News and issues on the disabled 30 Oct 2024
Azmi Anuar
Announcement
The Google group news will take a break on Thursday 31 October 2024 in conjunction with the Deepavali celebrations. It will resume on Friday 1 November 2024. Happy holidays.
Contents
1. Deccan Chronicle India - Visually-Challenged Couple Unaware of Son's Death for Three Days
2. EIN Presswire USA - Western Cape Mobility launches Road Safety Project for Pioneer School for the Visually Impaired, 29 Oct
3. My Republica Nepal - Project Wings to Dreams conducts indoor navigation workshop for visually-impaired students at St Xavier's College
4. Marist Circle USA - Challenging Misconceptions: Blind Voices Redefine Abilities
5. Fijivillage - Fiji School of the Blind students celebrate Diwali with festive feast and gifts from Digicel Fiji
6. KVUE USA - Here are the options for voters with disabilities at the polls in Texas
7. EDP24 UK - Visually impaired Wensum Trust pupils enjoy KLM centre visit
8. Florida Today USA - For the visually impaired, 'you have to be a strong advocate for yourself'
9. Independent Australia - Apple’s Vision Pro: A potential path toward vision impairment care
10. Dhaka Tribune Bangladesh - Five visually impaired CU students detained for cannabis use
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1. Deccan Chronicle India - Visually-Challenged Couple Unaware of Son's Death for Three Days29 Oct 2024
Hyderabad: A visually-challenged couple remained unaware of their son’s death for three days, living in dire conditions without food or water.
The couple, Ramana, 65, and Shantakumari, 60, had been staying with their younger son Pramod, 30. Though he took care of their parents, he was battling alcoholism. Police said Pramod passed away at home, but his parents did not realise he had died.
Locals alerted Nagole police, and circle inspector Surya Nayak broke open the door and entered the house. The police found the couple surrounded by the smell of decay. The police provided food and water, called the couple’s elder son and arranged for their care. They also informed the couple about Pramod’s death and further took his body for an autopsy.
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2. EIN Presswire USA - Western Cape Mobility launches Road Safety Project for Pioneer School for the Visually Impaired, 29 Oct28 Oct 2024
Sod-Turning to Launch Road Safety Project for Pioneer School for the Visually Impaired
On 29 October 2024, the Western Cape Government will hold a ceremonial sod-turning to launch a road safety enhancement project for Worcester's Pioneer School for the Visually Impaired.
This project, managed by the Cape Winelands District Municipality, is funded by the Western Cape Mobility Department and aims to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility for the school’s learners.
The Mobility Department's commitment to this project stems from the school’s victory at the Special Needs category of the 2019 Road Traffic Management Corporation’s (RTMC) national road safety debate competition.
To celebrate this achievement, the Department pledged its support to enhance safety measures around the school’s premises.
The project will include constructing three raised intersections, two upgraded pedestrian crossings, and improvements to an additional crossing.
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3. My Republica Nepal - Project Wings to Dreams conducts indoor navigation workshop for visually-impaired students at St Xavier's CollegeKATHMANDU, Oct 28: Project Wings to Dreams held an indoor navigation workshop on Monday at St Xavier’s College, Kathmandu, where students with visual disabilities participated in testing accessible signboards, Braille labels in elevators, podotactile flooring, and educational 3D models.
According to a press statement, Project Wings to Dreams has installed accessible signboards and Braille labels in certain areas of the college, while podotactile flooring was previously installed by the college, and educational 3D models were created by the project members. Five students with visual disabilities from Laboratory School, Kirtipur, participated in the workshop.
Sanjiya Shrestha, the workshop facilitator and an alumna of the college, emphasized the importance of the testing process: “The feedback received from students with visual disabilities is crucial for making the college environment more accessible and inclusive.”
All participants found the accessible features effective. Sankalpa Acharya, one of the students, shared, “This was my first time at St Xavier’s College, and I wouldn’t have been able to navigate the building without the accessible signboards. It made navigating the college much smoother. This type of indoor navigation should be expanded to all public spaces.”
Yuniska Rawal, another participant, suggested, “Accessible sign boards along with podotactile flooring should be implemented across the college area.”
Shrestha added, “The workshop was essential not only to improve accessibility within the college but also to support future plans for installing accessibility features in other public areas.”
