WBU's Global Voice Podcast

In this episode of Voices In Leadership, Marc Workman, CEO of the World Blind Union, speaks with Tytti Matsinen, Regional President of the European Blind Union, based in Finland.Tytti shares her journey into advocacy, including how her background in social ethics, international development, and human rights has shaped her approach to leadership. She reflects on her work across Europe and the evolving landscape for blind and partially sighted people, including the impact of funding pressures, shifting political priorities, and broader global developments on disability advocacy.The conversation also explores the European Accessibility Act, including what it is, how it functions across European Union member states, and the opportunities and challenges it presents for advancing accessibility. Tytti discusses the importance of effective implementation, building technical expertise, and ensuring that accessibility commitments translate into real-world impact.We also look at the work of the European Blind Union more broadly, including the establishment of its office in Belgium and how this supports engagement with European institutions. Tytti shares insights from her role as co-lead of Impact Area 1 within WBU’s strategic plan, focusing on governance and inclusive leadership, including the role of committees such as Women, Youth, and Diversity and Inclusion in strengthening representation across the movement.The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of inclusive leadership and the need to support and empower the next generation of advocates across Europe and beyond.If you have feedback on this episode or any other episode of the WBU Global Voice Podcast, you can contact us at [email protected].

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, we speak with Nantanoot “Apple” Suwannawut, Regional President for the World Blind Union Asia-Pacific region, based in Thailand.Apple shares her journey into the movement, including how her academic background in information science and accessibility as well as early mentorship from leaders in Thailand helped shape her path into international advocacy. She reflects on her work with the Thailand Association of the Blind and the broader role of national organizations in advancing policy, inclusion, and opportunity.The conversation explores key issues affecting blind and partially sighted people in Thailand and across the Asia-Pacific region, including digital accessibility, employment barriers, and the impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Apple also offers insight into leading one of WBU’s most diverse regions, where countries vary widely in language, culture, and levels of development, yet share many common challenges.We also discuss her role as a co-lead for advocacy under WBU’s strategic plan, including opportunities to strengthen global collaboration, promote inclusive education and Braille literacy, and advance disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction and urban development.The episode concludes with reflections on gender equity within the movement and the importance of supporting and empowering the next generation of leaders, particularly young women, to take on leadership roles in advocacy at both national and international levels.If you have feedback on this episode or any other episode of the WBU Global Voice Podcast, you can contact us at [email protected].

In this special episode of the WBU Global Voice Podcast, we take a short break from the usual format of our Voices In Leadership series to mark International Women’s Day and celebrate the leadership, achievements, and contributions of blind and partially sighted women across our global movement.The episode brings together excerpts from two previously published interviews with women leaders of the World Blind Union. You’ll hear portions of our conversation with Diane Bergeron, featured in Episode 3 of On the Road to São Paulo, as well as excerpts from our interview with Cristina Chamorro Muñoz, First Vice President of the WBU, from Episode 4 of Voices in Leadership. Together, these conversations highlight some of the important work taking place across the movement to advance gender equality and strengthen the leadership of women who are blind or partially sighted.The episode also features audio from the Women’s Forum held during the World Blindness Summit in São Paulo, including the audio from the video produced during the event and a reading of the Women’s Manifesto developed by participants from around the world.We conclude the episode with a special moment from the WBU General Assembly, where the Women’s Empowerment Award was presented to Ana Peláez of Spain in recognition of her longstanding leadership and contributions to advancing the rights of women with disabilities.Resources referenced in this episodeEpisode 3 – On the Road to São Paulo featuring Diane BergeronEpisode 4 – Voices in Leadership featuring Cristina Chamorro MuñozWomen’s Forum Video – World Blindness SummitWomen’s Manifesto – World Blindness SummitIf you have feedback on this episode or any other episode of the WBU Global Voice Podcast, you can contact us at [email protected].

