The Directorate-General of Special Education and Continuing Education, under the Ministry of Education, represented by the Omar bin Al Khattab Institute for the Blind, organised the Annual White Cane event to support visually impaired people. The event was held under the auspices of Dr Shaikha al Azzani, the administrative director of the main library at Sultan Qaboos University.
The event featured a Productive Family’s corner (canteen), the opening of technical halls (internal housing), and visiting interactive corners (theatre). There was also a solidarity march, an exhibition of teaching materials for the blind, along with an exhibition at the Mall of Muscat.
The new computer lab located in the students’ hostel, which was fully funded by the Himam Education Academy, was inaugurated.
Teachers, students and visitors explored various corners displaying technologies and materials used by teachers in the institute, as well as creative works made by students.
Additionally, a group of women and students who own small businesses showcased their products, including homemade perfumes, pastries and handicrafts. The event concluded with Arabic songs and an acrobatic show performed by young students from the institute. All participating students and companies that contributed to the success of the event were honoured.
Hamed al Hinai, a student from Grade 12, expressed that the event provided great relief for people with blindness. Fatma al Shukaili added that the white cane "guides us to continue on our path with confidence and pride".
Sultan al Yarubi described it as "the eye with which people with blindness see". Maryam al Badi shared her great happiness in participating in the White Cane Day event and emphasised its importance for students in the institute.
Halima al Maqbali, assistant principal of the institute, also expressed her strong belief in the usefulness of the white cane, especially with its latest versions assisted by technology. She affirmed that, with new technologies, the white cane has provided people with blindness new opportunities for education and social inclusion. Therefore, the Omar bin Al Khattab Institute has been striving to find the best technological educational alternatives for their students and obtain funds from the surrounding community to achieve that aim.
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