WBU E-BULLETINVOLUME 11, ISSUE 2April 2016

Contact us at:World Blind Union1929 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4G 3E8Telephone: 1-416-486-9698, Fax: 1-416-486-8107Email: info@wbu.ngo Website: www.wbu.ngo, www.worldblindunion.orgTwitter: @BlindUnion

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE E-BULLETIN 4PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 42016 JOINT WBU/ICEVI GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATE 5

REGISTRATION REMINDERS 6OTHER IMPORTANT REMINDERS AND DEADLINES 7

WBU AND WORLD BRAILLE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS 8UPDATES ON THE UN AND THE CRPD 10

UPDATES ON THE MARRAKESH TREATY 10INTERVIEW OF WBU’S NEW HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY ADVISOR, JOSÉ VIERA 11OHCHR THEMATIC STUDY ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES UNDER ARTICLE 11 OF THE CRPD, ON SITUATIONS OF RISK AND HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCIES & REPORT ON THE REALIZATION OF THE RIGHT TO WORK 14

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HYBRID AND ELECTRIC CARS: QUIET BUT NO LONGER SILENT 15REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXPERT ON THE ENJOYMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS BY PERSONS WITH ALBINISM 16STUDIES ON THE SITUATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN REGION FROM ECLAC 17DISABILITY DIALOGUES AT THE WORLD HUMANITARIAN SUMMIT 18SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR SUBMITS REPORT ON THE RIGHT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN DECISION-MAKING 18ABC’S SHORTLIST OF NOMINEES FOR THE 2016 INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR ACCESSIBLE PUBLISHING 18

NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD 19DISCRIMINATION, WOMEN, YOUTH AND DISABILITY 19THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND (NFB) AND AMAZON JOIN FORCES TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE READING EXPERIENCES FOR BLIND AND LOW VISION STUDENTS 20PERKINS INTERNATIONAL NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 21ICEVI EUROPE AND THE EUROPEAN BLIND UNION RELEASE STATE OF THE ART REPORT ON EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES FOR BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED STUDENTS 22IT’S A BRAND NEW DAY AT HADLEY 22PASSING OF MR. SOLI ABDOUL RAHAMANE, FOUNDER AND FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL UNION OF THE BLIND IN NIGER 23ZIMBABWE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF THE BLIND WINS NATIONAL CENSUS COURT CASE 24ALBINISM IN AFRICA: AN INTERVIEW WITH STÉPHANE EBONGUE KOUBE 24ACCESSBILE ONLINE FRENCH VIDEO CONTENT FROM GROUPE MÉDIA TFO 24TWO EGYPTIAN RESEARCH STUDIES ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

25TOURISM IN VENICE FOR THE BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED 25SAMARTHANAM TRUST FOR THE DISABLED SPEARHEADS CRICKET FOR THE BLIND IN INDIA 25INTERNATIONAL DESIGN FOR ALL FOUNDATION AWARD CEREMONY

26ACCESSIBLE SPACE CAMP IN THE US26BLIND DAY TO RAISE AWARENESS IN ISRAEL 27

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A TASTE OF JOB OPPORTUNITY: VISUALLY IMPAIRED BARISTA IN HONG KONG 27NEW MAKEUP WEBSITE FOR THE BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED

28LONG DISTANCE PIANO LESSONS FOR THE BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED29BLINDFOLD GAMES – A COMPANY THAT MAKES AUDIO GAMES FOR BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED PERSONS29

RESOURCES 29UPDATED MEMBER INFORMATION AND RESOURCES PAGE ON WBU WEBSITE29IDA AND IDDC ADVOCACY RESOURCES FOR NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTS GOALS

30UNESCO INSTITUTE FOR STATISTICS IS COORDINATING DIFFERENT INITIATIVES TO PRODUCE DATA FOR EDUCATION 2030 30RNIB GUIDE FOR EMPLOYERS 31NEW EUROPEAN BLIND UNION TOOLKIT: “IMPLEMENTING STANDARDS FOR LOW VISION SERVICES IN EUROPE” 31

2016/2017 IMPORTANT DATES/CONFERENCES/EVENTS 31THE REGIONS 35

AFRICA 35ASIA 35ASIA-PACIFIC 35EUROPE 35LATIN AMERICA 35NORTH AMERICA/THE CARIBBEAN 35

WBU OFFICERS 35REGIONAL PRESIDENTS 36WBU STAFF 36OUR SPONSORS 37

OUR PLATINUM SPONSORS 37OUR DIAMOND SPONSORS 37Our Gold Sponsors 37

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CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE E-BULLETINWe welcome articles from the regions and from members who wish to share their good news with the rest of the world. Our next deadline for content is July 4th, 2015. Any content sent after July 4th will not be included in the e-Bulletin until the October edition. We accept submissions in English, French, and Spanish in electronic format. Please note that we retain the right to edit submissions for space limitations. Send your news to: caitlin.reid@wbu.ngo

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear members,This message was written in Montevideo while our friends from ULAC had their General Assembly. It has been a great pleasure to be here, and I am very impressed with the work ULAC is doing.

Access to affordable technology for the visually impaired is a priority for WBU. There are so many persons who cannot afford to buy devices that would give them access to technology. One group made up of several members of WBU have financed a new technology which will reduce the price for braille displays. One 20 cell display will cost less than one iPhone. However, there will still be many persons who cannot afford to buy the device, but this is helping to move affordable accessible technology in the right direction. Here in Montevideo, I had the opportunity to look at the low-cost braille display and it seems to be very good. The development of the display will continue, but the first version will hopefully be on the market by September.

In a short time, we are expecting to have 20 countries that have ratified the Marrakesh Treaty. Currently, it stands at 16 countries, but the goal of reaching 20 ratifications is only the first step. We have to keep on working hard so a lot more countries will ratify. I would like to thank all the persons working with us on this as it has been and will continue to be very important work.

Some days ago I got the message that our former 2nd Vice-President, Ms. Frances Candiru has passed away. Frances was a very good friend, and she really made a difference for many fellow blind and partially

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sighted people. I will always remember her as a person who stepped forward to fight for and work on behalf of the women in our movement.

In closing dear friends, the WBU General Assembly is approaching, and I urge everyone to register for the Assembly which takes place in Orlando from the 18 -25th of August. The program is very interesting and I can assure you that you will get a lot of inspiration and motivation from it and that the discussions will help to move us forward. Please note that you have to pay all membership fees to be financial in order to fully participate and vote at the GA, but this will, in turn, bring you new ideas, new friends, and interesting discussion so you really should ensure to be financial. I hope to see you all there!

