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Our Member in Jamaica Jamaica Society for the Blind (JSB)

PREVALENCE OF BLINDNESS AND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AMONG ADULTS AND

CHILDREN IN JAMAICA

• Estimated number of adults who are functionally blind (1% of the total population i.e. 1% of 2,709,291) = 27,093

• Estimated number of adults with low vision (3% of total population, i.e. 3% of 2,709,291) = 81,279

• Estimated number of children who are functionally blind (1 in every thousand children of school age) = 863

• Estimated number of children with low vision (3 in every thousand children of school age) = 2,589

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History of Jamaica Society for the Blind

The Jamaica Society for the Blind (JSB) was incorporated on May 17th, 1954. It was established with the support of the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind (now Sightsavers) in response to a petition made to the Queen of England with respect to the conditions affecting persons who were blind in Jamaica (at that time). The JSB is an Organisational Member of the Caribbean Council for the Blind (CCB).

Mission and Vision

Initially, the mission of the JSB primarily involved organizing and maintaining a record of all persons who were blind or visually impaired with the help of the Salvation Army. However, as the membership grew, the Board became engaged in a range of fundraising activities in an effort to augment the subvention which was received from the Government. The Society also increased the number of programmes for the benefit of its membership.

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Milestones

• 1954 - Incorporation of Jamaica Society for the Blind

• 1965 - Formation of the Adult Blind Club

• 1979 - Appointment of the first Chairman who was blind (Derrick Palmer)

• 1980 – Acquisition of current premises

• 1981 – Appointment of first Executive Director who was blind (Arvel Grant);

• 1982 – Introduction of Weekly Radio Broadcast “AWARENESS” on the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC)

• 1984 - Introduction of Library Services

• 1984 – Inauguration of JSB’s Eye Clinic

• 1985 - Introduction of Adjustment to Blindness Services; first JSB Fundraising and Public Education Mediathon

• 1995 – Availability of School Textbooks in Braille and Large Print through the Ministry of Education

• 1999 – Former client appointed Senator and Junior Minister of Government;

• 2000 - Introduction of training in Information Technology for students who are blind

• 2004 – Observance of JSB’s 50th Anniversary of incorporation

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JAMAICA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND

MISSION STATEMENT

“To promote the welfare, education and employment of persons who are blind or visually impaired and to prevent (avoidable) blindness in Jamaica.”

PROGRAMMES/SERVICES OFFERED:

• Eye Health/Prevention of Blindness• Adjustment to Blindness Services• Library/Education Support Services• Information Technology Training• Early Intervention Programme

Main Activities undertaken (on a monthly/yearly basis)• Training of Primary Health Care (PHC) Workers• Vision Screening• Computer Training• Client Counseling• Resource Mobilisation• Advocacy (on behalf of clients)

Staff Complement : Currently there is a staff complement of six persons

Head or Organisation Contact Person

Lola Marson - Executive Director