Walking in unity to create awareness for the blind
GEORGE TOWN: Armed with their respective state flags, members of the Society of the Blind in Malaysia (SBM) took to the streets around the heritage enclave to deliver a message about their struggles.
Walking hand-in-hand with the volunteers, they could be heard chanting and cheering during the 3.5km walk which was led by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow recently.
Held for the 10th time, the walk is a platform to create awareness about the need for volunteers and more facilities for the disabled.
Some 400 members were joined by 100 volunteers who guided them during the walk which started and ended at Dewan Sri Pinang.
Society president Mohammed Nazari Othman said the walk is held in different states each year.
“It is held in conjunction with the World White Cane Safety Day which signifies the achievement of people who are blind or visually impaired and the important symbol of blindness and their independence despite their disability.
“We also hold it in different states to measure the accessibility and facilities in the state and the local authority.
“In Penang, a lot has been done to look into the needs of the disabled, especially in Pulau Tikus,” he said in his speech after the walk.
In Penang, a lot has been done to look into the needs of the disabled, especially in Pulau Tikus.
Mohammed Nazari Othman
Mohammed Nazari said they also wanted to encourage and create a culture of volunteerism.
“We need more people to come forward and volunteer like today,” he said.
Chow, during his speech, pledged RM10,000 from his allocation for SBM and an additional RM10,000 for the state SBM branch.
On the accessibility and safety for the disabled, Chow said over the years, Penang had progressed and there were fewer open drains in George Town.
“There is a walkway for pedestrians, catered to be disabled-friendly.
“We also have conditions that developers need to follow the ‘universal design’ to ensure the buildings are disabled-friendly,” he said.