Global Statistics on Blindness:
- 285 million people worldwide are visually impaired, with 39 million classified as blind.
- 90% of visually impaired individuals live in low-income countries, where access to essential services is often limited or nonexistent.
- 80% of blindness cases could be avoided with access to proper medical care, but millions of people lack this access due to financial and geographical barriers.
The Need for Assistance:
Visually impaired individuals face significant challenges in education, employment, and daily life. The lack of access to assistive technologies, specialized education, and accessible public spaces often leads to isolation and limited opportunities.
Areas Where Assistance is Needed:
- Access to Education: Many visually impaired individuals do not have access to educational resources such as Braille books, digital learning tools, and specialized educators.
- Employment Opportunities: Unemployment rates for visually impaired people are high due to misconceptions about their abilities and a lack of workplace accommodations.
- Mobility and Accessibility: Public transportation, streets, and buildings are often not designed with visually impaired individuals in mind, making mobility a significant challenge.
BBI works to address these needs by providing comprehensive services, including advocacy, technology training, and community support, to ensure that visually impaired individuals can live fulfilling lives.