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4. Marist Circle USA - Challenging Misconceptions: Blind Voices Redefine Abilities28 Oct 2024
Individuals who are blind or visually impaired often face a range of misconceptions that underestimate their capabilities and overlook their potential contribution to society. October highlights the significance of two important observances — Disability Awareness Month and Blindness Equality Achievement Month.
Disability Awareness Month aims to raise awareness and celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities, while Blindness Equality Achievement Month highlights the progress made towards equal rights and access for people who are blind.
These misconceptions are mostly perpetuated by the media, where blind characters are depicted as either extraordinary superheroes or helpless individuals in need of saving.
In order to make the world more accessible for individuals who can not access visual information, it is important to address the many stereotypes that are placed upon them.
“Every blind individual has different needs, and the same accommodations may not work for all,” said Ali Abduhadi, a student at California State University, Northridge.
One of the most common misconceptions is that blind people count their steps when they are traveling from point A to point B. Instead, they refer to ground changes, finding landmarks and turns in the sidewalk.
For example, a student may know that they are near the library because the ground becomes a different texture, or they may know that their specific classroom is near a water fountain. A blind individual may use the grass line to find the next turn or pathway.
Additionally, many sighted individuals are cautious with the words they use around blind people, often substituting “hear” and “see” for “watch.” But blind people use “look,” “see” and “watch” in everyday conversations.
“I love watching shows and movies just as much as the next college student,” said Deyannira Gonzalez, a student at University of Denver.
With the advancements in modern-day technology, movies and shows now offer settings that allow viewers to turn on audio description. This involves a narrator explaining the visuals that are displayed on the screen.
If a movie or show does not have audio description, blind individuals rely on dialogue and sound effects to understand the storyline.
“As soon as people notice me, they rush to help, which often means they grab me without asking me as I’m on the escalator or walking down the stairs,” said Maisha Rahman, a student at Hunter College. In her experience, people have generally offered to help. However, there have been instances where people persisted, even after she politely declined their help.
“Although most individuals mean well, being grabbed when you do not see it coming can be a frightening experience,” Rahman added.
It can be surprising seeing blind people doing the same things as those with sight, since vision is often considered the most important sense. However, there are many different ways of completing daily tasks non-visually. It is normal to be curious about how blind individuals complete certain tasks, and there is no harm in asking.
“Talk normally, the way you would with anyone else. No need for higher inflections as if you’re talking to a child, no need to sound overwhelmingly excited,” said Florentino Becerra, a student at California State University.
“Don’t be afraid to just ask as long as you are being genuine in your question.”
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5. Fijivillage - Fiji School of the Blind students celebrate Diwali with festive feast and gifts from Digicel Fiji29 Oct 2024
The children at the Fiji School of the Blind were treated to Diwali magic by staff members of Digicel Fiji who shared a tasty spread of traditional Indian cuisine and sweets to the visually impaired children in Vatuwaqa.
Digicel Pacific Hub Markets Regional Chief Executive Officer Shally Jannif says the gesture was filled with festive cheer as gifts were distributed, creating lasting memories for all involved.
Jannif says Diwali, which is a symbol of light, hope and new beginnings, is widely celebrated in Fiji.
She says Digicel Fiji’s initiative to share the joy of Diwali with the children of the Fiji School of the Blind reflects the company’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and supporting the community.
Jannif reiterates Diwali is a time for giving back and they are honored to make a meaningful difference in the lives of these incredible students through their celebrations.
Digicel Fiji CEO, Farid Mohammed, says they are dedicated to building a more compassionate and inclusive society and this event is a testament to their ongoing efforts.
Mohammed says the Fiji School of the Blind is a beacon of hope and they are proud to support their mission.
Digicel Fiji says the Fiji School of the Blind staff and students were immensely grateful for Digicel Fiji’s generosity and thoughtfulness.
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6. KVUE USA - Here are the options for voters with disabilities at the polls in Texas28 Oct 2024
AUSTIN, Texas — More than 5.4 million Texans have cast their ballot during early voting through Sunday, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s Office. That in-person and mail-in ballot total represents 29.3% turnout of the state’s 18.6 million registered voters.
Throughout early voting, KVUE has received questions about the process, including some about accessibility for voters with disabilities.
One viewer asked, “Where is this location for curbside voting for my elderly mother?”
To get more information about curbside voting, KVUE reached out to Valerie DeBill, vice president of League of Women Voters – Austin Area.
