About ABDO
Annual Reports
ABDO Membership Benefits
About ABDO
HistoryThe Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) was formed in 1986 when its two predecessors, The Association of Dispensing Opticians and the Faculty of Dispensing Opticians, were merged following the Health and Social Security Act of 1984. The profession of dispensing opticians has been regulated voluntarily since 1926 and, as a statutory profession, by the Opticians Act since 1958. Since such time the conduct of Dispensing Opticians has thus been regulated partly by legal provisions, by advice given by the General Optical Council, and by ABDO's own Advice to Fellows.
Today
The Association of British Dispensing Opticians is the professional association for dispensing opticians within the United Kingdom. The Association represents dispensing opticians to various organisations from the Department of Health, Government, and other optical bodies including the General Optical Council and provides amongst other services for the professional indemnity insurance for its members.
ABDO currently represents over 4000 qualified dispensing opticians in the United Kingdom, (200 overseas), some 2000 students worldwide, and over 400 Associate members.
ABDO is the examining and qualifying body for dispensing opticians and provides a wide range of membership benefits, including the provision of continuous education and training, which at the moment is voluntary, but is likely to become compulsory in due course. ABDO also publish a monthly journal Dispensing Optics.
Objectives
The objectives of the Association are:
- To support, protect and advance the character, status and interests of Dispensing Opticians.
- The advancement, for the benefit of the public, of the science and art of dispensing optics and promotion of research into such science and art, provided that the useful results of any such research is disseminated for public benefit.
In furtherance of such objects ABDO has, among others, the following powers:
- To promote the better education and training of Dispensing Opticians,
- To encourage the study, and improve the practice, of dispensing optics
- To encourage suitable standards of education in dispensing optics, and to establish, continue and adjudicate a system of qualifying and higher examinations.
- To enter into any arrangements with any authorities that may seem conducive to the interests of ABDO.
- To disseminate among Members and others, information on all matters affecting dispensing optics, and publish written material as appropriate.
- To give the legislative, public bodies and others, facilities of conferring with, and ascertaining the views of, persons engaged in the optical dispensing profession.
Administrative control is vested in its Council, comprising 12 Full (FBDO) Members elected by and representing Areas, six nationally-elected Members and up to six co-optees, a total not exceeding 24. The President (who serves a two-year term of office), Vice President and Treasurer are elected by the Council from among its members.
ABDO currently employs 4 staff in its London headquarters at 199 Gloucester Terrace, two at its Crowborough publishing office, two in its CET office in Colchester, as well as five staff based at the ABDO College in Godmersham in Kent.
The United Kingdom is divided into 12 Areas for purposes of regional structure, and at each Area's AGM a Member is elected to represent that Area on Council. Area committees arrange social and educational events for ABDO Members. Every year ABDO holds a national conference where Members meet for a weekend of educational talks, workshop presentations accompanied by lively social events.
The organisation is headed by the General Secretary, Sir Anthony Garrett.
The ABDO College was established by the Association in 2001, and is now a separate body run by a Board of Trustees. The College also employs five academic staff and ancillary staff, along with a number of visiting lecturers. The College employs three members of staff in the Distance Leaning Department, and five other administrative support staff.
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ABDO Membership Benefits
Membership of ABDO incorporates a number of benefits which include:
- Accidental death benefit
- Professional education and career development
- Provision of continuing education and training
- Professional indemnity insurance
- 24-hour free legal, tax, medical, redundancy counselling anddomestic assistance advice
- Legal expenses cover up to £25,000
- Employment dispute cover (for employers and employees)
- Motor insurance
- Motor maintenance and recovery discounts
- Financial services
- Practice buildings/contents insurance
- ABDO affinity credit card
- Dispensing Optics journal
- Access to Benevolent Fund and Educational Trust
- Members handbook
- Advice to Fellows - peer view advice
- Expert VAT advice
- Advice from ABDO staff
- Health insurance plans
- Students and business banking package
- Members forums and bulletin boards on ABDO website - www.abdo.org.uk
Latest Press Releases
- ADDITIONAL CET POINTS
- VISION AID OVERSEAS - BBC TV FOLLOW-UP
- CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING COURSE 31 JULY / 1 AUGUST
- New Advice and Guidelines on Professional Conduct for Dispensing Opticians
- WORKING GUIDELINES ON REGULATION CHANGES FOR DOMICILIARY PROVIDERS
- GOC Regulations - Professional Indemnity Insurance
- OPHTHALMIC LISTS REGULATIONS
- ABDO Insurance Scheme for Practice Owners
- CET Scheme - GOC Rules
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