What is the ONCE?
The Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles - ONCE (Spanish National Organisation of the Blind) is the only organisation in Spain meeting the needs of all blind people as well as those with serious visual impairment. This Organisation, under the auspices of and regulated by the central government, has been instrumental in creating a model providing full employment for the Spanish blind as well as a network of services that is practically unrivalled in the world. Its aim is to rehabilitate and educate blind people from birth or from the moment they lose their sight and fully integrate them into society. Any Spanish national who is blind or suffers from serious visual impairment may join the ONCE free of charge.
The public concession to operate a lottery known as the cupón enables the Organisation to provide social services to its 65,000 members in the areas of education, rehabilitation, vocational training, accessibility, culture and sports to name but a few. The institution is governed in a democratic fashion, the members themselves electing their leaders every four years.
The ONCE also shows its solidarity with those affected by disabilities other than blindness. Each year it earmarks 20 percent of its operating margin of gross income obtained through the sale of the cupón (approximately EUR one hundred million) to the ONCE Foundation the principal objective of which is the social integration and employment of persons afflicted with disabilities other than blindness.
The ONCE group, also comprised of business corporations (ONCE group and CEOSA), is now a large-scale operation providing direct or indirect employment to 88,168 people more than 75% of whom are affected by some form of disability. |
