In order to make learning easier for the visually impaired, especially in Delta State, South-south Nigeria, an Optometrist, Dr Comfort Omo-Irabor, has appealed to the Delta Government to establish specialised schools.
She appealed while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in the state capital, Warri.
According to the consultant, the presence of special schools would help to address the issue of stigma and rejection faced by visually impaired students in institutions located in neighbouring states.
The optometrist revealed that whenever visually impaired children are sent to neighbouring states for academic purposes, they are always mocked and harassed.
“Neighboring states make a mockery of us that we don’t have schools for the blind. That despite Delta’s financial strength, the state government can’t establish specialised schools for the blind,” she lamented.
Omo-Irabor, however, observed that this might be an oversight on the part of the state government, hence the appeal.
She added, “I am sure this is an oversight on the part of the government. This government is people-friendly and can establish such schools across the state.
“I tried to pull resources together to establish a primary school for the blind but it could not work out. Government should look in that direction because these people are human beings. What happens to them can happen to anybody.”
The Optometrist said that the former president of the Nigerian Association of the Blind, Delta State Chapter had a Masters Degree.
“Former president of the NAB in Delta, now Vice President of the association at the National level, holds a Masters Degree and is currently a lecturer at the College of Education, Warri,” he said.
The eye specialist, further decried the plight of those with visual impairment, stressing that a lot of people are suffering because of one form of disability or the other, adding that it would be a big plus if the state government considered her appeal.
(NAN)
