ICEVI - International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment

ICEVI Europe region has a formal status as an association since the beginning of 2007. The region is pursuing the idea of inclusion as one of the main strategies to ensure educational equity for children with visual impairment and this theme will figure in future discussions of ICEVI Europe and also in the main conferences of the region. Following the 3rd ICEVI Balkan Conference held in Belgrade in 2006, a number of follow-up activities have been initiated. Creation of networks, education of children with visual impairment and multiple disabilities, focus on rehabilitation, assistive technology, etc., are some of the major areas of interest in the Balkan countries. The next Balkan-conference will be held in Istanbul in October 2008. In May 2007, representatives of the European countries participated at the 5th workshop for special educators held at Bratislava, Slovakia. There is a need for international projects in South-East Europe on prevention and early intervention and the Europe region is taking initiatives in this direction. Laying emphasis on rehabilitation of persons with visual impairment besides education, the Europe regional committee suggested that ICEVI should stand for International Council for the Rehabilitation and Education of People with Visual Impairment. The next regional conference of the European region will be held from 5 to 10 July 2009 in Dublin, Ireland, in association with St. Joseph’s Centre for the Visually Impaired, to discuss the theme, “Living in a Changing Europe.” Additional information on the regional conference will be available on the website www.icevidublin2009.org

In November there was an interesting conference of ICEVI-members of the French-speaking countries in Montéclair. Participants from France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Suisse exchanged their knowledge and experiences in education and rehabilitation in their countries.

The Europe region hosted the meeting of the Global Task Force at the RNIB, London and Hans Welling, the Regional Chair also organised the first meeting of the Resource Mobilisation Committee at the Visio, The Netherlands in October 2007. The ICEVI European Newsletter was prepared and disseminated to all members of ICEVI in the region. Special efforts are underway to increase the membership in the region.

There will be a workshop of European psychologists in the Netherland in March 2008 and in August a conference on Early Intervention will be held in Budapest, Hungary.

Europe

Welcome to ICEVI Europe Region

Regional Chairperson

Regional Committee

Regional Update

ICEVI Europe Region