Hugh Jeffrey was a key contributor to the writing of the Charter which was adopted by the International Federation of the Blind in 1969.
Reprinted from BUFF, 12,1, 1988.
The International Federation of the Blind assembled in its first Convention at Colombo, 1st – 4th October 1969, and would remind governments, agencies for the blind and all who work with or for blind people, professionally or in a voluntary capacity that:
- All who are blind are not blind people who happen to be citizens, but citizens who happen to be blind.
- All rights under the United Nations Charter of Human Rights apply equally to those citizens who happen to be blind.
- Blind people, like any group in society, want to think, speak and act for themselves. Representatives of organisations of blind people must be recognised as the authentic voice of blind people speaking for themselves.
- Governments should accept some responsibility for the prevention of blindness and guarantee to all blind citizens adequate, accepted living standards within the nation and aim to provide them with the means for a fuller life within their community through the provision of employment opportunities for those who can take them and social service benefits for all who need them.
- Blind people would have the opportunity for travel-training with the cane, guide-dog or any other travel aide of their choice, and the right to move freely in the world without undue restraint, except that which law formally imposes on all citizens.
- Governments should accept responsibility and make adequate provision for the basic needs of blind citizens at least equal to those provided for sighted citizens and, where necessary, make supplementary provisions to aim to give parity with sighted citizens in preschool services, education, vocational training, employment, rehabilitation, library services, and text books, whether braille, large-print or on tape, problems of the aged, and in general welfare.
- No blind person shall be denied training, employment, advancement or equal rights of superannuation in government or private employment – professional, commercial, clerical, industrial or agricultural, on grounds of his blindness. He must be regarded for abilities possessed; never disregarded for disabilities apparent. Employment is always based on what a man can do; never based on what he cannot do.
- Though the charity-based system in many countries has brought some benefits to blind people, its total effects have been more detrimental than official. It has resulted in the damaging effect of highly emotional appeals to the public in the race to raise more money than others. The impression of helplessness often conveyed undermines the right and the desire of blind people for first-class citizenship, and their image of independence and competence. It now seems accepted in many countries that governments should provide for the basic needs of all citizens. The function of charitable or voluntary organisations for the blind should supplement these services where necessary or desirable.
- The sole purpose for the existence of organisations for the blind, and for which they raise their funds, is to provide services to blind people. Therefore:
a) The constitutions of all service organisations for the blind, whether government or voluntary, should provide for adequate numbers of representatives, elected by blind people themselves, on the governing bodies of such organisations. Organisations of the blind should be consulted in an advisory capacity before decisions are taken on policies pertaining to their welfare. This ensures them some say in the spending of money raised in their names and also ensures that it will be used for things which they want and not for things which others think they need. These are rights and must never be construed as privileges.
b) More blind people of ability should be equipped and encouraged by organisations engaged in blind welfare to seek high administrative posts in these organisations. This could provide more scope for blind people of ability, cut administrative costs because more of the money raised for blind people would be used in their employment, could bring a closer specialised knowledge to bare on the problems involved and provide further demonstration to employers and the public of faith and confidence in the competence of blind people. - It is recognised that the seeking and receiving of their rights as citizens by blind people involves acceptance of the responsibilities which citizenship confers and demands. Blind people accept their responsibilities as citizens in the community and ask only for equal opportunity to shoulder their full responsibilities in civic and industrial life and to experience the satisfaction which comes through service to the community, according to their individual abilities, in a voluntary capacity.