About Us

The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) is a national charitable organization of primarily blind, deafblind, or partially sighted members. (Please note that throughout our website, we may use shortened terms “blind” or “blind Canadians”, but our focus is always on this wider group of constituents.)

We are committed to increasing awareness of our rights, to ensure that we can equally participate in all aspects of society.

AEBC is a leader in leveling the playing field for our community. Since 1992, our dedicated volunteers have participated in working groups and committees at the national, provincial, and municipal levels. We advocate for accessibility, equality, and the elimination of barriers in how government, organizations and businesses deliver products, programs, and services across Canada.

Additionally, AEBC offers more than just advocacy--we are a supportive community that connects people with similar life experiences. We provide peer support within and outside the organization, helping members become more technologically literate. Our focus is on full participation, making sure that blind Canadians have access to inclusive and accessible products and services.

Our Priorities & Activities

We work to ensure accessible services are available to our community by participating in project initiatives from conception to completion with all levels of government, including the Canadian Transportation Agency, Canadian Human Rights Commission and Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Read more on our Advocacy page.
We draft and submit policy briefs to support governmental and non-governmental decision-making in all applicable areas. Read more on our Submissions page.
Each year, we award financial scholarships to blind, deafblind, and partially sighted students studying in fields such as the arts, medicine and computer science. Read more on Scholarships.
Our enthusiastic volunteers provide peer and advocacy support to members, through our BC Affiliate and Chapters across Canada. Read about our Chapters.
We offer training and workshops for employers to increase employment opportunities.
We develop online resources helpful to the blind community including accessibility/disability supports, income & employment, technology, and other community resources. Read more about our current Programs.
Each month, we publish a newsletter called The Equalizer. Read recent and back issues.

Membership

AEBC relies on member financial and volunteer support to carry out the work that we do. Becoming an AEBC member is about being a part of a supportive community of people who believe in the power of collective voices coming together to bring about change--making life better for those who are blind, deafblind, or partially sighted. Our dedicated members ensure that the concerns of the blind community are heard and addressed at all levels of society and government, from federal to provincial and municipal. In addition, a large membership base is an important indicator that there is a foundation of community belief in our work. For a small annual fee of just $10, you too can be a part of our vibrant community.

Current National Board

The 2023-2024 National Board of Directors is comprised of:

Marcia Yale (Huntsville, ON) - President

Linda Bartram (Victoria, BC) - 1st Vice-President

Ryan Fleury (Vancouver, BC) - 2nd Vice-President

Margaret (Peg) Mercer (Vancouver, BC) - Treasurer

Diana Brent (Calgary, AB) - Secretary

Hilton Schwartz (Montreal, QC) - Director-at-Large

Pat Seed (Thunder Bay, ON) - Director-at-Large

Lee Pigeau (Ottawa, ON) - Ex Officio, Executive Director

Read more about our Leadership Team HERE. [bios page coming soon]

Committees

Much of the work that AEBC does is through our National Committees. These are groups of member volunteers who formulate and implement the plans that will fulfill our objectives. We could not achieve so much for our community without the dedication of our volunteers. If you are interested in learning more about joining a committee, reach out using the form on our Contact page. Below is a list of our current national committees. Read more about each committee here.

Advocacy & Outreach Committee

Bylaws & Governance Committee

Communications Committee

Equalizer Committee

Fundraising Committee

Information Technology Committee

Membership Committee

Scholarship Committee

Partners & Allies

AEBC works with several local, provincial, and national organizations. Among these partners and allies are the following whose contribution to the inclusion of blind, deafblind and partially sighted Canadians in all aspects of community life we recognize and welcome.

Access for Sight-Impaired Consumers (ASIC)

Accessible Housing Network (AHN)

ARCH Disability Law Centre

Braille Literacy Canada

Broadcasting Accessibility Fund

Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB)

The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW)

The Canadian Disability Network

Canadian Transportation Agency’s Accessibility Advisory Committee

Centre for Equitable Library Access

CNIB

Consumer Access Group