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Croatian Blind Union marks 70th anniversary

Author: Snježana Pezer

ZAGREB, Dec 13 (Hina) - The Croatian Blind Union on Tuesday celebrated 70 years of existence and pointed out that the number of blind people employed today is less than 200 and that it is continuing to decrease.

The Union's Executive Director Karmen Nenadic recalled that the law on employing blind people, which prescribes the obligation to employ blind people in appropriate jobs, was adopted in 1979.

She added that in 1985 there were 879 blind people with jobs. In 1996, that number fell to 502. In 1998, it was 420 and in 2001, it fell to 362 people. Today that number is less than 200 and fewer blind people are being employed.

Nenadic underscored that democratic changes also brought changes regarding the blind. New associations were established, including members of the Union as well as specialised associations. Financing too changed and now begins through projects.

"The changes affected the Union itself and it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure funds for its work. The Union is mostly financed from the state budget via lotteries, partially from economic activity, and partially from donations and sponsorship. Most of the funding comes through projects, which isn't a permanent solution and leads to great uncertainty," she warned.

She explained that the Union has implemented more than 100 projects and underscored that the Union is involved in advocacy, providing support through specialised text books and other didactic material, as well as supporting the integration of students in regular schools, providing scholarships and supporting employment.

The Union today has 6,000 members in 27 associations.

(Hina) sp

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