Since its inception, the SLFVH has grown in stature and scope, and today it encompasses a multitude of functions for the welfare of the visually handicapped. The bold and able leadership of the President of the organisation and the dedicated Office Bearers elected to the Federation just prior to its Silver Jubilee anniversary (in 1999) has seen it through to its present development and expanded services.
At present the SLFVH membership stands at approximately 3000 persons from all walks of life, races and religions. The activities of the Federation are administered by an Executive Committee. The activities in the provinces are co-ordinated through a network of district branches.
In the structure of the Federation the district branches play a major role. The eight district branches have demonstrated significant improvements in the recent years. In the forefront are the Gampaha, Galle, Kurunegala and Kandy branches.
A unique feature of the SLFVH is that the entirety of its membership is visually handicapped, thus making it a self-help organisation. “Nothing about us without us” is a principle strongly advocated by the SLFVH. Amongst the services provided to the membership are:
At the time of its inception the SLFVH was gifted with a lease of land by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) at No 74, Church Street, Colombo 2. The building premises however were severely limited and expansion was long overdue. After years of strenuous efforts the dream to have a new building and resource centre to provide multiple services to the visually handicapped has come true. We are deeply indebted to our patron, Her Excellency President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, who donated a 11 perch block of land adjoining our present premises and also a sum of rupees one million from the Presidents Fund.
A strong arm of support was brought into the project when Deshmanya Lalith Kotalawela, President of the Ceylinco Group of Companies, came forward to support the fundraising for the new building. The foundation stone was laid on 16th October 1997 by his wife Ms. Sicille Kotelawela. The total construction cost of the first phase of the building was rupees 18 million, and was supported through the Sarana Fund of Ceylinco and other institutions of the Group.
A sum of Rs 10 million was granted as a loan at 12% interest by the Sarana Fund of the Ceylinco Group. This sum has to be paid back at the rate of Rs. 190,000/= per month for 6 years. Donations are welcome towards this repayment.
Construction work commenced in April 1998 and the first phase of four floors was officially opened by Mr Kotalawela on 29th October 2001. The second phase, consisting of the 5th and 6th floors will be completed subsequently. The SLFVH requires funding to complete the project.
The12,200 sq.ft. space building houses the following centres and services :
The Talking Book Library located in the new building of the SLFVH is an example of the state of the art services that this centre endeavours to provide to its members. This Library will be immensely helpful to OL and AL visually handicapped students. The Talking Book Library transcribes the full syllabus on tape (talking book). It comprises a recording studio. The Talking Book Library will be of considerable value to those who become blind later in life as it has been experienced that these individuals find it difficult to learn Braille.
Recorded books will be available in cassette form for the visually handicapped students engaged in secondary and tertiary education as well as for adults who obtain membership in the library.
The talking book library comprises of a recording Studio & a Cassette Tape Library. The recording equipment costing Rs. 60,000/= has been gifted by the Australian High Commission in Colombo & Technique International – School of Hair Design and Beauty Therapy.
In addition to this equipment, we require a Spool Tape Recording Machine, Spool Tapes, Microphones, CD Cutter (Writer) to make it a fully fledge recording studio.
After years of endeavouring, finally it has been possible to establish the Braille Library of the Federation through the maganimous generosity of the Sri Lanka Christian Association in London on the initiative of its founder President Ms. Charmaine Jayathilake. The SLCA donated a sum of Stg £ 10,000/= for establishing the library, purchase of furniture and fittings, paper for transcribing etc.. As at November 2002, the library has a collection of ……. books, school texts, religious books and novels. In addition, for the first time in Sri Lanka we have acquired the Oxford Thesaurus, as well as the Oxford Dictionary.
In order to translate a book of 100 printed pages would cost Rs. 3,000/= approximately. The SLFVH is seeking sponsors for meeting the remuneration of the Librarian and the Assistance which would amount to Rs. 15,000/= per month (US$ 50/=).
The rehabilitation and integration into society of the visually handicapped is the collective responsibility of the State, the Private Sector, concerned Civil Society groups and labour unions. Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) is a widely accepted concept internationally. Promoting the values of CBR remains the basic objective of the Federation. Society as a whole has a major role to play in the attainment of these objectives. Let us march forward and progress hand in hand toward this noble goal.
The significance of the White Cane Day 15th October, must be utilised as a catalyst to highlight the needs and aspirations of the visually handicapped community. Whilst there has been some measure of progress in the right direction, much more remains to be achieved, such as –
It would be appropriate in the present context to add our voice to the call for lasting peace and reconciliation in our motherland. War and violence, in addition to other devastating effects on our country will certainly add to the number of disabled persons in the community.
We earnestly solicit the invaluable assistance of the print and electronic media in creating public awareness regarding the needs of the visually handicapped and are confident that such help shall be readily forthcoming.
Similarly, we need utmost co-operation from concerned authorities, civil society organisations (NGOs), the private sector and the community at large to improve the lot of the visually handicapped community.
Sri Lanka Federation of the Visually Handicapped