By Flavia Ajok
The Uganda Society for Disabled Children (USDC), and the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU), have launched a new project aimed at strengthening educational inclusion for girls and women with visual impairments.
The project was launched on Tuesday, at Masindi District Chambers in Masindi Municipality, bringing together district leaders and other stakeholders.
The initiative targets rural communities and seeks to identify, support and empower girls and women with visual impairments to access education and improve their participation in society.
Bright Mugume, the Masindi District Vice Chairperson, who represented the district chairperson called on other Ugandans to support people with visual impairments, saying disability should not prevent anyone from achieving their potential.
He has also appealed to NUDIPU to consider identifying a girl from Masindi who can champion the rights of people with disabilities through radio and television advocacy programs.
John Mary Musinguzi, the Head of Programs at USDC, says the project is targeting children and youth with visual impairments, both in and out of school.
He says the initiative is being implemented in four districts, including Nebbi, Jinja, Masaka and Masindi.
Musinguzi says USDC will work with communities to ensure children with visual impairments are enrolled in school, while also supporting selected schools with materials and other requirements to enable them to effectively educate learners with visual impairments.
Meanwhile, Viola Atusiime from NUDIPU says the organization has partnered with USDC to support learners with visual impairments and promote their right to education.
Atusiime says the project will particularly focus on rural areas, where children with visual impairments often face challenges accessing education and learning materials.
