Reports

Activities Report

February 2009

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In this Activities Report:

1. Reminders
2. AEBC 2009 Conference
3. An In-depth Review of the AEBC
4. Chapter News
5. Comments on the Initial Proposed Accessible Information and Communications Standard (Ontario)
6. Presentations/Meetings
7. Press Releases
8. Correspondence

Reminders

• Mark your calendars for AEBC’s conference, May 1 to 3 2009 in Vancouver. More information on the conference is provided later in this report.
• Has your chapter taken up the challenge? Over the summer, we issued the Chapter Fundraising Challenge. The goal is to raise $12,000 across the 16 chapters to completely cover the cost of the 2009 conference. The chapter able to raise the most money per capita (based on their average number of members on September 1/08 and April 30/09) will be recognized for their accomplishments at the AGM!
• We remind all AEBC members that membership fees are due. If you would like to have a vote at this year’s conference, your membership dues must be in by March 15. On a related note, we remind you that the lifetime membership fee has been reduced from $100 to $50. For those of you who can afford to make this contribution, it is a great way to pledge a long-term commitment to the AEBC and to avoid having to remember to pay annual fees each year.
• The AEBC has a half-hour long monthly radio show airing on ACB Radio. An Eye on the North is a show about the issues facing blind, deaf-blind, and partially-sighted Canadians. Topics for past shows have included blindness in the arts, the CRTC, and transportation issues. In order to download past episodes of the show, visit http://www.blindcanadians.ca/aneyeonthenorth. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about future Eye on the North shows, write to aneyeonthenorth@blindcanadians.ca.
• The Canadian Blind Monitor is an AEBC news magazine published semi-annually. Its purpose is to raise and discuss issues and topics of interest to blind, deaf-blind, and partially sighted persons as well as the general public. The magazine consists of original and reprinted articles, information about AEBC, and resource information. The Monitor team would like to hear from anyone interested in writing, researching, or reporting about a wide variety of topics for publication in the Canadian Blind Monitor magazine. Everyone chooses what he or she wants to work on. Experience is an asset, but not required. The next issue of the CBM will be centered around the theme of “Wellness”. AEBC members who would like an opportunity to contribute their resourceful and creative skills to the Monitor are welcome to join the CBM committee, which meets 2 or 3 times per year by teleconference. To get more information about either of these items call Brenda Cooke at 1-800-561-4774 and leave a message, or email bcooke@blindcanadians.ca. Brenda advises that the Winter 2008/09 edition currently on its way to you, emphasizes Economic Participation.
• 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of Louis Braille’s birth in 1809. During this year, throughout the country and around the world, events will be held in celebration of Braille’s birth. Consider the possibility of setting up a display and educating Canadians about Braille.
• Have you considered nominating someone for an AEBC award? It is a great way to recognize the contributions of someone you know. The Volunteer of the Year Award was created to recognize the AEBC member who has made the greatest volunteer contribution to the work of the AEBC during the previous calendar year. Each year, every member organization of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) can nominate one individual to receive the Annual CCD Award. Please send your nominations no later than March 15, 2009, along with a short blurb about your nominee to AEBC's National Secretary, Marc Workman: mworkman@blindcanadians.ca - or call 780-989-5658.
• Did you know about our AEBC list and member list? The AEBC offers a number of public listservs where information is shared and ideas are discussed. Visit the website for more information or to join. If you would like some assistance or have any questions, contact Marc Workman (mworkman@blindcanadians.ca).

AEBC 2009 Conference

See http://www.blindcanadians.ca/conference2009 for the latest information on the conference, including the schedule and workshop descriptions.

The BC Affiliate invites you to attend our 2009 AGM and Conference with the theme "Inclusion Today", May 1 to 3 at the Westminster Quay. We will hold workshops on Friday afternoon and most of Saturday on such topics as access to transportation, the landscape of employment, accessible communications, outline of the national strategy, creating a news release and getting a story out, writing a letter, and developing a policy. Voting on resolutions and elections for board positions will begin late afternoon on Saturday and continue on Sunday morning. We hope you will join us at the Inn at Westminster Quay, 900 Quayside Drive, New Westminster, BC.

