EBU Focus - 'Young Blind and partially Sighted People; Challenges and Opportunities'

The rapidly changing world in which we live offers both new opportunities and many challenges for young blind and partially sighted people. Being able to study and participate in exchange programmes, and finding a worthwhile job are extremely important steps towards a fulfilling life, we hope that these articles will be encouraging.

Have you been hearing about non-formal learning experiences in an international context for years, but are still afraid to participate? In this article we’ll introduce you some of the numerous existing opportunities addressed to youngsters with a visual impairment (VI) and, through a personal experience, we’ll explain how such programmes can change your life.

Getting a new job can be a daunting task, especially when you’re visually impaired. Below I will take you through the three most important tips and tricks to make applying for a new job easier, and to increase your chances of success.

Last November and December I was welcomed as an intern at the executive office of the EBU in Paris. It was a fantastic experience to work with and for the EBU, not least because it enabled me to attend the European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities (EPPD) on 6 December, 2017.

ONCE, the Spanish National Organisation of the Blind, will host an event to enable young visually impaired university students from the European Union to relate their first-hand experiences of studying abroad thanks to the Erasmus programme.

This exotic-sounding title is not only a destination recognized by tourists, but also the name of an international project funded by the Erasmus+ Program. The Slovak Blind and Partially Sighted Union (UNSS) together with the Slovenian Association of Disabled Students (DSIS) and the Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organizations (PDCO) carried out the YALTA – Youth Activation – Long Term Ambition project from September 2015 until December 2017. Its ambition was to primarily motivate blind and partially sighted young people to their own activity and civic engagement.

As we can see from the articles above, the rapidly changing world in which we live offers both new opportunities and many challenges for young blind and partially sighted people.