Madam, - Last evening I joined a group of about 10 students who were celebrating having passed their ECDL examinations. Their achievement is rather special because these students are all blind. As you can imagine, it took more hard work and effort for them to master computer skills. So congratulations to all the students and their teachers.
Like all successful students they are delighted with their success but most of them are also very worried about their future, because most of them are currently employed in Blindcraft and as such are facing a future of unemployment.
Mary Rafferty wrote a wonderful piece in The Irish Times of August 12th about the neglect of Blindcraft by the Department of Health. Following 12 years of neglect the organisation does have serious difficulties but rather than address the problems the Minister of Health plans to close it. I was naïve enough to expect a public outcry against this decision but there has been a deafening silence from your readers. I can only presume that the Irish people do not care how the less privileged are treated. Shame on us all!
At this late stage may I suggest to Government leaders that when they are seeking ways to appear more caring before the electorate they might just remember the workers in Blindcraft. They do not want our charity; they need and are entitled to our help. - Yours, etc.,
BRIDGET SPAIN, Old Cabra Road, Dublin 7.