Said Subhash Datrange, National Association for the Blind executive director, ``Partially-sighted people face more problems than the blind.While the blind enjoy some facilities on account of their disability, many a partially sighted person is not treated as disabled.'' Added Rajshree Parab, a housewife, ``Soda bottle, four-eyes are some nicknames my ten-year-old son's classmates have given him. He often comes home crying as his teacher gets irritated reading out what she has written on the board to him.''

Said Dr Bhushan Punani, executive director, Blind Men's Association, ``Partially sighted people belong nowhere. Neither do schools for the blind accept them nor schools for normal children.'' Added Rehmat Fazalbhoy,secretary, Multiple Sclerosis Society of India, Pune ``In most cases, it is difficult to identify a partially sighted person. The eyes are often not disfigured, therefore there is no indication that the person's vision is affected."

Subhash Datrange also complained about government apathy towards the partially sighted. ``The print in ordinary text books is around 12 points, while partially sighted persons are comfortable with 30 points. In many cases, parents or teachers copy out the entire textbook for children in a bigger script,'' he said. Said Rehmat Fazalbhoy, ``Changes must be brought about. People with low vision must be made to feel that this is their world too.''