Reports

Activities Report

February 2005

This Report focuses on our new name, upcoming Ottawa Conference, and highlights work taking place by some of our Chapters.

• OUR NEW NAME ... AT LAST!

  On March 10, the NFB:AE is scheduled to roll out its new name, Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians / L'Alliance pour l'ÉgalitÉ des Personnes Aveugles du Canada, and new website, http://www.BlindCanadians.ca, and we will be celebrating this new beginning at our upcoming Ottawa Conference.

• OTTAWA CONFERENCE UPDATES

  The first conference of Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians / L'Alliance pour l'ÉgalitÉ des Personnes Aveugles du Canada, will take place in Ottawa from Thursday, April 28, to Sunday, May 1, 2005 at the Aristocrats Suites Hotel, Cooper and Elgin Streets. A Draft Agenda follows these updates.

  In addition to funding being made available to Chapters to send some delegates to our conference in Ottawa, some assistance is also available for members at large who wish to attend and need assistance. To make a request, please contact our treasurer, Denise Sanders via e-mail: info@nfbae.ca or phone National Office at 1-800-561-4774 by March 17, 2005.

  In order to vote at this Conference, either in person or by proxy, dues must be paid 45 days prior to the start of the Conference--March 15, 2005. Please encourage your friends to join and participate in this important Conference.

  Anyone wishing to submit a Bylaw amendment must forward it to the Secretary at least 60 days in advance. Send any such amendments to Marcia Cummings, cummings@nfbae.ca or to our National Office not later than March 1, 2005. Please consider any Resolutions you may wish discussed. Those received by April 8, 2005, will be distributed prior to the Conference.

• OTTAWA CONFERENCE

  Location: Aristocrats Suites, Cooper and Elgin Streets, Ottawa Registration: $60 per person, includes two continental breakfasts, two lunches and refreshment breaks. It would be most helpful if individuals intending to attend the Conference would send their registration fee as soon as possible to National office, 1638 Pandosy Street, Suite 6, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1P8 by April 1, 2005.

  Draft Conference Agenda

  Note: This Agenda is subject to change.

  Thursday, April 28, 2005

  All day:

  Out of Town Delegates Arrive

  4:00 - 9:00:

  Technology Displays (open to conference participants and the wider Ottawa community)

  6:30-8:

  Registration Begins

  7:30 - 9:30

  Welcoming Reception and chance to meet and mingle

  Friday, April 29, 2005

  8:00-12:

  Exhibits open

  8:45-9:15:

  late registration

  9:30:

  Call to Order
  Welcome from Ottawa Chapter and introduction of Conference Committee
  Melanie Marsden

  9:40:

  Approval of Minutes from 2004 AGM/2004 Special Membership Meeting,
  Marcia Cummings
  Credentials Report: Marcia Cummings
  President's Report, John Rae

  10:15:

  Key note speaker
  A Perspective on Federal Disability Policy

  10:45:

  Break.

  11:00:

  Where is Disability Policy in Canada Going: A Panel
  
  Marie White, Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD)
  Traci Walters, national Director, Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres (CAILC)
  Questions and Discussion

  12:10:

  Nominations for Board positions
  

  • We will be electing at least the offices of President, 2nd VP, Secretary and one Director without Portfolio

  12:30-1:15:

  Lunch.

  2:00:

  Note: Group to divide into three groups for concurrent sessions:

  2:00-3:30:

  • Workshop A-1: Future of Employment Opportunities - Chantal Oakes
  • A-2: Future of Travel/Transportation: Marcia Cummings, Chris Stark from CTA
  • A-3: Future of Media Depiction: Canadian Association of Broadcasters

  3:30:

  break

  3:45 - 5:15:

  3 Concurrent Workshops
  
  

  • B-1: Duty to Accommodate: Robin East
  • B-2: Future of Technology: Visuaide and others
  • B-3: Future of Accessible information Mike Yale

  5:15:

  Adjournment

  Evening at leisure, or fun activity organized by Ottawa, cost on one's own

  Saturday, April 30, 2005

  8:00:

  Continental breakfast
  Registration continues
  

  9:00 - 10:30:

  Plenary: The Search for True Inclusion:
  Melanie Marsden

  10:30

  Break

  10:45 - 11:30:

  Future of the AEBC. Brainstorming session. divide into 4 smaller groups to discuss each topic in detail and appoint one person to report back to the whole group

  • Fund-raising Rick or Denise to lead
  • Membership Development Paul to lead
  • Publicity Judy Smith to lead
  • Political Advocacy John Rae or Mike Yale to lead

  11:30:

  Return to Plenary for report back from each group

  11:50:

