mirzaee said currently there were 5000 blind people in the province and only 500 of them have access to education. He urged the government and donor countries to provide them printed works in Braille language.

A blind Karima Faizi, a student of sixth grade, told Pajhwok their another issue was lack of textbooks. She urged the government to provide them education and textbooks.

The government is required by the disabled law to provide job opportunities and education to disabled and blind people.

pk/ma

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