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The NAB was formally
established in 1993. The blind movement in Nepal started in 1987
when some students decided to form a unity to advocate for the
rights and interests of the blind. After the restoration of
democracy in Nepal in 1990, the group organized an effective
movement to draw the attention of the government and the general
public towards burning issues of employment and scholarships for
the blind and partially sighted people. It was not only the
first movement initiated exclusively of the blind, but also the
successful one in achieving their immediate needs. Today the NAB
is focusing on establishing local branches of the NAB,
educational training and the needs of the scarcely attended
segments of the blind and visually impaired population in the
country - women, people in rural areas, the elderly, persons
with low vision and young blind children.
NAB is a non-Governmental,
non-profit making national organization of the blind. The
central executive board of the association consists of 15
including three reservations for Blind Women members elected by
the General Assembly held every three years. The national
conference consists of (a) the central executive board, (b)
district branch representatives in proportion to its general
members, and (c) five nominated by the board among the devoted
and committed blind members. NAB has formed sector-wise
committees in the areas of Women, Low Vision, Youth and
Children. It has 32 district branches with 2000 general members
across the country.
Its Main purpose is to
promote and protect rights and interests of the blind and
partially sighted (BPS) people through lobbying and advocacy.
Mainly, it works on the following areas for the empowerment of
BPS people. Capacity, Building, Employment, Education, Training.
At the central level,
Association runs computer training, music training, mobility,
counseling, talking books, Digital library, Braille books
printing, offset printing press and Women hostel. It is also
affiliated with World Blind Union (WBU) and Asian Blind Union
(ABU).
Its Main purpose is to
promote and protect rights and interests of the blind and
partially sighted (BPS) people through lobbying and advocacy.
Mainly, it works on the following areas for the empowerment of
BPS people. Capacity Building, Employment, Education, Training
etc.
At the central level,
Association runs computer training, music training, mobility,
counseling, talking books, Digital library, Braille books
printing, offset printing press and Women hostel. Association
also includes insurgency victims in such programme. In this
connection, we have given required training to some of the
security personnel's for those of blinds acquired by the
insurgency. Some of the examples are as under:
Legal Status
NAB has been duly registered with the District Administration Office (DAO) in Kathmandu (Registration No. DAO 320 on 2049/10/08 BS) and is affiliated with the Social Welfare Council (Affiliation NO.SWC 1037 on 2049/10/28). It is also affiliated with the World Blind Union (WBU).
Objectives
To protect and promote the rights, interests and welfare of the blind
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To develop leadership quality and personality of the blind
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To promote public awareness and advocacy
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To establish and develop fraternal relationship with national and international organizations working with the blind and others.
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To provide better academic and technical education to the blind people to make them able to access into the employment market as well as self-employment.
Vision of NAB
NAB's vision is a self-reliant community of the Blind and Partially Sighted (BPS) people in Nepal capable of living a dignified and productive life and participating in the national mainstream as equals. We envision a society where they will have an equal access to opportunities and will enjoy a barrier free social environment for development and contributions.
We envisage being a truly national and professional organization of the blind by the blind and for the blind, covering extensively the blind and visually empowerment in accordance with self-help principle. In this process, we seek to be an organization, which is well recognized for its institutional capacity to address all major issues facing the blind and visually impaired community and is regarded as the hub of the network of institutions committed to the cause of the blind in Nepal.
Mission of NAB
The mission of NAB is to empower the blind and visually impaired people in Nepal for achieving self-reliance and access to their rightful opportunities through the process of self-help development.
Values of NAB
NAB deeply believes in self-help and is fully committed to promote and follow it. In carrying out its business NAB will:
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Act with honesty and transparency in providing services and managing relationship;
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Create environment and process for mutual help to achieve self-reliance;
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Promote and develop equality of opportunity for members, staff and other BPS persons;
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Treat people with fairness and impartiality without any bias based on their political or religious belief, caste or gender; and
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Strive for and maintain quality and excellence in performance and conduct.
Goals of NAB
NAB will seek to achieve the following performance results through its works towards the attainment of its vision and mission:
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The rights, interests and welfare of the blind and visually impaired people are protected and promoted at all levels in the society;
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The blinds and visually impaired people are able to use the basic life skills, professional competencies and their innate potential for sustaining a productive life and making equal contributions;
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Institutional and other resources at the local, national and international levels are mobilized towards the sustained enhancement of the life and the work of the blind and visually impaired people; and
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Institutional capacity of NAB for serving the target beneficiaries is continuously improved.
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