About Us

Beyond Light - Visual Non-Visual Network

Is a non-profit organization made up of a group of various NGOs with the same objectives, these all provide information and referrals about living with visual impairment, and all work to help blind people become independent. This network also allows for third parties or other organizations to sponsor, join not one but all the network affiliates with the same causes leading to a brighter future for all their associated members. The visual and non visual network started as an initiative back in the late 1980s. To date, it continues evolving with ongoing projects and research. The former state minister and member of parliament, Noel Farrugia, organized a board of a number of sighted and non-sighted constituency volunteers to experience sports events together. These included Torball, Tandem cycling, Judo and Swimming, Chess also played an important part of the activity, practiced by visually-impaired or non-sighted persons from all over Malta. This was very revolutionary and visionary for its time, especially for Europe. In the late 90’s, Torball Association for the blind was officially registered and has led many initiatives for both local and central government to raise awareness and assist visually impaired citizens with their day to day integration into society. Later, with the help of the visual and non visual network, beyond arts & wellbeing Malta joint forces in late 2017 with their first joint participation in EM agriculture produce & Urban pure air concept, A projects ltd. Malta & EM Malta, Torball society of the blind and beyond arts & wellbeing Malta in cooperation with the Hon Clint Camilleri, agriculture JNR minister & environment Malta and the Chairman Mr. Conrad Brog Manche managed and launched  the project.

Other Successful Programs

Beyond Arts & Wellbeing And Torball Association For The Blind Have Continued To Go Beyond Their Initial Objective And Expended Their Horizon Through Other Ventures, Projects And Programs, Some Of These Included:

  •  Agriculture Produce & Urban Pure Air
  •  Art Beyond Light – Art Expression And Exhibitions
  •  IT And Mobile Phone Courses For The Visually Impaired
  •  Animal Therapy Introduction And Care
  •  Several Outings

In Light Of All These Projects And Programs Raised In Cooperation Of Multiple Organisation The BEYOND LIGHT – VISUAL & NON VISUAL NETWORK Was Officially Setup In 2018

This Gives The Ability To Be Stronger In Number And To Provide Products And Services To A Wider Audience – It Also Gives The Opportunity For Various Organisations To Join Forces For The Greater Good Of Mankind.

BLIND POPULATION

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BLIND PEOPLE
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BLIND PERCENTAGE
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visually impaired children

We All Want To Help Them

Visually impaired and blind people come from all kinds of backgrounds. Many are elderly, and some are young. They may be sportsmen and women, gardeners, farmers, chess players, teachers, typists, musicians, lawyers, housewives, computer programmers, physiotherapists, social workers, telephonists, and parents…

Such people have many abilities and can achieve many things despite visual impairment or blindness, but there are times when they will appreciate and welcome practical assistance:

  •  Always ask first before offering any help and do not be offended if it is refused. Some people have had very bad experiences of what a sighted person thinks is being helpful!
  • Be precise if giving instructions – giving directions by pointing and saying, ‘it is down there on the right’, is not much help and very thoughtless
  • The use of a white cane does not necessarily mean that a person is totally blind
  • In some countries, a person is accompanied by a guide dog but the animal must never be distracted. Often it is the animal who receives attention and the owner ignored! Together they usually make a good working team and rarely need extra help
  • Once into a conversation, never leave without saying you are doing so. Do not allow the blind person the embarrassment of talking into the air!

Our Team

MARISA AZZOPARDI

PRESIDENT

MARIA ELICH

SECRETARY GENERAL

BRIDGET MICALLEF

Secretary International , IT & Municipal's Affairs

SURENDRA DAŠ

TREASURER

KENNETH COLE

DIRECTOR GENERAL

CHARLES SAMMUT

DIRECTOR ART

CHARLIE MICALLEF

DIRECTOR AGRICULTURE

Professor Renald Blundell Professor Carmelo Rizzo

DIRECTOR WELLBEING

SIMONE PUDDU

DIRECTOR PERSONALISED & BREATH TRAINER

DR. PAUL CALLEJA

DIRECTOR SPORTS

IAM CAMILLERI

COORDINATOR

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

Dr Lara Tonna / Dr Amanda Dimech / Sergio Mule Stagno / Renato Barati / Tomas Mikalauska / Vladimir Puzanov / Noel Gauci / Kaminskaya Svetlana / Lawrence Camilleri / Elaine Mulcahy / Sean Farrugia

EMPLOYEES

Liam Stafrace / Stephen Mizzi / Epifanio Vella / Ian Camilleri

My name is Bridget Micallef!

I focus on Tourism beyond Light – Non-Visual Tourism project.

Local and Globally blind persons end up in an indoors environment rather than outdoors.

My virtue is that we will have floores in hotels that can compliment Blind and Visually Impaired tourists .

Eventually we are in dialogue with the Ministry for Tourism on this topic  .

In line with this our V.O also promotes Safe and Hygienic Pedestrian Management for the benefit of visual non-visual comfort.

My dream is that together with the Ministry of Tourism our V.O will coordinate and facilitate  meet and greet services to Blind persons visiting the country .