Sixty-five years of gradually doing better because Spain’s blind have taken one step at a time, using their tenacity to the full to make sometimes small and sometimes major conquests.First came unity; then the cupón, which provided the means with which to fight for their aims: the creation of schools, work centres, social security, medical attention and so on, until attaining the major milestones in their history, a prime example of which is the creation of the ONCE Foundation, which acts as the instrument through which to channel the solidarity traditionally afforded to other non-blind handicapped persons, endowing it with an important budget, so that now it plays a key role in the lives of Spain’s disabled.

What we are presenting in this edition of "ONCE, a Lifetime doing Better" is not meant to be an annual report but rather information through a description of the social function of the ONCE and the place it occupies in the drive for the social integration of the disabled.It has undoubtedly enjoyed an evolution with a strong upward trend whilst focussing on the fact that it still has a long way to go.This was corroborated after the celebration, in 2003, of the European Year of the Disabled.Spain, together with the rest of Europe, were witnesses to the wishes of the ONCE, which, in collaboration with the Spanish Council of Disabled Representatives (CERMI), transmitted their aspirations.

Great progress has already been made: in social acceptance, individual understanding, the field of legislation, etc.But one year is insufficient for the disabled to achieve complete recognition as citizens on an equal basis with everybody else.Related institutions have to make each day the day of the disabled.And this is what the ONCE does, working on a vast number of fronts through a system that functions democratically.For the seventh time, on 3rd June 2003, the Organization’s members voted and, after the elections, the ONCE Group faced its immediate challenges with renewed enthusiasm: a competitive and multinational gaming market, a new agreement with the State Administration, an increase in members’ social services, the creation of employment for the disabled and so on, a panorama that again places the institution at the pinnacle of its anniversary slogan: "doing better".

We also have to speak about "doing better" in reference to our paralympic sportspeople who this year will be travelling to Athens.The 2004 Paralympic Games, in Athens, are the most immediate sporting event for our blind athletes who, together with the rest of the paralympic delegation, will undoubtedly bring back the fruit of their daily efforts and illusions.

And the cupón, the driving force behind Spain’s Organization of the Blind, which has embarked upon important transformations.Immersed in a strongly competitive and increasingly technified gaming market, the cupón must defend its space if it is to continue and fortify its social function.A new sales modality has been initiated in the form of an interactive cupón, compatible with the traditional one, in which the customer decides which number it wants to play.This is feasible thanks to the Sales Point Terminal, a portable device that will also allow our salespeople to carry out work-related tasks, such as ticket returns, verification of winning numbers and the placing on the market of new active game modalities.

These Sales Point Terminals satisfy several aims: improved preparation for competing in the market, speeding up of activity-related tasks and, consequently, positive influence on the cupón’s improved social projection because, apart from other benefits, it provides employment, education and rehabilitation, works in favour of integration and supports other disabled persons.The cupón helps us to grow and look to the future with hope and the same zeal for doing things better as in the previous 65 years.