UNITED FRONT FOR VISPA LAUNCH
Minister Ms Mary Harney Launches New Alliance for Vision Impaired
On 28th April Minister for Health and Children Ms Mary Harney TD launched the Vision Impaired Service Providers Alliance (VISPA), a new alliance between the organisations providing services to people who are blind or vision impaired, at a reception in Dublin’s Mansion House.
The purpose of the Alliance is ‘to be a cohesive voice advocating for increased understanding and awareness of needs and services for persons who are blind or vision impaired’.
Speaking at the launch Padraig Mallon, Chair of VISPA and CEO of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB), said
“The four organisations that formed VISPA have been working much more closely together over the past few years in providing services to people who are blind or vision impaired. As individual organisations we have a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities which exist for people who are blind or vision impaired, in working together our combined energies will ensure that there is an even greater awareness amongst key decision makers and the public.
We are delighted to be launching a new Directory which lists the services each organisation provides in order to make it easier for people to understand and avail of these services from one source. Our new website www.vispa.ie will make that information even more accessible and will provide contact details and further information about each of the VISPA members”.
Officially launching VISPA, Minister Harney welcomed the combined voice of VISPA and stated;
“To meet the needs of people with physical and sensory disabilities, a wide range of interlocking and complementary services is often required. This combination of services can only be achieved when everyone involved in the delivery of services actively works together in partnership. I believe that VISPA illustrates the benefits of this approach. I wish all four organisations allied with VISPA every success on this new journey together”.
