Unione Italiana dei Ciechi e degli Ipovedenti ONLUS-APS

Unione Italiana dei Ciechi e degli Ipovedenti (UICI) - The Italian Union of the Blind and Partially Sighted The Italian Union of the Blind and Partially Sighted is a non-profit making, national level organisation representing and protecting the moral and material interests of the visually impaired in Italy. The main goal of the Italian Union of the Blind and Partially Sighted is the inclusion of the visually impaired into society. The UICI works with its network of more than 100 local branches towards the full social inclusion and personal fulfilment of persons with sight loss (including those with additional disabilities) regardless of gender, age, religion, belief or sexual orientation. Voicing and meeting their specific needs are at the core of all the activities (lobbying, research, projects) it develops and carries out. It also actively contributes to addressing cross-disability issues in close cooperation with other disability networks. The UICI plays a key role in the production, collection and dissemination of visual impairment-related information at national level and it provides an effective forum for its membership to exchange information, expertise and good practice. The UICI also provides effective mechanisms and tools to ensure concerted and effective lobbying by its local branches both at national and regional level. Blind and partially sighted persons are directly involved in carrying out UICI's objectives. They lead the work of the organization and its network, making the most of their first-hand knowledge and experience of visual impairment. The UICI is an active member of FAND (Federation among National Associations of Persons with Disabilities), EBU (European Blind Union), WBU (World Blind Union) and FID (Italian Disability Forum). The UICI is the founding member of FID, the umbrella organisation representing the entire Italian disability movement at the European Disability Forum.