The AEBC Telecommunications (CRTC) Committee is pleased to share a detailed review of the DORO 824C Bell phone carried out by Ronald Pelletier, an active member in the Greater Montreal Chapter.

Ron’s report is detailed and offers an important perspective.

The phone is still under development and will no doubt add features and improvements.

Bell’s willingness to work with us by providing a phone for an extensive evaluation underlines Bell’s commitment to accessibility.

I urge members to read Ron’s evaluation, below.

I thank Ron for his detailed work on this project.

Leo A. Bissonnette, Ph.D.

DORO 824C FROM BELL (Evaluated by Ron Pelletier)

NOTE: This evaluation was made from the perspective of a totally blind person.

On Dec 7 2015, the Ottawa Chapter of the AEBC hosted a very informative and successful first meeting with the city. 3 Representatives of the city (Tom, Randy, and Phil), joined a group of approximately 20 community members along with the Chapter Board to review and explore topics of mutual interest. Unfortunately, representation was not present from the Light Rail Transport (LRT) or customer Service areas and it is hoped this will be rectified in the summer 2016 meeting.

Discussions included bus announcements, universal design, the current LRT construction, installation of pulsing and audible lights, roundabouts, and the increased presence of bike lanes within the CITY.

Accessible communication is critical to enabling independence, and full participation in life.

Social media is a powerful tool – It provides individuals just like you with a platform to share your views and your voice with millions of readers instantaneously. Suddenly, we are all connected with just the click of a button. The possibilities for advocacy and public education efforts are endless! But how can we use social media platforms responsibly, appropriately, and independently? How can we use social media to educate through positive and important dialogue?

Hello, AEBC!

A new year is upon us and our future is bright. While AEBC has to some extent been a bit dormant over the past year or two, a number of exciting things are happening and are in the works that will put us back on the map and get us moving in the right direction.

We will be launching some new "campaigns" over the next few months that aim to generate public attention and to get members involved.

Here's an update for you on what we've been "up to" at the national level over the past few months and what we have brewing.

Regards,
Anthony Tibbs
President, Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians

A. Announcements and Reminders

1.

Hello, AEBC!

It's March. We're a little over a month away from the conference and annual general meeting in Ottawa, this April 25th to 27th. Check out http://www.blindcanadians.ca/programs/conf/2014 for all the details, including the registration form.

Are you interested in running for the board? Pursuant to s. 28.4 of our bylaws, "the 1st Vice-President, Treasurer, and one Director Without Portfolio shall be elected during even numbered years." However, over the course of the last year, Dar Wournell (our secretary) resigned and Jennifer Jesso was appointed to fill her position. Under s. 32.3 of the Bylaws, that appointment is effective only until the next membership meeting, and therefore, the position of Secretary will also need to be elected.

On Tuesday, March 4th at 8pm Eastern, Sharlyn Ayotte will be hosting a teleconference discussion to explore the future of library services in Canada. This session is intended to tell you a little of what we know so far, and to gather your viewpoints and feedback to inform AEBC's next steps.

Background information: As many of you know, the topic of so-called 'accessible library service' has been front and center over the past couple of years. AEBC has been advancing the notion that accessible, alternative-format library services should be provided by government just as public library services currently are.

Hello, AEBC!

2014 is upon us, and we're getting geared up for the conference and annual general meeting in Ottawa, this April 25th to 27th. Because of the importance of that event, and because there is so much information to be communicated to you, details about the AGM will have been sent in a separate message. See http://www.blindcanadians.ca/programs/conf/2014 for all the details, including the registration form.

As we start looking toward the AGM, we must now also begin looking toward the next year, and next two years. More information will be coming your way about the strategic planning process, and the recommendations that will be flowing from that.

The Kelowna Art Gallery has been very proactive to make their art displays accessible to blind and partially sighted individuals. At least three times a year, Rene, Program Director for the gallery, organizes customized tours for us. On November 9, 2013, several members of our Kelowna AEBC Chapter attended the current display.

Rene, started out by giving us background information on the artist and his works then we moved to the gallery and watched short films.

Hello, AEBC!

I want to ask each and every one of you a question, and I want each and every one of you to reply to this message and, if you say nothing else, at least answer this. My question is simple. Can you name one thing, just one thing, that you did, or were involved in doing, in the past two months, that you believe improved or could potentially improve the lives of blind, deaf-blind or partially sighted Canadians? Did you explain low vision to a clerk in a supermarket? Did you ask a restaurant whether they had a braille menu for you? Did you file a human rights complaint? We all must have done something. What did you do? More importantly, what are you going to do in the next month? How about simply donating $5 to a worthy cause? I think we can come up with a few.