“Every curbside location is required to have at least one curbside spot that cannot be the disabled parking spot,” DeBill said. “So, [that's] in addition to the handicapped-designated areas.”
DeBill said to look for a sign outside advertising curbside voting, like the white A-frame signs used by Travis County.
“When you get there, there will either be a doorbell kind of thing you can ring or a number that you can call or text, and somebody from inside will come bring everything out to you and you just stay in your car,” DeBill said.
She said for the visually impaired, the machines have text-to-speech and can enlarge the font.
“You are also capable of going inside,” DeBill said. “There’s a priority line placement. If you go in and you just tell somebody, ‘I can’t stand in this hour-long line,’ they are required to let you move to the front and have some priority on that.”
DeBill said those voters are also allowed to have an assistant of their choice with them, or a poll worker can help.
Voters are not required to prove their disability.
Early voting in person runs through Friday, Nov. 1. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
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7. EDP24 UK - Visually impaired Wensum Trust pupils enjoy KLM centre visit29 Oct 2024
A group of pupils with visual impairments has been given a chance to experience the world of air travel.
Students from Wensum Trust schools who are either blind or visually impaired were welcomed to KLM UK Engineering's training centre, as part of a partnership between the two organisations.
The visit saw students who face significant challenges in accessing air travel given the chance to explore an aircraft.
It was designed to help youngsters develop familiarity with the scale and layout of an aircraft, including key safety features, and build confidence should they ever wish to take a flight.
John Milligan, a support worker from Norfolk County Council who accompanied the children, said: "The young people were absolutely buzzing and the things they learned were absolutely invaluable."
Wayne Easlea, managing director of KLM UK Engineering, said: "An experience like this could truly open the world to them, showing that air travel is not only possible but can also be empowering."
Tom Rolfe, principal of Hellesdon High School, one of the schools involved, said: "What a fantastic opportunity to experience the concept of air travel, which many of us take for granted, in a safe and welcome environment."
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8. Florida Today USA - For the visually impaired, 'you have to be a strong advocate for yourself'29 Oct 2024
If there’s one thing Lea Gaffen wants, it’s a little more compassion.
The 49-year-old Melbourne Beach woman, who is legally blind, recalls walking into a candy store in Virginia Beach a few years back.
“I was looking around, and I don’t think I had my cane out,” Gaffen said. “This woman started yelling at me. Apparently, she was trying to take a picture of her kid, and I happened to be walking in front of where she was taking the picture. I didn’t realize it because I didn’t see, and she just kept yelling at me.”
After informing the woman she was legally blind, the woman continued to scold her.
“I went back to the hotel room, and I just started crying,” Gaffen said. “That’s not my fault, but little simple things that should be simple are not simple.”
But that’s the reality for people with vision loss. Everyday tasks take on a whole new meaning – and stress – for those who are legally blind. An estimated 8,200 Brevard residents are diagnosed with some type of vision loss each year, according to figures provided by the Brevard Association for the Advancement of the Blind (BAAB). October is World Blindness Awareness Month.
Getting such a diagnosis can be understandingly devastating and impacts a person’s mental health.
“Everybody experiences a lot of distress in their life,” Gaffen said, who is slowly losing her vision to retinitis pigmentosa (RP). It’s genetic – her mom had it, too, but it was dismissed as “night blindness.” “But when you’re blind, it’s a different level.”
Learning how to live with vision loss
Dr. Mike Ronsisvalle, Psy.D., the CEO and owner of LiveWell Behavioral Health, said it’s crucial for those with vision loss to process their emotions. The goal? Peace. And a happy life.
“Although it’s unrealistic to expect someone to ever feel excited about losing their sight, I have seen many individuals in this situation who find peace, acceptance and a renewed sense of purpose,” Ronsisvalle said.
There are local resources to assist, helping people learn to live successfully and happily without sight.
Kara Davis, BAAB’s operations manager, said the nonprofit guides recently diagnosed individuals through every aspect of a visually impaired life.
Davis provided estimates of vision loss in Brevard – the overall number of new vision loss cases hovers around 8,267 per year. This is based on national data and Brevard’s local population. There are a variety of reasons for sight loss – from genetics to an accident to a pre-existing health condition like diabetes.
“Put yourself in someone’s shoes,” Davis said. “Let’s say you go to the eye doctor for your regular visit, and you just got a diagnosis that you’re going to lose your vision. But there’s no next steps.”
That’s where BAAB fills the gap.
