Belarusian partnership of visually impaired persons (BELTIZ)

Public association "Belarusian partnership of visually impaired persons" - one of the oldest public organizations of the republic. In 2004 80 years were performed. Date of creation of OO "Belarusian Partnership of Visually Impaired Persons" (OO "BELTIZ") is considered on November 23, 1924. This day there took place the first organizational meeting of blind people in the Minsk school. The Charter of a partnership which integrated 30 people was adopted.

The graduate of the Minsk school of blind people, the disabled person of 1 group on sight Volchek Isidor Maksimovich (1900-1974 of life), the first in the history of blind people of Belarus, got the higher philosophical education (graduated from faculty of philosophy of BGU in 1925) became the first chairman of the Belarusian society of blind people on a voluntary basis and defended the master's thesis.

From 1928 to 1932 under the personal guide of I.M. Volchk and using blind students of higher education institutions of the republic work on creation of the industrial practice enterprises and city departments of society of blind people was carried out. "Provision on the Belarusian society of blind people" was developed and published in mass media. In 1928 in Minsk the enterprise for production of brushes from a rice root and toys is organized. It provided employment to 12 disabled people. In 1931 are open an industrial practice workshop on release of brushes in Vitebsk, in Mogilev - on production of ropes. Same year the first red corner is open for blind people in Minsk (Internatsionalnaya St).

1932 - 1937

In May, 1932 1 congress of the Belarusian society of blind people elected Smolsky Z.M. chairman (1893-1965), the disabled person of 1 group on sight.

Smolsky Zenon Mustafovich is the first regular chairman of the Belarusian society of blind people. The main tasks those years were accounting of blind people, their employment in specialized artels and workshops, the organization of leisure, education and life. The number of members of society grew, work on the organization of city departments was carried out.

These years industrial practice workshops (Gomel, Slutsk, Borisov, Polotsk, Orsha), the house of work in Chervene on 30 jobs were open. Hostels in the cities of Mogilev, Gomel and Minsk are created. The number of the employed visually impaired persons increased, it was succeeded to liquidate unemployment among visually impaired persons in the cities of Minsk, Vitebsk, Gomel and Mogilev. By 1937 as a part of society there were 980 people, 650 of them worked, output was 1 million 900 thousand rubles in the prices of 1932. The financial position of disabled people improved.

1937 - 1972

The 2nd congress of BELOS of blind people in March, 1937 elected the chairman of the Central board of the Belarusian society of blind people, the disabled person of 1 group on sight Kaplan Kopel Abramovich (1902-1974 of life).

In 2002 100 years since the birth of Kopel Abramovich Kaplan were performed. For achievements in productive and public work he is awarded with Orders of the Badge of Honour, "the Labour Red Banner". Kaplan K.A. headed society from 1937 to 1972. In days of the Great Patriotic War activity of society was interrupted. But blind people took active part in the guerrilla movement, were coherent guerrilla groups. Examples of personal courage in days of the Great Patriotic War showed coherent (blind persons) A.M. Litvinova, N.S. Filyuta. The state helped recover the destructions put with war to Society. October 27, 1945. Council of People's Commissars of the Belarusian SSR Resolution No. 1640 "About employment and improvement of material and cultural and community conditions of blind people" is accepted. It gave the chance to develop and perform the social and economic concept of development of society.

There took place the III-IX congresses of society. For 1945-1948 all pre-war are recovered and created five new (the Novogrudsky, Babruysk, Vitebsk, Grodno, Mazyr industrial practice enterprises). By the end of the 50th years 16 industrial practice enterprises are created, their material and technical resources are strengthened.

In 1953 the first republican review of collectives of amateur performances of the industrial practice enterprises of society, in 1960 - the first sports competitions among visually impaired persons in track and field athletics took place. By the beginning of the 60th years of last century such types of products as valenoks, ropes are laid off.

In 1961 assembly of electroinstallation products by the Minsk industrial practice enterprise is mastered, the Grodno industrial practice enterprise passed to metal working. At the expense of means of the enterprises the new production body in Gomel, by Novogrudke, Vitebsk, Mogilev and a number of social facilities is constructed.

In the same time on a personal initiative of Kaplan K.A. the department of the literature (printed with Braille's font) in National library of Minsk is organized; a circle of loud reading of literature for students, the first chess circle in the Central board of Society. Society gained strength, purchased the social importance, became a support, protection for his members, visually impaired persons had an opportunity to work, start families, to play sports.

1972 - 1976

In April, 1972 Burtys Ivan Evdokimovich is elected the chairman of the Central board of the Belarusian society of blind people (1921-2000).