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, Marc Workman, CEO of the World Blind Union, speaks with Martine Abel-Williamson, WBU’s Immediate Past President. Martine has served WBU in leadership for many years, including as Treasurer and as President during a period shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic.Martine reflects on her path into the WBU, how she has seen the organization evolve over time, and what it took for the global movement to stay connected and resilient through the pandemic. The conversation explores the purpose and value of the Immediate Past President role, including continuity and institutional knowledge, and her reflections on WBU’s future—particularly around digital inclusion, grassroots engagement, and mentoring the next generation of leaders.If you have feedback on this episode or any other episode of the WBU Global Voice Podcast, you can contact us at [email protected].

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, Marc Workman, CEO of the World Blind Union, speaks with Moisés Bauer, Secretary General of the World Blind Union.Moisés reflects on his journey into advocacy and how his background in law has shaped his approach to advancing the rights of blind and partially sighted people. He shares insights on the current situation in Brazil and across the Latin America region, highlighting priorities such as education, Braille literacy, rehabilitation, employment, and accessible technology.The conversation also looks back at Brazil’s role in hosting the World Blindness Summit and WBU General Assembly in São Paulo, exploring what the event meant for the national movement and what was learned through the experience. Moisés speaks about his focus on transparent governance, strong member engagement, and building a responsive and accountable global organization.If you have feedback on this episode or any other episode of the WBU Global Voice Podcast, you can contact us at [email protected].

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, Marc Workman, CEO of the World Blind Union, speaks with Gladys Díaz, Regional President of the Latin American Union of the Blind. Gladys joins the conversation from Honduras, with the support of an interpreter.Gladys reflects on her personal journey into advocacy and leadership, and shares her perspective on the priorities, challenges, and opportunities facing blind and partially sighted people across the Latin America region. The conversation explores the critical role of education and Braille literacy in empowerment, including the importance of initiatives such as More Braille: More Empowerment. Gladys also discusses women’s leadership and participation, and offers advice for young people, especially young women, who are interested in becoming more active in advocacy at the regional and international levels.If you have feedback on this episode or any other episode of the WBU Global Voice Podcast, you can contact us at [email protected].

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, Marc Workman speaks with Cristina Chamorro Muñoz, First Vice President of the World Blind Union and a senior leader within the Spanish National Organization of the Blind (ONCE).Cristina reflects on her personal journey into advocacy and ONCE’s long-standing commitment to international engagement. The conversation explores why global cooperation is essential to advancing the rights of blind and partially sighted people, and how shared learning across regions strengthens the movement as a whole. Cristina also discusses her role in leading the development of WBU’s next Strategic Plan, including the inclusive and participatory process behind it, and shares her priorities around gender equality and addressing the specific challenges faced by blind and partially sighted women worldwide. She concludes with thoughtful advice for young people, especially young women, who are interested in becoming more active in international advocacy.If you have feedback on this or any other episode of the WBU Global Voice Podcast, you can contact us at [email protected].

In this episode of Voices in Leadership, Marc Workman, CEO of the World Blind Union, is joined by Yaw Ofori-Debra, Second Vice President of the World Blind Union and a long-time advocate from Ghana.Yaw reflects on his journey into advocacy, from student organizing to national, regional, and global leadership within the blind movement. The conversation explores the importance of inclusive sports, employment, and youth engagement, and why these issues are central to building a strong and sustainable international blind movement. Yaw also shares practical advice for young blind people who want to become more active in advocacy, particularly at the international level. Write to us with your feedback at [email protected].

In Episode 2 of Voices in Leadership, Marc Workman, CEO of the World Blind Union, is joined by Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind and Regional President for North America and the Caribbean within the WBU.Their conversation explores the long and deep connection between the National Federation of the Blind and the World Blind Union, including the historical roots that link the two organizations. Mark reflects on why international engagement matters for national movements, and what blind people gain when we organize and advocate across borders.They discuss the role of philosophy and lived experience in shaping effective advocacy, examine global priorities such as technology, accessibility, and movement-building, and reflect on the importance of listening, local involvement, and grounded leadership in supporting the next generation of blind leaders.Resources MentionedNational Federation of the Blind: https://www.nfb.orgNFB Radio Network (audio content and publications by blind people): Available via the NFB website and on TuneInIf you have feedback on this episode or any other episode of the WBU Global Voice Podcast, you can contact us at [email protected].

