The Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind (FNSB) has called for support to strengthen rehabilitation, education and skills acquisition programmes for visually impaired adolescents and adults.

The society made the appeal ahead of its Independence Ball and fundraising event scheduled for Friday, October 9, at the Shell Zenith Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Chairman of the FNSB Executive Council, Mrs Arit Tunde-Imoyo, said funds raised at the event would support free tuition, accommodation, feeding and training materials for visually impaired persons undergoing rehabilitation.

She said the programme also covered vocational courses including computer literacy, Braille reading, mobility training, crafts and music, designed to equip beneficiaries with skills to secure employment or establish businesses.

Tunde-Imoyo said the organisation, established in 1955, had spent more than seven decades helping visually impaired people develop skills and achieve greater independence.

She said the society had expanded its vocational programmes and social reintegration initiatives in recent years to respond to the changing needs of visually impaired persons, while promoting inclusion in education and employment.

According to her, the rising cost of rehabilitation services had, however, placed additional financial pressure on the organisation.

She disclosed that it currently costs more than N1.5 million annually to provide residential, educational, mobility and vocational training for each trainee.

Tunde-Imoyo said the fundraising event would also provide an opportunity to showcase the talents and achievements of visually impaired persons to corporate organisations, policymakers and philanthropists.

She said this would help challenge misconceptions about visual disability and demonstrate the ability of visually impaired people to contribute meaningfully to society.

The FNSB therefore appealed to individuals, corporate organisations, government agencies and philanthropists to partner with the society and support its programmes.

The organisation said sustained investment in rehabilitation and skills development would help more visually impaired Nigerians gain economic independence and participate fully in society.