For participation in the Great Patriotic War, had three personal thanks of the Supreme Commander of the Red Army Marshal of the Soviet Union Stalin I.V., it is awarded with awards: "Patriotic war of the II degree", "Glory of the III degree" and ten medals, among them "For defense of the Caucasus", "For taking of Vienna", "For liberation of Belgrade". I.E. Burtys devoted 13 years of the labor activity to questions of life support of visually impaired persons. In 1972-1976 the main task determined by Ustavom BELOS, rational employment of blind people, use and economy of raw material resources, quality improvement of products and also decrease in labor costs, improvement of use of business assets and capital investments was successfully solved with its participation. In the years of its work the Central board managed to strengthen material and technical resources of Society significantly. The industrial practice enterprises are enlarged, their specialization is defined, the cooperated communications with the state industrial enterprises are expanded and also production to unusual specifics of work of blind people of products is reduced.

The attention to issues of improvement of product quality, research and implementation of new types of products, increase in a role of standardization amplified. Only from 1972 for 1976 781 improvement suggestions are implemented in production, the production body of the industrial practice enterprises in the cities of Mogilev, Grodno, Babruysk, clubs in the cities of Novogrudke, Babruysk is put into operation. About 1000 families of members of society received new well-planned apartments. Income gained by the enterprises completely provided financing of all social actions and individual support of visually impaired persons, members of labor collectives.

Further development was gained by amateur art of staff of the enterprises. In collectives of amateur performances over 1300 people were engaged. Amateur arts festivals were regularly taken. Broadcasting centers at the educational enterprises and also in hostels are created. The information read bulletin and literature were published.

It was paid to disabled people and participants of the Great Patriotic War, their families much attention. Annually over 1000 people had a rest in sanatoria and holiday houses. Considerably the activity of production primary organizations grew, their participation in search of new reserves of increase in cost efficiency of production extended.

The system of selection and executive personnel training of the device CPU of BELOS and the industrial practice enterprises from among visually impaired persons worked. The state and the Belarusian society of blind people appreciated a personal deposit of I.E. Burtys in social and labor rehabilitation of visually impaired persons. For long, honest work and high rates in I.E. Burtys's work it is awarded with the Certificate of honor of the Ministry of Social Welfare of BSSR, the medal "Veteran of Work".

1976 - 1981

X the congress of the Belarusian society of blind people elected the chairman of the Central government of Vladimir Mikhaylovich Konovalov (a sort. 3/18/1932).

Under its management in 1976-1981 the Central board achieved increase in production and increase in efficiency it. These years the peak of employment of visually impaired persons in workshops of the industrial practice enterprises, in points of home work had, new referrals were got by care of working conditions of disabled people.

For 1976-1981 the enterprises in society mastered 62 new types of products, including 11 of them were issued with state Quality label. It is implemented in production of 168 actions for mastering of the new equipment, 565 units of the different equipment are purchased and set.

Production and administrative and household body of the Mazyr enterprise, press and procurement workshop of the Grodno enterprise are constructed and put in operation, the stamping workshop at the Mogilev enterprise is reconstructed, the heating main at the Pinsk enterprise is laid. Subjects to social appointment, including club of the Orshansky enterprise, shops in Pinsk and Grodno became operational, 1300 families received new well-planned apartments.

The Tovarishch radio magazine and methodical office of cultural and educational work are created. The network of collectives of amateur performances and sports sections extended. In them it was engaged more 3000th persons. On the international sports scene 6 gold medals are won. The great value was attached to promotion of the visually impaired persons having the higher education on the leading posts. For improvement of work and life of visually impaired persons tiflotekhnichesky means and devices systematically were implemented, cooperation with the Belarusian research institute of examination of working capacity developed.

In 1977 the industrial practice enterprises of society took the first part in the international exhibition "Elektro-77" in Moscow. The industrial practice enterprise of Mr. Molodechno is handed a bronze medal and the diploma "For a new better product". In 1978. The Belarusian society of blind people is awarded with the Certificate of honor of Presidium of the Supreme Council of BSSR.

1981 - 1986

In May, 1981 the disabled person of 1 group on sight Shcherba Ivan Fedorovich (1927-1986) is elected the chairman of the Central board. The United Nations announced 1981 International year of disabled people, and the period of 1982-1992 - the 10 anniversary of disabled people which purpose was an involvement of the Governments of all countries and the non-state organizations to problem solving of disabled people.

These years the material resources of the industrial practice enterprises considerably became stronger, social care of disabled people amplified. Athletes - visually impaired persons participated in all-Union track and field athletics competitions. The first international festival of a variety song within societies of blind people is held.

