Empowerment programme for visually impaired launched
THE Braillle Department of the Bulawayo Public Library has launched an empowerment programme that will see visually impaired people having more access to information and participating fully in economic, social and even political activities.
The programme was launched last week with an aim to raise awareness among the visually impaired in the country.
In a speech read on her behalf by chief executive officer of Transmedia Mrs Florence Mathambo during the launch, Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Cde Sithokozile Mathuthu, said the campaign was a noble one.
Cde Mathuthu said: “I am honoured to be part of a campaign that seeks to transform the livelihood of the blind citizens of Zimbabwe through the access to information.”
She said poverty among other issues was caused by lack of information.
“I would like to congratulate goodwill ambassador Clarence Garura for launching this noble campaign for access to information for the blind. If we rally behind this campaign we will see the visually impaired give meaningful contribution to the implementation of Zim Asset,” she said.
“I am reliably informed that the visually impaired can use ordinary cellphones and computers and a whole host of ICT gadgets through the use of screen reading softwares.”
She urged the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology and Courier Services to avail more computers countrywide for the campaign. This follows after the Small to Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni urged people to work together and support the initiative.
Minister Nyoni was quoted saying: “I am reliably informed and encouraged that some corporates like Edgars, Intercape-Pathfinder and Lobels Biscuits have begun partnering with the Braille Department of the Bulawayo Public Library. Let me urge the Ministry of ICT to ensure that more computers are made available for the visually impaired starting with the Braille Department of the Bulawayo Public Library. I also wish to call upon the private sector and ordinary Zimbabweans to actively participate in this initiative.”