3rd December is annually celebrated as the international day of persons with disabilities. This day is set aside to advocate as well as recognize the great work done by persons with disabilities. This day sends a great signal to the society that persons with disabilities are part and parcel of the society and should not be underrate or discriminated. The theme for this year is AMPLIFYING THE LEADERSHIP OF PERSONS WITH FOR AN INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY. This calls for the participation and involvement of all stakeholders to achieve such. We all have a role to play in making the theme a reality. Starting from the family, society the government etc.
The family and society should realise that persons with disabilities should be treated equally and fairly as any other member of the society. PWDs should be given the rights and and included in all aspects of the society. They deserve to be given equal share of the national cake. Gone are days when a person with disability will have nothing to do but to beg in the streets. All they need is empowerment and empathy and not sympathy.
The government should create policies and procedures to protect PWDs from all kinds of discriminations, stigmatisation and isolations. Let’s all understand that it’s a right and not a previlliage.
In commemorating the day, the American corner, Banjul in collaboration with FCRPD organized a seminar to discuss on issues affecting PWDs and how to remedy this prevailing challenges. The seminar was attended by persons with and without disabilities to interact and discuss on the way forward. Mr Samba Jaiteh Batch Samba, the president and founder of the foundation for the civic rights of persons with disabilities FCRPD serving as one on the panelist discussed on the theme for this year’s celebration and highlighted the challenges in realising such. Noting that all hands should be on desk to achieve the theme. Madam Joanna Gomez, from the American corner also part of the panelist discussed on the importance of stakeholders coming together to support PWDs. She also highlighted that there is always power in uniting to form a strong front. The event continued with interactive questions and answers between the panelist coordinated by Mr. Baboucar Cham from the corner.
Much appreciation goes to the the American corner and all those that attended the event.

FCRPD under the dynamic leadership of it’s president Mr Samba Jaiteh Batch Samba joins the visually impaired community In celebrating the international white cane safety day.

As a foundation that is so passionate in serving persons with disabilities and envisioning a society where persons with disabilities are given all the support, rights and total inclusion in all aspects of life, it deems it incumbent upon itself to also celebrate with the visually impaired community and to also continue its advocacy and sensitization on the important of this day as done for other PWDs.

White Cane Safety Day, observed annually on October 15, is a global celebration of the achievements of individuals who are visually impaired and a reminder of the crucial role the white cane plays in their mobility and independence.

This day serves not only to raise awareness about the needs and rights of people who are blind or have low vision, but also to highlight the challenges they face in various parts of the world, including The Gambia.

Lets give a quick look at the history of this important day The white cane has long been a symbol of independence for people with visual impairments. However, it was not until the early 20th century that the cane began to be widely recognized as an essential tool for mobility. In 1930, Lions Clubs International adopted a movement to promote the white cane as a symbol for blind pedestrians. This movement eventually led to the creation of White Cane Safety Day in the United States in 1964, after then-President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a proclamation to recognize the day.Since then, White Cane Safety Day has been celebrated worldwide as a day to advocate for the rights of people with visual impairments. It emphasizes the need for their full integration into society and recognizes their contributions to various fields, despite the obstacles they encounter.

Significance of White Cane Safety Day

The white cane is not merely a tool for the visually impaired—it is a symbol of autonomy, dignity, and empowerment. White Cane Safety Day serves to remind society that people with visual impairments can lead full and independent lives, provided they have the right tools and support. It is also a call to action, urging communities, governments, and individuals to ensure the safety, accessibility, and inclusion of visually impaired persons in all aspects of life.

In addition to mobility, the white cane helps to educate the public about the presence and rights of visually impaired individuals. The use of the white cane ensures that others, including drivers and pedestrians, recognize and respect the needs of those using it, especially when navigating busy streets or public spaces.Challenges Faced by Persons with Visual Impairments in The Gambia.

In The Gambia, persons with visual impairments face significant challenges in their daily lives. While efforts have been made to support their integration into society, many obstacles remain.

1. Limited Access to Mobility Training and Assistive Devices: Although the white cane is a symbol of independence, access to the cane and other assistive devices is limited in The Gambia. Many visually impaired individuals lack access to basic mobility training, which teaches them how to use the white cane effectively. Without this training, the cane cannot fully serve its purpose, leaving people dependent on others for mobility.

2. Inadequate Infrastructure: The country’s infrastructure often poses barriers for visually impaired individuals. Roads and sidewalks in The Gambia are frequently not designed with accessibility in mind, making it difficult for visually impaired individuals to navigate safely. Poorly maintained or nonexistent pedestrian pathways, lack of tactile paving, and unsafe crossing points put visually impaired pedestrians at constant risk of accidents.

3. Discrimination and Social Exclusion: In The Gambia, societal attitudes towards persons with disabilities, including those who are visually impaired, can lead to marginalization and discrimination. People with visual impairments often experience social isolation due to negative perceptions or a lack of understanding about their abilities. This can result in fewer opportunities for education, employment, and social inclusion.