“We have started to really get connections with the eye doctors and let them understand that once you have someone that has received that diagnosis, they need a next step,” Davis said. “Don’t let them leave your office without knowing about us.”
BAAB, based in Satellite Beach, has been teaching independent living skills since 1966. BAAB offers free eight-week courses on how to navigate life without sight. There, others with vision loss will learn how to adapt, with classes taught by people with visual impairments. So they get it – and offer hope.
It also provides free equipment for the visually impaired – that’s big, given the price tag of the items. CCTVs, for example, run between $1,800 to $4,000, according to the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). Magnifiers that plug into a TV can range from $400 to $1,000, the AFB said.
“A lot of people can’t afford it,” Davis said. “We do get the donations, we make sure that it's operational, and we get that right back out into the hands of people that really need that equipment.”
Dealing with a shocking diagnosis
When someone is first diagnosed with a visual impairment, they’re awash with a flood of emotions – sadness, anger and, sometimes, PTSD, if a sudden incident caused the vision loss. Plus, many people fear they’ll be a burden to their loved ones when asking for help with simple tasks, even heading to the restroom.
“There’s a lot of isolation for people,” Gaffen said. “People are very reticent to ask for help.”
But Gaffen said the blind must advocate for themselves.
“You have to be strong enough and confident enough to say, ‘This is what I need,’ and not worry that you're being a pain,” Gaffen said. “And for some people, I think that's a bigger challenge than it is for others.”
After getting connected with the Orlando chapter of the Foundation for Fighting Blindness, Gaffen launched a virtual support group for the visually impaired, using her experience in social work to help others like her. It’s a safe place for people to share their frustrations and joys every few weeks.
“That’s my passion,” Gaffen said. “Now I work with organizations to help address the mental health gap for people with low vision or vision loss.”
Sometimes, she said, people are their own worst enemy. They blame themselves for challenges or barriers.
“That’s not helpful,” Gaffen said. “Recognizing cognitive distortion, such as the all-or-nothing thinking the self-judgments, being aware of when you're putting yourself down.”
Gaffen said she’s done a lot of work with mindfulness.
“It's so interesting how we do this to ourselves,” Gaffen said. “Because, for example, if you lost a leg, that's like external – people can see that you wouldn't be hiding in your house, afraid to tell people you lost a leg. For the most part, I don't think, but I think because blind and low vision, people are able to fake it for a period of time, it exacerbates our anxiety when we can't fake it anymore, and so we're so afraid to almost expose ourselves.”
How loved ones can help
The best thing someone can do for a loved one with a visual impairment? Respect to their needs and wants, Gaffen said.
Don’t assume they’re not capable of daily living. With adaptive tools and technologies,, the visually impaired have resources to make navigating the world a little better.
Being able to perform daily chores like cooking is something the visually impaired can handle – and often want to, Gaffen said.
The visually impaired person should assert that cooking, for example, is something they like to do. And with interactive tools to assist them, from apps to accessories to assist them in daily living.
Ronsisvalle has worked with clients who have lost their vision. As with any grieving process, someone smacked with such a diagnosis will go through some immediate reactions.
“While it’s easy to think of grief as a set of discrete stages, we now understand that people often move between these stages, sometimes rapidly,” Ronsisvalle said. “Accordingly, those who have lost their sight may move back and forth between denial, depression and anger. The goal of any grieving process is to arrive at peace.”
Clients often show symptoms of depression, anxiety and anger, given the vulnerability of being unable to see, Ronsisvalle said.
“Grief can become complicated and start to feel a lot like a major depressive episode,” Ronsisvalle said. “If someone who has experienced vision loss feels that the intensity and duration of their negative emotions don’t improve over time, it’s crucial to seek professional help. A psychologist who specializes in grief counseling can help individuals move through the stages of grief and ultimately reach a place of acceptance.”
BAAB’s eight-week course focuses on daily living – things most people don’t think about.
Helpful tips are taught in class, as the simplest things can suddenly seem insurmountable – like using clothespins to keep shoes matched, putting toothpaste directly in the mouth instead of trying to get it on a toothbrush and so on. More than half of the instructors in the courses are also visually impaired.
Davis said she can see the difference in clients’ emotional well-being as they continue and complete the course.
“The mental health I can see from day one to day eight is so drastically different,” Davis noted.
How the community can help
When Gaffen moved to Brevard, she felt like she had a chance to start fresh.
