Persons with Visual Impairment in Mezam gain skills to ease job market accessibility

cross section of the hall

With participants and authorities

Some Persons with Visual Impairment have renewed their skills in gaining access to the job market. The event which took place over the weekend in Bamenda was organized by Mrs EMILIA EBULE NDOH, PhD Researcher at the University Ghent Belgium in collaboration with Hope Social Union for the Visually Impaired. 

Officially opening the event, the divisional delegate of social affairs for Mezam Mr Nkwende Clive Chick, lauded the initiative by the Mrs. Ndoh for involving the government to accompany her in the quest to see that PVIs are hopeful and assured in gaining access to the job market. He reiterated the law n° 2010/002 of 13 April 2010 on the protection and promotion of persons with disabilities in Cameroon enacted by the government of Cameroon. Quoting this Mr. Nkwende Clive assured PVIs in general and Persons Living with disabilities as a whole government’s goodwill towards them.

Mr Nkwende Clive ChicK, divisional delegate of social affairs for Mezam

According to Mrs EMILIA EBULE NDOH, PhD Researcher at the University Ghent Belgium the host, the event had 3 main objectives; Educate persons with visual impairment on different methods of acquiring training and skills that will not only prepare them for the job market, but also make them potential employers and economic operators, raise awareness at the level of vocational institutions on the need for inclusive programs for the visually impaired. This will go a long way to provide them with necessary skills and raise awareness at the level of the government and economic operators on the potentials of persons with visual impairment.

Mrs EMILIA EBULE NDOH, PhD Researcher at the University Ghent Belgium

Presenting an overview of Employed PVIs in Cameroon, their challenges and successes in the 21st Century, Mr. Tonain Peter President of Hope Social Union for the Visually Impaired and Mr. Nyinchuo Samuel acknowledged and congratulated PVIs and organizations/governments who have given PVIs the chance to show their ability. Mr. Tonain while responding in the affirmative that PVIs face challenges like acceptance, accommodation and accessibility he urged them to remain push ful even in the sole proprietor businesses they are carrying out. 

Mr. Tonain Peter President of Hope Social Union for the Visually Impaired and Mr. Nyinchuo Samuel

Attending the event were also Mr Agbor Nkeng Etengeneng, Regional Secretary for Cameroo Human Rights Commission and Mr Gaby AMBO, Regioal Coordinator CONAC who agreed that several reasons account for the non-inclusiveness of persons with visual impairment in mainstream societal activities in Cameroon but one aspect stands out clear; the lack of awareness from state authorities, civil society and the business sector on the one hand and the persons with visual impairment themselves on the other hand. They appealed to the PVIs present to use the seminar judiciously and raise awareness on the need to include persons with visual impairments in the country’s mainstream life through advocacy and by showcasing the potential contribution persons with visual impairment can bring in the socio economic evolution of the country.

From Left to right, Mrs Emilia Ebule Host , Mr. Gaby Ambo (CONAC Representative), Mr Agbo Nkeng (Rep Human Rights Commission), Mr. nkwende Clive (Divisional Delegate Social Affairs and Mr. Tonain Peter (President Hope Social Union for the visually Impaired

Participants were further divided into three groups and they discussed on 1) their abilities as PVIs to fit in the job market, current challenges faced by PVIs in the job market and possible challenges that may arise if these current challenges are not met. 

Group work

Furthermore they visited a computer lab and a cane weaving workshop to perfect their skills in the above. 

Participants at a Computer lab

Participants at a cane weaving workshop owned by a PVI

At the end of the workshop, Mrs Emilia Ebule Ndoh expressed gratitude to all who attended and prayed that the Knowledge gained goes a long way to ease accessibility for PVIs in the job market.

By Ndong Carine