As I take up my position as Chief Executive Officer of the World Blind Union, I wanted to introduce myself and express my enthusiasm about working with you. It is a privilege to join a movement with such a rich history of advocating for the rights of blind and partially sighted people, and whose strength rests on the experience, commitment, and leadership of its members around the world.
I come from Donegal, Ireland, and I lost my sight at the age of fourteen, in September 2001. Having recently marked twenty-five years since this life-changing event, assuming this role holds a very special significance for me. My own journey has shaped my view on independence, opportunities, and the barriers that can prevent a person from living the life they choose.
I went on to study journalism and public affairs, and my career has led me to work in media, politics, administration, and the blind sector. Most recently, my work with Vision Ireland and the Wayfinding Centre focused on advocacy, partnerships, and accessibility. I also had the privilege of serving as Second Vice-President of the European Blind Union, which allowed me to learn from colleagues working in very different national contexts toward common goals.
These experiences have reinforced my belief in the power of our movement. When blind and partially sighted people participate in decision-making, when organizations share their knowledge, and when we build effective partnerships, we can create lasting change. At the same time, I am mindful that my experience is only one among many. I enter this role with much to learn from you.
The Strategic Plan 2026–2029 of the World Blind Union (WBU), launched in April, provides us with a shared direction. I would like to acknowledge the leadership and contribution of all those who participated in its development. Working closely with President Santosh Rungta, the Officers, our elected leaders, and my colleagues at the Secretariat, my responsibility will be to help turn this collective ambition into concrete progress.
With this in mind, my initial priorities will be:
Listening and strengthening connections.
During my first few weeks and months, I want to hear from our regional unions, national members, committees, networks, and partners about your priorities, successes, and challenges. I want us to establish open and accessible communication and offer meaningful opportunities for contribution, particularly for women, youth, and members whose voices are too often underrepresented.
Supporting members and sharing expertise.
Our global influence relies on strong organizations and leadership at the regional and national levels. Building on these ambitions for the WBU Academy and the Global Mentoring Network, I want to explore how to make learning, peer support, and the exchange of practical experiences more useful and accessible to all our members.
Translating advocacy into everyday change.
Our international action must align with daily realities: access to education and employment, freedom to travel, reading in the format of one’s choice, using technology, and fully participating in community life. I look forward to supporting coordinated advocacy that connects our members’ experiences to international discussions and helps translate global commitments into concrete actions in countries.
Promoting digital inclusion.
Accessible technologies can open doors, but their benefits remain unequally distributed. In line with the strategic plan, I want to collaborate with members and partners to find practical solutions for improving access to technology and digital skills, particularly where resources are limited, and ensure that blind and partially sighted people are involved in innovation from the start.
Developing the resources and partnerships needed to realize this vision.
Sustainable funding and strong partnerships are essential to support our members and achieve our shared priorities. We will focus primarily on analyzing our current relationships and resources, identifying opportunities to strengthen them, and setting realistic steps to demonstrate our progress and be accountable to our members.
These are the initial priorities of our shared strategy, and your perspectives will help us define how we implement them. I am conscious of the considerable work already accomplished and look forward to building on this momentum while respecting the knowledge and dedication of our entire movement.
Please do not hesitate to contact me, introduce yourself, and share what you think the World Blind Union (WBU) should know about your organization, country, or region. I would be particularly interested in areas where closer cooperation could have the greatest impact.
Thank you for welcoming me to the WBU and for the work you do every day. I look forward to getting to know you and collaborating with each of you to promote the rights, opportunities, and full participation of blind and partially sighted people across the globe.
Warm regards,
Kevin Kelly
Chief Executive Officer
World Blind Union
Source: WBU Communication