Since 1935, the Austrian Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired has been committed to improving the living conditions of visually impaired and blind people.

Audience and vocal ensemble "Vocalodie" at the anniversary concert of the relief organization at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. © Adi Zobl

“Nine decades full of dynamism, development and change for blind and visually impaired people. Thank you for allowing us to walk this path with so many dedicated people.” So said Elmar Fürst, Chairman of the Board, on the occasion of the anniversary celebration.

“I see it as our mission to provide support and actively dismantle barriers in people’s minds and in everyday life. It fills me with pride that we have been a reliable voice for visually impaired people for 90 years – and that together we can still achieve so much more.” Klaus Höckner, Deputy Chairman of the Board

To mark its anniversary, the aid organization hosted an extraordinary concert on October 15, 2025, at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, featuring the vocal ensemble Vocalodie. The audience sat in a circle of chairs arranged in multiple rows and, following the speeches, were asked to put on sleep masks to fully concentrate on the music. The hall was then darkened. For each piece—works by Clara Schumann, Eric Whitacre, Caroline Shaw, and others—the ensemble took up a different position in the room.