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Hard in routine, even harder in crisis

2020-06-05T20:23:23.965Z


Nati Bialystok CohenMost people with blindness in Israel are associated with the age of three, and one of the most difficult issues to deal with is loneliness, which in times of aggravated crisis. Social remoteness is not applicable for people with blindness, and when attached to the severe warnings for the third age, the implication is difficult. The way a person with blindness to help another person is walking in ...


Most people with blindness in Israel are associated with the age of three, and one of the most difficult issues to deal with is loneliness, which in times of aggravated crisis. Social remoteness is not applicable for people with blindness, and when attached to the severe warnings for the third age, the implication is difficult.

The way a person with blindness to help another person is walking in the public space is to grasp the lender's elbow. This conflicts with the social remoteness provisions, so that a person, however independent, who goes out into the public sphere and needs assistance, may face refusal by people for fear of being infected. Add to this the fact that the Health Ministry's recommendations are to sneeze and cough at the elbow, and you also have increased risk and fear on the part of the person with the blindness to receive the assistance. 

Adding to this also the need for a blind person to touch the outposts to run on stairs, both stationary and moving - known as the most polluted surfaces - it is a fear of going out into the street. There was also the possibility of carrying on the public transport, which was significantly reduced, and even before the weekends was completely disabled. People with blindness have no other transport alternative.

To all these must be added the closure of all social clubs that operate during the year for social needs and solitude, which many of the target population visit during their routine. Digital solutions do not always provide the right replacement for the older population due to inaccessibility. Thus, a routine problem becomes even more powerful and difficult during the crisis, preventing functional ability even for the most basic needs, such as shopping, visiting the clinic, and so on.

Unfortunately, the state did not respond to the needs created by the crisis, and the main burden fell on the shoulders of nonprofits, which are not prepared to respond to this kind - neither in the corporate nor in the financial aspect. Organizing took a valuable and important time, which would adversely affect their activities in the future. Let's hope for better days.

The writer is the director of the blind center in Israel - The Blind Day Initiative

See more opinions by Nati Bialystok Cohen

Source: israelhayom

All news articles on 2020-06-05

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