The aim of the webinar is to share the findings of a study conducted by the World Blind Union (WBU)examining the extent to which COVID-19 pandemic has exposed some deep structural inequalities in society. Data gathered from the study is evidencing that persons with disabilities, older persons, and persons from lower socioeconomic status backgrounds are among those hardest hit by the pandemic. While this report puts a spotlight on the voices of blind and partially sighted persons, many of the experiences shared strongly resonate with numerous other studies that are also highlighting how marginalised groups have been affected by this crisis. Through this report, WBU hopes to raise awareness on the specifics of what those challenges have meant in reality for its constituents, as well as shed light on what have been effective resilience strategies for them. The study was made possible with the support of CBM Global.

Panellists will include:

• Ms. Maria Soledad Cisternas Reyes, the UN Special Envoy on Disability and Accessibility;
• Mr. David Bainbridge, the Executive Director of CBM Global;
• Mr. Danlami Umaru Basharu, Chairperson of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD);
• Ms. Rosario Galarza, member of the Executive Committee of Latin American Union of the Blind; and
• Dr. Fred Schroeder,WBU President.

The webinar will be moderated by Mr. Jose Viera, Chief Executive Office, WBU.

REGISTER HERE:  https://geneva-academy-ch.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CSD5yzvFTxSBwSuFCINSKg

Accessibility: Realtime captioning and International Sign Language will be provided. The webinar will be available in English, French and Spanish.

The webinar will be broadcast live on WBU Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlindUnion

The study report is available in various accessible formats and languages  at http://www.worldblindunion.org/English/resources/Pages/General-Documents.aspx

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CoNGO Notes: CoNGO and its substantive committees are actively working on issues related to ageing, older persons and intergenerational solidarity. For more information: NGO Committee on Ageing – Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org.  NGO Committee on Ageing – New York, please visit www.ngocoa-ny.org.  NGO Committee on Ageing – Vienna, please visit ngoageingvie.org. NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity, email the Chair, Rosa Perla Resnick at  rositaresnick@yahoo.com or the Vice Chair, Susanne Seperson at susanneseperson@gmail.com.