[Nfbv-announce] DR. FREDRIC K. SCHROEDER OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND, USA, ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD BLIND UNION

[Michael Kasey]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Thursday, August 25, 2016

 

Orlando, Florida USA: The General Assembly of the World Blind Union (WBU)
<http://www.worldblindunion.org/English/general-assembly/Pages/default.aspx>
, which meets every four years, has elected its new President, Dr. Fredric
Schroeder from the National Federation of the Blind, USA <https://nfb.org/>
(NFB). Dr. Schroeder was elected during this quadrennium's Assembly, which
was from August 19th-24th in Orlando, Florida and he was unanimously elected
by delegates from the 100 countries present at the Assembly. He will now
serve as the lead representative of the blind and partially sighted from
over 190 countries at the United Nations and other international
multilateral organizations. Dr. Schroeder brings with him years of national
and international experience, including serving as the WBU First Vice
President over the last four years, as well as serving several terms as
First Vice President of the NFB.

 

Upon hearing confirmation of his election, Dr. Schroeder expressed his
deepest thanks and gratitude to the WBU General Assembly. "I am honored and
humbled to have been selected by the global representatives of the world's
blind to lead the World Blind Union in the face of many global challenges,"
remarked Dr. Schroeder, confirming that he will continue to focus on some of
the biggest international issues that face the blind and partially sighted
across the world, especially combatting societal stigma and low expectations
that create barriers for blind people in many nations.

 

The hosts of the WBU General Assembly, the NFB rejoiced when their peer and
friend was elected. "My friend, colleague, and mentor Dr. Fredric K.
Schroeder has been an outstanding leader of the National Federation of the
Blind for decades and has effectively advocated for and implemented
innovative education and rehabilitation programs and policies in many
capacities, including as Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services
Administration within the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Schroeder has
also shown leadership on the global stage on advocating for the Marrakesh
Treaty as well as addressing issues such as the danger of silent hybrid and
electric vehicles. I look forward to continued collaboration with him as he
leads the world's blind into a future where all of us, in whatever nation,
can live the lives we want," said Mr. Mark A. Riccobono, President of NFB.

 

The current President of the World Blind Union, Arnt Holte from the
Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted (NABP)
<https://www.blindeforbundet.no/om-blindeforbundet>  commended the results
of the Presidential election. "The newly elected President, Dr. Fredric
Schroeder from the National Federation of the Blind, USA, is an excellent
choice and the right choice for the most important position in our Union,
and I am sure that Fredric will take WBU forward and further develop our
organization." 

 

Mr. Holte also expressed gratitude to the members of the WBU for allowing
him to serve as their President for the last four years. "I am privileged to
have had the honor of being the President of the World Blind Union. It has
been an amazing pleasure to represent the WBU all over the world, and I look
forward to still being a Board Member as the Immediate Past President for
the next four years. I also look forward to continuing to work with Dr.
Schroeder as well as all of the new Officers on the WBU Board, and I wish
them good luck and great success during their terms."

 

Mr. Holte's tenure as President ended at the official close of the WBU
General Assembly on Wednesday, August 24th at 3:30 pm. After the closing of
the Assembly, the new Executive of the WBU had its first Executive Committee
meeting.

 


The World Blind Union (WBU) is the global organization representing the
estimated 285 million people worldwide who are blind or partially sighted.
Members consist of organizations run by blind people advocating on their own
behalf and organizations that serve the blind, in over 190 countries, as
well as international organizations working in the field of vision
impairment. Visit our website at www.wbu.ngo <http://www.wbu.ngo>  

- 30 - 

For further information, please contact:

Caitlin Reid 

Communications Officer, World Blind Union

 <mailto:Caitlin.Reid at wbu.ngo> Caitlin.Reid at wbu.ngo

 

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.