Blindrafelagid, the Icelandic organization of blind and partially sighted

Brief english presentation

What is the association's significance?. 1

Who can become members of the association?. 2

What special service does the association provide for?. 2

How does The Association of the Blind fund its activities?. 3

Blindrafélagið, (The Association of the Blind) was founded on August 19^th 1939. The association is one of the associations within Öryrkjabandalag Islands (The Icelandic Organization of the Disabled) and participates in the blinds´ European and International co-operation. The association now holds about 400 main members and 6000 support-members. Five people are on the administrative board with four deputies. One of the first tasks of the association was to start Blindravinnustofan (a workshop for the blind).

The workshop for the blind is a protected place of work and the largest of its kind in the country. Both blind and sighted people are employed there. The aim of the workshop is to provide the blind with the possibility to perform miscellaneous tasks and to enable them to make a living. Training and rehabilitation is also offered to those who require it.

Where is the Association of the Blind?

The association is situated at 17. Hamrahlid in Reykjavik. The office, workshop and the audio book production are all in these premises.

There are about 40 employees within the association, the workshop and audio book production, either in full or part-time positions.

Sjonstod Islands (The visual aid centre for the sight impaired) is also found at 17 Hamrahlid.

The Sjonstod is governmentally run but The Association of the Blind has a member in its administration. The association also rents out to its members a number of flats in the building and a few members also rent professional accommodation for their businesses.

What is the association's significance?

The association is first and foremost an interest organization for the blind and sight impaired in Iceland. The main purpose of the association is to work at furthering the rights for the blind and sight impaired in Iceland and at any matters of progress. This is dealt with further in the association’;s third chapter of law, where it says as follows:

"The association’;s purpose is to work at matters of interest for the blind and sight impaired, so that they may enjoy equality and be able to participate in the community to each member’;s level of interest.”

The association must be guided by the following:

To make sure that the blind and sight impaired enjoy the same standard of living that is generally considered normal

That the blind and sight impaired are able to acquire an education and to have suitable employment.

To work towards the blind and sight impaired being able to obtain information in suitable form

To enrich the relations between the blind and sight impaired with social gatherings and a well organized system of trustees.

To put pressure on public utilities and others who provide the blind and sight impaired with the service and rehabilitation that they require and to supervise the services already provided.

To cooperate with foreign sister-associations as well as interest-organizations for the disabled in Iceland.

To work towards research in the interest of the blind and sight impaired

To work towards publication and introductory matters of the blind and sight impaired in accessible format.

Who can become members of the association?

The fourth and fifth section of the associations’; law state as follows:

"Anyone who with sight of 6/18 or less, or has a sight impairment or eye disease which can be equalled to low vision according to the Sjonstods’; chief physician, and pays the associations’; annual fee in accordance with and the conclusion of the annual meeting, can become a member.

The superiors of minors, who fulfil the member requirements according to the 1st section, will administrate the children’;s rights and duties. The same applies to those members who due to a multi-handicap or other reasons cannot attend to the membership duties or own interests.

Others, than mentioned above, can become support-members and they will then have freedom of speech and right to bring forth proposals at meetings. "

What special service does the association provide for?

Travel servicefor legally blind people.

In Reykjavik the Association of the Blind carries out this service in co-operation with the municipal authorities of Reykjavik and Hreyfill-Bæjarleidir taxi company. Consumers can be driven to and from work, school, to doctors in addition to 9 private tours back and forth, each month.

Income tax returns

The Association of the Blind obtains a person from the tax office to assist with income tax returns for its members.

Chosen articles - living connection

“Chosen articles” is an audio magazine published weekly on c.d format. Every other week the c.d’;s contain a selection of newspaper articles and on alternate weeks they contain interviews, information on new visual aids and in addition to other items of interest. Anyone can become a subscriber. Full members of the association of the blind do, however, get a reduction in subscription fees.

Newsletter

Once a month, an information c.d. is sent out to all the association members. All the association’;s items of news as well as announcements are found here. This c.d. is free of charge.

