OFFICIAL NAME
Fédération Internationale Des Associations Catholiques d’Aveugles
ACRONYM
FIDACA
ESTABLISHED
1981
HISTORY
FIDACA was founded in Switzerland by the national Catholic associations of the blind in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. It was recognised by the Holy See in 1985. On 12 September 2008 the Pontifical Council for the Laity decreed recognition of FIDACA as an international association of the faithful in accordance with current canon law.
IDENTITY
FIDACA brings together national associations of the blind and the severely visually impaired. It works for the human, spiritual, cultural and social development of blind people; it fosters the participation of blind people in the life and mission of the Church through their testimony and proclamation of the Gospel; it creates and develops organisations for the visually impaired in collaboration with diocesan and national chaplaincies in various countries; it provides education in mutual aid among blind people in developing countries. FIDACA pursues its objectives through meetings, congresses, pilgrimages, publications and activities in areas related to its specific field of action.
ORGANISATION
The structures of FIDACA are the General Assembly which meets every four years with the participation of delegates from the national associations, and the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee meets several times a year, including by videoconference. It consists of a president, a vice-president and a treasurer appointed by the General Assembly, as well as an ecclesiastical assistant and a secretary.
FIDACA is open to national associations of and for the blind that share the objectives of the Federation and are recognised by the bishops' conference of their country. Groups in countries where there are no national associations can also become members of FIDACA with the recommendation of the local bishop or bishops' conference.
WORKS
FIDACA undertakes practical training and solidarity programmes that are inspired by Gospel values. They aim to enhance the progress and well-being of the visually impaired and to help them be aware of their dignity and ability to pursue these initiatives independently.
Among the numerous activities that are undertaken, the visually impaired themselves produce educational materials specifically for blind people (projects with self-generating resources); and special training for school teachers who have blind or visually impaired students in their classes in order to improve the all-round inclusion of these young people.
WEBSITE
HEADQUARTERS
Fédération Internationale Des Associations Catholiques d’Aveugles
14, rue Mayet - 75006 Paris (France)
Tel. and Fax [+33]1 60894946
E-mail: fidacacontact@gmail.com