Arnt HoltePresident WBU

2016 JOINT WBU/ICEVI GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATE

The plans are moving along very quickly for the General Assembly to be held in Orlando in August of this year, in cooperation with ICEVI. The program is now complete, save for a few final confirmations. We believe that we have been able to incorporate a good variety of capacity development and information sharing sessions with presenters from around the world. We have also included a number of additional evening sessions outside of the General Assembly program that we believe will also be of interest to our members.

The final program will be completed by the end of April and we will post it on the website shortly after that. We will also be posting all documents related to the General Assembly on the WBU website at http://www.worldblindunion.org/English/general-assembly/Pages/default.aspx Such documents will include constitutional amendments, quadrennial report, financial reports and so forth. We will also be sending these directly to all members via email prior to the Assembly.Registration Reminders

Registration deadline is May 31st

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The website that has been set up by our local hosts to handle registrations, accommodations and other local logistics for the General Assembly website is available at: www.wbu-icevi2016.org On that website, you will be able to find out what you need to know about the program, the venue, how to register, how to book accommodation, transfers from the hotel and other local information.

Registrations must be booked online through the General Assembly website. When you have registered, you are also able to book your accommodations directly on the website. Visa invitation letters will only be issued by the local hosts once they have received payment for your registration fees. Payment may be paid either via credit card or wire transfer. We have been asked by the local host to remind those making wire transfers to ensure that you are including all of the numbers specified for wire transfers – otherwise, they will not go through.

For those who have been approved for sponsorship by the WBU, your registration and accommodations will be booked by the WBU office.

Registration closes on May 31, 2015.

As all events will be held at the Rosen Centre Hotel and we are being given excellent rates for this class of hotel, no other hotel options are being provided on the registration website. For those who choose to make their own accommodations arrangements, please be aware that the local hosts will not be able to provide any type of support at other hotels.

Other important reminders and deadlines

Visa invitation letters are to be requested from the local hosts when you complete your registration. These will only be issued once registration fees have been received.

Everyone is responsible for obtaining their own medical insurance coverage for travel to the United States.

Only members who have paid their membership fees for the full quadrennium, including 2016 prior to the General Assembly will be eligible to sit at the delegate tables and to vote at the General Assembly.

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Any Constitutional amendment proposals must be received by the WBU office by April 18th in order for them to be considered by the General Assembly. Those constitutional amendments being proposed by the WBU Executive will be sent out to the membership well in advance of the Assembly for your review.

For those who intend to run for Table Officer Positions, if you would like your candidacy information to be circulated to the membership, this must be received by the WBU office by May 18th.

Please note that nominations can be accepted up to the cut-off time indicated for each position, as indicated in the GA Program and announced at the Assembly. Nomination forms are available on the WBU website, from the WBU office or from the WBU Secretariat office at the GA itself.

Requests have been sent to all National and International members requesting confirmation of your voting delegates to the General Assembly. These must be submitted to the WBU office by June 18th. We need the full list of delegates for all members regardless of whether or not the delegates are attending the Assembly.

Proxy forms are available for delegates not attending the Assembly (for another delegate from the same country to carry or another international member, in the case of our International members). These proxies have been sent out to the membership and will also be available on the WBU website in May or from the WBU office. All proxies must be received before the commencement of the General Assembly, or before August 19th)

Nomination forms for the WBU Honorary Life Membership and Louis Braille Medal awards have been forwarded to members. They are also available on the website or from the WBU office. The deadline for submission of Awards nominations is June 18th,

The Resolutions Committee will shortly begin its work to formulate resolutions for consideration by the Assembly. They will welcome any input from our members with respect to recommendations you have for resolutions. It makes the work of the Resolutions Committee much easier if you can submit your proposed resolutions in advance of the Assembly so that the committee can begin its work. For your convenience, resolutions approved at previous Assemblies are available on the WBU website in the General Assembly section.

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As with other Assemblies, we like to remember those members who have played a significant role within the WBU or at the regional or national level and who have passed away during the quadrennial. Please send information about such persons whom should be recognized to the WBU office by June 30th so that we have time to compile this for presentation at the Assembly.

We hope that this information is helpful to you and you can expect to hear more from us in the coming months as we finalize documents and plans for the upcoming Assembly.

WBU AND WORLD BRAILLE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

WBU wants to remind our members and friends of the scholarships we offer, many of which have applications due at the end of May. WBU and the world Braille Foundation offer the following scholarships: The Hermione Grant Calhoun Scholarship: is available to blind women in developing countries attending college or university in their own country with blind women from least developed countries and low middle income countries (as defined in the WBU Composite membership classification list) will be given priority. This scholarship may be available for up to five years maximum but it is not guaranteed for more than one year. Recipients must be at least 16 years of age and need their WBU National member to submit a letter of support. This application may be submitted anytime throughout the year, however, the committee will review those received up to May 31st in order to determine the 2016 recipients. You can find out all the information on this scholarship, including the application form and guidelines by following this link to the WBU Scholarships page: http://www.worldblindunion.org/English/resources/Pages/Scholarships.aspx .

Pedro Zurita Youth Fund: is available to blind and partially sighted men and women aged 15 to 30 that are obtaining education, training and/or employment. Applicants from developing countries will be given priority and all applicants must provide a letter of support from their country’s national WBU member. Funding may be available for courses of study for more than one year, but funding is not guaranteed for the full period of study. The application is due anytime throughout the

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year, however, the committee will review those received up to May 31st in order to determine the 2016 recipients. to the WBU office in Toronto. You can find more information, including the guidelines and application form on the WBU’s “Scholarship page” on the website.

Arne Husveg Development Fund: the purpose of the fund is to support capacity building and leadership development projects in developing countries. Organizations of the Blind and partially sighted in the least developed countries and low-middle income countries may apply for project funding to support specific capacity building initiatives within their organization. Only projects that are intended to strengthen the capacity of an organization of the blind and partially sighted will be considered and the projects that ensure gender equality will be given preference. This application can be submitted at any time throughout the year, however, the committee will review those received up to May 31st

in order to determine the 2016 recipients. You can find more information on this fund, including types of acceptable projects, funding amounts, application form and guidelines by following this link to the WBU Scholarships page: http://www.worldblindunion.org/English/resources/Pages/Scholarships.aspx .

