Hundreds of people took part in the ANZ Samarthanam Walkathon 2015 – Walk for Enabling Accessibility - organised by Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled in the City on Saturday. The event saw the launch and distribution of ‘Ausion,’ a device for the visually challenged.
The 11th edition of the walkathon, a four-kilometre walk that began at the Kittur Rani Chennamma stadium, Jayanagar, and ended at the same place was organised to raise awareness about accessibility issues faced by the disabled and integrating their special needs into urban planning and infrastructure facilities.
The event was preceded by a cultural programme featuring performances of music and dance by visually impaired artistes from Samarthanam, DJ music and Zumba Dance.
‘Ausion’ - an electronic mobility and travel aid device for the visually impaired based on the echolocation principle - was launched by Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy. The device enables people with severe visual disabilities to move around indoors and outdoors with least assistance.
Vasanth Kumar of the Landmark Group said, “Today people with disability need accessibility. They have the will and determination to do well. We have hired people with disability and they are extremely hard working and loyal. We are happy to have them working for us.”
Sadiq Pasha, inspector of the Tilaknagar police station, B N Vijayakumar, MLA, Jayanagar, N Nagaraju, corporator, Byrasandra ward, Govindaraju, Director, Directorate for the Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens, and Tsutomu Murata, Managing Director, Yokogawa India Ltd, were present.
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