welcome to the first episode of our new series, Voices In Leadership. This series spotlights the leaders shaping the future of our movement – how they think, what drives their decisions, and where they see the greatest opportunities for blind and partially sighted people worldwide.This episode is a conversation with WBU President S.K. Rungta about strengthening member participation, modernizing our governance, and expanding partnerships with mainstream agencies and companies. He also shares a few interesting insights on employment, education, and technology’s role when it comes to Braille. And finally, listen in to hear some reflections on how younger folks Can get more involved with international advocacy.We hope you enjoy the conversation. As always, If you have questions or feedback about the series or the podcast, you can reach us at [email protected]. 

We’re excited to introduce a new series: “Voices in Leadership.”In this series, we sit down with the elected leaders of the World Blind Union for direct, candid conversations. You’ll hear their personal stories, the priorities guiding their work over the next four years, and their vision for strengthening our global movement.The goal is simple: to bring WBU’s leadership closer to its membership – so you know who speaks for you, what motivates them, and how they hope to create a more inclusive world for those who are blind or partially sighted.New episodes will be released twice a month, on the first and the fifteenth, starting on December 1 with a discussion with the newly elected President of WBU, Mr. Santosh Kumar Rungta.Join us for these conversations each month on the Voices In Leadership series as we introduce the people shaping the future of the World Blind Union.Should you have any questions or comments, reach out to [email protected].

In this final episode of On the Road to Sao Paulo, we take you inside Plenary Session 3: “The Future of the Global Blindness Movement”, recorded live at the World Blindness Summit & WBU General Assembly. Chaired by Martine Abel-Williamson, the session brings together four global leaders—Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame, Ana Peláez Narváez, Rosario Galarza, and Hans Jørgen Wiberg to explore the key challenges and opportunities shaping our movement worldwide.A note for listeners: you may notice a few audio issues where Spanish interpretation moves into English; we’ve done our best to present the discussion clearly. You can find recordings of additional sessions on the ONCB YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ONCBnaRede/streams.Questions or comments? Email [email protected].

In Episode 3 of On the Road to Sao Paulo, Marc Workman speaks with Diane Bergeron, Treasure of WBU and Chair of the WBU Women’s Committee. They discuss the program of the upcoming World Blindness Summit, with a particular focus on the Women’s Forum being held just before the start of the summit. Listen to learn all about the purpose, structure, and goals of this important part of the gathering in Sao Paulo. For questions about the World Blindness Summit and WBU General Assembly, contact [email protected], or visit our website at https://wbu.ngo/events/world-blindness-summit-wbu-general-assembly.

In Episode 8 of Unpacking Accessibility Go!, our final episode of the series, hosts Hannes, Kathy, and Benjamin move on to Commitment 7 of Accessibility Go, dealing with inclusive employment. Listen to the episode to learn how you can use this commitment to improve inclusive employment practices. Visit the World Blind Union website to access Accessibility Go in various languages and formats https://worldblindunion.org/programs/accessibility/. We welcome comments and suggestions; send us your feedback at [email protected].

In Episode 2 of On the Road to Sao Paulo, Marc Workman speaks with Sarah Barreto Marques Ribeiro, Director of Finance and Administration with ONCB, the host organization of the upcoming World Blindness Summit and WBU General Assembly. They talk about what life is like for blind and partially sighted Brazilians, what ONCB is hoping to share with the global blind movement, what those attending the summit should definitely check out while in Brazil, and what she hopes the legacy of this event will be. For GA related questions, contact [email protected], or visit our website at https://worldblindunion.org/general-assembly/.

In Episode 7 of Unpacking Accessibility Go!, hosts Hannes, Kathy, and Benjamin move on to Commitment 6 of Accessibility Go, dealing with accessible meetings and events. Listen to the episode to learn how to make online and in person meetings and events accessible to all persons with disabilities. Visit the World Blind Union website to access Accessibility Go in various languages and formats https://worldblindunion.org/programs/accessibility/. We welcome comments and suggestions; send us your feedback at [email protected].