Barbara Marjeram Braille Scholarship: is for blind or partially sighted girls and woman between the ages of 14 – 30 years from a developing country, who are enrolled in a recognized educational program in their own country. Applications are also accepted from students enrolled in a recognized distance learning program. Applicants are expected to possess Braille reading and writing skills or be willing to pursue a course to learn Braille either on location or through an approved distance learning program. Award recipients may also be eligible for an additional one-time grant for a self-employment project upon completion of their educational program and based on a further application. You can find out more information on this scholarship, including the application form and guidelines by following this link to the WBU Scholarships page: http://www.worldblindunion.org/English/resources/Pages/Scholarships.aspx .

Gerald Dirks Scholarship for the Advancement of Braille Literacy: this scholarship is available to blind and partially sighted

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women and men between the ages of 18 – 35 from the African Union and applicants should possess Braille reading and writing skills. Preference will be given to candidates who have the pre-requisite education or training to qualify either as a teacher of blind pupils; or train as a teaching assistant working alongside a qualified teacher in the classroom; or be involved in a creative braille literacy project. The maximum award is $1000 and the application must be supported by a recognized organization of or for the blind from within the country where the applicant resides or from a WBU country representative. Applications are due by June 30th. For more information, visit the World Braille Foundation website: http://worldbraillefoundation.com/scholarships.htm

UPDATES ON THE UN AND THE CRPD

Updates on the Marrakesh Treaty

There have been three more ratifications since we last reported; Peru, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Israel. This brings the total number of ratifications to 16, only 4 away from the 20 needed for the Treaty to enter into force. There are still several countries that have completed in-country ratification and are awaiting the completion of documentation with WIPO.

WBU’s Guide to Marrakesh Treaty Implementation is also almost complete. We will be featuring sessions on the Marrakesh Treaty at our General Assembly in August and these sessions will offer a brief introduction to the implementation guide as well.

Interview of WBU’s New Human Rights Policy Advisor, José Viera

We are happy to announce that José Viera, President of the Argentinian Blind Federation- FAICA, is WBU’s new Human Rights Policy Advisor. Below is a short interview we conducted with José when he visited the WBU Toronto office in March:

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1. Welcome, José. Firstly, please tell us a little about yourself and your involvement with disability rights work.

I have been blind since my birth and I have been involved in the blind and disability rights movement since 2002. Currently, I am the President of the Argentinian Blind Federation. Also, I have worked as a consultant for different organizations such as the UNCRPD committee. Before joining the WBU, I served as a Regional Coordinator for Disability Rights Promotion International (DRPI), a global project hosted by York University in Toronto, Canada, whose main goal is to monitor the implementation of the CRPD worldwide. Lastly, I am also a university professor at the International Studies Department in Cordoba, Argentina. This allows me to combine my personal experience and interests with my professional career.

2. What has surprised you most about working in this field?

I think what has surprised me most was the gap between what is written and what is currently happening at the grassroots. In this sense, I think our biggest responsibility, among many others, is to reduce that gap and to make sure that what governments promise to do actually happens. Another aspect of this work that surprises me is how powerful we can be if we work together with a strategic plan and with defined goals. I believe that organizations like ours have a distinct role in ensuring the full enjoyment of human rights.

3. What does the World Blind Union mean to you, and why did you apply to work for the WBU?

The WBU for me is a clear example of what is possible when a strong movement has clear ideas and knows what is next. I see the WBU as an organization that interacts and gets involved with other DPOs but at the same time, the WBU is able to defend our own interests and make sure that our voice is heard at all levels.

I decided to apply for this position because I felt myself in a situation where I wanted to move ahead, carrying with me all my skills and knowledge, and to try to support the advocacy work undertaken by all our national members. This position, I think, has everything that a human rights advocate could expect. In other words, the WBU Human Rights Policy Advisor position allows anyone to work at the

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international level but also to contribute at the national and local levels to make sure all improvements, advancements and changes for our community will happen. The main idea to keep in mind is to keep working in supporting our members in their daily work in promoting our rights. We want to be beside our national members to help them in pursuing their goals. 

3. What are some of the priorities you see for yourself in the role of Human Rights Policy Advisor at the WBU?

There will for sure be numerous tasks to work on and goals to achieve. However, I think the priorities are to support our members in their advocacy work; to represent the voice of our community at the international level; to provide tools and skills to our national members that encourage them to engage with other relevant stakeholders and to empower them to become involved in the implementation and monitoring process of relevant human rights instruments. I believe in collaborative work based on the commitment and solidarity we have among us. I see my work as supporting a bottom-up strategy. I think there is a lot for us to learn and my objective is to interact as much as possible with our members.

4. How do you think your experience as President of our member in Argentina will assist you in this role and in working with our members?

I think my advantage as President of the Argentinian Blind Federation is that I know what our members expect from the WBU. Also, I think over the years I have gained experience in identifying what the priorities are and how to come across different issues. I definitely think that coming from a WBU national member will allow me to play a more active role in supporting our members. 

5. Given the many important processes and changes happening at the international level currently, including the 2030 Development agenda, what do you think this means for the WBU and its ability to effectively participate and influence policy at the international level?

Along with the CRPD and many other human rights instruments, the SDGs are a framework to help develop our work. I see the SDGs as a

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list of priorities which we should consider when planning and implementing our activities. Moreover, I consider the SDGs as an excellent base to move forward in the full enjoyment of our rights. However, the most challenging task is to turn the SDGs into concrete and tangible changes for our community. This might be a question with no answer yet, but we need to contribute to the SDG implementation and monitoring processes in order to find out those answers and to make sure that, as I said above, what is written happens.

6. Lastly, do you have any other comments to share with WBU members?

I would like to ask them to support and contribute to our work by being active members. The WBU goals can be reached through the strength of our national members. I would like to contribute to enabling our national members to become stronger advocates but we need to work together and assume our responsibilities as leaders of our movement.

OHCHR Thematic study on the rights of persons with disabilities under article 11 of the CRPD, on situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies & Report on the Realization of the Right to Work By: José Viera, WBU Human Right Policy Advisor

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), after consultation with different state parties, national human rights commissions, UN Agencies etc., has developed a report highlighting the urgent necessity of immediate actions to be taken to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities to be treated equally when under the situation of risk and humanitarian emergencies. The OHCHR recommends for societies to shift to a new paradigm, moving away from medical or charitable models to one where persons with disabilities are not considered passive recipients but are rather treated on an equal basis with others.

The report lists specific recommendations for improving services in situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies, including: to identify the homes of persons with disabilities; to provide adequate transportation in the case of humanitarian emergencies; to provide accessible information regarding managing risk situations; to improve evacuation systems to include persons with disabilities; to provide

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temporary shelters that are accessible including water and other facilities; and to ensure health and rehabilitation services to be accessible at all times. Children with disabilities’ needs are specifically mentioned as needing particular attention.

