The main association of assistance to the visually impaired, Unadev, is in the sights of the Court of Auditors. It is followed for unjustified expenses and questionable management.
“Non-compliance with the use of the funds collected” and “serious failings in management”. In a report made public on January 16, the Court of Auditors pinpoints the management of the funds of the National Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired (Unadev). It is the association that raises the most funds for the visually impaired: 21.9 million euros in 2011.
Most of the money collected by Unadev comes from donations. On paper, it must serve “the general interest”. In practice, half of the donations went to fundraising. In second place of the expenses come the operating costs. Unadev also devoted its revenues to fueling conflicts of interest, denounces the Court of Auditors: granting of loans to four administrators, “excessive remuneration or unjustified advantages” or even commercial activity unrelated to the cause of the visually impaired. The association thus provided support to a mail order company of gastronomic products. The report also underlines the derisory number of visually impaired employed by the association: three out of the forty employees employed at the head office in Bordeaux (Gironde).
On the services side, Unadev is still criticized. Certain services offered by the association (reception, leisure, social assistance) have only benefited the members of the association. However, the information delivered to the public evokes a “public generosity”. The Court of Auditors also pinpoints “open management of actions undertaken in the field of research”. Unadev has provided financial support for an unpatented technological project, research units where certain members of the scientific council work, or services not verified by health authorities.
All of these expenses are deemed to be non-compliant with Unadev’s general interest mission. This report from the Court of Auditors will be submitted to the Minister responsible for the budget. He may by decree suspend the tax benefits and payments to the association.
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