In his message on “White Cane Safety Day”, which is observed globally on October 15 as international day of the blind, he said the government would like to upgrade existing facilities for them.
This will ensure the provision of modern braille equipment with IT based approaches in all public sector facilities for the visually impaired, he added.
President Zardari said the day creates awareness amongst both the sighted and visually handicapped about the significance of “White Cane” in mobility of visually handicapped.
He said the occasion will also help in highlighting the basic needs of visually impaired people.
The president said the government has always made maximum efforts to provide education and rehabilitation services to the partially sighted and blind members of the society.
“I would like to give the assurance that the government will make utmost efforts to educate blind children and youth.”
He also vowed to provide these people with adequate skills and technical training facilities and commensurate employment opportunities so that they retain their rightful place in the society.
President Zardari urged every member of the society to increase ownership of disability issues and participate in the process of service delivery for mainstreaming of special persons.
He reiterated government’s pledge to work with self-less devotion in the service of persons with disabilities

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2008