The report also emphasizes the importance of CRPD Article 11 as a clear obligation of all states parties to take actions for the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in a situation of risk including armed conflict, natural disasters, and humanitarian emergencies. Furthermore, the CRPD Committee, in its concluding observations, advances the need to reform national and local situation of risk plans, to ensure the inclusiveness perspective. The OHCHR also raises the intersectionality of this issue with other CRPD articles. Consequently, it requests the observation by all states parties to observe other provisions as well, such as the equal recognition before the law and health and rehabilitation services with particular attention to psychosocial recovery. The report is in all six UN languages, available at the following link: http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?si=A/HRC/31/30

The OHCHR has also prepared a report on the Realization of the Right to Work, also in the six UN languages, and it includes a section on persons with disabilities. It is available at the following link: http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?si=A/HRC/31/32

Hybrid and Electric Cars: Quiet but no longer SilentBy: Dr. Fredric Schroeder, First Vice-President, World Blind Union

As you know, the World Blind Union has been working with the United Nations to establish an international standard for an audible alert device for hybrid and electric vehicles. Hybrid and electric cars are essentially silent at slow speeds and constitute a pedestrian safety hazard, particularly for blind and partially sighted individuals.

On March 29, the UNECE released a Depositary Notification on the subject of the Proposal for a new Regulation concerning the approval of quiet road transport vehicles, related to the audible alert device - Draft New ECE Regulation 138. Under the UN rules, the Regulation is adopted unless, within a period of six months from the date of notification, more than one-third of the Contracting Parties at the time of notification have informed the Secretary-General of their

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disagreement with the Regulation. This is a major victory for the World Blind Union and for blind and partially sighted individuals throughout the world. However, there is still more to do.

The new regulation will only apply to countries that are parties to the 58 Agreement, meaning that it will apply to approximately 50 countries. Furthermore, additional testing needs to be completed to ensure that the overall sound level of the alert device is adequate to ensure safety and an analysis of data is needed to determine whether the alert device is needed while a quiet vehicle is stationary, such as while stopped at a traffic light. Nevertheless, this is a major victory for the blind of the world and speaks to the power of collective, coordinated, and concerted action.

You can find the Proposal online in English, French and Russian by looking for ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2016/26 in the title of the document, as the link is in a list of many Proposals. The link is: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/wp29/wp29wgs/wp29gen/gen2016.html Report of the Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with AlbinismBy: José Viera, WBU Human Rights Policy Advisor

On July 3rd, 2015, the Human Rights Council designated Ms. Ikponwosa Ero from Nigeria as the first Independent Expert (IE) on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism. Ms. Ero began as IE in August 2015 and recently delivered her first report on the situation of persons with albinism worldwide. Her report aims to drive the attention of all States, international organizations, cooperation agencies and other stakeholders to the current situation of persons with albinism in different regions. It also highlights the importance of the development and execution of immediate actions to eliminate all type of discriminations and violations against persons with albinism.

Albinism is defined as a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited condition that affects people worldwide regardless of ethnicity and gender. It is characterized by the partial or complete absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. The proportion of people with albinism differs from region to region. For example, in North America and Europe, 1 of 17000 to 20000 people are affected by albinism,

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however, in sub-Saharan Africa, the proportion significantly increases to 1 of 5000 to 15000 people being affected.

Some of the most frequent obstacles persons with albinism experience that constitute clear human rights violations are attacks, desecration of their graves, trafficking of their body parts, displacement and a lack of appropriate health care. Additionally, the IE highlights the urgent need to counter the misbelief that body parts of persons with albinism, when used in witchcraft rituals and potions, will induce wealth, good luck, and political success, consequently causing persons with albinism to be hunted and subjected to physical attacks.

It has been widely documented, that as a result of these cultural practices, persons with albinism often decide to move from their homes in order to save their lives, often ending up in refugee camps where they are exposed to conditions that do not ensure the full enjoyment of their human rights, including in regards to their health needs. This is particularly true for women with albinism who are frequently victims of sexual violence, and for children who are under 3 years of age who are most likely to be targeted for witchcraft rituals due to the belief that more “pure” bodies are better for these rituals.

In her report, Ms. Ero stated that she will develop and execute her mandate based on promoting global participation in a constructive dialogue with a gender-based perspective that promotes inclusiveness. The IE will focus her work not only on mitigating all types of discrimination against persons with albinism but also on guaranteeing that all interested stakeholders take immediate actions to improve the life conditions for persons with albinism. You can find the IE’s report in all six UN languages by following this link: http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?si=A/HRC/31/63

Studies on the situation of persons with disabilities in the Latin America and the Caribbean region from ECLAC

The UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has released two studies (both available in Spanish) related to persons with disabilities in the region, one on institutional and legal frameworks on disability in Haiti entitled: “Institucionalidad y marco legislativo de la discapacidad en Haití” (http://www.cepal.org/es/publicaciones/institucionalidad-marco-

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legislativo-la-discapacidad-haiti)  and the other related to training entitled: "Capacitación para personas con discapacidad" (http://www.cepal.org/es/publicaciones/39364-capacitacion-personas-discapacidad).

Disability Dialogues at the World Humanitarian Summit

The World Humanitarian Summit (which runs from, 23 to 24 May 2016) preparatory process is seeking better ways to meet the needs of millions of people affected by conflicts and disasters. In collaboration with Handicap International, and with the support of the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC), the WHS secretariat launched an online survey in three parts to collect the views of: persons with disabilities that have been affected by a humanitarian crisis, the organizations representing them, and the humanitarian actors. The purpose of these surveys was to identify gaps and good practices in humanitarian response and to find a way towards a more inclusive humanitarian system. You can read the results of the survey by following this link: http://bit.ly/1TlJOaf

Special Rapporteur Submits Report on the Right of Persons with Disabilities to Participate in Decision-Making

The Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Ms. Catalina Devandas Aguilar submitted a report to the Human Rights Council that provides an overview of her activities undertaken since March 2015, as well as her thematic study on the right of persons with disabilities to participate in decision-making. The link to the report (in English) is: http://goo.gl/Y3QGmg 

ABC’s Shortlist of Nominees for the 2016 International Excellence Award for Accessible Publishing

The Accessible Book Consortium (ABC) has announced the shortlist for the 2016 International Excellence award for Accessible Publishing. The list includes two categories, one for publishers and one for project initiatives. There are three publishers nominated and four initiatives. Nominees are judged on the criteria of outstanding leadership or

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achievements in improving the accessibility of commercial e-books or other digital publications for persons who are blind or print disabled. The winner was announced at the London book fair on 12 April 2016. To find out more and to see the shortlist, visit the ABC website: http://www.accessiblebooksconsortium.org/news/en/2016/news_0001.html You can also find out more by following the ABC on Twitter. Their twitter handle is @ABCBooks4ALL

NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Discrimination, Women, Youth, and DisabilityBy: Dayna Schnell and Dina Foda, Members of WBU’s Youth Engagement and Leadership Committee

It is almost universally understood that some members of the population face extraordinary challenges in their lives, including women. We as women are thought to be weaker, less intelligent and more vulnerable than men. Some suffer because they are young. We as youth are thought to be inexperienced and less educated than our elders. Some suffer because they have a disability. We as persons with a disability are thought to be incompetent, pathetic and incapable of living a fulfilling life. What about the people who have the misfortune of being all three of these things? Where do we stand?

