Newly merged Vision 2020 targets government

Last April it was announced that ABF would merge with Vision 2020 Australia in order to provide a single voice for the country’s low vision sector. With the commencent of a new financial year, the organisation’s boards are now merged.Ms Judith Abbott, Vision 2020 Australia CEO, said this is an important day for people who are blind or have low vision.{{quote-A:R-W:400-I:2-Q:“There are a number of important eye health and vision initiatives that can make a real difference to the lives of many, and with the benefit of continuity in Canberra, we are optimistic of making even more headway in the coming parliamentary term” -who:Judith Abbott, Vision 2020}}“The coming together of Vision 2020 Australia and the Australian Blindness Forum will create a strengthen and more effective advocate to ensure their voices are clearly heard on a range of important issues,” Abbott said.“There is significant experience from both organisations that will be unified to achieve the best possible outcomes for our mber organisations across the blindness and low vision sector and the people they serve.”At its June 26 meeting, the Vision 2020 Australia board committed to increasing the participation of people who are blind or have low vision on both its committees and projects.Additionally, the organisation has also welcomed the returning Morrison government and laid out its priorities for the years ahead.In particular the organisation has highlighted implenting the Strong Eyes, Strong Communities plan, progressing the second National Eye Health Survey in 2020, improving access to assistive technology for those who are blind or have low vision and supporting eye health programs across the Indo-Pacific region.“There are a number of important eye health and vision initiatives that can make a real difference to the lives of many, and with the benefit of continuity in Canberra, we are optimistic of making even more headway in the coming parliamentary term,” Abbott said.“We especially want to congratulate The Hon Ken Wyatt MP on his appointment as the first Indigenous Australia to hold the position of Minister for Indigenous Australians and look forward to closing the gap for vision for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.” More reading:Low vision organisations unite to create single peak bodyIndigenous eye health: $85.5 million more needed to bridge gap