In Episode 6 of Unpacking Accessibility Go!, hosts Hannes, Kathy, and Benjamin move on to Commitment 5 of Accessibility Go, dealing with inclusive programming and services. Stay tuned to learn how to make programs and services accessibility and inclusive from design right through to monitoring and evaluation. Visit the World Blind Union website to access Accessibility Go in various languages and formats https://worldblindunion.org/programs/accessibility/. We welcome comments and suggestions; send us your feedback at [email protected].

In Episode 1 of On the Road to Sao Paulo, Marc Workman has a conversation with Martine Abel Williamson. They talk about what the World Blindness Summit and WBU General Assembly Is for those who may not be aware, Why this event matters to our community, And Some favorite memories from past general assemblies. For GA related questions, contact [email protected], or visit our website at https://worldblindunion.org/general-assembly/.

On the Road to São Paulo is the World Blind Union’s newest podcast series, offering behind-the-scenes insights into the upcoming World Blindness Summit and WBU General Assembly. From interviews and personal reflections to event previews and presenter spotlights, this series will get you ready for São Paulo. New episodes drop monthly—plus a few surprises along the way.Learn more about the event here: https://worldblindunion.org/general-assembly/

In Episode 5 of Unpacking Accessibility Go!, hosts Hannes, Kathy, and Benjamin move on to Commitment 4 of Accessibility Go, dealing with capacity, knowledge, and learning. Organizations that aim to be inclusive must embed a commitment to inclusivity into their culture, and this episode unpacks what such a commitment looks like in practical terms. Visit the World Blind Union website to access Accessibility Go in various languages and formats https://worldblindunion.org/programs/accessibility/. We welcome comments and suggestions; send us your feedback at [email protected].

In Episode 4 of Unpacking Accessibility Go!, hosts Hannes, Kathy, and Benjamin move on to Commitment 3 of Accessibility Go, dealing with the important but often not well understood matter of procurement. The procurement process is an incredibly powerful tool that can be used to improve accessibility over time. Learn how you can make use of this useful tool. Visit the World Blind Union website to access Accessibility Go in various languages and formats https://worldblindunion.org/programs/accessibility/. We welcome comments and suggestions; send us your feedback at [email protected].

In Episode 3 of Unpacking Accessibility Go!, hosts Hannes, Kathy, and Benjamin move on to Commitment 2 of Accessibility Go, which deals with all aspects of making communications more accessible. Learn all about the steps organizations can take to improve the accessibility of the way they communicate. Visit the World Blind Union website to access Accessibility Go in various languages and formats https://worldblindunion.org/programs/accessibility/. We welcome comments and suggestions; send us your feedback at [email protected].

In Episode 2 of Unpacking Accessibility Go!, hosts Hannes, Kathy, and Benjamin turn to Commitment 1 of Accessibility Go, addressing physical accessibility in the workplace. Learn all about the steps organizations can take to make their spaces more accessible and welcoming. Visit the World Blind Union website to access Accessibility Go in various languages and formats https://worldblindunion.org/programs/accessibility/. We welcome comments and suggestions; send us your feedback at [email protected].

In Episode 1 of Unpacking Accessibility Go!, hosts Hannes, Kathy, and Benjamin introduce this helpful resource jointly developed by World Blind Union and CBM Global. Learn what Accessibility Go is, how it’s structured, and how you can use it to advance your local advocacy efforts. Visit the World Blind Union website to access Accessibility Go in various languages and formats https://worldblindunion.org/programs/accessibility/. We welcome comments and suggestions; send us your feedback at [email protected].

Get ready for Global Voice - Unpacking Accessibility Go! In this special preview episode, we give you a sneak peek at our podcast's first mini series, Unpacking Accessibility Go!, where we dive into the Accessibility Go! Guide to Action and it's 7 commitments to accessibility. Tune in and get ready to go!