Dear friends, On behalf of All India Confederation of the Blind, we condemn in the strongest of expressions, the statement quoted to have been made by Mr. Javed Abidi about the relevance of Braille in the context of Government’s initiatives to modernize Braille presses in the country. The discussion in reference to this statement, so far, has largely focused on justifying the relative merits of Braille in relation to other technologies. To us however, apart from what has been said by others supporting Braille, the issues underlying this discourse are much deeper than that. While we can debate the relative merits of a particular format of accessibility in reference to other applicable formats used by the visually impaired, the right to enter into a discussion of this nature, in our view, rests solely with the visually impaired. A person such as Mr. Javed Abidi, who has never used/read even a single Braille book in his entire life, does not have the right to speak on this issue. Therefore, rather than justifying the relevance of Braille (which is a firmly established truth in the visual impairment sector), we consider it imperative to take strong objection to a person, having no knowledge of visual impairment sector, meddling into our affairs. It may be noted here that AICB has the capacity of printing more than 40000 Braille pages per day, but even this proves insufficient and our Braille press has to often work in multiple shifts. Similar situation may exist in the case of other Braille presses as well. It is a well-known fact that the demand for Braille books is much more than the present facilities and infrastructure can claim to meet. If such facts, along with all that has so far been said supporting Braille, are not enough to make Mr. Abidi realize the ground situation with respect to Braille, then we can only feel sad at his ignorance despite claiming to be in the sector for so many years.
It is unfortunate that Mr. Abidi often speaks out of turn and on issues about which he appears to have only little or no knowledge. The present instance is one such example, though by no means the only one. Some people are so keen to issue public statements and read their names in print (as appears to be the present case) that they do not care for the accuracy of their statement, nor do they bother about the sensitivity of others. By issuing the most deplorable statement in reference, Mr. Javed Abidi has not only hurt the sentiments and interests of the blind, he has also once again proved that he has no right to speak on behalf of the blind and represent them in any matter and on any forum whatsoever. AICB, like many other self-help organizations of the blind, has always believed in the philosophy of nothing about us without us. Therefore, any attempt to speak on our behalf by those who do not belong to us, such as Mr. Javed Abidi, must be strongly resisted and repelled in the present and at all times to come. Even the UNCRPD (which Mr. Abidi claims to champion by conducting workshops) advocates the voicesof persons of applicable disabilities in formulations and decision-making. His present statement clearly proves that Mr. Abidi has violated this fundamental principle of UNCRPD also. While Mr. Abidi owes the visual impairment sector a public apology in the very newspaper which published his statement, the newspaper must also ensure that comments on issues concerning the blind must be sought from those to whom the issues directly concern and not from the self-styled disability activists. AICB has already written to the ‘Pioneer’ newspaper about this matter. We are also writing a strong letter of protest to Mr. Abidi’s organization demanding a public apology. Please join us in the interests of the blind. Dr. Anil K. Aneja. Vice President, All India Confederation of the Blind On 1/17/15, avinash shahi <[email protected]> wrote: > I do not think Braille is outdated as Mr Abidi quoted claiming in the > article > > Better, those who have never ever used the fully developed script, and > lack will-power to learn; refrain from spreading rumour about Braille > through media. This script is still relevant and needs to be > preserved and promoted. Withstanding the tsunami in technological > advancement worldover which serves few lucky ones, Braille is an > equaliser for majority of blind people. As printed books are never > gonna off the hands so the case with Braille books. > http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/centre-no-more-blind-to-visually-impaired-funds-books-in-braille.html > > -- > Avinash Shahi > Doctoral student at Centre for Law and Governance JNU > > Celebrating Louis Braille birthday Jan4th > > > > Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of > mobile phones / Tabs on: > http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > > To unsubscribe send a message to > [email protected] > with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please > visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Disclaimer: > 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the > person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; > > 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails > sent through this mailing list.. > Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
