They also called for launching an awareness campaign to change the attitude towards visually impaired people in order to promote self-dependency among them.

They urged the voluntary and private organisations to supplement the government efforts for the welfare of the people with sight disability.

The Jubo Karmasangasthan Society (Jubok) and Bangladesh Visually Impaired People's Society (VIPS) jointly organised the seminar to mark the World White Cane day 2005 at Bangladesh Shishu Academy auditorium in the city.

"Like others, disabled people can also lead a self-reliant life if we can ensure proper education, training, and use of information technology for them," said advocate Mosharraf Hossain Majumder, general secretary of VIPS, who himself a visually impaired person.

Presenting the keynote paper, he called on the media to disseminate information and highlight their needs to create awareness among the people.

Science and ICT Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said, " It is our civic responsibility to help bring a positive change to the life of the people with sight disability."

Information technology can play an important role in making the disabled self-dependent, he said.

The minister also announced a donation of Tk five lakh for procurement of equipment for the visually impaired people.

Dr Md Mahbubur Rahman, information secretary, Dr Ferdous Ahmed Qureshi, editor of daily Deshbangla, Dr Md Khairul Islam, country director of Orbis international Bangladesh, Munsur Ahmed Chowdhry, president of VIPS, and singer Mamtaz Begum were present at the seminar.

Later, the minister distributed 150 white canes among the visually impaired people.