Kerala High Court judge Justice Devan Ramachandran called for public spaces to be made barrier-free for visually impaired people, arguing that independence requires society to stop creating obstacles. He delivered the message while opening White Cane Day celebrations organised by the Rotary Club of Cochin Global at Infopark in Kakkanad on Sunday.
Justice Ramachandran opposed treating visually impaired people with sympathy rather than respecting their autonomy. He reportedly criticised the misuse of footpaths and tactile paths intended for visually impaired pedestrians, saying public infrastructure should accommodate different abilities instead of forcing people to adjust to systems created for the majority.
According to India Today, the judge said vehicles reportedly continued to occupy walkways despite Kerala High Court interventions aimed at restoring pedestrian facilities. Referring to people who fail to notice footpaths, crossings and pedestrian routes, he said those claiming to have sight were “blind”. He also said a place where people cannot walk is “not a city at all”.
India Today said Justice Ramachandran took part in a blindfolded white cane walk before the programme. He described the exercise, which lasted three or four minutes, as among the most difficult experiences of his life, according to the outlet. He proposed similar exercises for motorists, particularly bus drivers, to help them understand the difficulties confronting visually impaired pedestrians.
The event also presented Project Surya, which offers free instruction in computers, assistive technology, mobility, communication and life skills, India Today reported. According to the outlet, founding trustee Rotarian Noby E A said the project had reached over 2,000 visually impaired people through 20 foundation-course batches, 45 online batches and awareness workshops. He said nearly 80 per cent of former students were working in government offices, private companies, IT parks and non-governmental organisations, India Today added.
Citing an organisers’ statement, India Today reported that the programme began with seven students in 2008 at Infopark’s Vismaya Building following an initiative by Rotarian George Mathew. The outlet said it was developed with support from the Society for Rehabilitation of Visually Challenged, Infopark and Enable India, Bengaluru. He added that it was renamed Project Surya in 2015 and increased its intake to 15 students per batch in 2017.
Eligible participants are also provided boarding, travel support and study materials. The outlet quoted club president Dr John T John as saying that plans include broader digital-skills instruction, newer assistive technologies, stronger employer partnerships and greater outreach in rural and semi-urban areas. Justice Ramachandran said society creates dependency before claiming credit for independence, adding: “It is us who have to change,”.