The Inn at Westminster Quay is a very unique, boutique hotel, the only hotel in the Lower Mainland that is built over the Fraser River, offering exciting river views from every guestroom. The facilities include a Fitness Centre, sauna, Jacuzzi and a 2-mile boardwalk on the waterfront. The Skytrain transportation system into downtown Vancouver is adjacent to the hotel. The convenience of our location offers you easy access to New Westminster’s newest attraction the Starlight Casino, the airport, ferry terminals, shopping, and theatres. For those traveling to our convention with guide dogs, the location provides excellent opportunities to walk your dog in a stress free environment on the riverside boardwalk. Here you will find areas suitable for both solid and soft surface relieving.

Registration

The registration fee is $75.00 which includes 2 continental breakfasts, 3 coffee breaks, lunch and dinner and cruise on Saturday evening. The cruise is on an authentic paddlewheeler, M.V. Native, that is modeled on ships that used to travel British Columbia some one hundred years ago. This cruise on the Fraser River gives a fascinating view of British Columbia’s' varied industries and the abundance of wildlife that dominates the shores of this famous river.

For those planning on staying at the hotel, a room rate of $129.00 per night based on double occupancy has been arranged. The guest room tax in British Columbia is 13% including the 5% GST. Therefore, this makes the cost of a room approximately $145.77. Contact Denise Sanders at dsanders@blindcanadians.ca or by telephone at 250-717-1667 by March 29, 2009 to book your room and guarantee this conference rate.

General Information about the host city for our conference

In 1859, New Westminster was named the first capital of the new colony of British Columbia and officially named the "City of New Westminster' by Queen Victoria, after Westminster, her favourite part of London. From this naming by the Queen, the city gained its nickname, "The Royal City", and became the first city in Western Canada. A year later it became the first city to have an elected municipal government. In 1866, the colonies of British Columbia and Vancouver Island united as "British Columbia" with New Westminster as the capital. A couple of years later the capital was moved to Victoria. New Westminster, which had overcome the downturn in the Fraser River gold rush, weathered the loss and retained its vibrant spirit.

Columbia Street, the core of Downtown New Westminster, looks very similar to the Columbia Street of the late 1800’s. After fire destroyed most of the buildings on the street at the turn of the last century, businesses rebuilt and many of these buildings remain today. Downtown New Westminster, once referred to as the “Golden Mile”, was the business centre and shopping district for most of the Fraser Valley for many decades.
The City of New Westminster is situated in the center of the Greater Vancouver Regional District, otherwise referred to as the Lower Mainland.

Roughly 15 square kilometers in area, the city is attractively located on a hillside overlooking the Fraser River, 20 km east of Vancouver. The City Center slopes down from Royal Avenue to the Waterfront, offering excellent views up-river to the Golden Ears Mountains, southeast to Mount Baker and down river towards Richmond and Delta and the Straight of Georgia. The Downtown section of New Westminster with its sloping streets, waterfront views and heritage buildings reminds one of San Francisco.

The City has a strong public sector component, as it is the seat of the New Westminster Law Courts and the location for the Land Title Office for the Lower Mainland. A variety of housing types are offered, ranging from the large historic homes of Queen's Park to executive style condominiums. A riverfront esplanade along a series of lagoons provides attractive pedestrian access to our a hotel and a marine park. We are advised that a large adjacent festival market has closed indefinitely – “for renovations” – and in current economic conditions its reopening is quite uncertain.

For more information about New Westminster and the surrounding area, visit:

• New Westminster Tourism at http://www.tourismnewwestminster.com.
• Tourism Vancouver - http://www.tourismvancouver.com
• British Columbia Tourism - http://www.hellobc.com.

We thank these sponsors for their generous contributions to our 2009 conference:

• T-Base Communications: $1,000.00
• Richard Robinson from Able Tech: $500.00
• Paul E. Thiele, in memory of Theresa Andrews: $500.00

DRAFT Agenda - AEBC Conference "Inclusion Today"

Friday, May 1

• 2:00 Opening remarks from our National President, Robin East
• 2:05 Remarks from New Westminster City representative
• 2:10 Keynote speaker - Donna Jodhan
• 2:30 to 4:30 – Workshops
  
  • How do we reduce unemployment?
    
