Reports
Activities Report
September 2005
ESSAY CONTEST TO MARK INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DISABLED PERSONS
If you feel strongly about disability issues, here is the contest for you!
The AEBC is offering three cash prizes ($250, $150 and $100) to winners in an AEBC "members' only" essay contest to coincide with the United Nations' International Day of Disabled Persons 2005.
In1982, the UN General Assembly adopted the day of disabled persons. Do you believe your life has improved since then, and if so, how and what has caused those changes? Do you think Canadian society has benefited from integrating people with disabilities into mainstream life? These are some of the possible essay topics in the contest that is open to AEBC members to mark this year's International Day, which aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
"We want to know if our members feel that we're moving forward," says AEBC First Vice President Penny Leclair. "Having a day of disabled persons is fine, but are we making any progress in quality of life issues? We're trying to find out what changes have occurred regarding the rights of disabled people and whether members have personally experienced an improvement."
You must be an AEBC member to enter and essays must not exceed 1000 words. Deadline is NOVEMBER 22, 2005. Send essays electronically to info@blindcanadians.ca, or in print or braille to the AEBC's National Office, 1638 Pandosy Street, Suite 6, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1P8. Winning essays become the property of AEBC, and may be published in a future issue of the Canadian Blind Monitor.
Summer Accessible Products Research Projects
This summer, the AEBC hired two summer students, who researched available accessible products, conducted a questionnaire to determine which areas of regular products are of greatest importance, and investigated the standards setting process in Canada. Their research will be available shortly, at which point next steps will be determined. Watch our website, or contact: info@blindcanadians.ca to receive copies of these materials.
CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS PUBLISHES LANDMARK REPORT
On September 16, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters submitted its report, entitled "The Presence, Portrayal and Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Television Programming," to the CRTC and published it on the CAB's website.
The Report details the results of 18 months of research into the way things are, both behind and in front of the cameras, which involved extensive consultation with the disability community, including the AEBC. It also maps out a game plan for change.
Initiatives detailed in the report to the CRTC include:
Review industry content codes by the spring of 2006 to develop standards and guidelines relating to the portrayal of people with disabilities.
Develop an information package about employment in broadcasting and production.
Develop educational material on the use of language.
Develop a training seminar on "the specific - and often cost-effective - ways" in which people with disabilities can be accommodated in the workplace.
Ensure production partners understand and share in broadcasters' commitment to positive and accurate depictions of people with disabilities.
Encourage local stations to develop databases of experts with disabilities to be included in on-air analyses of issues.
Develop a directory to help broadcasters and producers identify creative talent from the disability community.
It will be crucial that the CRTC uses its regulatory authority to ensure the recommendations become a reality, and that the momentum continues.
To read the report, visit: this link, or call 613-233-4035 or write P.O. Box 627, Station B, Ottawa, Ont. K1P 5S2.
WDC SEEKS WEBSITE RATER
The AEBC's Web Design Committee is looking for someone who has time and interest, and is willing to investigate websites which have been recommended as possible resource links. He/she would rate each website according to the rating scale published on our website, and send the rating to the Web Design Committee Chair for posting. If interested, or for further information, contact Marcia Cummings, WDC Chair at: cummings@blindcanadians.ca.
AEBC ATTENDS 'CFB' CONFERENCE IN VICTORIA
Julie Caudle and Linda Bartram attended the Canadian Federation of the Blind's conference in Victoria. The Honourable David Blunkett from the UK was the primary guest speaker. The sessions were taped and Linda Bartram has requested copies of all the presentations, and plans to send CFB copies of our Victoria Chapter minutes.
The AEBC continues to believe that open dialogue among consumers is the only way to move forward, and we have written suggesting further discussions which we hope will lead to collaborative work on issues of mutual concern.
MORE ON ELECTIONS
Irene Lambert and Penny Leclair met with officials of Elections Canada, at which a follow up meeting was discussed. With a federal election growing closer, we sent the following letter to them in an effort to ensure improvements are made prior to our next federal election:
September 29, 2005
Jean Pierre Kingsley Chief Electoral Officer of Canada
Dear Mr. Kingsley:
Re: improving access at polling stations to allow blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted Canadians to vote independently and in secret
Equal access to voting information is of prime concern to both elections Canada and our organization, the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC), formerly the National Federation of the Blind: Advocates for Equality.
Members of our organization met with officials of elections Canada on November 5, 2004. At this meeting it was agreed that we needed to meet again, once Elections Canada had an opportunity to "look into" various matters discussed at the meeting. Though several emails have been sent to Marc Lamontagne, member of the Communications directorate, no further meetings have been arranged, and we are writing to request a follow up meeting.
Reading the ballot is critical-all Canadian citizens must be able to choose easily from the entire list of candidates and vote secretly. Currently many Canadians cannot read the information printed on the ballot.
If they are blind, deaf-blind or partially sighted, to vote, they can use a regular ballot fitted into a template that is supposed to have holes corresponding to the places on the ballot where an "x" would go. They are not given a list of candidates in Braille, either, which means that they still require the assistance of a poll clerk or other person who can read the candidates' list to them. They then have to hope that the template is lined up properly so that they can count the holes and mark their "x". There is no opportunity for private verification that they have managed the task correctly.
