Group seeks support to empower blind persons through skills

A disability-focused group has called for greater support for blind and visually impaired Nigerians through skills development, vocational training and access to opportunities that can promote financial independence.

The group stressed that empowerment should go beyond providing basic assistance and should equip visually impaired people with practical skills, accessible technology and resources that enable them to participate fully in education, employment and entrepreneurship.

The appeal reflects wider calls from disability advocates for government, private organisations and development partners to invest more deliberately in skills and digital inclusion for people living with visual impairment. The National Association of the Blind, for example, has previously called for greater access to ICT training and support for its members across Nigeria.

Advocates have also stressed the need for training programmes to be designed around the specific learning requirements of blind participants. A disability organisation previously urged the Lagos State Government to sustain and expand vocational empowerment programmes while ensuring that training methods accommodate blind people and others with learning disabilities.

Skills development can include vocational trades, entrepreneurship, computer literacy, data-related skills and other forms of digital training. Such programmes can help visually impaired people develop sustainable livelihoods rather than depending solely on charitable support.

Technology has become particularly important in this area. In Lagos, New Horizons Nigeria has supported the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind with computers, ICT teachers and scholarships, with training covering areas including Microsoft Office, data science, web development and software development.

Disability advocates have also highlighted the importance of assistive technology, accessible learning materials and inclusive workplaces. Providing these tools alongside training can help blind people translate newly acquired skills into employment and business opportunities.

The call for skills-based empowerment therefore places emphasis on long-term independence, dignity and inclusion. Support from government agencies, businesses, foundations and members of the public could help expand access to vocational training, assistive devices, digital education and start-up resources for blind Nigerians.

Organisations working in the sector have argued that inclusion should move from policy statements to practical opportunities that allow persons with visual impairment to learn, work and contribute independently to society.