National League of the Blind and Disabled

This collection includes: annual reports; triennial conference records; records concerning branches and regions, disputes, employment of the blind and workshop products, particular industries and relations with other organisations; periodical and other publications.

The National League of the Blind and Disabled was a small registered trade union of visually impaired and disabled people which was orginally known as the National League of the Blind. In 1994 the League had 50 branches, working to promote the education, training, employment and general welfare of blind and disabled people. It was formed in 1899, affiliated to the TUC in 1902, and affiliated to the Labour Party in 1909. It had Regional Councils in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It published its journal 'The Advocate' and Braille version 'The Horizon' on a regular basis.

In 2000 it became a sector of Community.

Reference: Chris Cook and David Waller, 'The Longman Guide to Sources in Contemporary British history. 1: Organisations and Societies' (Longman, 1994).

This collection is available to researchers by appointment at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick. See http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/using/

This collection was deposited in the Centre on indefinite loan in 1995. The deposit was arranged by Mr P. Carter of the GMB. A subsequent deposit was made in 2011 by Lord (Colin) Low.

Link to full catalogue: http://mrc-catalogue.warwick.ac.uk/records/NLB

No appraisal, destruction or scheduling has taken place.

Further deposits are not expected.

The centre also holds the records of the National Federation of the Blind, 1947-90s (MSS.147).