Citizens' Right of Way for the Blind: From Tehran's Sidewalks to Digital Services

The Director General of the Tehran Province Welfare Organization said that ensuring safe mobility and independent use of public and digital services is essential for realizing the rights of blind and visually impaired citizens, and called for coordination among executive bodies and urban management to remove barriers to their participation in society.

Fariduddin Hojatul-Islami called the International Day of the Blind and the White Cane an opportunity to listen to the demands of blind and partially sighted citizens and review the responsibility of institutions towards their rights and said: The white cane is a sign of the right to move, choose and be independent in society; A right that must be realized in urban roads, educational and work environments and public services.

Referring to the responsibility of governorates, governorates, municipalities, city and village Islamic councils, and public transportation systems, he listed barrier-free sidewalks, standard and continuous routes, usable crossings and signs, voice announcements, and proper access to stations and public buildings as priorities for implementation and maintenance.

Director General of Welfare of Tehran Province added: The quality of adaptation is measured when a blind citizen can reach his destination with confidence and independence and receive the service he needs.

Hojjatul-Islami considered the accessibility of the digital space as a part of citizenship rights and stated: Administrative, banking, educational, medical and municipal services systems should be compatible with the tools used by blind and partially sighted people. Receiving information, completing requests and using online services should not force them to hand over their personal information or be permanently dependent on others.

He asked national and provincial officials, members of parliament and executive bodies to combine the implementation of the rights of people with disabilities with the provision of resources, inter-departmental coordination and monitoring of the results so that the effects of actions can be seen in people's daily lives.

The Director General of Welfare of Tehran Province also stated that education and culture building are the mainstays of these measures and he considered helping with the consent of the individual, respecting the white cane and personal belongings, avoiding blocking the paths and recognizing the decision-making power of blind and partially sighted people as effective behaviors in strengthening their security and independence.

Referring to the media's responsibility, Hojjatul-Islami called for an accurate representation of the lives, capabilities and demands of these citizens, avoiding pitiful and stereotypical narratives, producing accessible content and following up on existing obstacles. He called the hearing of the voices of the blind and partially sighted as necessary for the completion of the media narrative.

He pointed out: Tehran should be a province where blind and partially sighted citizens can learn, work, travel and participate in decisions related to their lives and society. The white cane reminds us of the right of way and our response should be to open the way.

Support for blind people should lead to real independence and job opportunity

The General Director of Welfare of Tehran province considered increasing the power of choice and social participation of blind and visually impaired people as a valuable measure of support and listed the connection of rehabilitation services with education, skill training and real job opportunities as one of the axes of welfare responsibility.

Hojjatul-Islami introduced the blind and partially sighted people as part of the human and cultural capital of the society and considered their enjoyment of education, employment, housing, security, information and equal opportunities as citizenship rights.

Pointing to the necessity of accompanying the necessary support with sustainable empowerment, he stated: The value of support is revealed when it leads to an increase in the power of choice, individual independence and effective presence of people in the society, and families also have appropriate training, counseling and support.

The General Director of Welfare of Tehran Province named specialized rehabilitation services, training life skills and orientation and movement, facilitating access to rehabilitation aids and assistive technologies, supporting education and skill training, and developing employment opportunities as the axes of responsibility of this group. He also considered the follow-up of livelihood and housing support as a part of this path and demanded that the services match the real needs of people and the continuation of the support.

Referring to the differences in the conditions of children, women, the elderly and people with accompanying disabilities, Hojjatul-Islami added: these differences should have a clear place in service planning so that the support is tailored to the living conditions and needs of each person.

He considered timely prevention and intervention to be an inseparable part of this responsibility, and the families' awareness of the importance of children's vision screening, follow-up of evaluation results, and access to diagnostic and treatment services require continuous cooperation between welfare, health, education and media. According to him, these measures should be followed simultaneously with all-round support for blind and partially sighted people; Because the dignity and the right to enjoy the opportunities of life is not dependent on the level of vision.

Director General of Welfare of Tehran province, referring to the population size and the difference in access to facilities in the cities, considered bringing the services closer to people's places of residence as necessary for the realization of justice. He said that using the capacity of localities, service centers, specialized organizations and public participation is a basis for more accurate understanding of needs, reducing difficult commutes and strengthening the support network for individuals and families.

Hojatul-Islami also called for the direct role of blind and partially sighted people in determining priorities, designing services and evaluating results and stated: employment support should lead to real job opportunities, accessible work environment and the possibility of professional development, and educational support should also provide access to appropriate resources and tools.