  Additional nominations for the Board

  Noon - 1:15

  Lunch provided

  1:15:

  Business Meeting
  Credentials Report

  1:15 - 1:45

  Treasurer's Report, Presentation of 2004 Audit, and Appointment of Auditor for the 2005 Fiscal Year

  1:45:

  Resolutions

  3:15

  Break

  3:30

  Resolutions continued

  4:00

  Candidates Forum

  5:00

  Adjournment

  Evening: at leisure or some activity organized by Ottawa, cost on one's own

  Sunday, May 1, 2005

  8:00

  continental breakfast

  9:00

  Call to Order and Credentials Report
  Election of Officers
  Resolutions continued
  Discussion of Site for 2006 Annual General Meeting
  Other Business

  12:30

  Adjournment

  1:00

  Meeting of New and old Board

  1:00

  meeting of chapter presidents

• NFB:AE TO RELEASE ASSISTIVE DEVICES REPORT

  Last summer, we hired Rachel Jeffrey to conduct research into existing funding programs for assistive devices across Canada, and to develop and administer a survey to determine what blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted individuals would like to see covered in an ideal program. Linda Bartram was contracted to complete the Report, and the key findings are:

  1. One third of blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted Canadians live in Provinces which do not have a provincially funded assistive devices program.
  2. 66% of the survey participants are unable to acquire all the special devices they need and even 56% of participants living in provinces which have assistive devices programs are unable to acquire all the devices they need. (Existing programs are not adequate)
  3. Deaf-blind Canadians appear to have the greatest unmet need when it comes to acquiring assistive devices
  4. Over 88% of the survey participants indicated that special devices were very essential for accessing information yet over 76% indicated they needed more special devices to access the information needed to make informed decisions. (We live in an information age and blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted Canadians are left behind).

  We will be distributing the Report to key organizations, and sending a summary to participants whose e-mail addresses we have.

  Copies of the full report can be obtained from our National Office, or found on our website at: http://www.nfbae.ca/reports/index.php?ReportID=26

  Copies of the summary may also be obtained from National Office or viewed on our website at: http://www.nfbae.ca/reports/index.php?ReportID=27

• CHAPTERS COLLABORATING ON PROVINCIAL PRIORITIES

  Chapter Presidents continue to meet as a group, and also in smaller groupings to discuss provincial work. The BC Chapters are planning to be active in their upcoming Provincial election, scheduled for May 17, focusing on the need for an assistive devices program in BC. John Rae is scheduled to appear on Terry Moore's afternoon show on CFAX 1070, Victoria, from 5:35 PM until 6:00 PM on Thursday, March 3, 2005.

  In Ontario, the Provincial Government has introduced Bill 118, the Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act 2004, and discussions took place among Ontario Chapter Presidents, Board members and several members of Accessibility Advisory Committees. An extensive Brief was submitted. Marcia Cummings and John Rae presented at the public hearings in Toronto, and Melanie Marsden and Kim Kilpatrick presented on behalf of our Ottawa Chapter, and Penny Leclair presented as an individual at the Ottawa hearings. All six days of public hearings were broadcast over Ontario's Parliamentary channel, and we have received positive feedback on our efforts. Clause by clause debate is expected shortly, with Third Reading and passage expected before the Legislature adjourns for the summer.

• NFB:AE Mentorship Program Spotlighted in Abilities Magazine

  The following item appeared in the Enablelinker:

  The National Federation of the Blind: Advocates for Equality offers an exciting opportunity for children, youth and adults experiencing partial or total vision loss to connect with experienced blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted role models, in order to share experiences, ideas and strategies. The Mentorship Program provides support, information and inspiration through regular contact with mentors. Individuals learn from the experiences of others, as well as gain valuable emotional and practical support for many of life's challenges. To find out more, go to: http://www.nfbae.ca/programs

• Collective Action Restores Talking Book Library Hours

  Victoria - In January 2005, representatives from the NFB:AE Victoria Chapter, the CNIB and the CFB, joined forces with Talking Book Club members to persuade the Greater Victoria Public Library Board to reverse their decision to cut the Talking Book Library hours. Jerry Chodeckt, (a new NFB:AE member) led the campaign and as a result of our combined efforts, the Library Board has reversed its decision and has also agreed to consult with the Blind community regarding any change to services in the future.

• CENTRAL OKANAGAN CHAPTER ANNOUNCES ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS

  The Central Okanagan Chapter conducted an essay contest with students at Okanagan University College, and asked students to write an essay of up to 1,000 words on what they think it would be like to wake up blind one morning. Entries are posted on our website at: http://www.nfbae.ca/resources.