Women with disabilities are twice as likely as men to experience discrimination and stigmatization on account of their disability and gender. This fact is officially recognized by Article 6 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The Article calls for adopting measures that safeguard women’s empowerment and enjoyment of all their rights and freedoms, such as access to education, employment, and health care. Employment discrimination, for example, is one of the major issues. The participation of women with disabilities in the labor market is undervalued due to a social bias that undermines the significance of women’s social and professional lives.

Vulnerability in the labour market can take many forms. In some cases, the type of work in which women with disabilities are involved in is

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either unrelated to their careers and experience, and/or it is poorly paid, and their willingness to accept these conditions reflects their need and their own perception of limited social support. If young women with disabilities do not learn to stand on their own while they are young, the weight of life’s challenges will grow as they age.

The United Nations estimates that 75% of women with disabilities are unemployed and that those who are employed often earn less than their male counterparts and non-disabled women. Discrimination against women with disabilities is not simply a women’s issue or a disability issue, but rather a broader social issue that touches on all life spheres. Being at the intersection of various forms of discrimination, women with disabilities are more vulnerable to marginalization and social exclusion, and often have limited access to services, economic opportunities and political representation in comparison to others. Despite the significance of the issue and the suffering it involves, it receives so little attention that our next advocacy campaign would be calling for equality in discrimination.

We would posit that if we are doing it right, we stand up, we stand out, we take a stand and we make a stand. If they don't want to listen, we will make ourselves heard. We young women with disabilities help each other up and keep each other going. We never quit and never look back except to remind ourselves how far we have gone. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of the USA and Amazon Join Forces to Improve Accessible Reading Experiences for Blind and Low Vision Students

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of the USA and Amazon announced that they will be working together to increase selection, enhance accessibility, and improve reading experiences for blind students, including those who have low vision or who are deaf-blind. Amazon and NFB will collaborate on improvements to Amazon’s educational content, platforms, and applications, and will meet on an ongoing basis to review progress and exchange ideas and feedback. Initial results of this collaboration are expected this year and beyond. 

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“We are seeing educational institutions embrace digital learning for its ease of access to a large selection of learning resources for students,” said Rohit Agarwal, General Manager, Amazon K-12 Education. “This shift provides a great opportunity to improve accessibility for blind students. By collaborating with the National Federation of the Blind, we hope to advance accessibility for all content, platforms and applications that Amazon develops to better serve K-12 and higher education students.” “The National Federation of the Blind is dedicated to using our expertise in the development and implementation of built-in accessibility in technology to ensure that the blind have equal access to the information and tools we need to live the lives we want,” said Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “The NFB and Amazon have sought a productive collaboration to improve accessibility, and we now look forward to working together closely to improve the technologies that will make digital reading experiences better for all customers. The commitment that Amazon has made in this agreement brings us ever closer to the day when blind students of all ages will have the same digital reading experience and access to content as others, and demonstrates that access for the blind goes hand in hand with continued innovation in technology.”Perkins International Names New Executive Director

Perkins School for the Blind is pleased to announce that Michael Delaney has been named the Executive Director of Perkins International. Delaney, who started his new role in January, is charged with leading Perkins International’s global mission to educate underserved children and young adults with visual impairment.

Delaney began his career in the early 1980s working as a relief and development worker in Mexico and Central America. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the State University of New York in Buffalo, New York, a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Niagara University, and is a faculty member and academic advisor at Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management. Delaney has worked in the fields of international development and relief for more than three decades, including as Humanitarian Division Director at Oxfam America. He is now eager to apply that experience and bolster Perkins International’s efforts to ensure that every child

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who is visually impaired around the world has access to a quality education.ICEVI Europe and the European Blind Union Release State of the Art Report on Exchange Programmes for Blind and Partially Sighted Students

ICEVI-Europe and the European Blind Union have jointly produced a state of the art report regarding blind and partially sighted students’ access to Exchange programs. The Working Group in charge of the project has finalized the first stage and has produced this report, based on the results of the survey that was disseminated.

The aim of this report is to obtain a clear picture of the possibilities and barriers of exchange programs for university students with visual impairments.  You may find this report on the following web page of the EBU: www.euroblind.org/working-areas/access-to-education#news, as well as, on the website of ICEVI-Europe: http://www.icevi-europe.org/

It’s a Brand New Day at Hadley

To better reflect the diversity of students it serves and how it has evolved over the years, The Hadley School for the Blind announces that today, it has changed its name to Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Hadley remains the largest provider of distance education for people who are blind and visually impaired worldwide. “Nearly a century after our founding, Hadley serves a broad spectrum of individuals with vision loss, including those with low vision. Although we will always support people who are blind, there is an ever-growing population of older adults experiencing age-related vision loss who may never become fully blind. As part of our evolution, we are expanding our programs and services to meet their needs,” said Hadley President Chuck Young. The name change also better informs the public that Hadley’s programs and services are geared to individuals ages 14 and up. “The word ‘school’ implies a brick and mortar facility for young children, whereas the word ‘institute’ speaks to education, but defies space and place. The term ‘institute’ is broader and more appropriate for a distance education organization serving 10,000 students in more than 100 countries,” said Hadley Board of Trustees Chair, Dewey Crawford.

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The term “institute” also provides an umbrella with which to discuss the many programs and services Hadley offers and the many audiences Hadley serves: people who have long been visually impaired and those new to sight loss; families of persons of all ages with varying degrees of vision loss and blindness service providers. In tandem with the name change, a catchy new tagline, “Educating - for life,” will be used to highlight Hadley’s mission to promote independent living through lifelong learning, as well as its dedication to educating students on life skills and helping them reach their full potential.  “We love the double meaning in this tagline,” adds Young.  “It concisely says what we do and why we do it.”

