Join me at the AEBC AGM 2018 on April 29 to discuss the AEBC advocacy role in the Canadian Digital Strategy. Review the fifteen Strategy Principles below, and reflect on the three discussion questions in preparation for our interactive session.

Open Government is about making government more accessible to everyone. This means giving greater access to government data and information to the Canadian public and the businesses community. The Directive on Open Government is Canada’s "open by default" policy, providing clear and mandatory requirements to departments which will ensure that Canadians get access the most government information and data possible.

The digital revolution and the social rights movement are disrupting the traditional business models, and having an impact on the way we interact with machines and each other. These two global trends are rapidly merging together to form a new era of artificial inteligence that will enable all people to share in the economic prosperity. As organizations become more diverse and more automated, business leaders struggle in making effective decisions with accurate and current information. The driving forces behind rapid societal changes are shaping cultural attitudes and business strategies, but only those who understand the global trends will remain competitive and sustain market growth.

What is “Hands Off Our Harnesses”?

The Canadian General Standards Board has drafted a set of standards which, if implemented, would impose conditions on the training and use of service dogs. The standard includes guide dogs which are dogs for the blind and visually impaired, and are therefore, by definition, not merely service dogs.

Further, the content of the standard is inconsistent with the use and training of guide dogs. Many Canadians get their guide dogs from the United States, and both American and Canadian schools find these standards at odds with standard training and use of guide dogs. American schools are concerned that, if these standards are accepted, they may stop accepting Canadian applicants.

Introduction

Deafblindness is a unique disability, which requires a unique approach to support and a unique system to deliver that support.

At the Twelfth World Conference in Portugal (1999), Deafblind International (DBI), agreed to pass a resolution to appeal to governments around the world to use the following definition: “Deafblindness is a combination of visual impairment and hearing impairment.” Recognition for a common definition should be included in legislation and acknowledge the particular needs of individuals who are deafblind.

DeafBlind Ontario Services calls for official recognition of deafblindness as a distinct disability with equal rights and opportunities for individuals living with deafblindness in Canada.

How many times do Canadians have to request a secret vote? I have known for many years that the way Canada provides people who are blind to mark a ballot is not adequate. The fact that we can't see, should make it easy for government officials to understand that if we have a special template to put our ballot into, with tactile areas to place our X in, we can't see if the ballot moved, thereby making our ballot void. Why is it that our federal government will not bring a way of voting that allows for a private secret secure vote? I am deaf-blind. Please try to view this bill from the perspective of Canadians who wish to vote in secret and with dignity.

Technology is used extensively by both the government and candidates during the time leading up to the vote.

Is the idea of being proud of yourself new to you? How about being proud of the fact that you have a disability or that you can eat anything without getting sick?

I share with you that I am very proud of who I am, and that I am deaf-blind. The fact that I was born blind, and that I have never let that fact stop me from doing what I want, is a part of who I am, and who I intend to always be. It wasn't easy to learn to live with deafness, but I have succeeded very well. I am an active senior citizen that is proud of being one of few people who is totally blind and deaf. I can do several things well I know what it is to have patience and to persist. I have experienced many hard times and come away with more pride in myself. No one will ever take that from me.

If you’re blind, you’re no stranger to the experience of having a religious zealot approach you to tell you that they’re going to pray for you, and that God will listen to their prayers, and give you your sight back. Such encounters used to irritate the hell out of me, but no longer. As someone who starts off with a deep theoretical interest in religion and its expression, I’ve come to view these experiences as an opportunity for a little informal research, and scope for entertainment.

August 31, 2016

(The following are detailed notes from the CCB and AEBC National Call which took place on July 27, 2016)

Dear program supporters,

On July 27, 2016, we held the national conference call regarding library services. The national conference call was sponsored by the Canadian Council of the Blind’s Get Together with Technology Program (GTT) and AEBC’s Accessible Information and Copyright Committee

The topic of the call was “Canadian Library Services: Who provides it, what do they provide, how does it work and what does the future look like?” Mr. Leo Bissonnette, AEBC National Board Member, and Mr.

I place the highest value on the impulse to help. One of my favourite things about my neighbourhood is that people ask me if I need help all the time. It never ever irritates me; it makes me happy. 19 times out of 20 I don’t, and I decline with a friendly word of thanks. In many other parts of the city however, I’m regularly physically accosted by well-meaning busybodies who haven’t learned to use their words. It’s not just me of course; most other blind people I know have the same problem. There’s a depressing distance between the good intentions of strangers who grab me on the street or in the subway, assuming I need help when I don’t, and the anger I often feel at being touched without consent.

People want to help. People want to make my unimaginable life a little easier.