The Event

In alignment with our organisation’s vision and mission, the South African National Council for the Blind (Council) felt the need to create a platform for sharing and learning within the Low Vision sector. This platform will materialise in the form of the SANCB Low Vision South Africa 2009 Conference, which Council will host over two and a half days between 28-30 October 2009 at the Birchwood Hotel & Conference Centre.

With the endorsement of the African Union of the Blind (AFUB) this conference, themed ‘Enhancing the Lives of People with Low Vision in South Africa’, is targeted various key role players within the sector both nationally and abroad, such as ophthalmologists, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses, occupational therapists, orientation and mobility practitioners, social workers, psychologists, service providers and educators. The focus of the conference will be on various objectives within the Low Vision sector which will include the decentralisation of related low vision services and knowledge, the building and managing of relationships with other role-players and stakeholders and the exchange and sharing of knowledge on the following low vision themes: rehabilitation, research, education and clinical areas within the context of our developing country.

Although the conference will only officially commence on the morning of Wednesday 28 October – we suggest that delegates arrive at the venue late afternoon on Tuesday 27 October to check-in, get comfortable, register and attend Council’s Low Vision South African Cocktail Evening which will provide delegates with an opportunity to meet and network with other delegates. Conference attendees will be given the opportunity to attend an African feast at the Lesedi Cultural Village or experience ‘Soweto-by-night’ on the evening of Wednesday 28 October. Council’s Low Vision South Africa 2009 Gala Dinner, which will set the tone for networking and indulgence in good food and wine, will take place on the evening of Thursday 29 October. The conference will conclude with its last session around lunch-time on Friday 30 October, but delegates who would like to stay on for the weekend are welcome to do so, at their own cost and special rates have been negotiated at the hotels on your behalf.