Blind eyes are not blind minds: blind people usually experience dejection and stereotyping. But what is not often considered is the psychological impact of blindness--the despair and the dependence on others. Donald Gwira wants the world to bridge the gap between the blind and the sighted.

Blind people usually experience dejection and stereotyping. But what is not often considered is the psychological impact of blindness-the despair and the dependence on others. Donald Gwira wants the world to bridge the gap between the blind and the sighted.

Blindness is a disability an does not mean inability Blindness is also a challenge, which can be overcome, yet the blind are often made to feel rejected and therefore become dejected.

Life is an uphill battle for the blind especially in the developing world where the majority of the blind live. This because our world is built with the sighted in mind and does not favor people with disabilities. We, therefore perceive anyone who is unable to operate effectively in "our world" as a burden to society.

The blind also experience dejection, especially those who were not born blind because they are confronted with the realities of the day when they become blind. Not often considered are the psychological impact of blindness, the despair, and the dependence.

The disabling effects of blindness rob the individual and often the family of the capacity to earn a living, pushing them into even greater poverty. Those who benefit flora counselling of rehabilitation manage to emerge from their dejection but such programmes for the blind are few and far between.

Let us take a few minutes to revisit the issue of inability. The truth of the matter is we all do behave in the same way as the blind person when confronted with their reality, but only temporarily? The following illustrates my point:

* Close your eyes for a minute and enter the world of the blind, as we perceive it. Try moving around with your eyes closed and you will be faced with their reality, but only temporarily.

* Recount the number of things you are able to accomplish when there is a sudden "black out". Were these things undertaken with sight? No, most of these things were undertaken with the help of pre-knowledge of where things are, how the room is laid out, etc; and we approach them cautiously and sometimes awkwardly, the same way a blind person moves around.

* A sighted person needs light to function effectively but a blind person does not. Who is at an advantage?

So I ask the question: wherein lies the basis of our prejudice? Nevertheless, the majority of blind people continue to be perceived "unable" and are isolated from public view. Therefore, in order to be "accepted", a blind person has to physically rely on a sighted person to operate effectively, thus reinforcing the stereotype that they are "unable".

A few blind persons find their way cities, rejecting the life of seclusion and become beggars on our streets. Others rise to high positions but their "voices" are not significant heard which again reinforces the stereotype

I wonder if the blind beggars would not be better utilised as marketing executives because any one who can beg and make money must have the gift of gap, "sweet tongue". Perhaps with a little training, we could produce a new breed of marketing executives of communicators to assist in nation building.

We should be addressing some of these issues holistically so that we don't leave anyone out. After all do the blind not deserve the same rights as the sighted?

I don't propose to be an expert blindness and disability issues but as d saying goes, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step". By writing this article, I am contributing to the process of bridging the gap between d blind and the sighted.

I am also encouraging everyone to start thinking outside their "boxes", i.e. field of specialisation, so we can ride together in unity with one goal mind, the betterment of all.

This call also goes to people with disabilities whose "voices" must be heard so we can learn from them in order to improve the lot of all.

I hope the following will bridge the gap between the blind and the sighted:

* Announce your presence whenever you enter of leave a room where there is a blind person.

* Always familiarise a blind person with a new environment.

* Speak directly to a blind person not through a third party.

* Prompt a blind person whenever extending a hand of friendship.

* Guide the blind to a chair by placing their palm on the back or seat of the chair.

* Blind eyes are nor blind minds.

* Do not shout at the blind--they can hear.

* Guide the blind, do not drag them.