| Aziz Idris |
ENSURING inclusivity for individuals with disability (OKU) either in school or the workplace is important to cultivate an accepting, encouraging environment.
The call was made by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin during an interview with media representatives yesterday at the opening ceremony for Braille, Orientation and Mobility Workshop at Pusat Bahagia in Kampong Pulaie.
According to the minister, the idea of inclusivity is among the primary focus undertaken by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports this year and it was evident in February with the opening of a similar workshop on the use of sign languages to communicate with the hearing impaired.
He was happy to note the encouraging participation from parents and guardians of OKU as well as teachers, government officials and members of the public showing keen interest to learn new skills to assist and update OKU.
Meanwhile, 52 individuals have registered for The Braille, Orientation and Mobility Workshop, which will be held in five sessions from April to October this year. The first session, which began yesterday, will be conducted for 15 days.
The opening ceremony saw the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in his capacity as the guest of honour launching the Braille, Orientation and Mobility Workshop together with President of the Brunei Darussalam National Association of the Blind (BDNAB) Muhammad Hamzi bin Omar and Acting Director at the Community Development Department (JAPEM), Rostinah binti Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Sura Pahlawan Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Tahir.
During the workshop, participants will be given an introduction to braille and instructions on how to use the braille machines. Participants will also be taught on orientation techniques and mobility for visually impaired OKU, in both theory and practical, as well as the proper use of the White Cane.
The workshop will also include a special lecture on Memata-matai Mata Awda by Ophthalmology Consultant at the Ministry of Health Pengiran Dr Noor Affizan binti Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman followed by an eye-screening for all participants.
The workshop was organised by JAPEM with the cooperation of Special Education Unit (UPK) of the Ministry of Education and the Religious Special Education Unit (UPKU) of the Islamic Studies Department, Otorhinolaryngology Section, BDNAB members and teachers for the visually impaired as well as student volunteers from Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB).
The guest of honour also toured the workshop at Pusat Bahagia.
The workshop hopes to provide exposure on the importance of braille to the lives of visually impaired individuals as the ability to read and write in braille opens the door to equal opportunity and intellectual freedom.