The Association of Visually Impaired Citizens of Tuzla has submitted an initiative to the Ministry of Health of Tuzla Canton, the Health Committee, and the Committee for Justice and Human Rights of the Tuzla Canton Assembly, requesting the inclusion of essential aids for blind individuals in the List of Orthopedic Aids, as well as the simplification of procedures for exercising the right to these aids.
The initiative calls for the inclusion of priority aids essential for the independent functioning of blind and visually impaired persons in the Tuzla Canton List of Orthopedic Aids and demands simplified procedures for exercising the right to such aids. Among others, the following aids were proposed for inclusion in the list: white cane; screen reader for desktop/laptop computers; Perkins Braille machine; talking wristwatch; Braille wristwatch; talking thermometer; talking blood pressure monitor; talking blood glucose meter; protective glasses; ocular prostheses; contact lenses for individuals who cannot wear glasses due to high dioptres; and electronic notepad.
"The issue of access to aids for all persons with disabilities must be resolved systematically, and this initiative is one step in that direction. We particularly emphasize the importance of ensuring that these priority aids are consistently included in the List of Orthopedic Aids, as they are essential for the everyday functioning of blind and visually impaired persons. Without access to basic aids, a blind person is excluded, dependent, and left at the mercy of family members and friends. Human dignity and inclusion—values our society strives for—are priceless," said Tifa Tučić from the Association of Visually Impaired Citizens of Tuzla.
It is important to highlight that these aids significantly contribute to the independence of blind and visually impaired individuals in education, in the workplace, and in daily life, reducing their dependence on family and friends. Complicated procedures discourage many from applying for these rights, which negatively affects their quality of life.
In Tuzla Canton alone, there are more than 600 individuals who are members of the Association of Visually Impaired Citizens of Tuzla, the Association of Blind Citizens of Gračanica, the Association of Blind Citizens of Živinice, and the Association of Blind Citizens of Banovići. It is presumed that the actual number is higher, as many blind persons avoid joining associations due to stigma and labeling.
As a reminder, under the campaign "Greater Access to Aids for Greater Independence of Blind Persons", the Association of Visually Impaired Citizens of Tuzla, the Association of Blind Citizens of Gračanica, the Association of Blind Citizens of Una-Sana Canton, and the Association of Blind Persons of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton advocate for equal rights to aids for blind and visually impaired persons. They aim to ensure that priority aids are included in cantonal lists of orthopedic aids and that these essential aids are always available on such lists.
