We are sad to report that our former Chairman, Sir John Wall, CBE died of heart failure on December 1, 2008. Sir John was Chairman of the British Wireless for the Blind Fund from 1990 until he retired in 2005. In 2000, he oversaw our Strategy for the Millennium. This was the change of direction that the Fund made from a service for registered blind people only to a service that included those who were registered as partially sighted. |
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Sir John played a huge role in the politics of visual impairment for well over 40 years. As well as proving that blindness need be no burden to professional success, he worked tirelessly to help those with disabilities to integrate easily into society. Aside from his work with British Wireless for the Blind Fund, Vision 2020, RNIB and many other charities, Sir John was the first blind High Court judge of modern times. He helped to found the Society of Visually Impaired Lawyers and was involved with a group for solicitors with disabilities. Sir John was no passive participant in organisations – he always became fully involved. Nor was he just a figurehead, he was always prepared to take an active role. With his legal background he was often called upon to advise others and it has been estimated that he was responsible for the constitution of eight organisations of visually impaired people. Sir John Wall, CBE, solicitor and judge, was born on June 4, 1930. He died of heart failure on December 1st 2008, aged 78. |
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