    • How is the landscape changing in governments? How do we deal with the changing nature of work? Tami Grenon from Service Canada
    • What employment incentives work and why. Which are not working and why. Speaker from Ministry of Housing and Social Development
    • What are some career successes and what are some employment barriers individuals who are blind deaf-blind or partially sighted experience. Terry Pipkey, CNIB Career Counsellor
  • What are our rights and responsibilities in various modes of transportation?
    
    • History, goals and future direction of Translink's access Transit program, recommendations and challenges for others developing a similar program. Peter Hill, Manager - Access Transit.
    • CTA decisions re: VIA Rail, airlines, BC Ferries. Pat Danforth, CCD Transportation Chair
    • Decisions re travelling with a service dog, Robin East
    • Dangers of the hybrid car, Richard Marion and John Rae
• 4:45 Walk on the Quay led by Paul Thiele
• 6:00 Dinner at nearby restaurant
• After dinner - Registration and Hospitality Suite open

Saturday, May 2

• 8:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast
• 8:00 BC Affiliate Annual General Meeting
• 9:00 Call to Order and Introductions
• 9:15 Approve 2008 AGM minutes, President's Report – Robin East
• 9:45 Treasurer's Report, Appointment of Auditor, and Future of Fundraising
• 10:15 coffee
• 10:30 National Strategy - What is happening on the National Scene - John Rae
• 10:45 Three Concurrent Groups will develop action plans on three issues using three different forms of advocacy:
  
  • #1: Identify the issues and make recommendations on alleviating poverty for persons with disabilities and their families. Ideas on creating news releases and other means of spreading information to gain public support, using the consumer group advocacy form. Moderators: John Rae, Garry Gaudet
  • #2: An individual’s role in advocating for the establishment of an Assistive Devices Program or for the expansion of an existing ADP in your province, by letter writing using the self advocacy method. “How large is your backpack?” Moderator: Susan Gallagher
  • #3: Developing a strategy to reduce violence and abuse against women who are blind, deaf-blind or partially sighted by creating a list of concerns, which can then be used to write a brief, using the legislative advocacy form. Moderator: to be announced
• 12:00 Nominations. Board: President, 2nd VP, Secretary and 1 Director Without Portfolio
• 12:05 Lunch
• 1:15 Two workshops
  
  • #1 Communication Devices: What's available and how accessible is it? Richard Robinson, from Able Tech
  • #2 Overcoming Barriers in Daily Life – (To be confirmed) - Adding information to the new AEBC "Tips For Independence" Booklet. Travelling solo (John Rae); Best Practices - when educating service providers, banks, retail stores, restaurants, hotels, etc. (Charlie Bailey, Hank Pauelsen); Purchasing a Home. Problem solving when running a household (Paul Thiele, Denise Sanders)
• 3:00 Coffee
• 3:15 Round 2 of Board Nominations, and Candidates’ Forum
• 3:45 Resolutions
• 5:15 End of Day
• 6:30 Boat Cruise
• May Be Hospitality Suite open after cruise

Sunday, May 3

• 9:00 Nominations, Elections and Resolutions. Determine site for 2010 AGM and Possibly 2011 Conference
• 1:00 Adjournment

Keynote Speaker - Donna Jodhan

For the past 14 years I have worked as an entrepreneur at Sterling Creations which is my own company. I work with several associates across Canada and the United States to offer writing, accessibility, translation, and transcription services. I have worked for such companies as the Royal Bank of Canada, IBM Canada, and the Bank of Montreal. My positions have included: Systems engineer, technical and systems support analyst, and technical writer.

I am a graduate of McGill University of Montreal and one of the first blind persons in Canada to obtain an MBA and a Diploma in Management. I also hold a Microsoft systems engineering certification and a Novelle network administration certification and I am one of the first blind persons in the World to have obtained both of these.

One of my greatest passions includes working to ensure that the children of the future have equal access to websites and information on the Internet. I am presently involved in a charter challenge against the Federal Government over inaccessible websites. In 2007, I won my Federal Human Rights complaint against Statistics Canada over their unwillingness to allow me to write my exam in Braille.

