From the President’s Desk
While we say goodbye to Thanksgiving and trick or treating, a lot of our Chapters and groups are planning ahead for Christmas celebrations. This means many will be getting together with peers at Chapter functions of all kinds. This is so encouraging, and I thank everyone for their forward thinking and planning to make these events such a success.
While celebrations are fun, it is also especially important this month that we take the time to remember those who engaged in conflict, and the many who lost their lives to give us the freedom we have today.
Lest we forget, November 11th is a day we set aside in honour of those true patriots who put their lives on the line for the betterment of all of us.
I encourage you to attend (if possible), one of the many celebrations of Remembrance Day across Canada which happen within every Community. A moment of silence combined with a purchase of a poppy goes a long way. Personally, each year I like to read the poem, In Flanders Fields, in an accessible format.
On behalf of the Board, staff, donors, sponsors, and the volunteers, we wish everyone a peaceful Remembrance Day. Please take the time to remember the Veterans who were so instrumental in the establishment of The Canadian Council of the Blind, and a recognition of a moment of silence and reflection is not too much to ask. Also, let us not forget to get our eyes checked regularly.
Jim Tokos, National President
Announcements
CVICC returns in 2025:
In its continuing pursuit to both promote and support the sport of Blind Curling, The Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) is excited to announce that the Canadian Vision Impaired Curling Championship (CVICC) will be returning after a three-year absence.
The event will take place during White Cane Week in 2025 and for the first time ever will be held in a city other than Ottawa. The event moves to the province of Nova Scotia where the Sydney Curling Club will host the event, bringing together the top Vision Impaired Curlers from across Canada.
More details on the event will be forthcoming in future editions of this newsletter, so stay tuned!
Chapter Spotlight: We would like to introduce the Mississauga VIPs Chapter in Ontario.
Six years ago, a small group of persons with recent sight loss met close by the CNIB office in Mississauga for a short series of sessions titled “New Beginnings.” We were strangers but united in our quest to find our way through life without sight. At the end of the program a few of the attendees decided not to disband but to strike out to find a way to maintain new friendships, share helpful information and to reach others with vision impairment. We wanted to help others in the same situation to benefit from a committed network of similar people. The goal was to seek out other blind and low vision persons in the Mississauga area to welcome them into an inclusive, supportive, and like-minded group of friends and mentors.
After a long search and an initial phone call with the warm voice of Shelley Ann Morris of the CCB, our little troop was on the right track. It wasn’t long after that, that Jim Tokos met with us around a kitchen table to tell us that we met the minimum number to seek membership in the CCB and that we could become a Chapter of our own in Mississauga.
Not long after our start up, we faced difficulty in finding a meeting place for Chapter members and we decided, with the help of Covid, to learn how to use Zoom for our meetings. This was a positive thing as it helped us connect with members who live in Peel region and beyond. Today we have over 35 members and have regular volunteers and kind donors.
Our annual summer BBQ is a popular event and right now we are busy planning our Christmas Holiday Party in December.
A big part of our VIP life in Mississauga is regularly connecting with the “Get Together with Technology” group to keep us on top of the current tech trends. We also have great support within the Chapter, especially from Michael Feir, a regular contributor to the GTT National programs.
As we grow, we work with the goal that everyone with vision loss in Mississauga will know about the CCB and is welcome to join us on our journey. Over these years as we have forged relationships with so many wonderful people, we have come to understand that VIP means not only Visually Impaired Persons or Very Important People but always Very Interesting Persons!
Submitted by
Anthony Coulter, Chairperson Mississauga VIPs
CCB BC-Yukon Division Sports Days Recap:
Thirty-nine Division Members from all over the province participated in another Sports Days Event, which was held in Richmond, B.C., from October 8th to 11th.
The Division successfully secured a Federal Grant encouraging seniors to get more active in recreation and sports activities. Members are not exclusively seniors; however, the majority are. Registration was not restricted to the senior age group; and all members were welcome to join in the activities and fun.
Two program activity days were straddled by travel days to and from Richmond from across B.C. The group enjoyed Bowling, five pin and ten pin, a hike at the Richmond Nature House, Curling, Aquatic activities, Chair Exercises and Chair Yoga. On the final evening everyone gathered at a Restaurant within walking distance to the Hotel for a wrap-up meal together. In the evenings members enjoyed a Hospitality Room to get to know each other and socialize, sharing their experiences of the day.
The enthusiastic group enjoyed the activities and said that they had a lot of fun and really appreciated the activities and were looking forward to another event, hopefully in the future.
Submitted by Fraser Hiltz, on behalf of the Organizing Committee
New CNIB President and CEO:
CCB would like to welcome Angela Bonfanti to the role!
“CCB has a rich history of collaboration with CNIB,” states Jim Tokos, CCB President. “The two organizations have worked very closely together for decades, and I know this tradition will continue under the strong leadership of Angela Bonfanti.”
