LOW VISION SERVICES IN BELGIUM MORE ACCESSIBLE

Two Belgian organisations of the blind, Blindenzorg Licht en Liefde (my own organisation which is based in the Flemish part) and l'Oeuvre Nationale des Aveugles (our counter part in the French-speaking area) have had contacts with the General Professional Union of Opticians and Optometrists of Belgium (GPUOOB) since June 2000. The latter organisation is the profession's official representative towards the Government and other public services. It is also a member of the Board of the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance, a department of the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The three organisations plan to cooperate with a view to encouraging interested optometrists to offer low-vision services in different towns all over Belgium. This would save the visually impaired having to travel long distances to existing low vision centres to have an examination. The aim is to bring the services closer to the concerned people.

We are also trying to gain official recognition from Government, and from the Ministry of Social Affairs in particular.

The GPUOOB is currently working on a protocol which sets out the criteria optometrists have to subscribe to in order for them to be authorized to work as low-vision experts in the project.

Action is intended to start in Brussels where there are still no low-vision centres. The project also provides for cooperation with existing centres.

A cooperation charter between the three partners, the protocol for the optometrists, and the request for official recognition are all under process.


Harry Geyskens
Vice-Chair, EBU Commission on the Activities of Partially-Sighted People

Further information on the project is available by contacting Harry at ext.rel@blindenzorglichtenliefde.be or fax : +32 2 230 4521.

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