Support Services Provided to 3,400 Blind and Visually Impaired People in Bushehr

BUSHEHR – The Director General of the Bushehr Province Welfare Organization announced that 3,482 blind and visually impaired individuals have benefited from support and rehabilitation services.

According to Mehr reporter, Mehrnaz Eskandari, in a gathering of reporters on Wednesday night on the occasion of International White Cane Day, emphasized the necessity of protecting the rights of people with visual disabilities and providing them with the opportunity to participate effectively in society. At present, 3,482 blind and partially sighted people are covered by the General Welfare Department of Bushehr province, and according to the relevant terms and conditions, they benefit from support services, pensions, rehabilitation and other specialized support.

The General Director of Welfare of Bushehr province added: 2,438 people receive pensions out of the total number of people with visual disabilities covered. Within the framework of its support and rehabilitation missions, welfare pursues the provision of services tailored to the needs of people with disabilities with the aim of strengthening individual independence, improving the quality of life and increasing their opportunities to participate in society.

The activity of two daily specialized centers for people with visual disabilities

Referring to specialized rehabilitation services in Bushehr Province, the General Director of Welfare said: Two specialized daily centers for people with visual disabilities with a total capacity of 100 people are operating in the province. These centers operate in the direction of providing rehabilitation services, strengthening personal and social skills and increasing the capabilities of clients.

Referring to the support provided in the field of providing rehabilitation equipment, Eskandari said: 16 billion rials have been allocated for the purchase of rehabilitation equipment for 430 eligible people. Also, based on the evaluated criteria and needs, services related to providing rehabilitation expenses and other rehabilitation support are provided to qualified people.

Screening of more than 52 thousand children in order to prevent lazy eye

Emphasizing the importance of prevention and timely intervention in identifying children's vision disorders, he said: implementation of preventive programs and early detection of vision problems are important welfare measures in the field of disability prevention. Timely diagnosis of lazy eye in childhood can provide the basis for follow-up treatment and reduce the possibility of vision complications in the future.

The General Director of Bushehr Province Welfare continued: In the framework of the implementation of the lazy eye prevention program, 52,779 children have been screened in the province and this program has been implemented with the participation of 318 centers. According to the registered statistics, 283 cases of lazy eye have been identified during the implementation of this program.

Eskandari added: In order to support children in need of medical services, 57 people have been given assistance for the purchase of glasses and two people have been allocated eye surgery assistance. These supports are aimed at facilitating the access of qualified children to the needed services and timely follow-up of vision problems.

"Let the blind see better"; Emphasis on rights, abilities and equal opportunities

The General Director of Welfare of Bushehr Province, referring to the slogan of World White Cane Day, "Let the blind see better", stated: the welfare approach in the field of people with disabilities, in addition to providing financial support and specialized services, is based on empowerment, preserving human dignity, strengthening individual independence and providing social participation.

He added: Accessibility of urban environments and public services, providing equal opportunities in education and employment, development of accessible transportation and services, and increasing public awareness about the rights of people with visual disabilities are among the important issues in the path of realizing an inclusive society with equal opportunities.

Eskandari pointed out: International White Cane Day is an opportunity to pay more attention to the abilities of blind and partially sighted people, promote social awareness and strengthen the responsibility of executive bodies in the field of observing citizen's rights and optimizing the environment and services.

In the end, he emphasized: Realization of effective participation and independent presence of people with visual disabilities in different areas of life requires the cooperation of executive bodies, social institutions, families and the general public. Behazisti, within the framework of its duties and missions, pursues the protection of the rights of people with disabilities, the development of rehabilitation services, and the strengthening of their areas of empowerment and social participation.