Donegal man Kevin Kelly takes up top global role advocating for blind people
Inishowen native to lead World Blind Union as Executive Director, bringing decades of experience in advocacy, public policy and sight-loss services
An Inishowen man who lost his sight at the age of 14 is taking on a major international leadership role, having been appointed Executive Director of the World Blind Union (WBU).
Kevin Kelly from Clonmany took up the position on Wednesday, October 28, becoming head of the global organisation which represents people who are blind or partially sighted and works to advance their rights and equality worldwide.
The World Blind Union represents 190 member organisations across the globe. As Executive Director, a role equivalent to chief executive, Mr Kelly will lead the organisation's executive team and help drive its strategic objectives.
Speaking about his appointment, Kevin said he was “honoured to have the opportunity to advance the rights of people who are blind and partially sighted.”
His appointment comes 25 years after he lost his sight following retinal detachments in September 2001. At just 14, the experience was traumatic, but he believes it helped shape his outlook, career and commitment to improving opportunities for others.
“Obviously that was quite a traumatic experience for something like that to happen when you are a teenager. That was a life-changing event, but I fully believe that that has shaped who I am today, what my interests and hobbies are and the direction of my career.”
Despite losing his sight during his teenage years, Kevin went on to study journalism at Dublin City University before obtaining a master's degree in Public Affairs and Political Communications from Dublin Institute of Technology.
He has built an extensive career across public service, media, politics and the not-for-profit sector. For almost the last four years, he served as Head of Policy, Partnerships and External Affairs with Vision Ireland, the national sight-loss agency formerly known as the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI).
Kevin has maintained strong connections to Inishowen throughout his career. As a student, he wrote a column for the Inishowen Independent and worked as a presenter and producer with Inishowen Community Radio. He also worked as a parliamentary intern for Moville Senator Cecilia Keaveney.
Mr Kelly has also served as Second Vice-President of the European Blind Union. Now moving to the global stage, he hopes to tackle inequalities between countries and regions.
“There’s quite a variation between country to country, and now moving to the global stage, there are huge inequalities in certain regions and countries,” he said.
“I will play my part at the United Nations and other forums to try to ensure that everyone has the same rights and opportunities, irrespective of where they're from.”
Kevin believes growing up in rural Donegal has played an important role in shaping his approach to advocacy and leadership.
“When you grow up in an area where there isn't an abundance of services, it gives you a perspective and gives you a resilience to want to fight and to improve things in your area. That has very much shaped my career and my approach to lobbying the Irish Government.”
He added that his new role would be guided by the principle that everyone deserves equal opportunities, regardless of where they live.
“Growing up in a county like Donegal and Inishowen, there wasn't a huge degree of resources and services. It makes you appreciate the ones that you have, but it also makes you want to work harder to ensure that everyone has a fair crack at the whip.”
Kevin's connection with Vision Ireland stretches back to September 2001, when he first became a service user following the loss of his sight.
He credits the support he received from the organisation's team in Donegal and its Letterkenny office with helping him rebuild his independence and develop the skills needed to pursue his education and career.
Staff members Seamus and Danny helped him develop orientation and mobility skills, alongside computer and IT skills.
“I wouldn't be in the role I am today without the support and intervention of the services team in Vision Ireland, and that's replicated for other people,” he said.
Looking back, Kevin said he had to relearn everyday tasks, from getting dressed and washing to preparing food and making a cup of tea. He believes having had sight for the first 14 years of his life gave him a visual memory which can help him navigate the world, while stressing that every person's experience of sight loss is different.
“It's very much unique to each individual, and I'm not minimising it. It was tough at the time, but family and friends kept me very busy, so I didn't get too much time to dwell on it.”
In the early stages of his tenure, Kevin plans to bring the World Blind Union's member organisations closer together, strengthen partnerships and secure the resources needed to deliver its strategic goals.
“I'm a great believer in communications, collaboration and partnership,” he said. “I want to bring all of our member organisations together so that we truly become a global movement to ensure change.”
Although the World Blind Union is headquartered in Canada, Kevin will be predominantly based in Dublin, with frequent international travel.
He recognises that meaningful change depends on collaboration with member organisations and people with lived experience of sight loss.
“It's about levelling the playing field, whether you have grown up in rural Donegal or a part of Africa and Asia.
“It's to be a voice, to represent people who are blind and partially sighted, to be authentic in our messaging, to ensure that we are representing everyone, that we're not leaving anyone behind.”