The main goals and activities of the National Federation of the Blind (E.O.T.)

 

The National Federation of the Blind (E.O.T.) Greece (est. Athens 2005) is the official Social Partner of the State on matters of blind individuals and a regular member of the National Confederation of People with Disabilities (Ε.Σ.Α.μεΑ).

 

The main goals and activities of the Federation consist of the following:

 

• O.T. protects and advocates for the rights of the blind and visually impaired of Greece, regardless of age, within the sectors of Education, Health, Employment, accessibility in outdoor, indoor, and digital environments, Leisure, Sports, and Culture.

 

• Fighting stigma, prejudice and discrimination against blind and visually impaired individuals, fighting social and financial exclusion, advocating for the fact that blindness and visual impairment is a human rights matter, campaigning for the full social and financial emancipation and promoting scientific research on matters regarding blindness and visual impairment, and working to that end with the respective government and public institutions.

 

• Propagation of the Braille reading and writing system through organizing Braille courses to interested professionals, as well as pro bono for blind individuals, their parents, offspring and siblings, and to individuals with a disability of 67% and higher.

 

• Printing price lists for the hospitality and recreation industry in Braille, theatre playbills, museum catalogues, as well as material for other organizations.

 

• Certification of correct Braille inscriptions of pharmaceutical company products, as well as companies, tourist accommodation services, and public organizations who wish to print their office signs in Braille.

 

• Providing information and legal advice regarding the rights of blind and visually impaired people.

 

• Providing daily updates through its website eoty.gr and operating a service hotline on matters regarding to blindness and disability, politics, social issues, sport, and cultural interest.

 

• Providing free foreign language courses to blind and visually impaired individuals, as well as the necessary course books in Braille and digital form.

 

• Operating an agency for the service, support, and education of blind and visually impaired individuals regarding computers, tablets, and phones with touch pads, available digitally through all of Greece.

 

• Realizing initiatives for sensitivity and familiarization around visual disability within Primary and Secondary Education, as well as within other organizations.

 

• Taking part in research programs from MA students and doctorate candidates around blindness, as well as in other studies and cultural activities with the goal of expanding accessibility in outdoor and indoor spaces, information and culture.

 

• Organizing and taking part in seminars.

 

• Training volunteers on teaching Braille.

 

• Running a volunteer department for assisting blind and visually impaired people during their visits to public services, health services, and other services which require accompaniment.