If they can see enough to read large print, they may be able to read the candidates' names on the regular ballot, but the font used for Party designations is likely to be too small for some electors who have partial sight. But according to Elections Canada, The Elections Act has specific guidelines, and it was not clear whether anything could be done about this short of amending this Act.
With the proliferation of computers, and the relatively inexpensive cost of Braille embossers, there is hardly any justification for the lack of Braille information on Election Day. There is also no justification for not producing print ballots using one large font for all the information, which would assist all electors-again, something easily done with today's technology.
There are also telephone-based and web-based alternatives for information sharing, as well as electronic voting, and we would like to meet with Elections Canada once more to explore these as well as the Braille and large-print issues.
Elections Canada informed us that a kit of simulation of the voting process to instruct voters was in the stages of development, we would value a discussion of where the production of this kit is at today. Some people who are blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted need some instruction, prior to the next election.
Prior to each election, returning officers and other staff working at polling stations are provided with sensitivity training. As more effective training is definitely required, we had suggested that Elections Canada consider employing some persons with disabilities to assist in training, since this usually results in sensitivity training that is more effective. There are videos available; detailing how to best assist people with various disabilities, and these could also enhance the training experience and results.
We welcome the opportunity to work with elections Canada to ensure that changes to the voting system take the needs of people who are blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted into consideration. We would appreciate another meeting between AEBC and Elections Canada representatives. Penny Leclair, the Chair of our Access to Electoral Process Committee, has tried to arrange one without success. I will be in Ottawa several times over the next couple of months ( including the afternoon of Oct. 27, Nov. 1 or 3). Please contact me via email at rae@blindcanadians.ca or by phone at (416) 941-1547, to arrange a meeting so that changes can take place before the next election, to improve the voting process and make information accessible to all Canadians.
Yours sincerely,
John Rae
National PresidentDangers of the Quiet, Hybrid Car
At the AEBC's 2005 Conference, the membership adopted Resolution 2005-25: Hybrid Cars, calling for research into the problems posed by the increasing presence of hybrid and electric cars on our roads. We have written to 17 automobile manufacturers, a couple of labour unions, and have asked the Transportation Development Centre to conduct research. Both Kim Kilpatrick and Irene Lambert have done media interviews. Here is an article Kim wrote, that has received wide circulation. If you have suggestions as to how we can proceed with this matter, please contact Kim at: kilpatrick@blindcanadians.ca.
HYBRID CARS POSE NEW DANGERS By: Kim Kilpatrick
I have heard (as I'm sure many of you have) about quiet or hybrid and electric cars for several years now.
I am conscious of and concerned for the environment, and support the need for cleaner air and a reduction in greenhouse gases, so the basic idea of quieter and more environmentally friendly vehicles has always seemed like a good idea to me. However, these vehicles pose new dangers to pedestrians, both blind and sighted.
A number of cars and pick-up trucks now operate using a combination of electricity and gasoline. These vehicles are known as hybrids because they blend combustion-engine and electric-motor technologies. Excess energy from the combustion-engine energy, which is wasted in conventional vehicles, charges the battery that runs the hybrid's electric motor. When it is in operation, the hybrid vehicle shifts automatically from one power mode to the other. How often and when the vehicle uses electric power varies widely according to model and design. The engine is silent when operating in electric-power mode.
I have been blind since birth and traveled with a white cane from age six. For the past 13 plus years I have been partnered with three wonderful guide dogs. I have always considered myself a competent and confident traveler and thought that I could overcome any challenge in my environment.
Recently, while walking on a very quiet residential street with a sighted friend, we paused at the corner. There was no background noise, no traffic noise, no loud music, etc.
I told Gia (my guide dog) "Forward". She refused to go.
My friend said, "There is a car on your right coming through the intersection."
I heard nothing. It was a quiet or hybrid car. I have since learned that these vehicles make absolutely no noise when going at low speeds or when idling, waiting for a light to change.
This impacts all kinds of situations for people like me who are blind.
Contrary to popular belief, our guide dogs do not read the traffic lights for us. When I reach a lighted intersection, I listen for the sound of traffic flow. If the traffic is flowing parallel to me, it means my light is green; however, I often wait for a fresh light to cross the street. If the traffic is perpendicular to me (moving across in front of me), the light is red and I wait for a green light.
If the intersection were full of quiet cars, I could not read the traffic and would not know when to give my dog the "forward" command.
But this is not the only issue.
When I stop at the corner of a stop street with no light, I listen to make sure no traffic is approaching before giving my dog the "forward" command. Again, if the intersection were filled with quiet vehicles, I would not know when it was safe to do this.
When I travel on a road with no sidewalks, I walk on the left hand side with my dog on my left facing traffic. When cars approach us, I turn us into the curb edge to make sure we are out of the line of fire! Again, I would not know when traffic was approaching in this situation.
When walking through parking lots, I would not know if quiet cars were suddenly turning in front of me or coming from behind.
