Information in English

NABP is Norway's oldest disabled people’s organisation (DPO), founded in 1900. Originally it was called “De Blindes Selvhjælpsforening" (The Self-Help Association of the Blind) but changed to “Norges Blindeforbund” (The Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted) in 1909.

Our main objective is to achieve equal opportunities and status in society for people with visual impairment - and other groups of disabled people.

Influencing political authorities and other decision-makers is important in reaching this goal. NABP takes a stand on social policy issues but is party politically and religiously independent.

The General Assembly (GA) is the organisation's highest authority and delegates from all over Norway meet every second year. The GA elects NABP’s central board, including the chairperson and his/her Deputy - who both must be blind or partially sighted. NABP’s decision-making committees shall always consist of a majority of blind or partially sighted people.

NABP provides a multitude of special products and services for blind and partially sighted people in Norway. Some examples are:

Guide dog training, summer camps for children and youth, an extensive rehabilitation program for people with recent visual impairment, advise to members on their rights in society, and Norway’s only center for Braille printing of information, literature and books on a variety of subjects.

The publications in Braille are run in close cooperation with Norwegian authorities.

International development work

NABP also has an international department. Since 1978 NABP has engaged in capacity strengthening of DPOs of blind and partially sighted in the Global South. The very first international project in South Sudan eventually evolved into partnerships with organisations representing blind and partially sighted across three continents, in pursuit of fulfillment of human rights.

Today NABP partners with DPOs or unions of blind and partially sighted persons in the following seven countries in Africa and Asia:

Laos, Nepal, Angola, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi and Mozambique.

We also support the African Union of the Blind, whose Head Office is in Kenya.

Our thematic focus areas are:

1. Organisational strengthening
2. Education, learning and rehabilitation
3. Eye health and prevention of blindness

The vast majority of our international development work is funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) and most project funding is channeled through the Atlas Alliance. Two of the ongoing projects are part of the Together for Inclusion (TOFI) consortium where DPOs and None-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) work closely together, with the DPOs in the lead.

NABP is an active member of the World Blind Union and other international organisations working on eye health and advocacy, such as IAPB (International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness).

Contact information NABP international department

Our team in Oslo consists of eight people coordinating the international activities in close cooperation with our partners.

If you want to know more, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach the team on internasjonal@blindeforbundet.no, or phone: +47 23 21 50 00.

Whistleblowing channel

For people and organizations in Laos, Nepal, Angola, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Kenya, Mozambique and AFUB (The African Union of the Blind, whose Head Office is in Kenya).

In the event of suspected financial fraud, harassment or other matters worthy of criticism, notification can be given directly to the NABP International department via our Whistleblowing channel on Whatsapp : +47 21 97 70 40.
All conditions worthy of criticism in every organization that receive funding from the NABP can be reported. You may call, send a message, or record an audio message.

All information will be treated professionally, and you can share your concerns anonymously. When we receive your report, we will get back to you within 3 days.