Refugees under-access support services for vision-impaired

A blind Syrian refugee who came to Australia from a resettlement camp in Lebanon has gained confidence and support after learning how to use a white cane for the first time.

Refugees under-access support services for vision-impaired

But health groups say many vision-impaired non-English speakers don't realise they can access free services for the blind.

 

For many refugees, adjusting to life in a new country can be a challenge.

 

For 54 year old Yousef Hanna, that challenge is even greater.

 

Yousef is blind.

 

In his small village in rural Syria, Mr Hanna had memorised every street.

 

"I used the voices and sounds I heard to get around the village."

 

That all changed in 2013, when IS attacked his home town.

 

"It was a very difficult life, especially when we were afraid of IS in Syria. We didn't have a good life and I would stay awake at night, fearing IS. It was a bad time."

 

Mr Hanna fled to Lebanon, where he lived in a refugee camp before receiving a permanent visa in Australia.

 

At first, nothing was familiar.

 

But after three months, he's beginning to feel at home, helped by the Guide Dogs foundation.

 

He's receiving free orientation and mobility lessons from the organisation.

 

And helped by his trainer, Haylee Tumanik, he's learning to find his way.

 

"Yousef's become a lot more confident in walking outdoors, especially in using the cane to detect obstacles in front of him and even how to walk on stairs. He's definitely coming in leaps and bounds with his confidence."

 

Ms Tumanik says many people from migrant and refugee communities don't realise they are entitled to free support.

 

"It's not as prevalent that they know about our low-vision services so we are trying to do a lot of community education that we will go out to anyone with a vision impairment, whether they speak English or not."

 

With the federal government accepting an extra 12,000 Syrian refugees this year, Ms Tumanik says the number of clients seeking services from the Guide Dogs Foundation could increase.

 

"I think that we will have a lot more clients on our case loads, possibly from the 12,000 arriving."

 

Now, Yousef Hanna is focusing on learning English and mastering his cane.

 

"In Australia, more people pay attention to people with disabilities and impairments, I feel like I have so much more support."