An In-depth Review of the AEBC: The Board Needs Your Input

Every few years, an organization like the AEBC needs to take stock. We need to think deeply about where we've come from and where we want to go. Over the next few months, the Board will be engaging in this process, and we need our members to assist us. Any major decisions that come out of this process will be ratified by the membership in the end, but, in the meantime, we invite and welcome your suggestions and comments.

We hope this process will involve a careful consideration of all aspects of the AEBC; everything is up for debate. As a starting point, we've already identified several topics for consideration. This is not an exhaustive list, so feel free to add to it. If you have comments or suggestions, please send them to Marc Workman, AEBC's National Secretary, mworkman@blindcanadians.ca

For more background information to help you in your deliberation, visit our website www.blindcanadians.ca.

The social and political climate in which the AEBC operates is constantly changing, and our organization has to respond in kind. I hope you will join us in our effort to improve the way the AEBC functions for you and for all blind, deaf-blind, and partially-sighted Canadians.

Sincerely,
Robin East, President

Some Topics Identified for Consideration

• Fundraising: Raising funds needed to carry out our work has always been a challenge, but this challenge has been particularly difficult over the last few years. Either the AEBC must learn to operate with fewer resources, or we need to find new ways of raising funds. Our goal is to expand our ability to make a difference, and so we are looking for new and innovative fundraising strategies.
• Human Resources: Managing the affairs of the organization involves a great deal of work. We're seeking thoughts, comments, and suggestions on how to improve the way the organization is managed.
• Structure: The way an organization functions is determined in large part by its structure. It may be that it is time for the AEBC to undergo restructuring. If there are things you want to see remain the same, or things you want to see completely changed, let us know.
• Membership: Without an interested and active membership, an organization like ours withers and stagnates. It is the members that breathe life into the AEBC. We are seeking suggestions on how to attract new members and how to keep current members interested and involved.
• Communications: Rapidly developing technology has resulted in dramatic changes in the way the AEBC communicates internally and externally. New and innovative ways of using existing technology are constantly being discovered. We need your help to ensure that the organization is doing its best to communicate effectively both within the organization, among members spread across a vast territory, and outside the organization with the media, politicians, and the public at large.
• Policy Development: One of the main objectives of the AEBC is advocacy. Unfortunately, it is not always clear on what issues we ought to focus. There are many issues facing blind, deaf-blind, and partially-sighted Canadians. What issues require the most attention? How can we ensure that our efforts are focused and productive? We're seeking input on which issues our members feel are most important.
• Advocacy: After identifying issues that need to be addressed, we must choose strategies that will be most effective in furthering our cause. There are a variety of ways to advocate, and it may be that we need to reconsider the approaches we have used in past. We are open to all suggestions on how to improve our advocacy techniques.
• Services: In the past, the AEBC's main function has been to educate the public and to advocate on our own behalf. We are now facing the question of whether we want to begin offering services. This may or may not be a path that the AEBC takes, but it is something we need to consider. Again, we need your input on whether the AEBC should begin offering services, and if so, on the kinds of services that we might offer. What services, if offered by the AEBC, would further the mandate for which the AEBC was established?

As you can see, there are a wide variety of complex issues under consideration. However, through careful reflection on our organization, and with your assistance, we believe we can begin to move our organization forward. Please send comments and suggestions to mworkman@blindcanadians.ca.

Chapter News

These reports offer us a chance to tell our members about some of the events being held by our various chapters across the country. Here is just a sample of some of the work and play that goes on at the chapter level.

Toronto

Carol Day: March 19, 2009

The Toronto Chapter will be recognizing the contributions of Carol Robertson who served for 8 years as its President. The Chapter will host a dinner in Carol’s honour, at Anthony's at Lawrence and Don Mills in Toronto.

We wish to express our gratitude to our current member and former president for her dedication and for exemplifying all that's best about the AEBC.

Fraser Valley

On Monday, December 22nd, the Fraser Valley Chapter held a Christmas get together at the home of one of our members. Everyone enjoyed mounds of seasonal baking, and a rousing game involving location names throughout the province. The afternoon was made more festive by the constant light snowfall.

