TABLE OF CONTENTS
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NEWS FROM NATIONAL
Scholarships
We are pleased to announce that AEBC is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 AEBC/Allyant Scholarship Program. The application deadline is Friday, May 17th, 2024. All applications and supporting materials must be received by noon Pacific Daylight Time on that date in order for submissions to be considered by AEBC.
This year, scholarships are provided by Allyant and an anonymous donor. In addition, we are honoured to offer special scholarships in memory of Tom Teranishi (donated by the BC Affiliate), Paul and Cheryl Thiele (jointly donated by the BC Affiliate and AEBC National), and John Rae (donated by the AEBC Toronto Chapter).
For more information, visit the Scholarship page of our website.
Membership Renewal Reminder
It’s that time of year to remind Annual Members that your annual membership is up for renewal. AEBC issues memberships according to its fiscal year. Therefore, membership runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year. Any memberships paid on or after January 1, 2024, are valid through to March 31, 2025. Annual memberships are $10 each, and upgrades to a Life-Time memberships are a one-time payment of $100.
If you are not already a member, read more on our website on the many benefits of joining our vibrant community!
Our preferred payment method is CanadaHelps secure payment processing.
If you do not wish to pay online and would prefer to e-transfer or send us a cheque, please contact us for instructions.
CHAPTER/AFFILIATE HAPPENINGS
Inclusify your Workplace: Sensitivity, Accessibility and Cultural Awareness Training - Presented by AEBC Toronto Chapter
Date and time for Virtual Training sessions: Tuesday, April 9 and Thursday April 11 from 1-3 PM ET
Training Session Overview
Part One - Sensitivity Accessibility and Awareness Training (Tuesday, April 9th 1-3pm)
Part Two - Cultural Awareness Training (Thursday April 11th 1-3pm)
Sensitivity Accessibility and Cultural Awareness Training
It is your guide to success – Build an Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive workforce.
The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians Toronto Chapter, funded by the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund, invites you to participate in a free, important two-part training session for business and organization leaders. In these training sessions, we are taking a closer look into the implications that COVID-19 had on businesses and organizations that hire and employ people with disabilities and on making employees and employers aware of their attitudes, behaviours, and their impact on themselves and others, and to provide creative solutions on how to make a more equitable and diverse workplace.
What are the benefits for employers and hiring managers to take these training sessions?
· Sensitivity training is group training that focuses on making individuals aware of their attitudes and behaviours and their impact on themselves and others.
· Accessible interactive training that will teach and support you to enhance your reputation, increase revenue, and gain that competitive edge.
· Increased patronage from persons with disabilities, their friends, and families.
· Teach employers and employees how to interact and behave with others appropriately.
· It will foster a welcoming and safe environment for all.
· It promotes social sensitivity and behavioural flexibility that ensures better individual and group dynamics.
Objectives of the Training Program:
· Promote Inclusivity and create an environment in which all individuals, regardless of background, abilities, or traits, feel welcomed and respected.
● Improve Communication Skills. Develop a deeper knowledge of diverse perspectives to reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings or confrontations.
● Build empathy and understanding for people with varied experiences, as well as cultivating a culture of compassion and support.
● Ensure Accessibility. Raise awareness and offer practical solutions to make physical venues, digital platforms, and communication techniques accessible to all people, including those with a disability.
Registration: register on Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/inclusify-your-workplacesensitivity-and-cultural-awareness-training-tickets-840966672957
Accommodations: There will be American sign language interpreters (ASL interpreters) and closed captioning in real time (CART).
From BC Affiliate: Ode to dedicated volunteers!
On behalf of the BC Affiliate, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the following members who gave so generously of their time to serve on the steering committee to oversee the development and unfolding of the Personal Response to Emergency Preparedness project: Peg Mercer, Betty Nobel, Mary Brunner and Cathy Stuckenberg. Together during the past year, we nurtured an idea proposed by Linda Bartram which was submitted to Disability Alliance BC (DABC) for consideration of funding. The purpose of the project was to promote accessible information and better understanding of how to cope in the event of an emergency for blind, deafblind and partially sighted British Columbians. I would like to thank everyone who participated in activities related to the project and hope you will encourage others to learn from the resources we created and posted on the AEBC website: https://www.blindcanadians.ca/bc-prep
We will make every effort to keep the information up-to-date and would welcome other relevant sources if you are aware of them. Additionally, I would like to recognize Marilyn and Ken Rushton and Paulette Mackenrot, who’s contributions were invaluable and paramount to the execution of our plans for a portion of the project. Carol Austin and Susan Van Egdom provided administrative support when needed, above and beyond their assigned duties. From the feedback received, we believe our project was a success, which can also be attributed to our manager Laura Mackenrot for leaving no stone unturned in order to deliver accessible and inclusive information to participants all around.
