This Commission will promote measures for the improvement
of rights for blind and partially sighted people.
Membership list 2007-2011
Chairperson : Philippe Chazal (France)
Vice-chair : Gareth Davies (UK)
Board representative : Alexandre Neumyvakin
Bulgaria : Manu Alexiev
Croatia : Ivica Robic
Finland : Merja Heikkonen
Germany : Christiane Moller
Italy : Vanda Dignani
Montenegro : Fadil Mucic
Norway : Helen Aareskjold
Romania : Teodor Lepadatu
Serbia : Dragisa Drobnjak
Spain : Josefa Luis Ruiz
Ukraine : Leonid Lezhepokov
UK : Anna Lawson
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Terms of reference 2003-2007
1. 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 Commission to carry out are :
1.1 To assist EBU members to work towards the provision of comprehensive rights for blind and partially sighted people in Europe.
1.2 To challenge any attempt to deny or restrict the rights of blind and partially sighted people in Europe.
1.3 To assist national members by arranging training seminars and giving advice on specific issues to ensure that they are able to achieve satisfactory living standards for their members.
1.4 To disseminate information about the United Nations Standard Rules for the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, and the campaign to obtain a United Nations convention on the rights of disabled people and to take part in the framing of such a convention.
1.5 To promote a culture of equality and diversity within EBU by making sure the rights of particular groups of 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 Chairperson of the Commission 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 Commission will immediately prepare 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 Commission 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 Commission 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 Commission for consideration, advice, and, if appropriate, action.
6. In no circumstances does the Commission 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 Commission 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 1999 - 2003
1.To continue with the HERMES Network by developing the regional structure, updating the list of Link Officers, having a training seminar for Link Officers and continuing production of the Messenger Newsletter.
2.To hold a pan European conference on the United Nations Standard Rules and the UN Convention.
3.To produce two policy papers on the needs of older visually impaired people and the situation of blind women and girls.
4.To undertake three questionnaires - one on the cost of blindness, one on violence and abuse and one on legislation, it may be that one survey with three questionnaires could cover all these subjects.
5.To maintain a watching brief on refugees.
6.To support the Board with its work regarding genetic engineering and bioethics.
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