On Friday, January 9th, the Fraser Valley chapter set up a small display in the Seven Oaks mall in Abbotsford, in recognition of Louis Braille's 200th birthday. We had a variety of Braille paraphernalia on hand such as Perkins Braillers, a Tantra Point Brailler, slates and styluses, and some Braille materials such as playing cards and Braille books. We had a large Braille poster to help identify the booth. Chapter members offered to Braille out names for interested children and some larger children too.

Winnipeg

In honor of the 200th birthday of Louis Braille, the Winnipeg Chapter celebrated with a concert fundraiser on January 17, 2009 at St. Philips Anglican Church. Live entertainment was provided by local traditional French band "Deuxieme Take", whose enthusiasm and energy had the audience clapping and singing along for the entire show. Braille handouts and chapter brochures were given out, and Braille fridge magnets and bookmarks were available for purchase. After the performance, there were refreshments donated by Harvest Bakery, and a silent auction of several prize packages. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and we were able to raise our goal of $850 for the Chapter Fund Raising Challenge.

During White Cane Week on February 5, 2009, our chapter had a display table at the Millennium Library from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. We distributed Braille handouts and chapter brochures, and also had Braille bookmarks and fridge magnets for sale. As February is "I love to read month", we had an assortment of simple to advanced examples of ways to read and write from a manual Brailler to a lap top computer with a screen reader. We talked to several people throughout the day, and we are welcome at the library for future displays.

South Georgian Bay

In early December, everyone in the South Georgian Bay chapter met at the home of one of our members for a Christmas potluck lunch. On Jan. 16th, we celebrated Louis Braille's 200th birthday with a display outside one of Collingwood's several Tim Horton’s outlets. On Feb. 2nd, two of our members and one guide dog spoke to a local Girl Guide company, emphasizing that we were celebrating both the 200th birthday of Louis Braille as well as White Cane Week.

Comments on the Initial Proposed Accessible Information and Communications Standard (Ontario)

On November 17, the Ontario government released the proposed Accessible Information and Communications Standard for a 60-day public review period. The deadline to comment on the proposed standard was subsequently extended to February 6, 2009. The proposed standard outlines how businesses and organizations may be required to provide accessible public information in various formats such as online, print, verbal and digital.

In January, The AEBC’s First Vice President, John Rae, submitted comments in response to the proposed standard on behalf of the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians. To read these comments, visit http://www.blindcanadians.ca/press_releases//index.php?BriefID=50

Presentations/Meetings

On February 9, 2009, AEBC's 1st Vice President, John Rae, participated on a panel at a "SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED" forum in Toronto, that coincided with the release of a new report on the connection between poverty and chronic health conditions. The study, entitled, Sick and Tired: The Compromised Health of Social Assistance Recipients and the Working Poor in Ontario, examined health and income data from across the province and found that people on social assistance had worse health on 38 of 39 indicators when compared with the non-poor. Perhaps most distressing, the study found that one in ten social assistance recipients considered suicide in the 12-month period preceding the study. Suicide attempts were 10 times higher for social assistance recipients compared to the non-poor.

Both Mike Yale and John Rae were interviewed, for this article in The Mirror:

POVERTY: The poor are sick and tired - Study says more money in people's pockets creates more opportunities

By LISA QUEEN

Being poor will make you sick or send you to an early grave at alarmingly higher rates than if you are a middle- or upper-income earner.

That was a key finding of a report released at a community forum on health and poverty held at the YMCA in downtown Toronto.

While the report, called Sick and Tired, looked at the health risks faced by welfare and disability recipients and the working poor across Ontario, Toronto's high levels of poverty result in more low-income earners suffering from medical problems, Toronto medical officer of health Dr. David McKeown said.

About 25 per cent of Toronto residents live below the poverty line, twice the provincial average. A third of Toronto children are living in poverty compared to 19 per cent nationally.

Looking at different income increments, the report found residents living in rich neighbourhoods are less likely to suffer from health problems than those living in middle-income areas, who in turn are less likely to be sick than residents of poor communities, McKeown said.

