WBU-E-notice

1. Be sure to tell us what your organization achieved in 2011 and what are your goals for 2012. We would be happy to publish and share your successes with the rest of the WBU global family.
   
   
2. January 4th is World Braille Day – the birthday of Louis Braille, inventor of the Braille alphabet system, a reading and writing method that allows millions of blind people a means to become literate. As less then 5% of all published materials are made available in an accessible format like Braille, we need to rally our governments to do more to eliminate copyright barriers to make Braille materials available for more visually impaired people.
   
   
3. Blind Canadian, Jason Dyok has set up a website to deal with the various aspects of self-esteem and visual impairment, called Brighter Nights: http://brighternights.org/ He writes to support others in their struggles with believing in themselves. There are many other visually impaired bloggers who write about their life and share it with the world. We will provide links for others from time to time, noting that WBU is not responsible for their opinions or content.
   
   
4. Nominations to the Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field are now being accepted. The 2012 deadline is Friday, March 30, 2012. The criteria are persons who have made significant contributions to improve the lives of those who are visually impaired in such areas as professional practice, research, writing, leadership, direct service, in their professional organizations. Individuals from North America are eligible for nomination (US, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean). Persons are eligible five years after departure/ retirement from positions where their significant lifetime body of work was made. To nominate someone, or to learn more go to: http://www.aph.org/hall_fame/index.html
   
   
5. TED Prize 2012 – Technology, Education and Design has chosen it’s 2012 winner in innovation and this year it is for an idea “City 2.0”. As more people migrate and choose to live in urban environments, ideas for design concepts to improve livability in the modern cities of the world is what they are looking for and TED asked for opinions to learn what people think City 2.0 needs. WBU added that we would like to see more accessibility incorporated into public spaces to make navigating cities and environments easier for visually impaired people. Read other ideas for the City 2.0 by linking here: http://www.ted.com/conversations/7683/if_you_could_make_a_wish_on_be.html
   
   
6. Now that it is winter in the northern hemisphere, folks are strapping on their skis and heading for the hills. Due to his love of skiing Scott Anderson, has created a ski festival for the blind and visually impaired. This will take place in new England from February 12 to 16th, go to: http://nevifest.org/ to learn more.
   
   
7. Money reader app is released for use with Mac computers. With this new application, Mac users will be able to hold their currency in front of the built-in camera and hear the denomination out loud. Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/530068
   
   
8. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in collaboration with Leonard Cheshire Disability will organize the “Conference on Disability-Inclusive MDGs and Aid Effectiveness” from 12 to 14 March 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand. This is the second Conference in a series of global forums that will bring together UN agencies, disabled people’s organizations and academics. More information: http://www.lcdisability.org/aideffectiveness

This year’s WBU members conference notices and links:

February 13 to 17: The International Mobility Conference is taking place in Palmerston North, New Zealand: www.imc14.com

February 27 to 29: The 5th Asian Blind Union (ABU) General Assembly will be held at the Hotel City Park, Delhi, India. To register go to: http://www.abu2012.abunion.org/

March 11 to 16: ULAC 8th General Assembly, Mexico city. Register at:
http://www.ulacdigital.org/mexico2012.htm

March 26 & 27: 28th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability & Diversity "Living to Our Complete Potential" Honolulu, Hawaii, USA www.pacrim.hawaii.edu

May 15 to 18: IKK International Congress of War Blind, in Pretoria South Africa: www.ikk2012.org.za

September 17 to 20: IAPB 9th General Assembly, in Hyderabad, India. For details go to: http://9ga.iapb.org/

November 8 & 9: AFUB 7th General Assembly, Bangkok, Thailand.

November 10 to 18 – WBU/ICEVI General Assemblies - Bangkok, Thailand. Our website is now up and running so you can read more about this exciting event: www.wbu-icevi2012.org

You can support the World Blind Union by donating online through Canada Helps. The link is:
http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s97435