In the last few years, there has been a noticeable shift in the society’s attitude towards persons with disabilities. With the government’s flagship campaigns like Accessible India and Digital India, blind and visually impaired people have found ways of being included in mainstream activities. Access to technology and education is helping bring down the barriers that forced the blind community to remain on the fringes.

But in addition to reforms and innovations, we need empathy and awareness. As a country we still lack the sensitivity to deal with an average blind person.  Recently Eyeway received a call from 40-year-old Vijay Salunkhe who lives in Pune, Maharashtra.

Vijay is an educated blind man who works in a private firm. He was denied issuance of a SIM card by his service provider because the staff couldn’t successfully scan his eyes for identification. When he told them that his blindness doesn’t allow for iris recognition, he was asked to get the connection in someone else’s name. Preferably a sighted family member. The company refused to explore any alternatives like the biometric fingerprint.

Vijay’s self-esteem and confidence were hit by the behaviour meted out to him. He was made to feel lesser than a sighted person. A simple task became impossible and demeaning for him. His education and financial capacity were both overlooked in that moment. Vijay was reduced to a blind man who needed sighted assistance to access a daily need.

At the root of our apathy towards another, is the inability to look beyond his or her impairment. How can we achieve the dream of an inclusive society, if we don’t respect people for who they are? Blind or not, the laws of this country promise equality to every citizen. So what gives us the right to discriminate?

Warm regards,
Team Eyeway