{"id":253,"date":"2013-01-31T12:52:05","date_gmt":"2013-01-31T12:52:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.eyecarecaribbean.com\/site\/eyecarecaribbean\/2013\/01\/31\/persons-associated-with-visual-impairment-pavi\/"},"modified":"2013-01-31T12:52:05","modified_gmt":"2013-01-31T12:52:05","slug":"persons-associated-with-visual-impairment-pavi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eyecarecaribbean.com\/site\/ecc\/our-member-in-trinidad-and-tobago\/persons-associated-with-visual-impairment-pavi\/","title":{"rendered":"Persons Associated with Visual Impairment (PAVI)"},"content":{"rendered":"

PREVALENCE OF BLINDNESS AND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AMONG ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Estimated number of adults who are functionally blind (1% of the total population i.e. 1% of 1,227,505) = 12,275
\u2022 Estimated number of adults with low vision (3% of the total population, i.e. 3% of 1,277,595) = 36,825
\u2022 Estimated number of children who are functionally blind (1 in every thousand children of school age) = 239
\u2022 Estimated number of children with low vision (3 in every thousand children of school age) = 717<\/p>\n

[Population \u2013 http:\/\/indexmundi\/trinidad_and tobago\/demographics_profile.html<\/a>]<\/p>\n

HISTORY OF PAVI<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Persons Associated with Visual Impairment (PAVI) was established on October 26,1995 and is an Organisational Member of the Caribbean Council for the Blind (CCB).<\/p>\n

Mission and Vision<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

PAVI\u2019s mission is to intervene and advocate for equal opportunities for persons with visual impairment, as well as provide education for the prevention of blindness.<\/p>\n

Throughout its existence, PAVI has been driven by <\/span>the value of helping people to prevent blindness and visual impairment and ensuring that those who are blind or visually impaired achieve their full potential through skills training and access to equal opportunities in Trinidad and Tobago.<\/p>\n

The organisation upholds the individual\u2019s<\/span>
\u2022! Right to sight
\u2022! Right to equal and inclusive services
\u2022! Right to a livelihood
\u2022! Right to a safe and secure environment<\/p>\n

A critical aspect of PAVI\u2019s work is that of <\/span>advocacy through lobbying for the rights of <\/span>persons with visual impairment.<\/span><\/p>\n

On June 6th 1998 the organisation was successful in gaining Cabinet\u2019s approval of amendments to the Voting Regulations. As a result of these amendments, persons with visual impairment can now exercise any of three options to cast their votes.<\/p>\n

At the the local elections of 1999, for the first time, the visually impaired were allowed to vote secretly and independently. Another significant milestone in the history of the Organization\u2019s development was the collaboration with the Caribbean Council for the Blind from 1997-1999 to host three training programmes for Rehabilitation Field Officers
(now referred to as Adjustment to Blindness Officers).<\/p>\n

PROGRAMMES\/SERVICES OFFERED<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rehabilitation Services in the form of training in orientation and mobility, communication skills, social adjustment, recreational and daily living skills along with vocational guidance are provided by Adjustment to Blindness Officers. \u201cNipping it in the Bud\u201d Project trains Lay Educators from PAVI and the Diabetes Association of Trinidad. Once completed the trainers educate citizens on making the right choices for a healthier lifestyle to avoid the onset of diabetes and possible blindness.<\/p>\n

In 2002 PAVI introduced an Early Intervention Programme which targeted children with visual impairment between birth and seven years as well as parents and teachers. It
was intended to provide support to assist in the development of the child. There are plans to reintroduce this programme in 2013.<\/p>\n

PAVI has four Support Groups which seek to provide an outlet for members to socialise and develop leadership skills.<\/p>\n

Main Activities<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n