The study found the median household income for social assistance recipients is $13,000 a year compared to $21,000 for the working poor and $80,000 for the non-poor.

For almost every measurement - from suicide and depression to heart problems and arthritis - welfare recipients and the working poor are more at risk of health problems and death than the non-poor, said Andy Mitchell, one of the report's three-member research team.

"When you have a higher income, you know how to get things done for yourself and your family," he said, adding higher-income earners are more adapt at navigating medical and bureaucratic systems.

Raising a poor person's annual income by just $1,000 enables them to escape hundreds to thousands of chronic health conditions. "To me, that was very powerful," Mitchell said.

Meanwhile, while new immigrants come to Canada healthier than Canadian-born residents, they become sicker as lack of opportunities forces them into poverty, the study found.

The report's authors admit their findings tying poverty to health risks are nothing new. But as the economy worsens, they are calling on the province to address the issue in its spring budget.

"The budget is an opportunity for the province to make a down payment on a poverty reduction strategy," said Michael Shapcott, director of community engagement at the Wellesley Institute, which helped fund the study.

The report also laid out 10 recommendations including urging Queen's Park to establish an independent panel to set social assistance rates that reflect the actual cost of living in Ontario communities and demanding the federal government introduce a national poverty reduction strategy with concrete targets and timelines.

John Rae, first vice-president of the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians, and Mike Yale, co-chairperson of the Ontario Disability Support Program Action Coalition, are hoping politicians don't shelve the report like so many studies in the past.

"Too many of the disabled community are marginalized and live in poverty. These reports confirm that fact again and again and again," Rae said.

"We're looking for action, not just more studies. This study confirms if you put money in people's pockets, it creates more opportunities to buy better food, to buy health care, to participate in the community, to go to entertainment. These things all benefit people's lives."

Yale, a North York resident, also doesn't want to see the study gather dust. "It won't mean anything unless it becomes part of government strategy," he said. "When a family has to decide between feeding itself or buying a winter coat, it is a serious problem and the government, in my view, hasn't shown it is serious about dealing with the disability pension.”

Source: http://www.insidetoronto.ca/article/63581

News Releases

In January, in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Louis Braille’s birth, the AEBC sent the following press release to various media outlets across the country.

Blind activists celebrate Braille - the Original 'Blackberry'

2009 is the 200th birthday of Louis Braille, the inventor of the 'Braille’ method of writing and reading for people who are blind

(15 January 2009) Across Canada throughout 2009, members of the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AECB) and other disability rights organizations will celebrate the 200th birthday of Louis Braille and his method of writing and reading.

Braille is a blind person's pathway to literacy and independence," says Robin East, President of the AEBC, a national organization of blind consumers. "With today's technology it is easier to produce Braille than ever before".

Braille is said to be rooted in a demand by Napoleon for a silent system of communication between soldiers that could be used in the dark. Louis Braille applied the concept to invent his system of raised dots on paper, symbolizing letters and numbers. Since 1821, the Braille system has granted independence in reading, writing, mathematics and music for tens of thousands of blind persons around the world.

Some claim that Braille is no longer needed because computer technology now makes it possible to translate most text into speech through screen-reading software. John Rae, AEBC's 1st Vice President, disagrees. "All of this technology is wonderful," Rae says. "However, Braille remains critical today, as there are situations where you can not take the technology with you, or the technology doesn't function for some reason. As long as you have a slate and stylus with you and you know how to use it, you are in business.” A slate and stylus are lightweight utensils that a person can carry in a pocket or purse, and use to write notes just like a sighted person would with a pen and paper.

Marc Workman, AEBC's National Secretary, is currently a graduate student at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. "There are different levels of Braille," he explains. "The first level, uncontracted Grade one Braille, should be taught or at least introduced, to all people who are vision impaired, even if at the present time the person has enough sight to read large print, as Braille becomes more important later in life. "Both Braille and technology are necessary in today's world if a blind person is going to compete successfully in the education system or the workplace," says Workman. "If the school system is turning out blind students who can not read and write without the use of technology, it is the same as turning out sighted students who don't know how to use a pen and paper.”

