Minister Ms Mary Harney Launches New Alliance for Vision Impaired

Minister for Health and Children Ms Mary Harney TD today (Monday April 28th) launched the Vision Impaired Service Providers Alliance (VISPA), a new alliance between the organisations providing services to people who are blind or vision impaired, at a reception in Dublin’s Mansion House.

VISPA (Vision Impaired Service Providers Alliance) has been formed by Fighting Blindness, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, NCBI (National Council for the Blind of Ireland) and St. Joseph’s Centre for the Visually Impaired.

The purpose of the Alliance is ‘to be a cohesive voice advocating for increased understanding and awareness of needs and services for persons who are blind or vision impaired’.

Speaking at the launch Padraig Mallon, Chair of VISPA & CEO of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB), said

“The four organisations that formed VISPA have been working much more closely together over the past few years in providing services to people who are blind or vision impaired. As individual organisations we have a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities which exist for people who are blind or vision impaired, in working together our combined energies will ensure that there is an even greater awareness amongst key decision makers and the public.

“We are delighted to be launching a new Directory which lists the services each organisation provides in order to make it easier for people to understand and avail of these services from one source. Our new website www.vispa.ie will make that information even more accessible and will provide contact details and further information about each of the VISPA members” Mr Mallon added.

Officially launching VISPA, Minister Harney welcomed the combined voice of VISPA and stated;

“To meet the needs of people with physical and sensory disabilities, a wide range of interlocking and complementary services is often required. This combination of services can only be achieved when everyone involved in the delivery of services actively works together in partnership. I believe that VISPA illustrates the benefits of this approach. I wish all four organisations allied with VISPA every success on this new journey together”

ENDS

For further information contact:

Emer O’Reilly, ConneXions PR 01 2303015/086 859 3658 E: "emerconnexions.ie”:mailto:emer@connexions.ie

Padraig Mallon, CEO, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB)M: 086 811 5045 E: padraig@guidedogs.ie

Eoin Dardis, Head of Communications, NCBI T: 8307033 M: 086 8077 759

Note to Editors:

VISPA’s goals are to;

• Enhance, facilitate and support complementary approach to service delivery
• Generate greater awareness of issues at public & political levels.
• Agree, maintain and share up-to-date statistics
• Enhance efficiency and effectiveness for service users by providing a clearer understanding of the range of services available
• Achieve greater understanding of each other and encourage interaction at all levels
• Enhance collaboration in the pursuit of VISPA’s Statement of Purpose (mentioned above).

VISPA will be chaired rotationally by the four organisations, headed by Desmond Kenny, Chief Executive, NCBI; Brian Allen, Director, St Joseph’s Centre for the Visually Impaired, Drumcondra; Patrick Quinn, Chief Executive, Fighting Blindness and Padraig Mallon, Chief Executive, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

At the launch:
Minister for Health and Children, Ms Mary Harney, TD, Padraig Mallon, Chair of VISPA & CEO of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB), Des Kenny, CEO NCBI,
Brian Allen, CEO St. Joseph’s School and Services for the Visually Impaired
Patrick Quinn, CEO Fighting Blindness, Guide Dogs and visually impaired clients.