AEBC Blog

AUDIO VERSION  As we close 2025, I speak not only as President of IDA but as one person within a global community whose dignity, rights, and futures continue to be treated as an afterthought. This message is addressed to our movement, to governments and donors, to INGOs and multilateral agencies, and to every actor who shapes the world that persons with disabilities must navigate every day. It is offered with pride in the true leadership shown by persons with disabilities acr

We are very pleased to announce some good news on the air travel front—something we have been pushing for, and something AEBC raised directly at the 2024 Air Accessibility Summit. Canada’s four major airlines—Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz, and WestJet—have agreed to use a single, standardized medical form for travellers who have complex health or accessibility-related needs. This replaces the current system, where each airline uses its own form, forcing passengers and health

AUDIO VERSION As the Christmas and holiday season approaches, our mail tends to increase. Canada Post has a Delivery Accommodation Program that can help when getting to your mailbox becomes difficult. For some members, this happens after a move; for others, changes in health or mobility make the old routine harder than it used to be. If you are blind, Deafblind or partially sighted, or you have any condition that affects how you reach your mail, you can ask Canada Post for an

This year, AEBC has continued doing what we do best—making Canada more inclusive for people who are blind, Deafblind, and partially sighted. Over the past few months, we have trained advocates, pushed for accessible transportation and better websites, advised governments, supported scholarships, and built partnerships that open real doors. Every meeting, every policy win, every workshop is powered by the same belief: accessibility is not charity—it is equality. And when barri

AEBC has signed on to the following statement from the National Disability Network regarding Budget 2025. You can also download the statement in English here and in French here . For immediate release – Ottawa, November 6, 2025 Budget 2025 Leaves 27% of Canadians Without a Plan to Participate in the Economy Budget 2025 takes some steps to improve access but fails to recognize the economic imperative of including people with disabilities in Canada's economy. People with disab

National blindness organizations welcome the federal government’s focus on skills and workforce development, but say greater inclusion of people with disabilities is key to Canada’s economic success. For immediate release OTTAWA, November 5, 2025 – The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB), and the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) welcome the federal government’s focus on upskilling, training, and workforce de

AUDIO VERSION Podcasts are a great way to listen to stories, interviews, and news on almost any topic you can think of. They’re especially popular in the blind and low vision community because they’re built around audio and easy to enjoy on the go.   To listen, you’ll need an Internet connection through WiFi or cellular data. Whenever you can, connect to WiFi before downloading episodes — this helps you avoid using up your mobile data.   Most podcast apps, like Apple Podcasts

Hello, As Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer (CAO), I am pleased to reach out to you today and introduce myself and my office. My role is to monitor and report annually on the progress of the  Accessible Canada Act  (ACA), and to provide independent advice to the Minister responsible for this Act. This includes providing advice on emerging and systemic accessibility issues and fostering dialogue between communities and key partners. My role is to champion accessibility and

AUDIO VERSION The journey toward equal rights for blind and low-vision people hasn’t been quick or effortless. Most of the access, technology, and public attitudes we see today were won through advocacy, not generosity. From education to employment to equal access in daily life, here are some of the major turning points that helped shape blindness rights in Canada and across the globe. 1820s — The Birth of Braille Communication is the foundation of independence, and Louis Bra

Inclusion Benefits Everyone!   On December 6, 2025, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. EST, the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) and partner organizations are hosting a virtual conference in celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. There is no cost to participants to attend. We are seeking speakers for this important event. Saturday December 6,   2025, 1:00-4:00 P.M. EST First Speaker:              1:20-1:50 Panel:                          2:00-3:00

AUDIO VERSION How Societal Attitudes Toward Blindness Vary Around the World Blindness is a universal human experience, but how it is understood, accepted, and integrated into daily life differs dramatically across cultures. From reverence to stigma, empowerment to exclusion, the global landscape of blindness reveals as much about cultural values as it does about access to technology and inclusion. The Power of Perception: Why Culture Matters Culture shapes how societies perce

AUDIO VERSION Guide Dog Awareness Month is a chance to share not only the challenges faced by guide dog users, but also the stories that show how acceptance and respect can make a lasting impact. One of those stories comes from 1989, when AEBC member Chantal and her husband Rick Oakes welcomed their daughter, Whitney, into the world at Grace Hospital in Vancouver.   At the time, Rick had a guide dog named Bryor, and the couple asked if he could stay with them during the birth

If you’re under 30 and want to lead something that makes a real difference in accessibility in your community, there’s a grant program...

By Marcia Yale Another year has come and gone, and it was a year which saw great events, learning opportunities, and organizational...

September marks Guide Dog Awareness Month, a time to recognize the essential role guide dogs play in supporting independence for people...

By Dar Wournell Recently, Yvon, my guide dog Demetris, and I took a trip from Halifax to Moncton aboard VIA Rail’s Ocean route --a choice...

By Marcia Yale I had the chance to attend the 2025 Canadian Telecom Summit in Toronto on June 3 and 4. It brought together people who...

By Linda Bartram   Too often, what I have to report is about barriers and the struggles I and others in the blind community continue to...

By Marcia Yale, AEBC President A few weeks ago, I travelled to Thunder Bay to meet with a group of partners interested in rebuilding the...

We were pleased to recently learn this good news and to receive this letter from the World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB). Dear WFDB...