World Blind Union (WBU)

The World Blind Union (WBU) is an international not-for-profit, charitable organization representing the estimated 161 Million people who are blind or have low vision worldwide.

The WBU is recognized as the international voice of blind and low vision persons speaking on their behalf at the United Nations, UN Agencies and other international organizations. The WBU has consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council and with a number of relevant UN Agencies such as WHO, WIPO, UNICEF, UNESCO, ILO, UPU and World Bank.

Its mission is achieved with and through its members - organizations of blind and partially sighted persons and organizations providing services to blind and partially sighted persons in some 181 countries and through six Regional Unions.

The six WBU Regions include: Africa, Asia, East Asia/Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America/Caribbean.

The overall long-term vision of the WBU is “a community where people who are blind or partially sighted are empowered to participate on an equal basis in any aspect of life they choose”.