6th Africa Forum, Kampala, Uganda

The Importance of Supportive Services in the Life/Education of Persons with visual impairment in Africa.

Lukong E. S., University of Buea, Cameroon.

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To enable persons with disabilities in general and those with visual impairment in particular to compete both physically, academically and socially, and to be self-fulfilled in the society, they need supportive services (SS). This has been emphasized by conventions, international organisations, and even governments. Unfortunately, those setting government policies appear not to have considered the variables needed for the successful implementation of these services. This in turn has affected the education and the integration of persons with visual impairment in society. This paper highlights the Importance of SS in the life/education of persons with visual impairment in Africa. The concept and causes of visual impairment as viewed by some authors is discussed. It similarly examines the meaning of SS and its development in some African countries. Further, types of SS for persons with visual impairment are outlined, while challenges in implementing SS are discussed. The paper concludes by making recommendations for the successful implementation of SS for persons with visual impairment in Africa.