January 12, 2010
In Greece, technology offers new hope for the blind
For part two of our signature series on disabled rights overseas, Worldfocus producer Megan Thompson reports on a university in Greece using new technology to help blind people negotiate their surroundings.
This website offers more information – in Greek – about Fotis Bibasis, who was featured in the story.
Watch part one of our series, “Disabled Greeks face daily challenges getting around.”
See more Worldfocus coverage on Greek Technology for the Disabled.
3 comments
[…] For the blind in Greece technolgy offers hope of access | Worldfocus worldfocus.org/blog/2010/01/12/in-greece-technology-offers-new-hope-for-the-blind/ – view page – cached Worldfocus producer Megan Thompson reports on a university in Greece using new technology to help blind people negotiate their surroundings. […]
I greatly appreciate BBC for showing the discrimination against the disabled and ignorance of those in authority in Greece, and no doublt in many other countries.
I live in USA and even with the ADA laws, I am still discriminated against, because I travel with a Service Canine (PSA Team)(Psychiatric Service Animal) and don’t “look disabled!” since I have what is considered an invisible disability.
I volunteer giving talks on S.A.I.D. (Service Animals and Invisible Disabilities) but usually turned down because most “normal” people aren’t interested. However, once I give my talk, attendees realize that in their own families, they have disabled individuals, most undiagnosed.
In my area (Eastern Massachusetts, USA), I see very few Service Animals which means those disabled are hibernating which shortens ones life! They need to be out into society as this gentleman mentioned on your news program….but mainly “accepted.”
However, if as a lay person, I give a “show-and-tell” and provide copies of the ADA law in our country introducing many differences: (1) invisible disabilities vs visible disabilities (2) physical vs mental disabilities and (3) different types of animals used to assist those who are disabled, i.e., parrots, dogs, miniature ponies, Capuchin monkeys, etc.
And it is ironic that robots are being considered to help with tasks (physical disabilities); however, only animals can help those with mental health disabilities as well as certain ‘instinctually perceived’ disabilities, i.e., abnormal cardiac enzymes, early onset of irregularity in a person’s blood sugar (Diabetics), impending seizures, and I could go on.
Please provide this gentleman and the organization in Greece (“Smart Eyes” and Dr. Leontios Hadjileontidas (?) with my email address.
I’d appreciate your giving me their contact email so that I can share with them my thoughts.
Thank you again for bringing to the public’s attention (throughout the World with BBC News) that (1) their are disabled individuals in ALL parts of the World and (2) other countries need to adopt our ADA laws.
It has been proven (research) that there is less E. Coli bacteria on all 4 paws of a dog than on the sole of one human being’s shoe!!!
Most sincerely,
Kathryn E. Starr
167 Main Street, Unit B
Rockport, MA 01966
USA
978-546-3526
katestarr2006@yahoo.com
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01/16/2010 :: 08:40:21 AM
parackal thomas Says:
The link you provided abobe “This Web site” offers more info and Fotis Bibasis are in Greek- PLEASE PROVIDE ENGLISH TRANSLATION_it seems to be a VERY IMPORTANT info.
You may send the text of those two info as a separate e-mail.THANKS.