  The Chapter has awarded prizes to Shannon Romano and Sarah Cooper, whose entries may be found respectively at: http://www.nfbae.ca/resources/essays/differentkind.php and http://www.nfbae.ca/resources/essays/wereblind.php

  The winning entry will be published in a future issue of the Canadian Blind Monitor.

• SASKATOON CHAPTER SURVEYING BANKS ON ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES

  The following letter has been sent to Canada's major banks, and a couple of credit unions.

  February 8, 2005

  To Whom It May Concern:

  I am writing on behalf of the National Federation of the Blind: Advocates for Equality (NFB:AE). Founded in 1992, the NFB:AE is a national, non-profit organization whose members are mainly persons who are blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted. Our work focuses mainly on public education and advocacy on blindness related issues.

  The NFB:AE has been monitoring with interest, the expansion and emphasis on the provision of on-line commercial services, now available via computer communications technology and the Internet. During this period of growth, emerging adaptive access technologies, have created and enabled greater opportunity for full equality of access/inclusion by blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted Canadians, who are requiring and requesting both private and public mainstream information and services.

  Financial institutions are increasingly recognizing the accessibility requirements of blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted customers through a variety of alternate format access initiatives that gradually are being implemented across the country. Amongst the most notable are alternate format bills, statements and Automated Teller machines with speech. In order to determine the current status and future plans for expansion of such accessibility initiatives, the NFB:AE has developed a survey to be directed to all major Canadian Financial institutions to ascertain current practices and policies, enabling equal access to secure, private and independent banking. Service transactions for blind, deaf/blind and partially sighted customers, including time lines for future targets and goals.

  It would be appreciated, if you would provide current information on the following:

  1. Fully accessible Automated Teller machines with speech. Numbers currently available on site, along with plans for future introduction and/or expansion.
  2. Accessible full range of secure on line and telephone banking transactions and services.
  3. Availability of alternate format documentation in Braille, large print and electronic text file for the following:
     • a. Credit card statements
     • b. Bank statements.
     • c. Mortgage and all other financial agreements, contracts and financial business correspondence.
     • d. Other publications produced and circulated to, and for the benefit of, present and potential customers, e.g. charges for various services, circulars, etc.

  Thanking you in advance for your cooperation in completing and returning the survey at your earliest convenience.

  Sincerely,

  John Rae
  President

• LOWER MAINLAND CHAPTER PARTICIPATES IN MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM

  The following article appeared in the Richmond Review, BC, February 12, 2005.

  Martial arts program helps the visually-impaired defend themselves By Stephanie Dunn

  Imagine that an attacker grabs you by the wrist, or worse, gets a strangle hold on your neck. The streets are deserted and you have to defend yourself. Here's the catch-you're blind.

  Going by only what you feel, will you be able to tell which hand they are grabbing you with or how their body is positioned?

  Designed and taught by Master Michael Sirota, sightless self-defense is aimed specifically at helping visually impaired adults learn to defend themselves. For the group of 13 blind and visually impaired adults who come from across the Lower Mainland to take part in the pilot program, it's also the first step towards greater self-confidence and independence.

  "I want to take martial arts to the next level by offering it to individuals who at the moment are not training in martial arts, but can definitely benefit from them," Sirota says.

  "A lot of individuals with special needs are victimized within our society, so I'd like to provide them with the tools so they can stand up for themselves and protect themselves if needed," he adds.

  Sirota has been teaching martial arts since he retired from competition more than 20 years ago and runs his own martial arts studio near Gilbert Road and Elmbridge Way. Sirota's Alchemy, established in 1994, initially offered standard martial arts programs and elite level training. From there, Sirota says, the programming evolved. Now the martial arts school offers programs for groups with special needs.

  In addition to sightless self defense, Sirota has designed and run programs for children with autism, downs syndrome and ADHD.

  An old work that conjures up images of medieval alchemists trying to turn base metals into gold, "alchemy" is a variation of alchemy, the art of transformation.

  "We facilitate personal transformation, we facilitate personal alchemy," Sirota says. "That's why we have programs for everyone, as long as they have the interest to see themselves change to a higher state."

  When Theresa Andrews, the president of the Lower Mainland chapter of the National Federation of the Blind Advocates for Equality, was first approached by Sirota about sightless self-defense, she admits she was a little wary.

  "I have to watch out for my members," she says adding, some people will try to take advantage of those with visual disabilities.

  By the end of the first class, Andrews and the other 12 participants were convinced.

  "It's like he's been teaching blind people all his life," she says. "We really lucked out, It was like a gift."

