Reports
Activities Report
February 2006
REGISTER YOUR FEDERAL ELECTION EXPERIENCES
Blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted Canadians still don't have a secret vote in Federal elections. We must have the right to this vote, but Elections Canada still does not provide information in Braille, audio and large print formats to electors who are unable to read regular print.
we are requesting that Canadians who wish to file a complaint regarding their voting experience write Chief Elections Officer, Mr. Jean-Pierre Kingsley, e-mail: Jean-Pierre.Kingsley@elections.ca
Elections Canada, 257 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0M6
We hope to have another meeting with Mr. Kingsley in March, and his Report on the recent election must be tabled in Parliament within 90 days of the close of the election. AEBC's Elections Committee is already developing our future plans, and several members are planning to file individual human rights complaints with the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
Penny Leclair, Chair of AEBC's Elections Committee, would appreciate receiving a copy of any letters sent, as the AEBC is collecting experiences and views of voters which will assist us in our efforts to make Canada's election system more accessible to persons who are blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted. Please e-mail Penny at leclair@blindcanadians.ca.
AEBC CREATES NEW "VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Award"
At its January meeting, the Board voted to create the AEBC Volunteer of the Year Award, to be presented at our AGM/conference each year.
Eligibility: A member who has made a significant volunteer contribution to the work of the AEBC in the previous calendar year.
Please submit names to our national secretary, Marcia Cummings, by April 1 via email at: cummings@blindcanadians.ca, or via phone at 416-901-0318.
The Board will make its decision, and present the first annual award at our AGM in Kelowna on May 6, 2006.
2005 SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
Again this year, the AEBC awarded three scholarships to outstanding scholars who are blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted. The Committee had another tough job, but here are the 2005 recipients:
- Yves Brunet of Ottawa, Ontario, is winner of the Alan H. Neville Memorial Scholarship. The 46-year-old eastern Ontarian was formally trained in the field of Business Administration and worked for the federal government until 1995. After living with HIV for seven years, in 2002 he lost most of his vision. Yves is working on a Master's program in Counseling at Ottawa University and wants to use his experience to help other people diagnosed with HIV and AIDS or who experience significant loss of vision by other diseases.
- Abebe Abay Teklu of Victoria, British Columbia is winner of the T-Base Communications funded Business, Education and Technology Scholarship. Originally from Ethiopia, Abebe became blind from exposure to smallpox at the age of nine. After graduating from Grade 12, he then earned a teaching diploma at Addis Ababa University. Even though after his training he landed a teaching job, his involvement in the movement for freedom of speech, freedom of worship and opposition to the rule of Ethiopia's military government finally landed him in prison for a year. Through the efforts of Amnesty International he was finally released from jail and decided to leave his home country. While his route to Canada was dangerous, along the way he was able to help organize a school for the blind in Khartoum, Sudan. After arriving in Canada, he began his search for employment but negative attitudes related to his blindness led him back to university where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Social Work and Master's degree in Policy and Practice. Still finding it difficult to find employment, he decided to change his career goals to the field of education and is currently a University of Victoria Ph.D student in the Faculty of Education's Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Abebe is a husband and father of two.
- Quyen Le of Hamilton, Ontario is the winner of the AEBC National Achievement Scholarship. A fourth year McMaster University psychology student, Quyen is working towards her goal of becoming a clinical psychologist. She lost her sight at the age of two and arrived in Canada as a refugee from Vietnam when she was fourteen. Learning English and attending a residential school for the blind was at first a challenge but Quyen soon flourished in math, music, and science. Quyen is now actively involved in volunteer work and research projects to prepare her for graduate school. To her friends, Quyen is affectionately known as a "gadget girl" since she really enjoys using the many different kinds of technology to assist with her studies and independent living.
TORONTO CHAPTER TO FUND FOURTH 2006 SCHOLARSHIP
In 2006, the AEBC's Toronto Chapter will fund a scholarship. It will join our regular three scholarships. Criteria for all four 2006 scholarships will appear soon on the AEBC's website, www.blindcanadians.ca.
SEEKING YOUR PARTICIPATION
Too many television commercials end with, "to order, call the number on your screen." This needs to change!
To assist with changing this practice, AEBC president John Rae is seeking your assistance in logging examples on Canadian tv stations. Please note the name of the product, date and time it appeared, and the name and address of the tv station that aired it. Send examples to John at: rae@blindcanadians.ca.
NEWS FROM VICTORIA
Employees from five BC government ministries are meeting with seven community representatives to develop a framework for an Equipment and Assistive Devices Program for persons with disabilities living in British Columbia. Linda Bartram, Victoria AEBC Chapter President is one of the community representatives and is cautiously optimistic. If you would like to be kept up to date with the developments of this program and be a part of the consultation process you are urged to join the Devices listserv by going to the AEBC website and signing onto this list.
Two Victoria Chapter members are part of the Accessibility Advisory Committee for BC Ferries. Travelers with disabilities will find positive changes to the ferry service and its amenities, being introduced over the next two or three years. One noticeable improvement is large print labeling on the items in the cafeteria and snack bar.
Victoria Chapter members are working with BC Transit to improve service for persons who are blind. In December, they conducted a survey to demonstrate the challenges blind bus riders have at "multiple bus" bus stops. The results have prompted BC Transit to improve training of bus drivers and look for creative solutions.
The Victoria Chapter lost one of its newest members in December. Jerry Chodeck passed away while undergoing surgery. Jerry was instrumental in rallying the troupes to fight the proposed reduction of the Talking Book Library service and will be truly missed.
MEDIA COVERAGE
AEBC's Communications Liaison, Kim Kilpatrick appeared on AM 920 CKNX based out of Wingham Ontario to discuss the dangers of the quiet car. The interview also covered such other topics as identifying currency, access to computer technology, talking GPS systems, guide dogs, and braille menus in restaurants.
