AEBC: WHO WE ARE

There are many mysteries in life. Why do socks disappear in the dryer? Why does your phone need charging only when you are going out the door? And why, in airports across Canada, do so many people assume that a blind person needs a wheelchair? In AEBC’s AccessAbility Week travel survey, we asked our members what frustrates them most when travelling or moving through public spaces. Thirty-one people responded, and while the answers had a lot of variety, one theme kept rolling

AUDIO VERSION By Penny Leclair A cochlear implant is a surgically placed electronic device that bypasses damaged parts of the inner ear to provide a sense of sound to profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing individuals. Depending on your hearing condition, they can be single or bilateral devices attached on the side of your head. Unlike hearing aids, which simply amplify sounds, implants convert sound into electrical signals and transmit them directly to the brain. Reci

AUDIO VERSION By Linda Bartram Walking around Athens, I was surprised to discover guidance tactile walking surface indicators (TWSI) everywhere we went. Even the sidewalks on small side streets (many of which were not in very good condition) had tactile grooves to guide my way. One of the challenges of going sighted guide is you just don’t have enough hands. With these tactile grooves, I could walk independently, using my white cane in one hand and towing my suitcase with

AUDIO VERSION By Penny Leclair The Senate of Canada proclaimed June as National Deaf Blind Awareness Month (NDBAM) in 2015, chosen because Helen Keller was born and died in June. The Canadian Survey on Disability estimates there are over 600,000 Canadians living with this disability and there is a wide spectrum of situations that cause these individuals to be classified as Deafblind. A person is considered Deafblind when their combined sight and hearing impairment results

AUDIO VERSION By Linda Bartram Despite all the accommodations that have been put in place by the air travel sector, flying can still present challenges for people who are blind. A recent trip I took to Europe involved three Air Canada flights accompanied by two different sighted companions and one Aegean Airlines flight, which I took on my own. In all cases I informed the airline in advance that I am blind, and this was indicated on my e-ticket. The assistance (or lack of i

Where did the year go? Here we are again! It has been another busy and rewarding year for the BC Affiliate, with many opportunities to advocate, collaborate, fundraise, and connect with one another. One of our first highlights was the Vision and Hearing Resource Fair held in Vancouver in September 2025. Several AEBC members attended, and I would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who helped manage the AEBC table throughout the day. Your willingness to volunteer yo