Brest: visually impaired fight for equality
Mrs. Iryna
Yurenia, chair of the Brest regional organization "BelTIZ", believes
that the rehabilitation of the visually impaired is a complex problem of the entire
society, so the state and public institutions should pay more attention to the
issue, as the problem affects 3,000 people in Brest alone. It
is especially topical when it comes to creating a barrier-free environment: special
road signs, "voiced" traffic lights and electronic informants, as
well as specially marked first and the last steps on stairs.
In
fact, sometimes the handicapped face absurd situations. For
example, in one of the apartment buildings in Pinsk during the reconstruction the
builders installed a ramp, but forgot to remove a concrete flower bed, which blocked
the entrance to the house. As a result, it is
impossible to use such a ramp.
Many
aspects in full rehabilitation of visually impaired relates to employment and acquiring
new professions. In
addition, according to Iryna Yurenia, except special technical means, equal
rights to other people with disabilities should be provided through the
implementation of common social needs. "Persons
with disabilities should not only be sympathized: they all want to live an
active life, fully work for the good of society and not languish on the sidelines
of life," says the chair of "BelTIZ."