Following the election, AEBC's President John Rae, was contacted by Toronto Star columnist Helen Henderson for his views on the newly elected government and what it may mean for Canadians with disabilities. You can read what he had to say at:
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Artic le_Type1&c=Article&cid=1139439012503&call_pageid=970599109774&col=Columnist9 89556577025.AEBC TO SEEK INTERVEENOR STATUS AT SUPREME COURT OF CANADA
The AEBC has retained ARCH who has applied for funding from the Court Challenges Program to develop an application for intervenor status in the Via Rail case, which is scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court of Canada on May 19, 2006. The AEBC will join with a number of other organizations to raise transportation issues affecting blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted Canadians, and to raise additional, broad equality rights issues.
AEBC Supports Expanded Core Curriculum Proposal
There is currently no standard curriculum to which Teachers of Students who are vision-impaired can refer. This results in an inconsistency in the level and quality of support services provided to students who are vision-impaired.
In Ontario, a group has developed a proposal for the Province to adopt the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), and the AEBC has added its support.
The ECC encompasses needs that are specific to students with vision impairments that are currently unmet by the Ontario core curriculum. The ECC has been recognized world-wide and covers the following skill areas:
- Compensatory or Functional Academic Skills, Including Communication Modes (e.g., braille)
- Orientation and Mobility
- Social Interaction Skills
- Independent Living Skills
- Recreation and Leisure Skills
- Career Education
- Technology
- Visual Efficiency Skills
The ECC will provide Teachers of Students who are vision-impaired with a standard curriculum to ensure that they are providing their students with the skills that are necessary for success in life.
The delivery of the ECC is currently dependent on the resources available to each school district, the experience of the Teacher of Students who are Vision-Impaired, the degree of the student's visual impairment, and the attitude of the staff at the student's school. All provinces need a policy that stresses the importance of the ECC and to provide guidance for school districts to ensure that all students who are vision-impaired are given the skills to succeed in today's society.
AEBC JOINS NEW AODA ALLIANCE
The AEBC has joined the new AODA Alliance, successor to the former ODA Committee, which worked hard for legislation in Ontario. AEBC's President John Rae is a member of its first Board.
At its first Board meeting on January 23, 2006, Catherine Dunphy and Gary Malkowski were elected Chair and Vice-Chair respectively. The new Board discussed forming committees on policy, communications and nominations, and decided to write the Ontario Government to request funding for AODA work be specifically included in the upcoming Ontario budget, and to express concern over the rumoured fears the Ontario Human Rights Commission is planning to move towards direct access, rather than the present approach.
AEBC PARTICIPATES IN CCD NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING
At its January meeting, the CCD National Council spent considerable time revisiting its traditional position against a Canadians With Disabilities Act and discussing income security issues. More discussions on both of these topics are to come.
In addition to continuing to promote its core issues, transportation, a down payment on disability related supports, human rights, etc., CCD plans to spend more time working on poverty reduction issues.
AEBC's President, John Rae, was elected National Treasurer, to fill out the current term until June, at which all CCD Executive positions are up for election at the CCD AGM.
REMINDER: GET INVOLVED IN OUR MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
Tell your family, friends, co-workers, even total strangers about us and you'll have a chance to win cash in our 2006 Membership Drive Contest. Active members in good standing can win:
First Prize: $100.
Second Prize: $50.
Third Prize: $25.AEBC's membership survey, conducted last year, suggests that the best way to attract new members to our organization is for current members to encourage new or lapsed members to sign up for membership.
Review your list of friends and contacts, talk to fellow blind, deaf-blind or partially sighted individuals and tell them the benefits of joining an organization of and for blind Canadians. If you sign them
This Membership Contest is open to all AEBC active Members in good standing (e.g. paid up Members), including chapter members, chapter executives and members-at-large. Excluded are current National Board members, as well as staff and contractors of the AEBC. New members include persons who are blind, deaf-blind or partially sighted and who are not now current members of the AEBC. They also include past members who have not renewed their membership for one year. When signing up new or lapsed members, the current member is required to tell the potential member that he/she is participating in our contest and that he/she will be adding his/her name and contact information to the membership form he/she will submit. Membership forms are available on the Internet at: www.blindcanadians.ca or by contacting the national office by Telephone, Toll Free: 1-800-561-4774 or Email: info@blindcanadians.ca
Members can also add their addresses and other details by phoning the above toll free number. The contest closes on May 1st, 2006 and the winners will be announced during the Kelowna AGM. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
LET'S INVITE SOME EXCITING NEW MEMBERS TO JOIN OUR ORGANIZATION AND HAVE SOME FUN DOING IT!
REMINDER: 2006 KELOWNA AGM APPROACHES
AEBC's 2006 AGM will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2006, at The Prestige Hotel, 1675 Abbott St., Kelowna, BC V1Y 8S3 250-860-7900 www.PrestigeInn.com
To those members interested in submitting resolutions, please 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.
2006 DUES ARE NOW DUE
Chapters, and Committees are meeting to develop their 2006 work plans, and we want you to be a part of these activities. Dues for 2006 remain a great bargain, at only $5.00 annually, or $100.00 for life membership. Dues should be paid to your local chapter, or directly to National Office if you do not live in an area where we have a chapter. A comprehensive package to assist chapters has been created, and 2006 will be another hectic year, so please join and participate in our important work which is designed to improve the lives of all Canadians who are blind, deaf-blind or partially sighted.
upcoming meetings
May 6, AEBC AGM, Kelowna
May 19, Via Rail case, Supreme Court of Canada, Ottawa
June 11-13, CCD National Council and AGM meetings, Winnipeg
August, UN Convention, New York
Oct. 26-27, DISIT, Winnipeg