A more contemporary logo was developed, as well, to illustrate how Hadley has changed while remaining true to its roots. To learn more, visit www.hadley.edu/rebrand. See updates to Hadley’s website at www.hadley.edu.

Passing of Mr. Soli Abdoul Rahamane, Founder and First President of the National Union of the Blind in Niger

We regretfully announce that the Founder and First President of the National Union of the Blind in Niger, Mr. Soli Abdoul Rahamane, passed away on February 18th at his home. Mr. Rahamane was himself blind and held many important posts throughout his lifetime, including as the Minister of Justice from 1987-1990, a Prosecutor of the Republic, and also as the Vice-President of the Constitutional Court. His many achievements paved the way for other blind people in his country and his continent, with his success and support helping them to realize their own potential. He will be greatly missed.

Zimbabwe National League of the Blind Wins National Census Court Case

The Zimbabwe National League of the Blind took the Zimbabwean government to court over deliberately excluding persons with disabilities from the national census. The judge ruled in favour of the Zimbabwe National League, and ordered the National Statistics Agency and the Minister of Finance to release funds “to facilitate the full participation of people with disabilities in future population censuses.”

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This is a wonderful achievement and a timely one as well given the need for data on persons with disabilities to help development work, especially for the Sustainable Development Goals. For more information, please follow this link to the news story: http://www.chronicle.co.zw/disabled-win-census-fight/

Albinism in Africa: An Interview with Stéphane Ebongue Koube

The Freedom From Fear Magazine, published by the United Nations International Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) has included an article on Albinism. The article is an interview with Stéphane Ebongue Koube, a Cameroonian man who has albinism. He left his home for fear of persecution and violence due to being albino. He now lives in Turin, Italy and works as a journalist. You can find out more about his journey and experiences in the article by following this link: http://f3magazine.unicri.it/?p=609 Accessible Online French Video content from Groupe Média TFO

Groupe Média TFO is a premium destination for audiences in Canada and abroad seeking educational and cultural content in French. It offers stimulating experiences and award-winning content, always at the forefront of digital learning. Its online content platforms, TFO.ORG, and IDELLO.ORG, were conceived and designed to offer persons living with a disability 20,000 accessible videos. The content produced and broadcasted by TFO is in accordance with the 2005 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The link to TFO is: http://www.tfo.org/ To IDELLO is: https://www.idello.org/fr Two Egyptian Research Studies on Persons with Disabilities

Our Egyptian member has shared news from the Eye of the Blind organization in Egypt on two new important studies. One is on the pros and cons of media oriented to persons with disabilities, by Dr. Abdelbasset Mohamed Azab Elbadawy. The second study is on the role of interior design in the development of creative thinking among the blind people. To request a copy of these studies, please email Mohammed Azab. His email address is: m.azab2022@gmail.com

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Tourism in Venice for the Blind and Partially Sighted

There is a new tour in Venice for blind and partially sighted people thanks to two tourism companies, Esplora and La Girobussola. The tour is 4 days, 3 nights and one guide is offered for two people. During the four days, you’ll get to know the shapes and districts of Venice thanks to tactile maps and 3D models. Venice’s most famous places will all be visited, including San Marco’s square, Palazzo Ducale, the Rialto Bridge, the fish market, the Lido and the Jewish Ghetto. The tour is 90 euro per day per person, and it does not include accommodation or travel to Venice. For more information, please contact Lorenzo at Lorenzo@esploriamo.org or Marta at info@girobussola.org Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled Spearheads Cricket for the Blind in India

Cricket has been at the forefront of Samarthanam’s pioneering efforts since its inception in 1997, in line with its vision to enable inclusion on all fronts for the visually impaired. The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), the sporting arm of Samarthanam, has been promoting cricket for the blind both as a rightful pursuit and as a platform for the physical and social development of the visually impaired.

To date, CABI has successfully organized several regional, national and international tournaments and it is set to host another major international tournament, the 2nd T20 World Cup Cricket Tournament for the Blind, in November this year. 48 matches will be played in multiple cities across India with teams from Australia, England, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, Nepal and Sri Lanka participating in the tournament. CABI is now in the process of eliciting sponsorship for the tournament. More details on CABI can be accessed on: www.blindcricket.in or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket_Association_for_the_Blind_in_IndiaOrganizations, agencies and individual donors interested in contributing to the event may do so by clicking on the following link: www.samarthanam.org/make-a-general-donation International Design for All Foundation Award Ceremony

On 22 March 2016, during the Urbaccess fair in Paris, the Design For All Foundation Award ceremony took place. 36 projects and products from 12 different countries were awarded as “Good Practices 2015.”

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They were judged first on the assessment criteria, and then in terms of their relevance, methodology, outputs, impact and innovation by an international jury, which gave trophies to five winners. Eight projects and products were also given special mention. To read more about the winners, follow this link: http://designforall.org/candidate.php

Blind Day to Raise Awareness in Israel

The 6th annual “Blind Day” will take place from 6-9 June in Israel, sponsored by the Center for the Blind in Israel along with other organizations of the blind.  The aim of “Blind Day” is to raise awareness of the issues of the blind community and to encourage greater social integration. Activities will be conducted throughout the country to highlight the issues of blindness and low vision and artwork by blind and partially sighted artists will be displayed in the Knesset (the Parliament) along with discussions with Parliamentary Committees on the status of blind and partially sighted persons. To find out more, follow this link: www.ibcu.org.il 

A Taste of Job Opportunity: Visually Impaired Barista in Hong KongBy: CHONG Chan-yau, President, Hong Kong Blind Union

A mission of Hong Kong Blind Union is to promote employment opportunities for people who are blind. Our new trial is to train people with visual impairment to be a barista. A barista is a person specially trained in making and serving coffee drinks in a café. It may seem to be an impossible job for visually impaired persons in the mind of many people. A big question mark also appeared in our mind when the Junior Chamber International Peninsula invited Hong Kong Blind Union as one of the supporting organizations to their “Baristas Training Programme for Visually Impaired People” launched in the summer of 2015. But we believe, “attempt is always the way to success”.

Seven visually impaired trainees were recruited to join the program and took a professional coffee training course, where they learned and practiced coffee making skills with guidance from a professional trainer. They all passed the final assessment and were offered a short-term placement at different cafés in order to put what they had learned into practice. After the training, Benny, one of the seven

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participants, started to work in a café as a barista trainee in September 2015 and another participant Simon was also employed in December.