“I did start using my white cane more consistently, and now I have my seeing eye dog,” Gaffen said of Marston, her black lab. “Much to my surprise, once I use the white cane, people seem to be much more compassionate. I think it, it's really using it really made me feel better about using it, if that makes sense. People will open a door for me, whereas if I don't use it, they probably just think there's something wrong with me.”
The flip side? Seeing eye dogs and trying to get a ride-sharing service.
“If you have a service dog, it’s always a crapshoot as to whether they’ll take you in their car. That’s a problem,” Gaffen said. “I think those ride-share companies need to educate their drivers more about that.”
Despite the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), Gaffen said some drivers show up, see Marston and leave.
“That’s rough,” Gaffen said.
But Gaffen won’t be sidelined. She found that connecting with other visually impaired people helps – both virtual and in-person.
“There’s something so empowering about going to a conference where you're not the only one who's struggling to navigate,” Gaffen said. “It makes you feel normal again when people, everybody, has their white canes, or they're holding the arm of their spouse, who's guiding them to a table…it's almost like a level playing field, and that makes such a difference.”
Her advice to others with vision loss?
“It sounds really elementary, but finding something that brings them joy, I think that’s so important,” Gaffen said of living a happy life.
One of Gaffen’s joys is traveling. In May, she’s going on an African safari with other visually impaired travelers, each with their own sighted guides who share what they’re seeing.
It is, after all, to celebrate her 50th birthday.
“We all think it is catastrophic, the end of the world,” Gaffen said of her eye disease. “It’s not the end of the world. If you want to do things, you can. It (just) might be harder.”
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9. Independent Australia - Apple’s Vision Pro: A potential path toward vision impairment care29 Oct 2024
APPLE’S PROPOSED 2025 launch of the Vision Pro headset has created waves in the tech world, promising to merge the virtual and real worlds through an advanced augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) platform.
However, beyond the excitement of immersive entertainment and spatial computing, the Vision Pro also highlights how cutting-edge vision technology is evolving — and raises questions about the potential medical applications for individuals with visual impairments. As in my family, older people suffer from macular degeneration so I was particularly interested in those medical applications and started to research them further.
My question was, could advances like those seen in Apple’s Vision Pro pave the way for transformative tools for people living with conditions like macular degeneration or other forms of vision loss? The following research resulted in a slightly longer article than usual, however, I decided not to abbreviate it further as I believe this is an important issue that goes beyond just entertainment.
The Vision Pro: A glimpse into the future of augmented and virtual reality
But first let’s look at Apple’s Vision Pro as a headset for spatial computing — a platform where digital content interacts with physical surroundings in a seamless, immersive way.
Equipped with over 23 million pixels on micro-OLED displays, the Vision Pro offers an unparalleled sharpness in digital visuals, providing users with the illusion of high-definition, three-dimensional objects in their actual space. Its VisionOS operating system uses advanced eye-tracking and gesture controls, eliminating the need for traditional input devices like keyboards or controllers.
The inclusion of spatial audio, hand tracking and real-time video overlays marks the Vision Pro as one of the most advanced wearable tech products to date. With such precision in visual and audio input, it’s a clear indication of how far technology has come in simulating natural senses and interactions — key aspects that brought me to investigate if it could be utilised in enhancing tools for visual impairments.
Beyond entertainment: How vision tech is changing lives
I concluded that while Apple markets the Vision Pro primarily as a tool for spatial computing, entertainment and productivity, the underlying technologies could have far-reaching applications in the field of assistive technology for people with visual impairments.
For instance, AR has already made its way into the medical field through devices like eSight and OrCam, both of which offer a glimpse of how vision enhancement tools are evolving. These wearable devices are helping individuals with low vision or blindness interact with their environments in ways that were once thought impossible.
eSight: Enhancing vision with technology
eSight is a wearable, high-tech set of electronic glasses that provides significant vision enhancement for individuals with conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, or other causes of low vision. The device uses a high-resolution camera to capture real-time images and display them on two near-eye screens, allowing users to magnify their surroundings up to 24 times.
With contrast adjustments, brightness control and bioptic tilt for using peripheral vision, eSight gives visually impaired people the ability to read, watch TV and perform other daily tasks.
