World Blind Union

The World Blind Union (WBU) is an international organization representing the estimated 2.2 billion people worldwide who are blind or partially sighted. It consists of other organizations, not individuals. History, scope, and organization The World Blind Union was formed in 1984 through the union of the International Federation of the Blind and the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind. The WBU is a non-political, non-religious, non-governmental and non-profit-making organization. WBU members are organizations of and for the blind in about 190 countries and international organizations working in the field of vision impairment. The WBU conducts its work through six regions. These are: Africa, Asia, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America and the Caribbean. The World Blind Union is governed by an Officers Board composed of six internationally elected Officers and the six regional presidents, as well as an executive committee. The WBU has its administrative office located in Toronto, Canada, and currently has three staff members. In order to raise funds for their work, the World Blind Union has registered as a charity under Revenue Canada Agency. Purpose The stated goal of the World Blind Union is a global community where people who are blind or partially sighted are empowered to participate on an equal basis in any aspect of life they choose.