Mongolia to hold regional assembly for blind, visually impaired

Oyundelger 2018-08-31 08:08

Society

During the quadrennial event, the participants will discuss the most pressing issues for the blind and visually impaired, including employment and ways to eliminate the barriers they face.

The World Blind Union (WBU) -- Asia Pacific Mid-Term Regional General Assembly 2018 will be held in mid September, the Mongolian National Federation of the Blind. The general assembly is themed "Leaving no blind person behind - ten years of the UNCRPD (UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities), what we have achieved so far and the next decade of advocacy." Some 200 domestic and foreign representatives, including WBU President Fredric Schroeder and leaders of 18 Asia-Pacific organizations providing services to the blind and visually impaired are expected to attend the event, Gerel Dondovdorj, head of the federation, told a press conference. During the quadrennial event, the participants will discuss the most pressing issues for the blind and visually impaired, including employment and ways to eliminate the barriers they face, she said. There are 285 million blind and partially sighted people across the world, according to the World Health Organization. In Mongolia, there are some 16,610 visually impaired people, with about 96 percent of them unemployed, Gerel said.