<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) is a national charitable organization of primarily blind, deafblind or partially sighted members. ]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 16:21:30 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.blindcanadians.ca/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Highclere Castle is the Real Downton Abbey]]></title><description><![CDATA[AUDIO VERSION By Richard Marion In June, my husband and I went on our vacation to the UK and France. During that trip, we saw many castles and other sights. One of the highlights for me was having a chance to visit Highclere Castle which is the set of the popular television show, Downton Abbey.   This would be the time to hear the familiar music of the show as the opening scene shows the estate and the show’s cast members. While we did experience the view of the castle that many experience on...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/highclere-castle-is-the-real-downton-abbey</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a7deec19eafd9eb8e5a1307</guid><category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category><category><![CDATA[Articles & Stories]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:49:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e243e9_d354a5f40fdd446aa115345693f90244~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[My Travel Adventure to the Azores]]></title><description><![CDATA[AUDIO VERSION By Neven Humphrey In Canada, there are now travel agencies specifically for blind or partially-sighted people. That wasn’t the case about 20 years ago, when I was doing research for a book on biographies of contemporary blind or visually-impaired role models. (I found two at the time, both in the UK, and both run by blind people, of which I did biographies.) For myself, I don’t travel using agencies, for the blind or not, since I usually have a list of specific places I want to...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/my-travel-adventure-to-the-azores-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a621dd3b252e37e4d352041</guid><category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category><category><![CDATA[Articles & Stories]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:51:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e243e9_fddde4b306c14d818dd597de30f7be7e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How We Planned Our Accessible European Vacation: Successes and Challenges ]]></title><description><![CDATA[AUDIO VERSION By Richard Marion   A Dream Vacation Begins Traveling the world as a blind person is both rewarding and challenging. This year, my husband and I embarked on one of our dream vacations. While the trip itself was amazing, planning it had the potential to turn into a nightmare. Over the next while, I will be sharing articles about our vacation highlights, accessibility issues we encountered, and my personal recommendations for anyone planning an independent multi-city European...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/how-we-planned-our-accessible-european-vacation-successes-and-challenges</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a592271d03244312ce4d686</guid><category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category><category><![CDATA[Articles & Stories]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:41:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e243e9_57b92ae8603548768adca9af8411ae0f~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_964,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Seeing the Sights Through Description and Touch]]></title><description><![CDATA[AUDIO VERSION By Linda Bartram Prior to travelling to Greece and Great Britain this May, I endeavoured to arrange some descriptive tactile tours, including ones in Athens, on the urging of an AEBC member with connections to Greece.  I asked ChatGPT to tell me about such tours in Athens and Edinburgh and found several were listed and all appeared to require pre-arrangement.  A few weeks in advance, I attempted to make contact with the tour operators in Athens but did not receive any replies so...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/seeing-the-sights-through-description-and-touch</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4e6fdd60786c331eeef273</guid><category><![CDATA[Articles & Stories]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:54:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_676914eb74c34440a0b5621145cf461f~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Can $4.20 Buy These Days?]]></title><description><![CDATA[AUDIO VERSION Sometimes, a number tells a story. Other times, it takes a song. When recipients of the Canada Disability Benefit learned that the maximum monthly benefit would increase from $200.00 to $204.20—a rise of just $4.20 per month—many are asking themselves what that amount actually means in everyday life. To put the increase into perspective, we asked ChatGPT what $4.20 could realistically buy in Canada today. The answer was sobering: perhaps a loaf of bread, a litre of milk, a bus...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/what-can-4-20-buy-these-days</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a47f9dcfa58f0a255cf49ff</guid><pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:08:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e243e9_4e3f1e2611de44aa8f695fbb607fff25~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Travelling Blind—Looking Towards a More Inclusive Experience]]></title><description><![CDATA[AUDIO VERSION 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...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/travelling-blind-looking-towards-a-more-inclusive-experience</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a3f1ed8d3770ea960ec0270</guid><category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category><category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:54:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_79791cc934f2449d9118df5d352aff88~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[My Cochlear Implant Journey ]]></title><description><![CDATA[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. Recipients must have...