Inspiring Story: Overcoming Challenges in Skill Development for the Visually Impaired
We’d like to celebrate Mr. Kamdathmu Langstang, a Trustee at the Blind Lead Trust (BLT), who’s nearly finished his soap-making training at Colks Company under the Meghalaya State Skills Development Society (MSSDS) in Laitumkhrah!
Mr. Langstang, himself visually impaired, shares the challenges he faced:
- Inaccessible materials: Some tools, like thermometers for measuring heat, require sighted assistance to interpret readings.
- Difficulty with notes: Braille is great, but writing it can be physically demanding.
Despite these hurdles, Mr. Langstang’s teacher and friends provided incredible support, explaining processes and making things understandable.
This story highlights a broader challenge: Many in Shillong and Meghalaya lack experience working with visually impaired individuals.
Here’s how we can all be more inclusive:
- Clear communication: Avoid phrases like “look into this.”
- Tactile learning: Let visually impaired people touch materials whenever possible to enhance their understanding.
- Accessible notes: Provide training materials in accessible formats like PDFs (created in Word/Docs) instead of photos or scans.
Technology can help:
- Text-to-speech apps can convert documents and photos for free.
- The government could consider providing these tools to those in need.
The Blind Lead Trust’s vision: After Mr. Langstang’s training, the Trust will identify accessibility barriers and develop solutions for easier participation by the visually impaired.
BLT believes: Together, we can solve problems through collaboration.
Our goal: When the blind lead the blind, they can choose their own paths.
#Inclusion #SkillsDevelopment #BlindLeadTrust
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