4. Limited Educational Opportunities: there is only one special school for visually impaired children in The Gambia, the overall access to education remains limited. Many schools are not equipped with the necessary materials or teaching aids, such as Braille textbooks or assistive technology, to support the learning needs of students with visual impairments. As a result, these students may struggle to receive the education they need to succeed.

5. Lack of Employment Opportunities: Employment opportunities for visually impaired individuals in The Gambia are also scarce. Many employers are hesitant to hire people with disabilities, believing that they may not be able to perform the required tasks. This misconception further contributes to high unemployment rates among the visually impaired population, leading to economic challenges and a reduced quality of life.

Conclusion: White Cane Safety Day is an essential reminder of the rights and achievements of visually impaired individuals, both in The Gambia and around the world. While progress has been made in promoting inclusion, many challenges remain. Through continued advocacy, improved accessibility, and the provision of essential tools like the white cane, we can work towards a society where visually impaired individuals can live independently and with dignity, free from barriers that hinder their full participation in society.As we observe White Cane Safety Day, let us remember that the journey toward inclusion and accessibility is ongoing. By taking action to address the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals, especially in countries like The Gambia, we can help build a future where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can thrive.

The last week of every September is globally set aside as a very important week. This is the week known as the international Deaf awareness week, where issues related to persons with deaf and hard of hearing are discussed. As the globe celebrates this week, The foundation for the civic rights of persons with disabilities FCRPD is never an exception in commemorating this noble and great event. As a means of showing solidarity with the deaf community and advocating for all persons with disabilities, it is incumbent upon the foundation to also take part in recognising the week. In it’s participating to raise awareness on challenges faced by persons with deaf and hard of hearing, FCRPD organised a symposium on Saturday, 28th September 2024 at the American Corner Bundung in commemoration of the week on the theme Importance Of Inclusive Education The event was attended by different media houses, sister organizations such as the girls Agenda (an organization that stands in advocating and safeguarding the welfare of Girls including Girls with disabilities), persons with deaf and hard of hearing and other private individuals across different sectors of life.

During the Symposium, many important issues were discussed ranging from difficulties faced By the deaf community including communication barriers and other restrictions hindering social inclusion.Mr Samba Jaiteh, the President and Founder of FCRPD expresses his gratitude to all the participants that came to witness the event to join hands in commemorating the international Deaf awareness week. Mr Jaiteh, further explain the efforts the foundation is taking on a daily bases in advocating for the rights and social inclusion of persons with disabilities through different medium like newspapers outlets, Radio talk shows, social media platforms etc. to create awareness for the masses to continue protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. “ we usually organise training for our members on human guide techniques in preparing them with skills and techniques to be well prepared in serving persons with disabilities including the visual impairs , those in wheelchairs etc. as a form of capacity building “ he said. Jaiteh also expressed his plan of enrolling The volunteers to be train in sign language who will in turn help in interpreting for the deaf and hard of hearing. He however expressed the challenges faced in lack of financial support to implement most of his plans. He urged all to help the foundation for funding so as to continue Offering services to PWDs.

However, Mr. Samba continue by expressing his unsatisfaction by highlighting the numerous challenges face by persons with disabilities in our societies such as in homes, offices, schools, transportation services, hospitals, education etc. He strongly urged the government to always involve persons with disabilities during policy drafting periods for an inclusive policing.

Mrs Mariama Sanyang, the communication officer Girls’ Agenda spoke about their organization’s involvement in advocating for rights of the women with deaf and hard of hearing. She also lamented the role played by the Girls’ agenda in developing the PWDs through leadership trainings.

She reveal that, many women with Hard of hearing are encountering problems on a daily bases in our societies such as ; FGM, Early Marriage, violence against women etc but they have less opportunities and places to express themselves to the authorities. She call on the government and other stakeholders to come out and protect their rights for equality in distributions and opportunities as enshrined in The Gambia’s 1997 constitution.

As a week designated for commemorate awareness for the Deaf, Mr Lamin Ceesay , a member of FCRPD give a brief statement on the importance of introducing sign languages in our education curriculum where children will be taught to sign from nursery to university stage . He asserts that , this will be the only means to breach the communication barrier for the Deaf.

He further strengthen that, if all the learning institutions can graduate hundreds of sign languages interpreters yearly, the communication gap would be closed for easy access to information for all.Indeed the event was interactive and educative where participants were given the opportunity to ask questions or give recommendations.

Participants like Aja Binta Jabang, a hard of hearing woman and other deaf people thank the foundation for creating such informative and important program. They strongly recommends The Gambia government to hire full time sign language interpreter(s) in the National Assembly or nominate someone of disabilities who shall be their advocate in the parliament. They equally call on the Ministry of Education to consult and consider persons with disabilities when planning to build education structures . Noting that, these structures should be accessible to all irrespective of your physical appearances .

The event concluded with questions and answers from the audience.

FCRPD thank all for attending the symposium and still looking for support in any form.