A one-week specialized training program aimed at empowering women with visual impairments was held at the National Institute of Special Education in Islamabad. Organized by the National Mobility & Independence Training Centre, the course focused on enhancing participants’ confidence, independence, and daily living skills through tailored orientation, mobility, and white cane techniques.
The training brought together 14 female participants from various regions across Pakistan, including Layyah, Peshawar, Sargodha, Swabi, Malakand, Haripur, and Mirpur (AJK). Among them was Ms. Shumaila Kiran, a member of the National Women’s Blind Cricket Team. All attendees stayed at the institute’s hostel, fostering a supportive atmosphere for learning and social interaction.
Throughout the week, the course offered both foundational and advanced lessons in mobility. Sessions covered the principles of orientation and mobility, sensory development, and the use of mobility aids. Practical demonstrations included self-protection techniques, how to walk with a sighted guide, navigation of narrow spaces, and specific techniques for using the white cane such as grip, two-touch, three-touch, slide, diagonal, and pencil maneuvers. Participants also learned to navigate stairs safely, an essential advanced skill.
In addition to technical training, the program emphasized recreational inclusion. The hostel environment was enriched with accessible versions of indoor games like Luddo, Chess, Nine Men’s Morris, and adapted playing cards, as well as Braille story reading sessions. These activities helped strengthen peer connections and promoted a positive, engaging learning environment.
The program concluded with a formal ceremony, where officials from the Directorate General of Special Education and the Project Coordination Unit of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training presented certificates to the participants. Many attendees expressed gratitude for the transformative experience, highlighting the program’s role in boosting their self-reliance and inclusion. As a female-specific training of its kind, the initiative marks a major step forward in supporting women with visual impairments across Pakistan.