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/my-cochlear-implant-journey</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a3ec4dbad71d3b687686260</guid><category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category><category><![CDATA[Articles & Stories]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:37:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_66c29b4588d640f4a8e9756c07074271~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Three Unexpected Accessibility Travel Discoveries]]></title><description><![CDATA[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 the other.  And...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/three-unexpected-accessibility-travel-discoveries</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a3dbca8faba6cee57d9a93d</guid><category><![CDATA[Articles & Stories]]></category><category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2026 23:58:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e243e9_6cc96855f29d4d6abe175200fbddcc13~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Impact and Inequity of Intervenor Services Available to the Deafblind Community in Canada ]]></title><description><![CDATA[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 in challenges...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/the-impact-and-inequity-of-intervenor-services-available-to-the-deafblind-community-in-canada</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a35d97fa8977cb11dd3cfa3</guid><category><![CDATA[Articles & Stories]]></category><category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:29:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_5c4955721dac45c3a24fd3544ce4bc2f~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Accessible Air Travel Still Has Its Ups and Downs]]></title><description><![CDATA[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 it) varied...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/accessible-air-travel-still-has-its-ups-and-downs</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a2b5bd444c7bef1d02b9c85</guid><category><![CDATA[Articles & Stories]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2026 01:22:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_c4f775570d294ffba7e57aedaa0117d6~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[BC Affiliate 2026 President’s Report]]></title><description><![CDATA[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 your time helped...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/bc-affiliate-202-president-s-report</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a2860ff5b452722a3b66117</guid><category><![CDATA[AEBC News]]></category><category><![CDATA[BC Affiliate]]></category><category><![CDATA[Events]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:58:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_880c7b78f2784cb48e182e145a301663~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Few Travel Planning Tips]]></title><description><![CDATA[AUDIO VERSION By Linda Bartram I recently returned from a month-long trip to Greece and Great Britain.  Originally, I had planned a 15-day trip to Greece with my sister in May and a trip to Britain with an elderly friend in the Fall.  The latter was moved up to this spring, so the two trips were combined into one month-long journey in May. I usually do thorough research before travelling but the revised and extensive itinerary made this very time-consuming.  In hindsight, more planning would...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/a-few-travel-planning-tips</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a22f847367ed35011d87d8c</guid><category><![CDATA[Articles & Stories]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:33:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d9520aafca774fbeb056dc8d62085362.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[My Uber Experience with a Guide Dog: Policies vs. Reality]]></title><description><![CDATA[AUDIO VERSION By Richard Marion Uber has been a great option overall for people who need low-cost door-to-door transportation and do not drive. However, for people with disabilities using guide or service dogs, it has presented many accessibility challenges and barriers.    Last year, Uber implemented a feature on their app so that a person could notify a driver that they are travelling with a guide or service dog. However, the driver only receives this notification as they arrive to pick up...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/my-uber-experience-with-a-guide-dog-policies-vs-reality</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a179a0be7ae03e6441f4071</guid><category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category><category><![CDATA[Articles & Stories]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 01:39:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_428fd64bf1a5415b99054303563de527~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Accessible Museums: Bringing Exhibits to Life]]></title><description><![CDATA[AUDIO VERSION For many blind and low vision travellers, museums and historic sites can offer much more than traditional visual displays. Around the world, more cultural attractions are creating accessible experiences that include touch, audio description, and interactive exploration. Recently, AEBC members shared some memorable travel experiences in London and beyond that showed how meaningful accessibility can be. Discovering Accessibility at Historic Sites One member described visiting...