1. International Association of Parents of Children with Visual Impairment (IAPVI) Prepared by: IAPVI Executive Committee Susan LaVenture (US), Angelette Akkermans (Netherland), Guila Seidel (Israel), David Heather (New Zealand), Alvin Teoh (Malaysia), Rosemary Alonzo (Phillippines) 2016 WBU/ICEVI General Assembly August 18th to 25th in Orlando, Florida, USA

3. Establishment of IAPVI 19 July 2006, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia The establishment of IAPVI was the realization by observation at the ICEVI conference - parents do not have an “international parent voice” in facing global issues

4. IAPVI Start Up Resolution The following Resolution that was accepted at the ICEVI General Assembly, July 2006: “It is hereby resolved that in order to enhance and facilitate the work of ICEVI and the Global Campaign, ICEVI hereby endorses its partnership with the newly established “International Association of Parents of Children with Visual Impairment (IAPVI)” and the formation of parent organizations in every country. The ICEVI Regional Chairs are hereby asked to collaborate with IAPVI and other such organizations in their regions, so that all regions are represented.”

5. WHERE ARE WE GOING ???

6. Objectives to be an international voice for parents of children with visual impairments on issues that impact the education and welfare of children with visual impairments and their families. to collaborate and exchange information between existing Parent Associations globally, Parents willing to learn how to establish Local/Regional and National Networks to encourage & promote the development of Parent Associations globally to collaborate & partner with organizations serving the visual impaired globally (ICEVI, WBU, United Nation, etc…), to fulfill their goals and objectives of Global Campaign

7. Where Are We Today ??? Argentina Brazil Canada Chile Denmark Ecuador Estonia France Germany Guatemala Indonesia Ireland Isreal Nigeria Panama Peru Phillippines South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Switzerland Netherland UK China New Zealand USA Uruguay Venezuela Taiwan Japan Malaysia Thailand Zambia India Myanmar Vietnam Australia Russia Mongolia Pakistan Egypt Saudi Arabia countries that already set up with parents’ association countries that have shown an interest to form a parents’ association

8. What Parents Need A meeting place to talk with other parents who share their concerns “What a relief to know you’re not alone.”, “I feel like I could be a resource for other parents.” Emotional support and encouragement to help them cope “I felt like my whole world fell apart.” “I thought it was my fault that my baby was blind.” A central, one-stop resource with reliable, comprehensive information “There is a lot of information on the web, but it’s scattered and you don’t know what you can trust.”

9. What Parents Need Information about local services, events and activities for their children that is sent proactively via newsletters and email alerts “There are so many websites out there… You spend so much time sorting through it all.” Information that is customized to their child’s age and eye condition Tips for Parents: Never ending clashes with the authorities to get what you need

10. How Do Parents Communicate Globally? Utilizing ICT - Email, YouTube, Facebook, Con-call, Networking Website, Skype, Whatsapp, Phone etc… Parent Meeting during global conferences Parent leaders sharing during global conferences & meeting and involve with monitoring their home country Visit by parent leaders from a country to support parents in another country FamilyConnect

11. A Website for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments On FamilyConnect you'll find videos, personal stories, events, news, and an online community that can offer tips and support from other parents of children who are blind or visually impaired.videospersonal storieseventsnewscommunity REGIONVISITVISIT % North America207,70153.38% Europe47,90312.31% South America40,55510.42% Asia32,1588.26% Central America30,1677.75% Oceania11,6913.00% Africa10,5872.72% Caribbean5,0381.29% Others3,3170.85% TOTAL389,117100.00%

12. Parent Involvement In Global Meeting July 2002 : 11 th ICEVI World Conference, Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands July 2006 : 12 th ICEVI World Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia July 2008: VSB Conference - Hanover, Germany Nov 2009: 20 th Anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC), United Nations in NYC Feb 2010: 48 th Commission for Social Development, United Nations in NYC Nov 2012: World Blind Union General Assembly and ICEVI Events and Assembly, Bangkok, Thailand Feb 2013 : ICEVI Exco Meeting, February 9th and 10 th 2013, London, UK Aug 2016 : WBU/ICEVI General Assembly, August 18th to 25th in Orlando, Florida, USA Apr 2009 – to-date: Susan LaVenture (Parent Leader fron US) appointed by WBU to attend and participate in all NGO Committee Membership meetings

13. Collaboration with WBU, ICEVI and Parents' Association's websites by building bridges and links between them for exchange of information and contacts for resources and generating new exchange programs between parents and children. Together, we can do big things… Moving Forward

14. HOW TO CONTACT US ??? Alvin Teoh Email: alvintyh99@gmail.com Mobile#: +6012-412 2388alvintyh99@gmail.com Country: Malaysia Rosemary Alonzo Email: marieaqua62@yahoo.com Mobile#: Country: Phillippines David Heather Email: heatherdavid1945@gmail.com Mobile#: +64-0274 402 073 Country: New Zealand Susan LaVenture Email: LaVentureS@lighthouseguild.org Office#: +1 212 769 7819LaVentureS@lighthouseguild.org212 769 7819 Country: United States Guila Seidel Email: guilaseidel@gmail.com Mobile#: +97 254 237 4402+97 254 237 4402 Country: Israel Angelette Akkermans Email: mitastimabo@planet.nl Mobile#: + 31 623 50 1 186mitastimabo@planet.nl Country: Netherland

15. THANK YOU NILIERNEST