Administrative industrial complexes are constructed Minsk and Molodechnensky. The trolleybus line connected the center of Grodno to the industrial practice enterprise of society of blind people.

The role and value of primary territorial organizations increased.

Shcherbe Ivan Fedorovich possesses a merit in overcoming a psychological barrier to the identity of the disabled person among public opinion and authorities.

Specialists from among visually impaired persons were appointed to a position of associate directors of the industrial practice enterprises.

Materials about activity of the Belarusian society of blind people were constantly published in mass media.

The Belarusian composer Luchenok I.M. wrote The Ballad about Courage song the devoted Shcherbe I.F. who was popular among contractors of the Belarusian society of blind people and the state scene.

In the mid-eighties the Belarusian society of blind people had good results of production business activities and the profitable industrial practice enterprises that allowed to develop the social sphere.

Help: For the shown courage and courage at accomplishment of a government task in Algeria the major Shcherba of I.F. is awarded the order the Red Banner.

1986 - 2002

The XII congress of Public association "Belarusian partnership of visually impaired persons" elected the chairman of the disabled person of 1 group on sight Netylkin Anatoly Ivanovich (1941-2002).

He was born 4/6/1941 in Krugovets of Terekhovsky district of the Gomel region, in 1952 lost sight as a result of a traumatic mutilation from a rupture of a grenade.

Graduated from the Grodno state teacher training college of Ya. Kupala and the Leningrad state teacher training college of A.I. Herzen. Taught history in the Grodno special school nursing home, worked as the chairman of the Grodno regional board, the CEO of the Grodno industrial practice consolidation of BELOS.

Under the leadership of A.I. Netylkin the Central board performed the program of development of economy of OO "BELTIZ", creation of conditions for cultural development, physical culture, sport, rehabilitation of disabled people. In the 90th years of last century in difficult economic conditions it was succeeded to save industrial enterprises, to master hundreds of new types of competitive products which found sales markets in the CIS countries and especially in Russia.

In 1990 the Belarusian society of blind people is renamed by the resolution of the XI Plenum of the Central board into the Belarusian partnership of visually impaired persons.

In 1991. The Belarusian partnership of visually impaired persons was a part of the World Union of blind people and the European Union of blind people.

Same year the Brest industrial practice enterprise was created.

In 1996 for the first time the command of BELTIZ participated in the summer Paralympic Games in Atlanta which brought broad popularity to athletes visually impaired persons.

In 2001 the Podjelniki holiday house (Uzdensky district of the Minsk region) is reconstructed.

Visually impaired persons and members of their families had a rest opportunity on own base.

In 1999. The Belarusian partnership of visually impaired persons passed a re-registration according to the Decree of the President of Republic of Belarus No. 2 of 1/26/99 and is registered as Public association "Belarusian partnership of visually impaired persons".

Broad development was gained by the international activity.

since 2002

On May 17, 2002 the XVI congress of Public association "Belarusian partnership of visually impaired persons" the chairman of the Central board elects the disabled person 2 groups on sight Shepel Oleg Aleksandrovich. He was born 7/13/1967 in Bykhove of the Mogilev region, the Belarusian.

Graduated from Shklovsky specialized school and the Minsk institute of culture (1991). Before election was the director of the Center of the Olympic preparation of OO "BELTIZ". Honoured Master of Sports of the USSR. The five-time champion of the Paralympic Games (Seoul is 1988; Barcelona is 1992; Atlanta is 1996), the bronze prize-winner of the Paralympic Games in Sydney (2000).

Further work on accomplishment of the programs planned by XV and XVI congresses of OO "BELTIZ", preserving and development of industrial capacity of the unitary enterprises of Public association in the conditions of the market relations sets as the purpose. Creation of the maximum opportunities for visually impaired persons and their social and labor rehabilitation, all-round development of the identity of the disabled person, integration of disabled people into society.

Actively cooperates with authorities, Republican interdepartmental council on problems of disabled people for the purpose of protection of interests of OO "BELTIZ", receiving the state financial support of the social sphere of OO "BELTIZ". Takes part in development of sports and youth movement in OO "BELTIZ" and tries to obtain attention to each veteran of a partnership.

Now OO "BELTIZ include 6 regional organizations which integrate 142 primary organizations, 19190 visually impaired persons. The industry of OO "BELTIZ" specializes in release of electrotechnical products, filter elements for the autotractor industry, products of woodworking and submits the wide range of consumer goods. OO "BELTIZ" is the owner of 14 unitary enterprises at which over 7 thousand people work, from them - 3.2 thousand visually impaired persons.