While Apple's Vision Pro is not specifically designed for medical use, its similar technology – such as real-time visual overlays and dynamic magnification – points toward potential adaptations that could benefit individuals with visual impairments. The ability to create personalised environments where digital elements can be tailored to the user’s needs (such as increasing text size or changing contrasts) could be game-changing for those who need enhanced visual clarity.
OrCam: Audio-based augmentation
Another device that uses advanced technology to assist visually impaired individuals is OrCam, which provides audio feedback to help people navigate their environment. OrCam MyEye, a small camera that clips onto any pair of glasses, reads printed text aloud and recognises faces and objects, helping individuals who are blind or have low vision.
By capturing information visually and transforming it into audio, OrCam offers another way that technology can bridge the gap for those with visual impairments.
Apple’s Vision Pro similarly leverages spatial audio to create immersive environments and provide feedback based on user interaction. If future iterations of devices like the Vision Pro incorporate more advanced object recognition and auditory feedback for navigation, this could lay the groundwork for AR headsets to assist visually impaired users in real-world environments, similar to how OrCam functions today.
A glimpse into the future: Medical applications of AR and VR
The potential for AR and VR technologies in healthcare, particularly in vision care, is vast. As computational vision technologies continue to advance, there may come a time when headsets like Apple’s Vision Pro could aid beyond entertainment and productivity, offering real-world support for those living with vision loss.
For example, a Vision Pro-like device tailored for medical purposes could:
- magnify text and images dynamically to assist those with macular degeneration;
- provide auditory cues in environments where sight is limited, guiding users through their surroundings with spatial audio;
- recognise faces and objects, announcing them audibly for users with low vision, similar to what OrCam does today; and
- tailor visual experiences through real-time contrast and brightness enhancements, allowing users to fine-tune their visual input according to their needs.
Such advancements could greatly improve the independence and quality of life for individuals with visual impairments. With Apple’s expertise in high-resolution displays, AR and intuitive interfaces, their entrance into the vision tech space with the Vision Pro is a promising development for future accessibility technologies.
Challenges and the path forward
However, there are also challenges to adapting such high-end consumer tech for medical use. The Vision Pro’s premium pricing – at around $3,500 – makes it a luxury product, currently aimed at developers and early adopters rather than a mass-market or healthcare-focused solution. Additionally, medical devices typically require more specialised features and rigorous testing before being approved for assistive use, especially in critical areas like vision care.
However, as these technologies mature, companies like Apple could partner with the healthcare industry to create affordable, user-friendly and medically certified versions of their products. As we’ve seen with innovations like eSight and OrCam, there is already a strong demand for devices that help the visually impaired regain some of their lost independence and the evolution of AR/VR devices could further revolutionise this space.
Conclusion
Apple’s Vision Pro represents an exciting leap forward in vision technology, demonstrating the immense possibilities of spatial computing and immersive experiences. While the current focus is on entertainment, work and communication, the advanced technologies underpinning the Vision Pro – such as real-time AR, spatial audio and gesture controls – show incredible promise for future medical applications, particularly in assisting those with visual impairments.
As tech companies like Apple push the boundaries of what AR and VR can achieve, there’s a strong potential for these advancements to cross over into healthcare, helping create new assistive tools that could dramatically improve the lives of people living with low vision or blindness. In this sense, the Vision Pro may not just be a new computing device, it could also be a glimpse into the future of vision care.
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10. Dhaka Tribune Bangladesh - Five visually impaired CU students detained for cannabis use29 Oct 2024
Five visually impaired students from Chittagong University (CU) were detained for consuming cannabis in their dormitories.
The incident occurred around 12:30am on Monday, when members of the university's proctorial body intervened in a room in Alawal Hall.
The hall administration is expected to take action against them according to university regulations.
The students said that the room in Alawal Hall was known for regular cannabis use.
On the night of the incident, while the five visually impaired students were using cannabis, other students alerted the proctor.
Two assistant proctors afterward found them in the act.
Regarding the incident, Shihab Uddin, President of the Disabled Students Society of Chittagong University (DISCO), said: “We do not accept responsibility for the five individuals involved in this incident. Our organization (DISCO) has always worked against drug use.”
He added: “We have no objections to the university administration's decision regarding this matter, as long as it does not negatively impact our education or other areas.”
Assistant Proctor Sayed Bin Kamal said: “We have detained the five visually impaired students while they were consuming cannabis. The hall administration will take action against them according to university laws.”
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This Google Group news service has been made possible by courtesy of the Society of the Blind in Malaysia