Don’t forget to purchase your tickets to our upcoming trivia event on April 13, 2024. Sales begin February 26, 2024with a chance to win an early bird prize if you purchase by March 16, 11:30 Pacific Time. Purchase Tickets Here
The BC Affiliate will be participating at the View Point educational conference in Vancouver on April 20, 2024, an event supported by Fighting Blindness Canada on the latest information in vision health and research. This will be a good opportunity to network and promote public awareness of who we are and what we do, while learning more about what they have to offer. Registration is free for anyone wishing to attend.
FROM THE AEBC BLOG
BC Emergency Preparedness
In 2023, our BC Affiliate received a project grant from Disability Alliance BC (funded by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction) to develop a Personal Response to Emergency Preparedness Project. Read more about the project here on our blog and check out the new BC Emergency Preparedness Resources page.
Tech Training
We have had some excellent tech training sessions recently and video replays are now available at these links:
Windows Navigation using JAWS, Part One:
Windows Navigation using JAWS, Part Two:
Excel 101: Getting Past “I don’t do Excel”:
YOUR VOICE
The following is a list of public consultations or petitions currently open for submission. Make sure your voice is heard!
The Canada Disability Benefit was passed in June 2023, but people with disabilities are still living in poverty. An adequately funded CDB can change this. We need YOUR voice to push the government to establish funding in the upcoming federal budget.
You can help. Write your MP: https://www.fundthebenefit.ca/#letter
Sign the Petition: https://www.leadnow.ca/fund-cdb-petition/
SECTOR NEWS & EVENTS
Fighting Blindness Canada's View Point Vancouver this spring!
View Point brings you the latest information on vision health and research. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from top vision health experts, explore resources, and meet other individuals and families affected by vision loss.
Event Details
When: Saturday, April 20, 2024
Time: 2 - 6:30 p.m. (registration opens at 1 p.m.)
Where: Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, University of British Columbia
Cost: Free to attend (registration required)
If you need assistance with registration, email education@fightingblindness.ca or call 1.800.461.3331 ext. 246
Accessible Canada — Accessible World Conference
An international event dedicated to advancing accessibility and inclusive design across various domains such as standards, policy and journalism.
Conference Details:
Event: Accessible Canada — Accessible World Conference
Date: May 27–28, 2024
Location: Concordia University, Montreal, 1450 Rue Guy, 9th floor, and online
Website: https://idrc.ocadu.ca/projects/acaw/
MEDIA CLIPPINGS
PODCAST CORNER
Catch up on all the latest Triple Vision podcasts.
UPCOMING AEBC EVENTS
Check out our EVENTS CALENDAR for posted dates and links to information about events.
National Public Chats: Join us every Friday at 4PM Pacific, 5PM Mountain, 7PM Eastern
BC Affiliate Public Chats: Join us Thursday Nights at 8 PM Pacific
Halifax Mid-Week Meltdown: The Halifax Chapter hosts a monthly "Mid-Week Meltdown" on the first Wednesday of every month at 8 PM Atlantic
AEBC National Board meeting dates 2024:
March 18, 2024: Private Board meeting
April 15, 2024: Private Board meeting with silent members
May 27, 2024: Public Board Meeting
June 17, 2024: Private Board Meeting
July 22, 2024: Public Board Meeting
August 2024: no meeting, possibly Board opportunity session
All meetings begin at 4 PM Pacific 7 PM Eastern
AEBC’s 2024 AGM
The 2024 AGM will be held in person in Vancouver, BC at the River Rock Casino Resort September 22, 2024. We will be designing a special day including a guest speaker, luncheon, and AGM meeting. Members will be able to attend in person if desired. We have a limited number of hotel rooms available at a reduced rate. Please email Carol at operations@blindcanadians.ca if you are interested in reserving a room at the hotel. The AGM will also be streamed live using Zoom and members across Canada can join virtually.
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ALLIANCE FOR EQUALITY OF BLIND CANADIANS
The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) is a national charitable organization committed to empowering blind, partially sighted, and deafblind Canadians to lead a life filled with opportunity, inclusivity, and equality. We advocate, support, and strive to make the world a better place for everyone, regardless of their visual abilities. Together, we can create a brighter and more accessible future for all.
Visit our website at www.blindcanadians.ca and follow us on social media
Facebook: @facebook/blindcanadians
Mastodon: @blindcanadians
YouTube: @blindcanadians
The Equalizer committee is committed to bringing you timely and informative news from the organization. We appreciate your feedback on our newsletter or submissions for consideration. Contact us at EMAIL Newsletter.
If you are interested in becoming more involved in our advocacy work or joining any of our working committees, please reach out to EMAIL Government Relations.
If you’re not already a Member and would like to support us as a Member or Donor.
Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians
PO Box 20262 RPO Town Centre
Kelowna, BC V1Y 9H21-800-561-4774
Copyright (c) 2024 Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians
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