Council for the Blind holds South Asian Conference & Workshop for visually impaired persons

The South Asian Conference & Workshop for VIPs (Visually Impaired Persons) was held from May 20-24 at River Face Hotel in Rajagiriya. The conference was organised by the Sri Lanka Council for the Blind and the participants included delegates from India, Pakistan, Afganistan and Sri Lanka.

Asian Blind Union president S.K.Rungta and World Blind Union Regional Coordinator for the Marrakesh Treaty, Prof. Kusumlata Malik were welcomed by Sri Lanka Council for the Blind president AmaradasaGunawardena and Secretary of the Sri Lanka Council for the Blind and Sri Lankan Delegate to the Asian Blind Union and World Blind Union, Shalika Karunaratne.

The Marrakesh Treaty was established in 2016 to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled and marks a breakthrough in enabling the blind and other print-handicapped persons to access the printed word. Ensuring that visually impaired persons have sustainable access to published works on the same terms as sighted persons is an important milestone toward realizing the vision of a world in which all persons can participate fully and equally in the political, economic, and cultural life of society. Sugath De Silva (1st Vice President) AshokaWeerawardhana, the 2nd Vice President of the Sri Lanka Council for the Blind who worked hard to get this treaty ratified by Sri Lanka and other delegates from across Sri Lanka were also present at the event.

Ms Soha Fleyfil Consultant, Lebanese Youth Association of the Blind acted as a facilitator during the conference.

To help, please contact the help desk of Sri Lanka Council for the Blind on 0112054949 or 115234560/ email slcblind@sltnet.lk/slcblind@ gmail.com or visit website: www.slcblind.org even a small donation in cash or kind will brighten up their dark world.