About Us

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 a successful one in achieving their immediate needs. Today the NAB is focusing on establishing local branches, educational training and the needs of the scarcely attended segments of the 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

• the central executive board

• district branch representatives in proportion to their general members, and

• five nominated by the board among the 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 people through lobbying and advocacy. Mainly, it works on the following areas for the empowerment of visually impaired people.

• Capacity building

• Employment

• Education

• Training

At the central level, the association conducts the following activities:

• Computer Training

• Music Training

• Mobility and daily living skills training

• Counseling

• production of audio books

• Braille books printing /p>

• Offset printing pressproduction

• Hostel

Legal Status

NAB has been duly registered with the District Administration Office (DAO) in Kathmandu (Registration No. DAO 320) in 1992 and is affiliated with the Social Welfare Council (Affiliation NO.SWC 1037). NAB is affiliated with World Blind Union (WBU) and Asian Blind Union (ABU).

Vision of NAB

NAB's vision is a self-reliant community of the Blind and Partially Sighted 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 empowerment of the visually impaired in accordance with the 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. 

Objectives

• To protect and promote the rights, interests and welfare of the blind

• To develop leadership qualities and personality of the blind

• To promote public awareness and advocacy

• To establish and develop fraternal relationships with national and international organizations working with the blind and others.

• To provide better academic and technical education to visually impaired people enabling to access the employment market as well as opportunities for self-employment.

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: 

• Act with honesty and transparency in providing services and managing relationships;

• Create a condusive environment and develop a process for mutual help to achieve self-reliance;

• Promote and develop equality of opportunities for members, staff and other visually impaired persons;

• Treat people with fairness and impartiality without any bias based on their political or religious belief, caste or gender; and

• 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 activities towards the attainment of its vision and mission: 

• The rights, interests and welfare of the visually impaired people are protected and promoted at all levels of the society;

• The visually impaired people are able to use their basic life skills, professional skills and their innate potential for sustaining a productive life and making equal contributions;

• Institutional and other resources at the local, national and international level are mobilized towards the sustained enhancement of the life and the work of the visually impaired people; and

• Institutional capacity of NAB for serving the target beneficiaries is continuously improved.