President's Report 2025

By Marcia Yale

Another year has come and gone, and it was a year which saw great events, learning opportunities, and organizational growth. We met in person for the first time in five years and began the conversation which eventually led to our adoption of a new mission and vision, along with six organizational values. This new blueprint is really nothing new—it is just a more truthful explanation of who we are and who we want to be.

“AEBC empowers blind, Deafblind, and partially sighted Canadians to drive change, influence systems, and live with dignity—by combining lived experience with focused advocacy and peer leadership.”

Even though we did not formalize our new mission until early May, I am proud to say that we have been living it, every single day, for more than just the past year. Our work has ranged from high-level advocacy at the national and international level, to grassroots engagement in local communities, to providing our members with training, tools, and confidence to speak for themselves. Each initiative, whether large or small, has been rooted in the lived experience of our members and our belief that their voices are essential in shaping the systems that affect our lives.

This year was also one of transformation. After years of pandemic disruptions, AEBC found new strength in hybrid models of engagement, in refreshing how we organize chapters and committees, and in taking bold steps such as leaving Twitter/X and joining Blue Sky to align better with our values. Every decision we made connected back to our new vision: to ensure that blind, Deafblind, and partially sighted Canadians can live with dignity, drive change, and influence the systems that shape society.

A society where every person who is blind, Deafblind, or partially sighted has equal access, equal voice, and equal opportunity—at home, at work, and in their community.

Our vision keeps us moving forward. Each of our activities this year has been guided by the belief that equal access is not a privilege, but a right. We advanced this vision in multiple ways:

• By submitting recommendations to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), we pushed for barrier-free travel standards that can improve air travel worldwide.

• Through advocacy at home—whether on healthcare, transportation, income support, or digital accessibility—we pressed governments to remove systemic barriers rather than expecting individuals to simply “adapt”.

• Through events such as National AccessAbility Week’s Trivia and Ask Me Anything, where we invited policymakers, educators, and media to engage with our community directly and rethink what inclusion really means.

Bit by bit, these efforts bring us closer to a society where equal opportunity is not something we have to fight for but something that is built into every system.

Lived Experience First:

We lead with the voices and realities of our members.

One of the most meaningful moments of this year was our Annual General Meeting at the end of September of 2024. It marked the first time since 2019 that we were able to gather face-to-face, while also being our first truly hybrid AGM, allowing online and in-person registrants to participate equally. For me, it was a powerful example of putting lived experience first—making sure everyone, regardless of location or travel ability, had a voice in shaping AEBC’s future. We welcomed back Chantal Oakes, a former Board President, this time as Treasurer, and Linda Bartram and Hilton Schwartz returned to their Board positions as First Vice-President and Director respectively. We said a fond farewell to Peg Mercer, our Treasurer for the past two years, and we wished her well in her future work with AEBC.

In December, our eighth annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities event followed the same principle. With seven speakers and two entertainers, all bringing their lived experiences, the event not only educated but inspired. Similarly, our Advocacy Roundup gave members the chance to hear what has been achieved, what remains to be done, and—most importantly—encouragement to raise their own concerns.

We also saw an increase in our financial stability through a legacy gift from long-time member and disability rights advocate, John Rae. John’s tireless advocacy and sharp insights influenced generations of disability activism, and his support will continue to empower AEBC to lead with the realities of its members for years to come.

Respectful Independence:

We collaborate without compromising our integrity.

AEBC is both a collaborator and a leader. This year, we confirmed our continued participation in the National Disability Network, with AEBC represented on the Government Relations and Coordinating Committees. These connections allow us to amplify our influence and ensure our members’ needs are heard at decision-making tables.

We also collaborated with organizations including Braille Literacy Canada (BLC) and Alternate Education Resources Ontario (AERO) on a celebration of World Braille Day in January. Together, we highlighted braille literacy as a cornerstone of independence and opportunity. Diana Brent was also elected to the Board of BLC at their most recent Annual General Meeting.

In February, we welcomed the New Society Institute, the creators of the Accessibility Exchange, a website dedicated to linking people with lived experience with projects in need of their assistance, with all of the work fairly compensated.

We stayed true to AEBC’s unique perspective. We submitted questions to political parties during both Ontario and federal elections, and we provided Elections Canada with the results of our federal election survey.

In May, I travelled to Thunder Bay to meet with a group of partners interested in rebuilding the disability movement in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. I spoke about advocacy to several organizations as well as after the conclusion of the Citizens with Disabilities Ontario Annual General Meeting. Thanks go out to Board Director Pat Seed for making this happen!

Our independent advocacy also extended internationally, as we made submissions to the International Civil Aviation Organization about air travel accessibility.

