The Blind Welfare Association is asking the Housing Ministry to recognize persons with disabilities as a distinct and priority group, separate from the elderly.

TTBWA President Kenneth Suratt says this disaggregation would be helpful for housing data and policies.

He is also asking for a percentage of housing units to be earmarked for persons with disabilities.

Mr Suratt believes there is a need for the national housing policy to reflect the diversity of needs within the population and include persons who are blind or visually impaired.

He also lamented that for decades, visually impaired persons have been on public housing waitlists, with many still awaiting a home.