THE VIENTIANE VISION STATEMENT

We, the participants of WBUAP-DAB Visionary Conference, assembled between 4-8 May 2009 at the Don Chan Palace Hotel in Vientiane, Lao P.D.R., hereby declare and envision:
1. A society which is inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based for blind and visually impaired persons in all aspects of life;
2. A society in which blind and visually impaired persons are guaranteed the right to quality education, rehabilitation based on positive thinking, decent employment opportunities, and health care services;
3. A society in which blind and visually impaired persons can fully enjoy access to information, communication, relevant technologies, transportation and built environment;
4. A society which is caring, sensitive and respectful to the needs and requirements of blind and visually impaired women and children;A
5. A society in which blind and visually impaired persons can fully participate in social, political, economic and cultural activities;
All on an equal basis with others.

 IMPLEMENTATION
The Vision Statement incorporates the substance of the WBUAP Quadrennial Plan of Action, which is up to 2012, subject to extension thereof, and within the framework of the above-mentioned Vision Statement, being mindful that the planned period of implementation of these objectives in the first instance is up to 2015, we hereby, with the active role of WBUAP and all its member organizations, declare and affirm our intention to achieve the following:
1. To strengthen capacity building of organizations of and for the blind and visually impaired persons in the developing countries, and more particularly, Lao PDR and Mongolia on an ongoing basis, and additionally, Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea, and technical and training facility be extended to Brunei and other countries in the region where appropriate
2. To prioritize education, employment, economic empowerment, ICT, women and children, and healthcare
3. To encourage and expand advocacy and rights-based development through the active involvement of the organizations concerned
4. To foster greater cooperation and interaction between organizations both within and outside the Region
5. Ratification and immplementation of CRPD

Dated this 8th day of May, 2009