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/accessible-museums-bringing-exhibits-to-life</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0f3813f0529c749995fe5b</guid><category><![CDATA[Articles & Stories]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2026 17:42:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_c2f1946d4621431a8155ef358ac074d7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ontario Northland Train Returns: What We Know So Far]]></title><description><![CDATA[AUDIO VERSION A recent article published by Toronto CityNews on April 30, 2026, by David Zura, highlights growing public interest in the return of Ontario Northland’s passenger train service, expected to resume later this year. As details begin to emerge, many prospective riders are looking for more information, particularly regarding fares, accessibility, and travel planning. The strong public interest reflects how significant this service may become for many Ontarians. Marcia Yale,...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/ontario-northland-train-returns-what-we-know-so-far</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a060abf7326fc782b543e3e</guid><pubDate>Thu, 14 May 2026 18:00:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6c48cf3aeffb497588dc6a1e9fe48c07.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Census 2026: Accessibility Barriers and What You Can Do]]></title><description><![CDATA[AUDIO VERSION As the 2026 census begins, it’s clear that for many blind and partially sighted Canadians, participation is not always easy. Every five years, Canadians are required to complete the national census. The information collected is used to make important decisions about services, funding, and programs in communities across the country. For that reason, participation is obligatory, and penalties may apply for those who do not complete it. However, as census packages begin arriving in...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/census-2026-accessibility-barriers-and-what-you-can-do</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fb9b187c50fb68b37ee5e7</guid><category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 20:17:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/19e2289055a84574b06eb6567ba2a4d5.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Journey Number Six: Louise’s Path from “Mystery Dog” to Kiara]]></title><description><![CDATA[AUDIO VERSION The journey to getting a guide dog is a lengthy process, one that takes time, patience, and careful evaluation. Louise, beginning the process for her sixth guide dog, began with an application. From there, evaluators assess everything from the applicant’s mobility skills to their environment and lifestyle. Applicants complete a “white cane walk” to demonstrate they can travel safely and solve problems independently — crossing streets and navigating obstacles without assistance....]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/journey-number-six-louise-s-path-from-mystery-dog-to-kiara</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f4d51e7b1c42fb24f2fd4b</guid><category><![CDATA[Articles & Stories]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2026 16:46:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e243e9_6f35ebe368764cb8a2bea31ba5c7e734~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Is It Still Volunteering? Valuing Lived Experience]]></title><description><![CDATA[AUDIO VERSION By Linda Bartram Volunteering is increasingly being shaped by accessibility, technology, and a stronger emphasis on inclusion, rather than charity. The focus is less on “helping” in a traditional sense and more on removing barriers and the principle of autonomy.  It is recognized that the most effective volunteers are those who listen carefully, follow the lead of the person they are supporting, and understand that inclusion is about equal participation and respect, not just...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/is-it-still-volunteering-valuing-lived-experience</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e9814cb17cf497ceb27f1a</guid><category><![CDATA[Advocacy]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 02:47:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_64e8b51cefe74f68bdc99c79f460feb2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Member Book Release: Life With Jefferson]]></title><description><![CDATA[AUDIO VERSION There’s something special about the bond between a guide dog and the person they support. It’s built on trust, consistency, and a deep understanding that grows over time. For many people who are blind or deafblind, a guide dog is more than mobility support—it’s a steady companion that helps make daily life safer and more independent. That connection is at the heart of Life With Jefferson, co-authored by AEBC member Penny LeClair. Penny’s story offers a close look at what it...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/post/member-book-release-life-with-jefferson</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d7bd5934a8ccd671e98da4</guid><category><![CDATA[Articles & Stories]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:04:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e243e9_1ef6c82fee344a64aedad345d5196c76~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[PROGRAMME DE BOURSES DE L'AEBC ET D’ALLYANT, ÉDITION 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[• La date limite de candidature pour le programme de bourses d'études de l’AEBC et d’Allyant est le vendredi 29 mai 2026. Toutes les candidatures et les documents requis doivent être reçus au plus tard à 13 h, heure avancée de l’Est (10 h, heure avancée du Pacifique) à cette date afin d'être pris en compte. • Les récipiendaires des bourses seront annoncés le 1er août 2026 ou lors de l'assemblée générale annuelle en septembre 2026. • Les candidats retenus recevront un courriel de confirmation...]]></description><link>https://www.blindcanadians.ca/fr/post/programme-de-bourses-de-l-aebc-et-d-allyant-%C3%A9dition-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b464cd96363eb43d374022</guid><category><![CDATA[bourse]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:09:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_71bac15e44c74b85b9cd6ac91ec1a645~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>operations7108</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>