Al Noor Center for the Blind, a center that operates under the Qatar Foundation for Social Work, and affiliated with the Ministry of Social Development and Family (MOSDF) has organised a symposium under the theme: 'The White Cane: A Symbol of Blindness".
The event brought together a substantial number of people with visual impairment (PVI), professionals and those interested in PVI's issues. It intended to raise the awareness of the critical role of the white cane in PVI's life and help them bolster their capabilities of commuting and being guided.
Addressing the event, head of the assistive technology department at the center and moderator of the symposium, Fatima Abushreida, emphasized the importance of the white cane as a symbol that signifies PVI and a tool that is used while commuting.
For her part, orientation and movement specialist at the center, Mona Al Khalidi, gave a brief description of the white cane, its evolutionary history, and highlighted its diverse types, specifications and significance of each type in providing essential support for individuals. She noted the center's role in promoting the use of white canes through conducting special trainings for affiliates on their use.
Chairman of Qatar Social and Cultural Center for the Blind Faisal Muhammad Al Kooheji delivered a presentation on the white cane-technology between reality and aspiration- in which he discussed the state-of-the-art technologies related to the white cane, such as canes that are fitted with cutting-edge technologies, including sensors and navigation which help individuals use them on daily basis.
Al Kooheji noted the distinction between conventional white canes and those supported by technology, and how these modern technologies can be effective in PVI's life to help them largely interact with their surroundings.
Braille teacher in the integration schools at Al Noor Center, Ikrami Ahmed, talked about the white cane, the journey from challenge to empowerment, in which he addressed the psychological aspects associated with the use of the white cane. He narrated his private experience and how canes can help individuals overcome psychosocial challenges and promote the feeling of self-independence.
Ahmed highlighted that the white cane is significantly an empowerment tool and not merely a vehicle for commuting, presenting success stories from the center as PVI have been able to overcome vexing challenges and effectively engage in the community by virtue of the white cane.
