Category: Latest News

THE CARIBBEAN COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED COVID19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM – BULLETIN # 2 (August 2020)

This meeting was convened against the backdrop of the extra-ordinary: social, political and economic challenges, presented by a pandemic operating in tandem with the tropical hurricane season. Members noted the often (dire) situation of people living with special needs and opined the catastrophic effect which COVID-19 and an active hurricane season could have on an already vulnerable segment of the population.

This bulletin is the product of a series of zoom-based meetings which first convened at 2:00 PM on Friday July 3rd 2020 (Eastern Caribbean time) and supplemented by a number of written submissions including COVID related actions advanced by the World Blind Union.

CCB extends condolences to the family, friends and associates of William “Bill” Lightbourne

On behalf of our President Kerryann Ifill (of Barbados), The Members of the Executive Committee and the wider membership of the Caribbean Council for the Blind, I extend condolences to the family, friends and associates of William “Bill” Lightbourne. I first heard about Bill on a development visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands close to three decades ago. Everywhere I went (from Grand Turk to Provo) people told me about Bill Lightbourne. When I asked to meet him, they told me that he was a “Son of the Turks” but he was doing great works in the Bahamas. When …

World Blind Union Press Release: International Women’s Day 2016

   World Blind Union Press Release: International Women’s Day 2016 Toronto, March 8th, 2016: International Women’s Day encourages us all to reflect on the importance of gender equality, to celebrate the successes of women, and to acknowledge the work that is still left to be done. “With women making up more than 50% of the world’s population and often being the main link for the family and connection to the community, there remains a great deal of work to be done to ensure equal rights in all aspects of life,” says WBU Immediate Past President and Chair of the International …

Health Minister lauds work of CCB/Eye Care Caribbean

St John’s Antigua – Dec. 18, 2014 : Vision 2020 “the right to sight” (the global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness) was the focus of a two day meeting, held in St. Lucia last week. It brought together, health officials from 14 CARICOM (Caribbean Community) member states as well as international organizations from Latin America, the United States and the United Kingdom, to discussed matters related to eye health including treatment and management of: Cataract, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Refractive Errors and Childhood blindness. The 2-day meeting , held at the Bay Gardens Hotel was declared open by Hon. …

Caribbean Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired lauds success of CXC students

St John’s Antigua, Sept. 2, 2014: Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Arvel Grant has congratulated the students from the Guyana Society for the Blind who set a record with 82.4 percent pass rate in subjects from the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC). “One year ago during a visit to Guyana I had the privilege of visiting with a very enthusiastic group of students with visual impairment; as they attended classes, preparing to sit the CXC exams. They were all very enthusiastic about their future and the opportunity to further their education I am …

Antigua & Barbuda is the 6th Member of CARICOM to Include Refractionists in its Eye Health Programme

Since their inception six months ago, the 3 community vision centres, staffed by 4 Refractionists (which are being implemented under a joint partnership between the Government of Antigua-Barbuda and CCB-Eye Care Caribbean) have examined over 7,000 patients and prescribed over 3,000 spectacles to those requiring visual-aid.   Chief Executive Officer, Arvel Grant, expects that the programme will continue to grow, noting that expansion plans includes the setting up of six new Vision centres across Antigua & Barbuda. He said those students and elderly who required further attention and could not afford the cost of their glasses, received their spectacles free.

Happy New Year from CCB

Holiday and new year’s greetings from the Optometry students (University Of Guyana and their programme head. The students and their guests ended 2013 with their Inaugural Annual Dinner Party. The event was held at the beautifully refurbished Guyana Pegasus Hotel. They were joined by: Representatives of faculty, partner eye clinics and eye departments; employees of CCB-Eye Care Guyana and well wishers. Approximately 120 persons came together for the very festive and fun-filled dinner, drinks music and socializing.

Caribbean Council for the Blind recognises Blindness Awareness Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE St John’s Antigua – May 30, 2013: Almost three hundred million people around the world are blind or visually impaired with more than 180,000 living in the Anglophone Caribbean. Over the years, more and more persons with blindness or visual impairment are making significant contributions to their own development, the wellbeing of their families and the advancement of their communities and countries. In recognition of May as Blindness Awareness month in the Caribbean, we now introduce you to some persons from across the region who continue to triumph over their challenges. In our video available at the …

CCB congratulates Senator Floyd Morris

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Caribbean Council for the Blind congratulates Senator Floyd Morris on his appointment as President of the Senate  in Jamaica St John’s Antigua – May 20, 2013: The Caribbean Council for the Blind (CCB)-Eye Care Caribbean, extends congratulations to the Honourable Senator Floyd Morris on his appointment as President of the Senate. His appointment came on the heels of the resignation of the Reverend Stanley Redwood, former President of the Senate. In expressing his delight at the appointment, Arvel Grant, Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Council For The Blind said “We note with interest that Senator Morris …