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WBU Membership Why WBU?

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WBU Membership

190 Nations United for Blind Advocacy

Since its inaugural General Assembly in 1984, the World Blind Union (WBU) has grown significantly from 60 member countries to nearly 190, representing a vibrant global network committed to addressing issues related to blindness and partial sight.

Today, our membership includes hundreds of organizations spanning six continents, organized into four distinct categories. This expansion reflects the increasing global recognition of WBU’s crucial role in advocating for the rights and well-being of people who are blind or partially sighted.

Learn more about who we are

Why WBU?

Membership in the World Blind Union offers a variety of significant benefits.

As a member, you join the globally recognized voice advocating for the interests of 338 million blind and partially sighted individuals worldwide. Additional advantages of membership include:

  • Connection to the global movement of organizations advocating for the blind and partially sighted
  • Opportunities to participate in crucial regional and international events, including our General Assemblies
  • Involvement in a diverse array of WBU initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of blind and partially sighted individuals
  • Exclusive access to member-only publications and critical updates
  • Inclusion in the WBU’s online directory, enhancing visibility and networking opportunities with other member organizations
  • Access to a wide network of resources, including regional and international training opportunities designed to strengthen organizational capacity
Become a member

Membership Categories

National members are organizations of the blind representing a country that is a member of WBU and which are admitted to membership by the Executive Committee and pay a membership fee.

A special member is a single organization or group of organizations for the blind, rather than of the blind, representing a country that is a member of WBU in which there is for the time being no national organization of the blind in existence. Special members must also be admitted to membership by the Executive Committee and pay a membership fee.

Grouped membership consists of small countries that are related geographically and for whom grouped membership status is more practical than national member status. For example, several islands in the Caribbean have joined as one grouped member.

Click on each region to access the list of members within that region.

Africa
Asia
Asia-Pacific
Europe
Latin America
North America and the Caribbean

International members are organizations admitted to membership in the WBU by the Executive Committee.

To qualify for such membership, the organization should be one that promotes and coordinates substantial international programs or activities for the benefit of blind and partially sighted people.

Learn more about our International Members

Associate members are any person, organization, or foundation that is interested in being part of the World Blind Union.

To hold associate member status, the applicant must have been in existence for at least one year and be approved by the national member from the country in which the applicant resides.

Learn more about our Associate Members

Honorary life members are individuals who have given long and outstanding service to the blind community within their region or at the international level.

Honorary life members must be nominated by the national member from their country of residence. Following approval of the WBU officers, individuals may be elected by the General Assembly as honorary life members of the WBU. Additionally, all WBU Presidents, upon finishing their term as Past President, are brought forward to the General Assembly for election as Honorary Life Members.

Learn more about our Honorary Life Members Visit the Memorial Roll