Abstract:
In Ethiopia, people living with disabilities in general and visually impaired in particular have
worse living conditions in many ways, than people living without disability. The primary aim
of this study was to asses Challenges and Opportunities of Persons with visual
impairment in Sebeta City administration, Special Zone of Oromia Surrounding
Finfinne. The study is based on primary data collected from 34 participants including
heads of some selected offices including Sebeta special for the blind school
selected,Interview, FGD and field observation to get insight about life history and the
way of life of PWVI The findingsindicated that the major opportunities for persons with
visual impairments were presence of policy, and sebeta Special for the blind school
enable the communities to take part in affirmative action , getting government attention
and peoples’ attitudes toward persons with visual impairments were showing progress
whereas, the major challenges of persons with visual impairments were identified
constraint, problem of shelter, environmental like accessibility, health problem,
unemployment, inadequate support for person with VI, scarcity of teaching materials,
lack of acceptance in leadership and political participation, exclusions from social
relations and activities, were some of the challenges observed. From this, it can be
concluded that persons with visual impairments were lowly perceived; faced with
economic, social and political challenges with inadequate opportunities and support.
Raising awareness of community and public at large through social Organizations and
Medias to alleviate stigmatization and Discrimination toward person with VI is
recommended.
