Membership list 2007-2011
Coordinator : Alan Suttie (UK)
Board representative : Colin Low
Germany : Alfred Preusse
Greece : Leotsakos Ioannis
Switzerland : Rose-Marie Lüthi Kreibich
Experts :
Peter Verstraten (The Netherlands)
Andy Barrick (UK)
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Terms of reference 2003-2007
1. This working group is one of three working groups acting under the EBU Commission on Equality and Diversity.
Consistently with the EBU constitution, EBU policies as laid down by the general assembly, and the instructions of the Board,
the primary duties for the Working Group to carry out are :
1.1 To protect and promote the interests of blind and partially sighted people who are over working age in the social, political and economic environment in which they live.
1.2 To campaign to ensure that governments recognise and meet the needs of people the onset of whose visual impairment occurs in old age.
1.3 To seek to ensure that elderly blind and partially sighted people enjoy adequate pensions and other social benefits, and are provided with satisfactory living conditions.
1.4 To promote equality of opportunity for, and non discrimination against, elderly blind and partially sighted people in all spheres of life, including rehabilitation, information, technology, culture, leisure and sports, family life, health services, self-determination.
1.5 To promote a culture of equality and diversity within EBU by making sure that age-related issues are mainstreamed across all other commissions and working groups, and that the needs of particular groups of elderly blind and partially sighted people are addressed adequately.
2. As soon as possible after the beginning of the work period, the Board will provide the Coordinator of the Working Group with a copy of the Board's Strategic Plan and of the EBU Equality Policy Paper "Towards a Culture of Equality".
3. Having considered the ways in which it can assist in achieving the objectives set in the Board's Strategic Plan and the EBU Equality Policy Paper "Towards a Culture of Equality", the Working Group will immediately prepare, in consultation with the Commission on Equality and Diversity, its plan of action for the work period. Such plan of action must be consistent with the Board's Strategic Plan, and must be submitted to the Board for approval. The Working Group may, during the work period, refer further matters to the Board for consideration, advice and, if appropriate, action.
4. In its plan of action, the Working Group may propose the setting up of ad hoc subgroups to facilitate its work by carrying out specified tasks. Such proposal may not be acted upon until approved by the Board.
5. The Board may, during the work period, refer further matters to the Working Group for consideration, advice, and, if appropriate, action.
6. In no circumstances does the Working Group or any of its members have authority to make any commitment on behalf of EBU without the prior approval of the Board.
7. In carrying out its work, the Working Group will comply strictly with the rules set out in the Status and Guidelines for EBU Commissions and Working Groups (revised January 2004).
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Plan of action 2003-2007
1. Need to appoint link persons to other working groups and commissions.
2. Carry out an analysis of the needs of elderly blind and partially sighted persons, in the area of daily living and especially in sheltered, residential care or nursing care situations.
3. Evaluate training programs for staff working in the care of elderly persons and in visual impairment to establish the level of knowledge about the needs of elderly blind and partially sighted persons.
4. Establish a mail network under the working groups and the other relevant commissions.
5. Consider input in to the equality policy.
6. Consider initiatives to combat violence against elderly blind and partially sighted persons.
7. Include in all activities the fact that there are, as a percentage, more partially sighted persons than blind.
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