“The government of Zimbabwe is promoting the concept of inclusive development and the slogan- ‘No One Is Left Behind,'” said Marcy M Dinha, deputy minister, Zimbabwe, at a conference held on the theme: “Inclusion in Diversity: Equity and Accessibility for All” in Ahmedabad.
The four-day conference began on Thursday with 410 participants from 60 countries. She also endorsed the idea of Nothing About Us Without Us and counselled the blind or visually impaired to maintain their strength and fortitude in the face of hardship.
Accessibility in education is the primary goal of the First World Conference and General Assembly organised by the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI). The event is hosted by the Blind People’s Association (BPA), Ahmedabad. Sense International India, a leading organisation developing services for deafblind people in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, co-hosted the event. It is being organised in collaboration with Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University.
Bhushan Punani, chair of the Host Committee, mentioned that this is the first time that ICEVI is organising its World Conference in India. This is the first time ICEVI, World Blind Union, Deafblind International, Perkins International Sense International and Sight Savers have come together, he added.
Dr Ami Upadhaya, Vice Chancellor of Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Open University, explained the role of Universities in promoting inclusive education. She described the National Education Policy on 2020’s role in promoting inclusivity at all levels of education.
Three hundred eighty top specialists in teaching individuals with visual impairments from 62 nations attended the conference. These experts included professionals, caregivers, individuals with visual impairment, deafblind people, and people with multiple disabilities from 61 different countries.
The Office Bearers of the world’s five most significant organisations in the field, World Blind Union, Deafblind International, Sense International, Perkins International and International Council for the Education of People with Visual Impairment, represent their respective international organisations in this event.
To guarantee high-quality education for all children with visual impairments, Dr Aubrey Webson, Ambassador of Antigua, stressed the significance of early intervention, an inclusive atmosphere, and encouraging equity, accessibility, and collaboration. Deafblind International President Mirko Baur emphasised humanism and acknowledged the diversity of human beings. The World Blind Union’s president, Martin Able-Williamson, highlighted the need to empower those who are visually impaired.
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