“I remember a conversation between a couple and their child I heard in the café. The parents told the child how hard-working I am as a barista and they hope their child could take me as a role model in the future. I was so encouraged,” said Benny. This was an unforgettable experience to him. He never thought he could make a positive impact on the life of others while helping out in a café and handling the daily operation.

The Visually Impaired Baristas Training Programme has proved that visually impaired persons can go beyond the limitation caused by loss of eyesight and make a difference in society. Nothing is impossible. This Barista Training Programme not only created employment opportunities for visually impaired persons but, more importantly, it also aroused public awareness on the working capability of people with disabilities. Social inclusion is not only a slogan but an action. We hope to see similar programs developed in the future in Hong Kong and other places to benefit more people with visual impairment.

New Makeup Website for the Blind and Partially Sighted

Debouck Pauline, a partially sighted woman from Belgium has started a blind and low vision-friendly website which offers descriptions of different makeup products. It was born out of her own frustration at the lack of accessible and straightforward makeup websites. The website, available in English and French, is a work in progress and Ms. Pauline is asking for feedback from blind and partially sighted people to help ensure the website is fully accessible and contains quality, up-to-date information. Please feel free to visit the website and provide her with feedback to help her make it better. The link to the website is: http://whatcolorisit.wordpress.com. Her email is pauline.whatcolorisit@ gmail.com

Long Distance Piano Lessons for the Blind and Partially Sighted

An American Piano tutor, Mark Miller, offers piano lessons for sighted and non-sighted students from all over the world using Skype or the

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telephone. All you need is a piano or keyboard, and a headset. He stands by his pioneering teaching method that will let you learn concepts not taught in traditional piano lessons. For a free trial lesson, call him at +1-847-382–6346 or his mobile number +1-847–401–1721. You can also find out more information and watch complimentary instructional podcasts on his website: http://pianoweb.com/

Blindfold Games – a company that makes Audio Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Persons

We welcome you all to check out the website of the company Blindfold Games. They have been making accessible audio games for blind and partially sighted people since 2013. Their website has information on how the games are created, why they pick certain games to build and offers customer testimonies that offer insight into how blind and partially sighted people enjoy the games. The link to the website is: www.blindfoldgames.org

RESOURCES

Updated Member Information and Resources Page on WBU Website

We have updated our website to include current WBU Internal Policy and Procedures. The link to the page is: http://www.worldblindunion.org/English/about-wbu/membership/Pages/Information-for-Members.aspx We have also reorganized our Resources section to include a page with our External Position Statements and Resource Papers. The link to that page is: http://www.worldblindunion.org/English/resources/Pages/Policy-Papers.aspx

IDA and IDDC Advocacy Resources for National Implementation of the Sustainable Developments Goals

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After the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the UN this fall, the focus now moves to national implementation, which is both an opportunity and responsibility for persons with disabilities to engage and to become the agents of change in shaping their future lives. The IDA has prepared several resources to help organizations learn more about the SDGs, and how to participate in their national implementation. You can find the resources at this link: http://www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org/en/article/2030-agenda-toolkit-and-guide-persons-disabilities

You can also find IDA’s and IDDC’s response to the inter-Agency Expert Group on the SDGs report, which included 11 indicators on disability. The link to the response is: http://www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org/en/article/ida-and-iddc-response-report-inter-agency-and-expert-group-sustainable-development-goal

UNESCO Institute for Statistics is Coordinating Different Initiatives to Produce Data for Education 2030

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) will continue to prioritize meeting the statistical community, especially in regards to data for Education 2030. UIS has released the results of its 2015 education survey, which covers core education indicators needed for decision-making and monitoring. The results are available at: http://www.uis.unesco.org/Education/Pages/data-release-dec-2015.aspx

UIS has also produced a range of interactive products, including on out-of-school children, Education 2030 and Girls’ Education in Africa. You can find these resources by following this link: http://www.uis.unesco.org/gallery/Pages/Default.aspx?SPSLanguage=EN

RNIB Guide for Employers

RNIB has produced a guide to help employers that may have concerns about taking on someone with sight loss, or about an existing employee who is losing their sight. The guide addresses common questions and sets out the benefits of employing a blind or partially

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sighted person. Visit RNIB's Employing a blind or partially sighted person section to download the guide: http://www.rnib.org.uk/employingsomeone or email employmentservices@rnib.org.uk to obtain free hard copies. A link to the Guide is also available on our Project Aspiro site, in the Employer Resources section: http://www.projectaspiro.com/en/employers/Pages/Resources.aspx

New European Blind Union Toolkit: “Implementing Standards for Low Vision Services in Europe”

EBU is happy to present a new toolkit which aims to support EBU members to provide low vision people with the quality services they need to cope with their disability. It is intended as a resource document based on the UNCRPD and offers good practice examples and reference documents that may help organizations in their efforts to implement the EBU standards for low vision services in Europe.Available in doc and pdf formats: http://www.euroblind.org/working-areas/low-vision#news

2016/2017 IMPORTANT DATES/CONFERENCES/EVENTS

May 4-6, 2016 - WBUAP 13th Regional Massage Seminar

The Philippine Blind Union Inc. and the National Council on Disability Affairs – the Philippines are hosting the WBU-AP 13th Regional Massage Seminar to be held in Manila, the Philippines on May 4-6, 2016. The theme of the seminar is "Maximizing Skills, Technologies, and Opportunities for Economic Empowerment." The seminar aims to push for the inclusion of massage in the regional economic framework. The deadline for registration is March 31, 2016. All participants are welcome to arrive on May 3. For more details on the seminar, registration and payment procedures, please visit the website at: www.wbuap13thrms.org

May 17-20, 2016 - Business Leadership and Superior Training (BLAST) Conference

The 2016 BLAST Conference will take place in Chicago at the Chicago Loews Airport Hotel. For more information, email Terry Smith at

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terrysmith@epbfi.com. Additional information can also be found at the following link: http://blindmerchants.org/save-the-date/

July 13-15, 2016 - 15th International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs (Preconference July 11-12)

The 15th International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs will be held at the University of Linz, Austria. A broad range of topics including eAccessiblity, Assistive Technology (AT), educational / vocational inclusion, mobility support, service provision, aging and disability rights are openly discussed at ICCHP in an inclusive and agreeable framework. You are invited to organize targeted Special Thematic Sessions (STS) leading to well-structured chapters in the proceedings as a recognized key reference for your specific domain of research and application. There is a call for papers and contributions for the conference and the deadline for submission is February 1, 2016. See the ICCHP website (link following) for more information: http://www.icchp.org

