RACE CLASSIFICATION VICTORY FOR THE BLIND

Library for the Blind removes race identification requirement from membership form

- NICOLA DANIELS

THE South African Library for the Blind (SALB) has removed the requirement for race identification in its membership form following mounting pressure by People Against Race Classification (Parc).

Parc, which also advocates for the rights of blind and visually impaired individuals, has two blind members in its organisation.

When its founder, Glen Snyman attempted to register with the SALB, he was surprised to find that the form required applicants to indicate their race.

This requirement, Snyman said he found both unnecessary and discriminatory in a context where all users are already marginalised by disability. This prompted him to write to the institution in a move for change.