Kerala Federation of the Blind turns 50, Minister to launch financial assistance scheme for self-employment projects

As the Kerala Federation of the Blind (KFB) enters its 50th year, its members acknowledge that the plight of the visually impaired population in the State has improved immensely over the last few decades, although there is still a long way towards becoming a visually impaired-friendly society.

In 1967, when the federation was founded, the visually impaired were a neglected and stigmatised section of society, says Habeeb C., vice president, KFB.

Aarti Kapur

Tribune News Service                                                                                                                                        Chandigarh, December 31

For the first time in the city, differently abled will get a chance to walk the ramp during a fashion show to be organised by the UT Department of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development. They will walk the ramp on January 23 in the event called Pride Fashion Show.

Fifty visually impaired college students were imparted hands-on computer training during a five-day residential programme that concluded here on Friday.

The residential programme was held at the National Institute of Technology here from December 26 to 30. The basic computer training was jointly organised by Jagajothi Readers Circle and NIT, Tiruchi.

The participating students, including 15 girls, were from Tiruchi, Pudukottai, Karur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Coimbatore and Virudhunagar districts.

PM: Help people with disabilities

“People with autism and disabilities in the country have enormous potential and we will have to ensure opportunity for them to flourish those. We are giving the utmost importance for their development as they are our kith and kin as well as children,” Sheikh Hasina said

The PM made was statement while addressing a function marking the 25th International and 18th National Day for the Persons with Disabilities at Osmani Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, reports UNB.

Despite the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) repeatedly issuing circulars to all scheduled commercial banks across the country to provide banking facilities to customers with disabilities at a par with non-disabled people, the majority of disabled people continue to be inconvenienced by the banks. The situation is especially grim in rural areas and post the demonetisation announcement.