World Sight Day, 12TH October 2006

Suggested Activities

DINNER IN THE DARK/ LOW VISION LUNCH
The opportunity to experience life as a visually impaired person can convey the message of VISION 2020 more forcefully than any words. Invite staff, supporters and local celebrities/dignitaries to share a meal, a snack or just a cup of tea without light, simulating blindness, or using special spectacles to simulate low vision conditions. These guests may be offered the use of low vision devices to demonstrate the  difference these can make to a person with visual impairment, for example magnifying glasses to read a menu, large print documentation, or telescopes to observe information displayed on posters or charts. Such an event could offer an excellent opportunity for a presentation or simple talk about VISION 2020 and your own organisations work towards its goal of giving everyone in the world The Right to Sight.
Afterwards, your most notable guests might be asked to describe their experience and what they have learned about blindness or low vision, for the media.
Suppliers of simulation spectacles (sim specs), and ideas for making your own can be found in this pack.
SIGN UP FOR SIGHT
VISION 2020 aims to collect 20 million signatures from Government Ministers, key decision makers, eye care professionals and the general public around the world, in support of its aim of eliminating avoidable blindness by the year 2020 in order to give all people in the world The Right to Sight.  Please collect signatures at your event. An electronic copy of the Declaration of Support signature form is included in this pack.
DOUBLE CELEBRATION
Why settle for one day of celebrations when two days after World Sight Day the World Blind Union celebrates White Cane Day on 15th October, giving the perfect excuse to spread activities over several days, or even a week!

DONATE 20.20
Why not ask supporters to donate $/€/¥/£ 20.20 on World Sight Day? Every penny, paise, centavo and centime counts!

OTHER SUGGESTIONS FOR WORLD SIGHT DAY ACTIVITIES:

• Encourage your Minister of Health and local celebrities to sign the Global Declaration of Support
• Hold a musical concert in the dark or other blackout events – e.g. dinner/theatre
• Set up an eye screening center in a high-profile public place and encourage passers by and local celebrities/dignitaries to have their eyes tested for World Sight Day
• Why not hold a Gala Event?  Or even join forces with other like-minded organisations and organise an extravaganza!
• Contact  local media to gain pro-bono advertising to raise awareness of avoidable blindness and low vision globally / in your community
• Raise awareness of the issues of avoidable blindness, VISION 2020 and WSD through events in schools, or sponsored activities such as  readathons and art competitions
• Light-project the VISION 2020 logo onto a prominent building at night
• Use the template (to be supplied) to produce an official VISION 2020 WSD poster with translated content for use at events, or in prominent public locations
• Organise live internet link-ups to events/operations/screenings etc and share your WSD celebration with others around the world

If all members commit to planning and working together for World Sight Day, events will take place in even more countries than last year.  Whatever the size of the event the important thing is to take part and raise awareness of avoidable blindness.
Please let us know what you are planning by using the event information form in this pack and by emailing the details to communications@v2020.org.
Below are some basic ‘event production’ guidelines to aid member organisations in planning events:

• Start planning events and activities NOW.  Brainstorm ideas and communicate with all your regional and country offices to get as many things happening as possible.
• Try to ensure that any ‘Minister of Health Signing Events’ reflect the government’s support for a solid VISION 2020 programme plan.
• Ensure that copies of the VISION 2020 leaflet and/or reports are available at all events. Stocks are available from Regional Offices, Member organisation HQs, or may be requested from info@v2020.org.
• Presentation slides will be available for speakers in Microsoft Powerpoint; video footage will be produced by August and official promotional photographs will also be available for reproduction on leaflets, posters etc.  Materials will be available from Member HQs and Regional IAPB offices, or contact info@v2020.org.
• If you are planning to invite media representatives to the event, ensure you make press packs available to them (see basic VISION 2020 Press Pack Material list).
• Make sure you capture your event, and particularly any official involvement or endorsement, such as signing of the Declaration of Support, on camera.
• Gather as many public signatures at events as possible using either separate Global Declarations (photocopied); or large poster boards.  Always ensure that the VISION 2020 logo and web site address are placed somewhere on the chosen method for gathering signatures and if you are using a poster board or list method please use the following wording:

• Each person signing the Declaration should print his/her name clearly in block capitals next to their signature, and if possible also try to capture email address and country of residence (see example included within this pack). Use clean copies of the Global Declaration for signing ceremonies involving official representatives.
• Send the signed Declaration of Support forms to IAPB/VISION 2020 Central Office: IAPB Secretariat, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, L.V. Prasad Marg, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 500 034, India.
• Once arrangements for events and activities are set, public awareness can be raised through local, national and/or regional media. Template press releases will be issued to all member organisations along with basic media guidelines.