OKTA supports the visually impaired by facilitating their mobility in the traffic

(15.10.2021, Skopje) – On the occasion of the World White Cane Safe Day, OKTA and the National Association of the Blind of the Republic of Northern Macedonia signed a Memorandum of cooperation, which sets the framework of  support that the company will provide to the visually impaired, in order to facilitate their mobility in the city traffic. With this goal, OKTA will donate to the City of Skopje 50 devices for sound signalization of pedestrian crossings. These devices with the help of PE Streets and Roads, will be installed on boulevards and streets that are critical points for blind people in the traffic. It is a modern and contemporary sound signalization that automatically regulates the volume in decibels depending on the level of external noise.

"Traffic safety is a long-term commitment for OKTA. This pledge is continuously implemented by the company as part of its socially responsible platform "I watch out", which aims to encourage higher public awareness of personal and collective traffic safety. So far, through numerous activities we made efforts to contribute to the development of traffic culture and safety for various groups of people. This time, through the support of our visually impaired fellow citizens we go one step further, so as to facilitate their mobility in traffic and daily routines. We hope that with this activity, we will increase the awareness of other road users too for people with disabilities, being the most vulnerable participants in the traffic "- said Vuk Radovic, Chief Executive Officer of OKTA.

This Memorandum of cooperation is part of the long-term Program “JAS VNIMAVAM” which OKTA implements in order to raise awareness of traffic safety on a national level.

„The main mission of the Association is to create better living and working conditions for the blind and their associations, as well as their better socialization and integration into the community. We are especially happy that OKTA recognized the importance of our mission and with this donation will contribute to its implementation. Locations for installation of the sound signalization devices will be determined in cooperation with the City of Skopje, and a priority will be the needs and requirements of our dependents, in order to ease their participation in the traffic. On this occasion, I would also like to point out to other representatives of the business sector to follow the example of OKTA for supporting people with disabilities and their smooth and better inclusion in the community”, said Zarko Selkovski, President of the National Association of the Blind of the Republic of North Macedonia.

Since 2017, OKTA has been implementing in partnership with the Ministry of Interior Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia the national platform “JAS VNIMAVAM”, for raising awareness of traffic safety. Up to now, various educational campaigns and activities have been carried out, as well as several different donations, including mechanisms for regulation of pedestrian crossings for the City of Skopje, educational traffic polygons in the primary schools across the country, traffic safety plays for children and coloring books with informative content for traffic rules. The Program “JAS VNIMAVAM” is also the winner of the award for best national socially responsible practice by the Coordination Body for Corporate Social Responsibility of the enterprises and the Ministry of Economy.