Улаанбаатар
World White Cane Safety Day
Society
Ulaanbaatar, October 16, 2024 /MONTSAME/. October 15 of each year is traditionally marked as the World White Cane Safety Day, raising awareness for visually impaired individuals.
The Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Protection of Mongolia is focusing on upgrading the legal environment for persons with developmental challenges and enhancing access to buildings, facilities, and roads. The Ministry is developing a revised draft Law on the Rights of Persons with Developmental Challenges, as well as the first draft Law on Accessibility. The Ministry aims at creating opportunities for everyone to study, work, and fully and effectively participate in society, eliminating environmental and attitudinal barriers.
In a press conference held in anticipation of the World White Cane Safety Day, President of the Mongolian National Federation of the Blind Ganzorig Batbayar noted, “In Mongolia, buses do not always stop at designated bus stops, and bus numbers and routes are not announced verbally, making it difficult for visually impaired people to use public transport. Obstacles such as light poles, tree branches, billboards, and people riding scooters along the sidewalks hinder our participation in society. Although relevant organizations have been informed of these issues, tangible results have not been achieved. Since 2013, we have been fighting for the right to vote and be elected, publishing braille-labeled materials and guides on electoral laws and placing them at polling stations. However, visually impaired people were unable to exercise their right to vote or be elected during this year’s parliamentary and local elections. Numerous complaints have been made on issues regarding the absence of braille-labeled ballot secrecy folders at several polling stations, braille labels, and holes and slots on ordinal numbers and oval figures in front of the candidates’ names.
Approximately 30 percent of visually impaired citizens reside in Ulaanbaatar city, while 17 percent, or 2048 citizens, are employed.
Additionally, World Sight Day is celebrated on the second Thursday of October of each year.
