Visually impaired must get equal chances
Good cause: Acting Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Haji Hazair Abdullah (Above, L), talks to one of the members of the Blind Association during the prize presentation at The Mall. (Bottom) Haji Bujang Hj Masu'ut (R), Chief Editor of The Brunei Times Sdn Bhd, presents a souvenir to the minister. Pictures: Saifulizam
Monday, February 4, 2008
VISUALLY impaired people should be given equal opportunities in education for they too can contribute to the country's development, said the acting minister of health.
This was stated by Pehin Orang Kaya Perkerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Haji Hazair Haji Abdullah, Acting Minister of Health, in his speech during the prize presentation of Blind Awareness Contest organised by The Brunei Times at The Mall, yesterday.
"They must be given the chance to become literate, able to read, write and count and thus enabling them to enjoy intellectual freedom, personal security and equal opportunities," said Pehin Dato Haji Hazair, adding that even with those who have lost their sight, they are still able to play a role in the development of the community and the country in terms of social, education and economy.
Pehin Dato Haji Hazair's address also mentioned a World Health Organisation (WHO) report which says that an estimated more than 350 million of the entire world population is facing problem associated with blindness and is estimated to increase through the year 2020 if steps were not taken to remedy them.
In Brunei Darussalam alone, the WHO has estimated around 0.03 per cent of the Brunei population is facing blindness problems and 1.5 per cent is expected to face problems with visual impairment, he said.
"I'm calling out to parents, families, whose children or relatives are experiencing visual impairment," said Jamari Haji Danggat, President of the Brunei Darussalam National Association of the Blind (BDNAB), and added that there is no need to feel ashamed. In fact, such people should be encouraged to get education to be on par with any normal person.
The Government has been giving support in providing facilities such as the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports, who has Braille classes and special education Unit which has equipment and capable teachers to teach Braille.
The winner of the Grand Prize Ng Wai Ling from the Belait district who received two return air tickets to Bangkok and 10 consolation prizes were also awarded to: Nurathirah Salihah Hj Mohd Salleh, Hayati Binti Hussin, Noorhafizah Binti Hj Rashid, Toh Tieng Meng, Siti Latipa, Crispin C Catuto, Hjh Arman Binti Hj Jais, Maria Luisa Rebolld Punzalan, Mohd Alias and Hjh Haslina Binti Hj Jaafar.
The prizes were drawn by the association's President and Vice-President, Md Jamary Hj Danggat and Noralizulrainee Ali Yusop respectively, with the participation of The Brunei Times Chief Reporter, Shareen Han
The Blind Awareness Contest was one of the initiatives undertaken by the BDNAB to educate the public about blindness and the association's role with regard to the blind in Brunei Darussalam.
The formation of BDNAB has championed the cause for the blind. The centre has its own Braille machine, computers and access to the Internet. Noralizulrainee, although visually impaired himself, is a Universiti Brunei Darussalam graduate and he conducts regular training for fellow members in computer studies at the association headquarters.
"I want to the share the opportunities that I have gained with others like myself," Noralizulrainee said. Information technology has taken over the workplace and because the technology is intuitive, the blind can learn it and be productive, Noralizulrainee added.
In the interview with The Brunei Times, Noralizulrainee said that the association's activities are now limited by the small size of the association headquarters. "The space that is generous provided by Standard Chartered Bank is insufficient to keep up with the growing needs of the association," said Noralizulrainee.
There is a pressing need for the association to expand it capabilities through a bigger and more accessible location.
The event itself, was supported by many volunteer groups from Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Institute of Technology Brunei, Charity Club and Kembara Club from the Higher Education Institution in Berakas as well as performances by local artist, The Seeds.
This event was part of an effort towards corporate social responsibility by The Brunei Times.
The Brunei Times
This was stated by Pehin Orang Kaya Perkerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Haji Hazair Haji Abdullah, Acting Minister of Health, in his speech during the prize presentation of Blind Awareness Contest organised by The Brunei Times at The Mall, yesterday.
"They must be given the chance to become literate, able to read, write and count and thus enabling them to enjoy intellectual freedom, personal security and equal opportunities," said Pehin Dato Haji Hazair, adding that even with those who have lost their sight, they are still able to play a role in the development of the community and the country in terms of social, education and economy.
Pehin Dato Haji Hazair's address also mentioned a World Health Organisation (WHO) report which says that an estimated more than 350 million of the entire world population is facing problem associated with blindness and is estimated to increase through the year 2020 if steps were not taken to remedy them.
In Brunei Darussalam alone, the WHO has estimated around 0.03 per cent of the Brunei population is facing blindness problems and 1.5 per cent is expected to face problems with visual impairment, he said.
"I'm calling out to parents, families, whose children or relatives are experiencing visual impairment," said Jamari Haji Danggat, President of the Brunei Darussalam National Association of the Blind (BDNAB), and added that there is no need to feel ashamed. In fact, such people should be encouraged to get education to be on par with any normal person.
The Government has been giving support in providing facilities such as the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports, who has Braille classes and special education Unit which has equipment and capable teachers to teach Braille.
The winner of the Grand Prize Ng Wai Ling from the Belait district who received two return air tickets to Bangkok and 10 consolation prizes were also awarded to: Nurathirah Salihah Hj Mohd Salleh, Hayati Binti Hussin, Noorhafizah Binti Hj Rashid, Toh Tieng Meng, Siti Latipa, Crispin C Catuto, Hjh Arman Binti Hj Jais, Maria Luisa Rebolld Punzalan, Mohd Alias and Hjh Haslina Binti Hj Jaafar.
The prizes were drawn by the association's President and Vice-President, Md Jamary Hj Danggat and Noralizulrainee Ali Yusop respectively, with the participation of The Brunei Times Chief Reporter, Shareen Han
The Blind Awareness Contest was one of the initiatives undertaken by the BDNAB to educate the public about blindness and the association's role with regard to the blind in Brunei Darussalam.
The formation of BDNAB has championed the cause for the blind. The centre has its own Braille machine, computers and access to the Internet. Noralizulrainee, although visually impaired himself, is a Universiti Brunei Darussalam graduate and he conducts regular training for fellow members in computer studies at the association headquarters.
"I want to the share the opportunities that I have gained with others like myself," Noralizulrainee said. Information technology has taken over the workplace and because the technology is intuitive, the blind can learn it and be productive, Noralizulrainee added.
In the interview with The Brunei Times, Noralizulrainee said that the association's activities are now limited by the small size of the association headquarters. "The space that is generous provided by Standard Chartered Bank is insufficient to keep up with the growing needs of the association," said Noralizulrainee.
There is a pressing need for the association to expand it capabilities through a bigger and more accessible location.
The event itself, was supported by many volunteer groups from Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Institute of Technology Brunei, Charity Club and Kembara Club from the Higher Education Institution in Berakas as well as performances by local artist, The Seeds.
This event was part of an effort towards corporate social responsibility by The Brunei Times.
The Brunei Times
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