national united society of the blind (nusb)
DESCRIPTION
History of NUSBThe National United Society of the Blind was founded in1974 with a view of giving better services to personswho are blind and visually impaired. It is anOrganisational Member of the Caribbean Council for theBlind.Mission and VisionTo be the leading organisation providing services forpersons who are blind and visually impaired inBarbados.To bring light where there is darkness, strength wherethere is weakness, through education, motivation andmutual respect.TRANSCRIPT
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Our Member in Barbados National United Society for the Blind (NUSB)
PREVALENCE OF BLINDNESS AND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AMONG ADULTS AND
CHILDREN IN BARBADOS
• Estimated number of adults who are functionally blind (1% of the total population i.e. 1% of 293,000) = 2,930
• Estimated number of adults with low vision (3% of total population, i.e. 3% of 293,000) = 8,790
• Estimated number of children who are functionally blind (1 in every thousand children of school age) = 41
• Estimated number of children with low vision (3 in every thousand children of school age) = 123
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History of NUSBThe National United Society of the Blind was founded in 1974 with a view of giving better services to persons who are blind and visually impaired. It is an Organisational Member of the Caribbean Council for the Blind.
Mission and VisionTo be the leading organisation providing services for persons who are blind and visually impaired in Barbados.
To bring light where there is darkness, strength where there is weakness, through education, motivation and mutual respect.
Programmes/Services offeredThe organization is moving towards offering improved services in the areas of:
• Academic Qualifications, Vocational Training, further Public Awareness, Outreach Programmes
• Such programmes will enhance the personal development of persons who are blind and visually impaired to keep abreast of the changing times.
• Anthony Spencer Scholarship Award! In loving Memory of the late ANTHONY ! SPENCER, a truly great stalwart of the ! organization and the disabled movement, ! who tragically lost his life in a car accident, ! the Members of the Organization have ! endorsed the Executive’s commitment to a ! series of fund-raising events. Emphasis is ! placed on raising funds to equip children, ! young persons and adults who are blind or ! visually impaired with the necessary ! assistive instruments, (e.g. gadgets, course ! fees, etc) which will help to breakdown !barriers ! of exclusion to education
Main Activities undertaken (on a monthly/yearly basis):
• Annual Fundraising Sponsored Walk• Public Eye Screening• Promotion and Public Awareness of Assistive
Aids used by the Blind• Other Outreach Programs which focus on Eye
Diseases and applicable technological advancements
Anthony Spencer
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The National United Society of the Blind
President:! ! Roger Vaughan
Secretary: ! ! Juanita Paul-Gibbs
Treasurer: ! ! Rose-Ann Foster-Vaughan
Address: ! Barbados Council for the Disabled,! ! ! Harambee House, Garrison,! ! ! St. Michael, ! ! ! Barbados, BB14038
Telephone: ! ! 246–417-3031/246-418-0272
Fax ! ! 246-427-5210
Email: ! ! [email protected]
The Society recently became a member of International Blind Sports Association (IBSA); by extension we collaborate with the local Paralympics Association of Barbados (PAB) and we are recognised by the National Sports Council as the body which represents sports (except Blind Cricket) for persons who are blind and visually impaired.
International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) is registered as a non-profit, public interest body in Spain, whose mandate is to promote the integration of disabled people in general, and persons who are blind in particular.
Sports can help them overcome their disability by strengthening their self-esteem and their ability to overcome difficulties and aid with normalisation in their living environment. In short, sports help to bring about the complete fulfillment of athletes who are blind and visually impaired.