A seminar on “Role of Assistive technology for rehabilitation of children with visual impairment” was held at National Institute of Special Education (NISE) H-8/4, on November 16, 2021. The students of Year 2 and Team 1 & 2 of SCM attended this event. This seminar aimed to create awareness among medical students in the module of Special Senses regarding the teaching methodologies and rehabilitative techniques for visually impaired children.

The senior staff and faculty of NISE addressed the students. Following the welcome note by Vice Principal Mr M. Ghulam Durrani, Deputy Director Firdous Begum emphasised the importance of using various assistive technologies for visually impaired individuals. The Braille teacher Mr Tahir Butt spoke about the importance of sports for these children’s physical and mental well-being. A collection of art and craft prepared by students of NISE was displayed, which was part of their vocational rehabilitation. This was followed by a demonstration of using a white cane for the mobility of visually impaired persons by Senior mobility instructor Mr Jabbar. Dr Sajida Naseem, Associate Professor Community Medicine, SCM, wrapped up the seminar.

The message conveyed to the medical students was that little effort and gestures, particularly by the health professionals, can be very helpful in improving the knowledge and skills of the visually impaired children, which can later benefit them in personal and professional lives. In the end, MBBS students had an interactive session and group photograph with students and faculty of NISE.