Nearly 3,000 visually impaired in Sultanate

The number of people with visual impairment in the Sultanate reached 2,945. Of them, 64.8 per cent are male. However, 63 per cent of visual disabilities in the Sultanate are due to pathological causes, according to the electronic census 2020.

The census revealed that the number of Omanis with disabilities stood at 42,304, according to the electronic census 2020, constituting 1.55 per cent of the total Omanis.

The rate was the largest in Al Dhahirah Governorate with 18.5 per thousand, while the minimum rate was in Al Wusta Governorate with 10.1 per thousand, the Bulletin issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information said.

The Ministry of Social Development works to provide special care services to persons with an impairment that need care and rehabilitation. There are many programmes and activities offered to the disabled to enable them to rely on themselves in managing their lives without relying on others. This is done by providing the appropriate environment for achieving social integration and providing the necessary programmes and services to help them achieve their ambitions like their counterparts in society. The disabled are sponsored and qualified by several institutions as per their impairment under many regulations and legislation.

In 1997, the Al Noor Association for the Blind was established, headquartered in Muscat, and has three branches in Dhofar, Al Dakhiliyah and Al Batinah. Its services extend to the various governorates and regions of the Sultanate.

It aims to educate the community and introduce it to the issues of people with visual disabilities and to integrate them into society. As of now, it provides services to 300 blind males and females.