The latest Supreme Court ruling on the rights of persons with disabilities has struck down an arbitrary proviso in current government policy that had become an impediment in the mandatory reservation of three per cent of jobs for this important section of the population. In disposing of an appeal from the Union of India, the court has pronounced that the quota should be computed uniformly across all grades of employment, thereby removing a discrepancy in the 2005 government order.

Libby Daugherty strides on the goalball court as if she owns it. Wearing the blackout goggles that leave all players in complete darkness, the 15-year-old from Mesquite kneels to feel the string that lies under the taped boundaries so she can find her place.

Engineers and mechanics from around the country needing specialised help with repairs turn to Riyazuddin, a visually-impaired motorcycle mechanic in Bhopal who can tell what is wrong with an engine just by listening to its sound. 

Sangeeta is sightless but runs a residential school for the visually impaired in Bihar and is also the brain behind an NGO for helping poor children in the neighbouring villages. 

In an official new blog post, Microsoft is highlighting an improvement that comes with Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 8.1 that provides easier browsing for the blind and visually impaired. There is also better input with Asian languages.

Renowned actor Naseeruddin Shah has strongly supported the telecast of a series on visually impaired and blind achievers on Doordarshan saying “people need to break away from the societal stereotypes and commonly held perceptions about disability and success or happiness.”

Today is White Cane Safety Day, a national observance set aside since 1964 to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired, and the important symbol of blindness and tool of independence, the white cane.

The mission of White Cane Day is to educate the world about blindness and how the blind and visually impaired can live and work independently while giving back to their communities; to celebrate the abilities and successes achieved by blind people in a sighted world; and to honor the many contributions begin made by the blind and visually impaired.