The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his government will continue to support the blind, visually impaired and other persons with disabilities in the state, providing them with the resources and environment to thrive and live life to the fullest.
Obaseki gave the assurance in commemoration of the 2023 World Braille Day, marked by the United Nations and its sister agencies with the theme, “Reaching blind and visually impaired persons.”
The governor, while reaffirming the state government’s commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable society for all Edo citizens, charged young people to leverage their innovative potential to develop more assistive technologies to improve access and enhance the quality of lives of persons with disabilities.
“We join the rest of the world to celebrate the enduring legacy of Louis Braille and the transformative impact his invention has had on the lives of blind and visually impaired individuals around the world.
“We recognize the unique challenges that the blind, visually impaired and other persons with disabilities face in navigating society, and are committed to breaking down the barriers that stand in their way.
“In Edo State, we are building a more inclusive and equitable society. We are ensuring that the blind and visually impaired persons have access to the education, resources, and support needed to thrive. This includes providing all other forms of assistive technology to those who rely on them to fully participate in society.”
Charging youths on innovative technologies to improve access and the quality of life of the visually impaired and others with disabilities, Obaseki noted, “As the next generation of leaders and innovators, it is up to you, the youths, to harness the power of technology and use it to improve the lives of those around you, including the visually impaired and others with disabilities.
“I encourage you to leverage your innovative potential and the incentives provided by the government to support technology and innovation to develop innovative solutions that will help visually impaired individuals and others with disabilities to fully participate in society.”
He further added, “Whether it is through the creation of accessible websites and apps, or the development of new assistive technologies, we believe in your creativity and are here to help you turn your ideas into a reality, including guaranteeing access to funding, mentorship, or access to resources.”