Qom Officials Face a Major Test Over the Big and Small Challenges Faced by the Visually Impaired

While more than 3,000 blind and visually impaired people in Qom Province grapple with major and minor challenges of the urban environment, statistics tell only part of the story. Physical barriers blocking urban pathways and disregard for the legal employment quota are two sides of the same coin, making 'independence' difficult for Qom's visually impaired and placing officials before a major test to show how far 'seeing everyone's right' goes beyond a slogan.

While more than three thousand blind and partially sighted people in Qom province are struggling with small and large challenges of the urban ecosystem, the statistics only tell a part of the reality. The monopolization of urban routes by physical barriers and disregard for the legal quota of employment are two sides of the same coin, which has made "independence" difficult for the bright-minded of Qommi and has put the authorities in front of a big test to show how far "seeing the rights of all" is beyond the slogan.