Sri Lanka Federation of the Visually Handicapped: White cane project gives ‘mobility’ to visually impaired

The choir rehearsing carols before performing at events during the festive season (pics by Waruna Wanniarachi) 

Founded in 1974 by a dedicated group of visually impaired pioneers, Sri Lanka Federation of the Visually Handicapped (SLFVH) was established to voice the rights and address the needs of the visually impaired community. The SLFVH aims to ensure equal opportunities for these individuals, enabling them to develop their talents and actively contribute to society and national development.

Since its establishment, the SLFVH has expanded significantly, and today it carries out a wide range of projects aimed at enhancing the welfare of visually impaired individuals. The federation is affiliated with the World Blind Union (WBU) and operates through branches in 13 districts. SLFVH serves its membership of over 3,000 individuals from diverse backgrounds, races, and religions without any discrimination. A distinctive aspect of the SLFVH is that its entire management and membership consist of only visually impaired persons, making it a true self-help organization.
“Nothing about us without us” is a principle firmly upheld by the SLFVH. During an interview with Daily Mirror, SLFVH President Nilmini Samaraweera, outlined several key services rendered by the federation. These include vocational training to help blind youth and middle-aged individuals secure open employment, scholarships for blind students, the provision of Braille equipment and the promotion of Braille literacy, financial assistance for medical treatment, and the operation of Sarana home for the blind elderly. 

She added that their main objective is to provide rehabilitation and counseling for individuals who are blind from birth and those who lose their sight later in life, helping them fully integrate into society and contribute meaningfully using their unique abilities. “I’ve come to realise that the experiences of people like me are very different from those of individuals who are born blind. In my case, it was a genetic condition that caused me to lose my sight at age 40, so until then I had a career, got married, and had children. It was certainly a major turning point in my life, but joining this Federation truly made a difference,” Samarawera shared. 

The SLFVH was represented on the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, established under Act No. 28 of 1996—the Act for the Protection, Advancement and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This has provided the SLFVH with the opportunity to present its perspectives on the needs of blind individuals and advocate on behalf of the community. 
Like many other visually impaired individuals, Samaraweera initially joined the SLFVH for mobility training. She described how the federation helped them to discover their passions, connect with others who share similar experiences, and learn to accept themselves rather than compare themselves with the rest of society. “No one should have to walk this journey alone, we are all in this together - that is the message we seek to spread. We have organized numerous livelihood programmes to help our members become self-employed and, eventually, self-sufficient. These initiatives include training in handloom textile weaving, candle making, producing incense sticks, crafting paper bags, and several other income-generating activities. We strive to empower our members with the skills and confidence needed to build independent lives,” she emphasised.
“In celebration of our 51-year legacy, we launched a project called ‘White Cane 10,000,’ through which we collected and distributed white canes to those in need. This initiative will continue into next year, when the second phase will commence in order to train blind individuals to live independently and navigate daily life using a white cane. The final stage of the project is to provide proper career guidance and prepare them to engage meaningfully with society,” Samaraweera explained. 

Visually impaired musicians
Furthermore, the SLFVH devotes special attention to managing a group of visually impaired musicians, including a choir that performs annually during the Christmas season. Susantha Premaratne, Choir master, who has been training this 12-member musical group for over a decade, explained that they regularly perform at both public and private events, including hotels and shopping malls. “We sing carols to spread the Christmas spirit, and that is what keeps us motivated. It not only provides us with a modest income, but also brings us immense joy,” he said, adding that they continue to accept bookings for performances throughout the festive period. 

Dr. Ranjit Weerasinghe, a member of the choir, shared: “In 1996, the choir was established by the Federation and for many years, we have been on a journey in search of light—moving from darkness toward illumination which we discover while performing in public. Our mission is to set a powerful example for people both with and without disabilities, inspiring them to face any tribulation with courage.” 
In her final remarks, Samaraweera reflected on the hardships endured by the Federation, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. “We once provided accommodation for visually impaired individuals who travelled from rural areas for employment opportunities and training programmes. Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding, the premises have fallen into disrepair. The roofs are damaged and leaking, the washroom facilities are inadequate, and the entire building is in urgent need of renovation. We have not received much support from the government despite our repeated requests. Therefore, we kindly appeal for donations from anyone willing to support our cause. We need assistance to renovate and refurbish our premises, provide Braille equipment, supply attire for the choir, and secure scholarships for blind children so that we can continue our mission,” she concluded.

 The entire building is in urgent need of renovation and the SLFVH kindly appeals for donations from anyone willing to support their cause 

Floods severely impact SLFVH Members

Members of the SLFVH from Kurunegala, Kandy, Kegalle, and Gampaha districts have been affected by the recent devastating floods. Many have received little to no assistance so far. The organization is urgently seeking donations, either monetary contributions or essential food items—to help provide relief to the affected members.

More information about the visually handicapped or to contribute to the welfare of this community, readers may send an email to [email protected] or dial 011 700 7642/ 077 771 1044 (Pat Benedict)