Even in communications, we upheld our values. By leaving Twitter/X and joining Blue Sky, we aligned our public presence with platforms that better respect accessibility and community safety.

Inclusion with Accountability:

We serve all members, even when needs differ.

Inclusion is not always simple. Members across the country face diverse challenges, and AEBC must adapt to meet them. This year we took an important step by transitioning two of our chapters, Ottawa-Gatineau and Halifax, into committees. While less formal than chapters, committees allow groups of members to come together locally, supported by AEBC, without the administrative burden. This model ensures that local voices are heard while keeping AEBC agile and effective.

Our outreach events were another way of fostering inclusion. During National AccessAbility Week, our Trivia & Ask Me Anything event invited the public—educators, policymakers, journalists—to interact directly with blind, Deafblind, and partially sighted Canadians. Participants could ask questions, bust myths, and better understand our realities. This accountability to both members and the public deepens trust and builds a stronger foundation for change.

Empowerment:

We equip our members to advocate for themselves and others.

A major highlight this year was launching the updated Self-Advocacy Guide with a dedicated training session in April. Based on a guide developed in 2006, this streamlined resource equips members to speak confidently and effectively on issues that affect their lives.

Our Tech Training Tuesdays from February through May, further strengthened skills, covering technology topics on various platforms. The sessions have been posted on YouTube for broader access. Two AI-focused sessions also gave members the opportunity to explore new technologies critically and practically.

Local activities empowered members as well. The BC Affiliate’s Fifth Annual Trivia Event drew over 60 participants, raising scholarship funds and building community. In Toronto, a Confidence Building Workshop provided members with strategies to grow their self-assurance.

These opportunities were not only about knowledge—they were about confidence, empowerment, and the understanding that every member can be an advocate.

Equity:

We work to remove systemic barriers, not just adjust to them.

Equity guided much of our advocacy this year. Our four key advocacy priorities—healthcare accessibility, accessibility in transportation, adequate income support, and digital accessibility—form the pillars of our work. Whether appearing before the Senate’s Soci Committee on Bill C-284 (the National Eye Care Strategy) or consulting on described video, AEBC’s focus has been on dismantling barriers, not working around them.

Recognition of equity work also came in the form of awards. At our AGM, we celebrated Chantal Oakes as Volunteer of the Year, chosen for her significant contribution to the work of AEBC in the previous year. Penny Bennett, Brian Bibeault, Peter Quaiattini, and David Lepofsky received the King Charles III Coronation Award for their long-standing commitment to advancing equality for blind, Deafblind, and partially sighted Canadians. These honours remind us that progress happens because individuals dedicate themselves to pushing systems toward fairness. In June, Ian White received the June Callwood Award for his work as founder and President of the CCB Toronto Visionaries, where he created inclusive spaces for connection, learning, and support. We proudly recognized Betty Nobel, winner of Braille Literacy Canada’s President’s Award.

Learning Together:

Whether it’s tech or advocacy, we teach and support each other.

Learning was at the heart of AEBC’s activities this year. We conducted surveys on engagement and accessibility, held weekly chats, and shared ongoing resources to keep members informed and connected.

In March, we held a roundtable of younger adults who are blind, deafblind or partially sighted, in order to learn what barriers and access issues those under forty encounter and have the most negative effects on their lives, what advocacy efforts they have employed, and how an organization like AEBC might help and be more meaningful in their lives. 

In April, our Executive Director, Lee Pigeau, led a session on “Being an AEBC Team Member,” which strengthened our collective understanding of how we collaborate and support one another.

Members also represented AEBC at important external learning spaces. Linda Bartram attended the Accessibility Professional Network Conference; Simran Bhinder, our Project Coordinator, attended AccessFest 2025 in Toronto—the first outdoor festival dedicated to accessibility and disability culture—and I had the privilege of attending the Canadian Telecom Summit. The key takeaways from that Summit were: don’t try to do everything alone, build security into technology from the start, and ensure innovation is responsible.

Learning also extended to the next generation. This year, we received 25 scholarship applications and awarded eight scholarships to deserving students. These successes show the power of nurturing talent, honouring service, and investing in tomorrow’s leaders.

Closing Reflection

As I look back on this past year, I see an organization that has grown stronger, more agile, and more focused. AEBC’s new mission, vision, and values have not just guided us on paper—they have guided us in action. Whether through advocacy, community-building, partnerships, or training, we have worked together to make Canada more accessible, more equitable, and more inclusive.

I am grateful to every member, volunteer, partner, and supporter who has contributed to this progress. Together, we continue to prove that lived experience, when combined with leadership and determination, can drive real and lasting change.