Only 10pc of visually impaired have access to White Cane

Of the over 64,000 visually impaired people in the country, only 10 per cent have white canes, their union has said. The White Cane is a custom made stick that helps people with visual impairment to walk without assistance from anyone.The visually impaired yesterday joined the rest of the world to mark the White Cane Day yesterday. The day is globally marked on October 15 every year.This year’s national celebrations were held at Kayonza District. The event was preceded by a march by the blind to sensitise motorists about their plight.The canes normally have deflectors that can be easily noticed by motorists driving at night.The visually impaired called on the government to address their plight as most of them lack white canes which are expensive. “I have no white cane because it is very expensive. I cannot afford it and we have been told that even when someone gets the money, it requires sending for it out of the country,” says Alphonse Mugema, who comes from Gahini Sector in Kayonza District.The cane costs as much as Rwf 30,000.According to Donatille Kanimba the Executive Secretary of Rwanda Union of the Blind, the white cane is a signature tool for people with visual impairment and no other person should use it.She also used the occasion to air out some of the challenges the visually impaired face, among them, the need for the blind to be considered at zebra crossings and traffic lights.

National

Only 10pc of visually impaired have access to White Cane