  "It's not that the master trained a bunch of blind commandos," said Stephen Hughes, a participant. "I feel better about myself and my surroundings now that I've got my training."

  Sirota calls the sightless self-defense curriculum "pure self-defense training." I only know of one other program in North America for people who are visually impaired, he says.

  "At the moment we're pioneering it here in Richmond."

  The first step is sensitivity training, or learning how to determine the position of the attackers' body by touch and sound alone.

  "They will instantly know which hand I'm grabbing with," Sirota says.

  "People who can see don't grasp the concept as easily as the people who are blind."

  >From here participants learn joint manipulation and joint locks. Joint manipulation is a way of breaking the attacker's hold by taking advantage of the weak points of a joint and joint lock is breaking the hold and them putting the attacker in a painful position with one smooth motion.

  Participants also learn how to use their white walking sticks as weapons.

  Hughes says that learning how to attack the assailant gives him the element of surprise.

  "The person who attacked me would assume I wouldn't be able to defend myself," says Hughes, whose vision has been deteriorating since he was eight. "They won't expect a counter strike."

  For Andrews, the greatest advantage of sightless self-defense was the programming tailored to their needs.

  "Often time when you work in a group of sighted people you don't get the support you need," Andrews says. "I think we all gained the confidence that we would be safer on the streets."

  "It was really great to see how fast they learn," Sirota says. "It was very empowering for me as well as them for them to know that they can take care of themselves or protect themselves if they are ever in a situation that can be dangerous to them."

  Sirota and Andrews are also working to put together a program for visually impaired children.

  For information on the program, call.

• MEETINGS WITH FEDERAL OFFICIALS

  Meetings took place with Ministerial staff of the Hon. Ken Dryden, Minister of Social Development and Joseph Volpe, former Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. These meetings covered such topics as: the need for new money in the upcoming federal budget to support persons with disabilities in the areas of labour market investment and disability supports; our belief that consumer organizations such as ours must be consulted more in the development of policies and programs; discrimination in Canada's Immigration Act; and the need for capacity building funding for consumer organizations such as ours.

• UPCOMING FEDERAL BUDGET

  December 29, 2004

  The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance
  and
  The Honourable John McCallum, Minister of National Revenue

  Dear Ministers:

  Re: Extending Recommendations in the Report of the Technical Advisory Committee on Tax Measures for Persons with Disabilities.

  I am writing to you on behalf of the National Federation of the Blind: Advocates for Equality (NFB:AE) concerning additional measures we feel are needed to advance the equality and integration of Canadians with disabilities.

  The National Federation of the Blind: Advocates for Equality (NFB:AE) was founded in 1992, as a consumer organization of blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted Canadians with the mandate of providing our community with a vehicle for self-expression and action on issues of common concern. Throughout our history, our work has focused primarily on public education and advocacy related to blindness issues. I am enclosing a brochure, which will provide additional background on our organization and our work.

  While we are somewhat encouraged by this report, and previous tax measures that have been taken over the past couple of years, we also believe there are significant limitations in using tax policy as the primary method of alleviating poverty and expanding opportunities for Canadians with disabilities.

  Report after Report has recommended the Federal Government must look at its broader role in addressing the poverty of persons with disabilities and their families. These measures must include the provision of available and affordable disability supports, and a comprehensive labour market strategy, which must include provision for needed assistive devices, regardless where an individual lives in the Dominion.

  We hope the 2005 federal budget will address at least some of these measures, and we believe the growing federal surplus makes it possible.

  A real strength of this process was the collaborative work of the Technical Advisory Committee. We are now looking to the Government of Canada to take the next step. We recommend that a Committee be established, comprised of representatives from organizations of persons with disabilities, along with other experts, to develop further measures to help alleviate the long-standing chronic level of poverty which continues to plague the bulk of Canadians with disabilities.

  We would welcome the opportunity to participate in such a process.

  Sincerely,

  John Rae
  President

  cc: Right Hon. Paul Martin, Prime Minister
  Hon. Ken Dryden, Minister of Social Development
  Council of Canadians With Disabilities (CCD)
  Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres (CAILC)
  Members of the Subcommittee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities
  Ken Boshcoff, MP, Chair
  Carol Skelton, MP, Vice Chair
  Ruby Dhalla, MP
  Robert Vincent, MP
  Peter Julian, MP

• UPCOMING MEETINGS

  • Feb. 23, Motion Picture Association of Canada
  • Mar. 10, Release of new name, AEBC
  • Apr. 28-May 1, AEBC Conference, Ottawa
  • May 13-15, Canadian Vision Teachers Conference, Halifax
  • June 10-12, Council of Canadians With Disabilities National Council