Counselling:

The blind, sight impaired and their relatives can see a counsellor on social matters,. The counsellor will provide information and counselling on many personal matters, social services, different rights, occupation, rehabilitation, education, housing etc. Assistance is provided in filling out applications for i.e. disability benefits, financial assistance from the social services, home help etc. The counsellor of social matters co-operates with different public services for abovementioned issues. The association’;s counsellor of social matters is in charge of services provided by the association’;s trustees. The association’;s trustees are members who have been given training to assist other blind and sight impaired individuals.

Employment consultant:

The employment consultant helps members seeking employment, to find suitable positions. The employment consultant visits companies, gives talks and insight into sight impairment, leading techniques, visual and technical aids and answers questions regarding the hiring of a sight impaired person. It is also the consultant’;s job to assist with contracts of employment and follow up the employees’; progress in new surroundings. The consultant assists both employee and employer if any problems arise. Finding suitable educational rehabilitation is also an important part of the consultant’;s job.

The Association of the Blind also provides, in part, practical aid to the blind and sight impaired.

How does The Association of the Blind fund its activities?

The association receives some minimal governmental funding. Only 15% of the total revenues come from public sources. The rest must be self obtained. The association sells raffle tickets and Christmas cards, which are its main source of income. The association also receives some income from the sale of the "Three-Cross", a holy item which the late Mr. Asgeir Gunnarsson designed. The Three-Cross is made of gold. It is sold to support all the blind and sight impaired in the entire world. The original Three-Cross is kept in the Vatican.

Relations between the sight impaired and the seeing.

The Association of the Blind sees great importance in the sight impaired and the sighted having a high-quality work relationship. The blind or sight impaired are no different but the sighted must show consideration when interacting with the sight impaired. One of the worst things a sight-impaired person comes up against is when they are met with pity or the sighted wants them to guess his identity. It is best for the sighted to introduce himself if he feels the sight-impaired doesn’;t recognise him. The association sees great importance in the sighted and sight impaired teaming up. Joint consideration is advantageous.

Social life within the Association of the Blind

Within The association of the blind there is much social life. Members and support-members alike, work at this together. There are different committees who work towards different aspects of the social activities.

The entertainment committee: Organizes an annual ball, Christmas party for the children amongst other things.

Hobby committee: Organizes different courses in cooperation with Namsflokkar Reykajvikur (Reykjavik’;s Course Venture). To name a few courses: crafts, basket making, dancing etc.

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Rehabilitation committee: Organizes courses for those newly blind and their relatives. These courses have been very successful and been a great support to those who have attended them. The national health insurance has funded these. These courses are organised in cooperation with Sjonstod Islands. The rehabilitation committee has also worked at courses in Braille. In the rehabilitation committee there are members from The Association of the Blind, some from the The Alftamyrischool blind section and Sjonstod Islands.

Open house:

For a few years The Association of the Blind has held an open house for the older members of the association. This has been held twice a week during winter months and been much appreciated. Coffee and cakes have been offered at these events. It has also been customary to have some musical entertainment and readings.

Travel and summer vacation: The Association of the Blind has had one outing every summer. There is a trip to a particular place of interest, sometimes including an overnight stay. There is always a guide on these trips who will then describe the place so those who have very poor vision or are blind can also enjoy the trip. The church of Iceland has also held summer camps at Vestmannalake in Adaldal and invited members of The Association of the Blind to spend a week there each year.

Sports: The fitness club Edda offers water gymnastics, which is especially designed with the blind and sight impaired in mind This is held once a week in the swimming pool at Grensas. In the open house there is also gymnastics once a week and this will be doubled and offered twice a week if members are interested.

Activities out in the country: The association’;s division for the north part of the country is situated at Akureyri and is the link between members of the association who live in the north and the main office in Reykjavik. They have four meetings a year and at least each spring and autumn members from Reykjavik attend these. The Association of the Blind has trustees situated around the country, which members can contact if they reside for a longer or shorter period in the area.

Youth committee: It works towards social gatherings for the blind and sight impaired 16-35 year olds. The committee participates in Nordic co-operative work in this field and also informs the youth of the association and helps engage them in the organization.