More than fifty visually impaired Fijians attended the launch of the weeklong White Cane event today at the Fiji Museum in Suva.

United Blind Person of Fiji Events Chair, Rajnel Raj says this is an opportune time for these Fijians to create awareness and express their concerns to various service providers in Fiji.

Raj says the poor response of various service providers towards the disadvantaged group continues to worry the UBPF.

“They will be talking about the challenges that they faced – commercially it would be better for organizations to be disabled friendly. So basically, the members will be talking about how the service could be improved and how it could be an easy access for person living with disability”.

Raj says few registered members of the UBPF have turned down their international travel appointments due to their disability and that is something the organization will address. 

“On Wednesday we will be going to the airports in terms of accessibility for people living with disability at the airport”. 

Project Officer Anaseini Vakaidia says white cane play an important role in the lives of these fellow Fijians.

“The reason why we do it every October because on the 15th of October is International White Cane Day so that’s our member remember the importance of a white cane to a person who is totally blind or vision impairments”.

The weeklong program will see registered members of UBPF visiting various organizations, business houses and media organizations to tell their stories.

The event will end next week Saturday at the New Zealand High Commissioner’s residence with the launching of the 2020 National Disable Awards night.