Disability Rights Activism: Concerns, Issues, And Challenges Of Visually Impaired Activist

Abstract

Pakistan Association of the blind is a representative organization of visually impaired people in the country. That been doing work since 1960 with the aims of education, training, and safety of blind communities throughout the country. That is an organization that runs the disability rights movement at the national level. Several other national and local organizations existing in the country, are struggling for the rights of impaired people. This organization is only focusing on visually impaired people. That is part of the international disability rights movement. Because of association has remained meshwork with Asian blind union, World blind union and other global and regional organization of disabled people. The researcher has conducted 20 in-depth interviews with the activist of blind association. In which those respondents who have played a significant role in the movement. They are or were carrying top positions in the blind association. The major finding of the research is the background of the disabled rights movement in the subcontinent, foundation of blind association, goals, and structure of association in the country. Furthermore, tactics of activism have been used by the association during the movement. That is included in the finding, such as protests, lobbying, awareness sessions, and socio-economic integration of blind people through education, training, and employment.