Correspondence

February 12, 2009

Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture)
Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Dear Minister Blackburn:

I am writing on behalf of the Alliance For Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) / L'Alliance pour l'Égalité des Personnes Aveugles du Canada. We are a national not for profit consumer organization of Canadians who are blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted, founded in 1992. Our work focuses on public awareness and providing input on policy and program issues that affect our community. More detailed information may be obtained by visiting our web site: www.blindcanadians.ca

The AEBC draws your attention to the issue of the verification of legal blindness - an issue that requires immediate dialogue and attention.

According to a 2006 Statistics Canada Health and Limitations Survey, approximately 600,000 Canadians claimed severely restricted daily living activities due to significant or total sight loss. It follows that this number will rise as Canada's population ages.

Currently, there are two options for the verification of legal blindness, neither of which reflects the expectations and aspirations for dignity, equality, and self determination of Canadians who are blind, deaf-blind or partially sighted in the 21st century. Both options also present unnecessary and unwarranted demands on our time, money, and freedom of choice and association issues.

In Canada, a diagnosis of legal blindness can only be authorized by a practicing ophthalmologist. A diagnosis of legal blindness makes individuals eligible for Government approved benefits, exemptions and services, designed to assist in alleviating the increased costs of permanent disability. At this time, verification of blindness through the ophthalmologist is provided through a letter.

Legal blindness is seldom, if ever reversible. Significant or total sight loss is more likely to be a deteriorating and permanent condition. Repeated professional medical confirmation of Legal blindness is often required to access approved entitlements

The membership and Board of AEBC believe this is a needless use of the limited time and resources of both individuals and the already overburdened medical system.

Historically, the second option for proof of legal blindness is a voluntary client registration with CNIB, a charitable service agency, in order to obtain low vision enhancement and blindness related adjustment services. This client registration with CNIB [Canadian National Institute for the Blind], has mistakenly been thought of and used as verification of legal blindness due to the fact that there have been no other options in place. Much to the approval of AEBC members, in 1996 Canada Revenue Agency no longer accepted CNIB client registration as valid proof of permanent disability. It should go without saying that registration with a service agency should only be private verification of service from that agency.

The AEBC would appreciate the opportunity to discuss a viable and consistent method for verification of legal blindness through the Canada Revenue Agency that would serve as permanent proof of legal blindness throughout Canada. This would help relieve the individual and professionals of repeatedly seeking and providing confirmation of permanent disability.

Please feel free to contact us for any further information that you require and to arrange a meeting with Minister Blackburn. I may be reached in Toronto at: 416-941-1547.

Thank you for giving this important matter your attention.

Sincerely, John Rae - 1st Vice President

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February 11, 2009

The Honourable James Michael Flaherty
Minister of Finance - Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, ON K1A 0M6

Re: Use of Infrastructure Funding

On behalf of the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians / L'Alliance pour l'Égalité des Personnes Aveugles du Canada (AEBC), I am writing to ask a number of questions regarding the possible use of infrastructure dollars contained in your recent budget.

We believe these funds could play a positive role in the lives of Canadians with disabilities. For example:

1. Can some of these funds be used to make the local built environment more physically accessible for persons with disabilities?

2. Can a portion of the funds available to colleges and universities be used to retrofit existing buildings to make them more accessible for students with disabilities?

3. Can a portion of the funds available to colleges and universities be used to purchase adaptive equipment for use in an on-campus library?

4. Can an organization use any of these funds to purchase new equipment for its staff?

5. Will there be any requirements that organizations purchase equipment that is usable by all, including persons with disabilities? Today, some organizations are purchasing new IT systems that are not usable by members of the blind community.

At the same time, assuming some of these funds can be used for projects such as these and others, it will be important for information about these funds to include a mention that they can be used to improve access for Canadians with various disabilities, including persons who are blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted, so that organizations take our needs into account when they are developing projects.

We look forward to receiving more details on the infrastructure program, and how its funding can be used.

Thank you for taking our concerns into account as this Program is further developed.

Sincerely,
Robin East, President - AEBC

Copies: The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Council of Canadians With Disabilities

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End of activity report.