July 20-24, 2016 – Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER)’s International Conference

AER’s International Conference will be held in Jacksonville, Florida this year at the Hyatt Regency from July 20-24. The call for presentations is currently open. You can find out more by following this link: http://aerbvi.org/?page_id=56

August 11-12, 2016 – International Conference on Libraries Serving Persons with Print Disabilities

The 2016 International Conference on Libraries Serving Persons with Print Disabilities will be held in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is holding its 2016 World Library Information Congress, (WLIC) http://2016.ifla.org/ in Columbus, Ohio from August 12-18. In conjunction with this prestigious international event, the IFLA Section on Libraries Serving Persons with Print disabilities (LPD) is sponsoring a pre-Congress satellite conference in Louisville, Kentucky. The theme of the conference is “Tailoring the Reading Experience to Meet Individual Needs” and will feature an international array of speakers. For more information, follow this link: www.lpd2016.org

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August 18-25, 2016 – WBU/ICEVI Joint Assembly

WBU/ICEVI Joint assembly will take place in Orlando, Florida, USA this year, hosted by the National Federation of the Blind. You can find out more by reading our General Assembly Update section, or by visiting our General Assembly website page at: http://www.worldblindunion.org/Spanish/Asamblea-General/Pages/default.aspx

October 3-5, 2016 – Human Rights Council Social Forum

The Human Rights Council’s Social Forum is an annual 3-day meeting. It is a unique space for open and interactive dialogue between civil society actors, representatives of Member States and intergovernmental organizations. This year’s forum is dedicated to the promotion and full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities in the context of the 10th anniversary of the CRPD. A preliminary program of work is being developed in consultation with IDA and will be circulated soon. You can find out more about the Social forum by following this link: www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Poverty/SForum/Pages/SForum2016.aspx

October 27-30, 2016 – IAPB’s 10th General Assembly

IAPB’s 10th General Assembly will be held in Durban, South Africa, and online registration is now live. Early bird prices are available until Friday 13 May and the link to the ticket prices page is: http://10ga.iapb.org/register-for-iapb10ga/10ga-ticket-prices/. To register, follow this link: https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=139266&reference=10GAwebsite

April 5-7, 2017 – Tactile Reading International Conference

The international conference on Tactile Reading will take place in Stockholm April 5–7 2017, bringing together people working with children and youth with visual impairments and blindness, from all over the world. There is a call for abstracts from practitioners and academics to give presentations on the following topics: development

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of tactile understanding, tactile reading and the brain, braille and literacy, tactile graphics, and universal design and tactile reading. The time for a presentation is either 20 or 40 minutes and all presentations should be in English. Send your contribution to: tactilereading2017@mtm.se If you prefer to present a poster at the conference please submit your proposal and contact us. For more information and details, follow this link: www.tactilereading.org

November 16-18, 2017 - 3rd Lions World Song Festival for the Blind.

All Blind and partially sighted singers are invited to take part in the 3rd Lions World Song Festival for the Blind, which will take place next year, at 16 – 18 November 2017 in Krakow, Poland. The aim is to create a unique opportunity for blind and partially sighted artists to show their talents and improve they careers. For more details check our website http://lionsfestival.org/en/ and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2ndLionsWorldSongFestivalForTheBlind/ The deadline for registration is 31 May 2017. If you have any questions please write at festival2015@lionsfestival.org.

THE REGIONS

Our regions are the bridge between the international level of work and the local level. Policies and treaties constructed at global levels are then carried out by our members in their own countries. Most of the regions have their own websites where they post updates on their work, member activities, and upcoming events in their area.

AFRICAhttp://www.afub-uafa.org

ASIA http://www.abunion.org

ASIA-PACIFIC http://wbuap.org/index/

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EUROPE http://www.euroblind.org

LATIN AMERICA http://ulacdigital.org

NORTH AMERICA/THE CARIBBEAN Regional Office: CNIB - http://www.cnib.ca/

WBU OFFICERS Mr. Arnt Holte, Presidentarnt.holte@blindeforbundet.noDr. Fredric Schroeder, 1st Vice Presidentfschroeder@sks.comMr. Enrique Pérez, 2nd Vice President EPB@once.esMr. A. K. Mittal, Treasurermittal24ak@gmail.com Ms. Maryanne Diamond, Immediate Past Presidentmaryanne.diamond@ndis.gov.auREGIONAL PRESIDENTSAFRICA (AFUB)

Mr. Yaw Ofori-Debra zyawdebra2015@gmail.comASIA (ABU)

Mr. Santosh Kumar Rungta nfbsec.g@gmail.comASIA PACIFIC (WBU-AP)

Ms. Michiko Tabata tabacchi@par.odn.ne.jpEUROPE (EBU)

Mr. Wolfgang Angermann ebupresident@euroblind.org LATIN AMERICA (ULAC)

Mr. Volmir Raimondi presidencia@ulacdigital.orgNORTH AMERICA/CARIBBEAN (WBU-NA/C)

Mr. Charles Mossop charles.mossop@cnib.caWBU STAFF Dr. Penny Hartin, Chief Executive Officer

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penny.hartin@wbu.ngoMs. Ianina Rodriguez, Administrative Assistant Ianina.rodriguez@wbu.ngo Ms. Maggie Leung, General Assembly Administrative AssistantMaggie.leung@wbu.ngoMs. Caitlin Reid, Communications Officer & Project Coordinator – Marrakesh Ratification and Implementation Campaign Caitlin.reid@wbu.ngo Mr. José Viera, Human Rights Policy AdvisorViera.josem@gmail.com

The World Blind Union is registered in Canada as a charitable organization in order to raise funds for our work. Donations from individuals or groups are always appreciated and can be made via the “Donate Now” button on our website: www.wbu.ngo.

OUR SPONSORS

Members listed below provide funds beyond their membership fees to support the work of the World Blind Union. We are grateful to these members and organizations for their valued contributions.Our Platinum Sponsors CBM International http://www.cbm.org/ Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) www.cnib.ca Open Society Institute Foundation (FOSI)

https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/ Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles (ONCE) www.once.es Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted (NABP)

https://www.blindeforbundet.no Royal National Institute of Blind Persons (RNIB) www.rnib.org SightSavers International http://www.sightsavers.org Vanda Pharmaceuticals http://www.vandapharmaceuticals.com/ Vision Australia http://www.visionaustralia.org/ Our Diamond Sponsors Swiss Federation of the Blind and Sight Impaired (SFB)Our Gold Sponsors National Industries for the Blind (NIB) Danish Association of the Blind (DAB) German Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted (DBSV)

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