The Norwegian Association of the Deafblind (NADB) is run by a board consisting
of five deafblind members. In addition, the chairman and one of the board
members make out a work panel. NADB has a headoffice in Oslo with full
time administration.
The chairman represent the organization. The board appoint representatives
from NADB to different collaboration panels, committees and other boards.
Every year in the months of May or June the NADB arranges a summer meeting
for the deafblind members. During this summer gathering the organization
holds its annual meeting. NADB also arranges cultural excursions to different
sights near the location of the summer meeting. To many of the deafblind,
the summer meeting is the most important occation of the year. Vacations
for the deafblind is often arranged during the period of the summer meeting.
These stays are supported financially by the Government.
The Norwegian Association of the Deafblind cooperates with the deafblind
organizations in the other Nordic countries. Together they try to find
solutions to mutual problems concerning the deafblind and his everyday
life. NADB participates in international causes as well.
All of the activities in the organization are funded by the Government.
All registered deafblinds are welcome to apply for membership in the NADB.
The board has the final say when accepting new members. The membership
fee is now 50 kroners per year. Others can be silent members - also at
a fee of 50 kroners per year.
THE SOCIAL DIVISION
The Norwegian Association of the Deafblind have two day centers, one
in Oslo and one in Bergen. Here the deafblind can come and socialize with
other members and work with different handicraft.
THE INFORMATION DIVISION
The information section of the NADB has its offices in Arendal, whereas
the administration is seated in Oslo. This division gives the deafblind
the valuable and imortant chance of being updated, which is something the
rest of us take for granted.
The information divicion has got four emplyees, the editor, two journalists
and one in charge of the production (copying cassettes, registering new
readers and so on). The journalists work on the news, taken from other
newspapers and the national radio, and adjust it so that the bulletins
can be comprehended in the best way possible by the deafblind.
The daily newspaper "Punktnytt" (5 days a week) contains
the news bullitins and material produced by the journalist themselves -
such as current reports, articles and editorials. The information division
also publishes a weekly magazine, "Døvblindes Ukeblad"
(DU).
The production of these papers is done simultaneously - they are published
both in braille, capital letters and slowly read and recorded on tape.
The news from "Punktnytt" and "DU" are made available
on the organization's data base together with other news every day during
the year. The members can call the computer up and get the necessary information
from there.
All of the information to deafblind is to be had for free.