When walking down a sidewalk, I would not know if a quiet car was pulling in to or out of a driveway.
Many of our big cities are now filled with wheelchair ramps at curbs. This is generally a good thing but makes lining up with an intersection trickier for someone who is blind. I use traffic noise to make sure I am pointing in the correct direction for a street crossing. This is especially useful when coming to rounded curbs, which make it even more difficult to line up with intersections.
In the winter here in Canada with snow covered corners, lining up with intersections is trickier. When it is windy or raining hard or in winter when you need to wear a hat, traffic noise is already more muffled.
In her article, "Stop, Look, and Listen: Quiet Vehicles and Pedestrian Safety," ( THE BRAILLE MONITOR, Vol. 48, No. 6 June 2005), Deborah Kent Stein offers some possible solutions:
"Perhaps hybrid vehicles could be engineered so that the radiator fan switches on whenever the car is operating in electric mode. The fan would emit a hum audible to pedestrians. Perhaps a device built into the axle could make a sound as the wheels rotate. It has also been suggested that blind travelers carry a device that would indicate when a hybrid or other quiet car is in the vicinity. The signal could be auditory or tactile. A tactile signal would have the advantage of not blocking other important sounds in the environment. In addition, it could be of great help to blind people who also have impaired hearing."
Technology certainly has made my life easier with talking computers and scanners, talking global positioning systems (which I want to acquire) etc., but these quiet cars pose dangers and could even be deadly for people who are blind or partially sighted.
I really feel passionate about this issue, as I cherish being able to travel independently. My dog is trained to stop for traffic but we are a team and a partnership and I like to be able to provide as much input and guidance as I possibly can.
I just want these cars to make some kind of noise.
AEBC PARTICIPATES IN OTTAWA ACCESSIBILITY DAY
The second accessibility day in Ottawa was held at Ottawa city hall on August 24, 2005 and was organized and sponsored by voice print and the Ottawa exhibition. Alan Conway and Kim Kilpatrick, along with their two golden guide dogs staffed our booth.
There was a ceremony in which the mayor of Ottawa spoke. Also a project to design and build a totally accessible playground in Ottawa was unveiled by the rotary club, which will be in place in early October.
We spent a lot of time talking with people from different organizations and forming new friendships.
2006 AGM Set for Kelowna
It's already time to mark your calendars for the AEBC's 2006 AGM, which will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2006, at The Prestige Hotel, 1675 Abbott St., Kelowna, BC V1Y 8S3 250-860-7900 or www.PrestigeInn.com
While more details will follow, we want to encourage members who are interested in submitting resolutions to do so as early as possible. Send them to our Secretary, Marcia Cummings, cummings@blindcanadians.ca or to our National Office in Kelowna. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in Kelowna in May.
CONTRIBUTE TO THE CANADIAN BLIND MONITOR
AEBC publishes three issues of the Canadian Blind Monitor per year. While the public awareness and advocacy committee is charged with determining themes and topic areas, as well as writing and requesting articles, any and all input from others is welcome. This applies to both writing original and locating reprint articles. The editors collect reprints in the months leading up to an issue, but it would be most appreciated if others also could keep an eye open for any themes, topics or articles that would be of interest to readers--not only AEBC members but also potential members, service providers, policy makers and the general public.
Upcoming issues of the magazine, the winter 2005 and spring 2006 issues, are slated to focus on "blindness around the world" and "politics of blindness", with the winter 2005 submission deadline being October 10, 2005, and the spring 2006 deadline being March 1, 2006, or so. Please forward any ideas, reprint articles etc. to Sara Bennett, or John Rae and please contact us to discuss ideas re original articles you are interested in writing.
While this list has been developed with the "blindness around the world" issue in mind, many of them could also apply to "politics".
- interplay between disability, race/culture, sex, age, religion;
- history/human rights--Holocaust;
- Native American issues;
- state of consumerism;
- political access--legislation in format, voting;
- poverty;
- access to health/eye care;
- early intervention for children;
- braille and literacy;
- education--inclusive?;
- rehabilitation/computer training;
- employment, unemployment, underemployment;
- personal/personality profiles re employment;
- discrimination re guide dogs;
- social inclusion;
- technology;
- attitudes re disability/blindness within, and external to, disability/blindness communities;
- media portrayals and disability-related initiatives.
The CBM team looks forward to your active assistance.
Upcoming Meetings
Oct. 5, Meeting with Manitoba cabinet ministers re assistive devices program for Manitoba
Oct. 6, ARCH AGM and anniversary celebration, Toronto
Oct. 13-15, PAWS, Vancouver
Nov. 2, Release of CNIB National Needs Study, Ottawa
Nov. 4-5, Guide Dog Users of Canada AGM
Nov. 4-5, Breaking Down Barriers 2005 Conference, Toronto
Nov. 7-8, Canadian Transportation Agency meeting, Ottawa
Nov. 17-19, Building Inclusive Schools, Canadian Teachers Federation, Ottawa
Nov. 18-20, Court Challenges Consultation and AGM, Winnipeg
Dec. 3, United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons -
Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day
Jan. 13-15, CCD National Council meeting, Winnipeg