Angela, a 13-year veteran of the CNIB team, has become the organization’s first female president and CEO. After holding several leadership positions at CNIB – including, most recently, the position of Chief Operating Officer – Bonfanti succeeded John M. Rafferty in the role on August 6, 2024. Rafferty had been CNIB’s president since 2009.
“It’s an understatement to say that I’m excited and honoured to be taking on this role,” says Bonfanti. “After more than a decade with CNIB, I know what we’re capable of as a team, and it’s absolutely limitless. I’m thrilled to discover what we’ll accomplish together in the years to come for our community of people impacted by blindness from coast to coast to coast.”
As the daughter of a person who is blind, Bonfanti has been a lifelong champion of the rights of Canadians who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. A member of the CNIB team since 2011, she not only understands the nuanced challenges facing people impacted by blindness, but she has been instrumental in tackling those challenges.
Among other achievements, Bonfanti spearheaded the launch of many of CNIB’s flagship programs, including CNIB Guide Dogs, CNIB Come to Work, and establishing CNIB Community Hubs in major cities across Canada. She has also been closely involved in nurturing and championing AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) legislation as it relates to Ontarians impacted by blindness; she drove CNIB’s efforts in the development of An Act to Amend the Copyright Act (2018) and the Accessible Canada Act (2019); and led an extensive stakeholder engagement process across Canada which ultimately resulted in the development of the not-for-profit organizations Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada and CNIB Deafblind Community Services.
In taking on the presidency of CNIB, Bonfanti also becomes the first female president and CEO of CNIB’s affiliate organization, CNIB Deafblind Community Services, which provides services and support for Canadians who have either full or partial dual hearing and sight loss.
Para-Arm-wrestling:
My name is Joey Costello, and I am the President of Team Canada Arm-wrestling Federation.
In 2027, Canada will be hosting the 50th World Arm-wrestling Championships and this event will be held in Ottawa, in August.
Of the 60+ countries that compete at these events., Canada is one of the only ones with little or no Para Athletes. Government funding does not exist, so this is one of the reasons for our short comings.
We have the opportunity to show the rest of the world what Canada is capable of, and I need help to do it! I’m looking for athletes who would like to compete!
About the athletes: Virtually anyone can arm wrestle regardless of their disability, or their level of visual impairment. All competitors will wear eye coverings to ensure that all athletes are equal in their impairment.
The disabled classes are as follows. Visually impaired, hearing impaired, Cerebral Palsy (standing and sitting), physical impairment seated, and physical impairment seated missing an upper limb, physical impairment standing, and physical impairment standing missing an upper limb.
The competitors don’t need to be experienced athletes, we have coaches and referees to assist in their training.
If you are interested, please contact Joey Costello
Team Canada Arm-wrestling Federation-President at:
705-641-0221
Vision Health Conference:
The Vision Health Conference 2024, held on October 30th at the Toronto Reference Library, was a resounding success! Hosted by the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) and Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC), this impactful event brought together a diverse audience of in-person and online attendees for an engaging update on the state of vision health in Canada.
CCB National President Jim Tokos opened the conference with a warm welcome, followed by inspiring words from Jennifer Jones, President and CEO of FBC, setting the tone for a day filled with meaningful discussions and insights. Attendees enjoyed presentations from a distinguished
panel of speakers, including Dr. Keith Gordon (Senior Research Officer at the CCB and the Report’s Principal Investigator), Dr. Larissa Moniz (Director of Research and Mission Programs at FBC), Dr. Allison Scott (Vice President of the Canadian Association of Optometrists), Dr. Phil Hooper (Immediate Past President of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society), and Ian White (President of the CCB Toronto Visionaries), with Michael Baillargeon (Senior Manager of Eye Care Initiatives at the CCB) serving as the event’s MC.
The day’s discussions centered on findings from the newly released Report Card on Vision Health Part 2, shedding light on both the progress since the Report Card Part 1 (released in October 2022) and the ongoing needs within the vision health community. The engaged audience and their insightful questions underscored a collective commitment to advancing vision health across Canada.
To read the report, please visit these links.
https://ccbnational.net/docs/Report-Card-Vision-Health_acc-digital.pdf
https://ccbnational.net/docs/Report-Card-on-Vision-Health_FR_v1.0_digital_singles_AT%5B1%5D.pdf
Here are some key findings regarding the vision health and care in Canada:
- Over 1.2 million Canadians live with vision loss.
- Vision loss has profound health, financial and societal impacts.
- COVID-19 caused missed treatments and longer surgery wait times.
With regards to the post-pandemic recovery of vision health care system, when comparing 2023 to 2019 data, most services have recovered but challenges remain.
Below are the increases related to specific issues:
- Ophthalmic day surgery: increase of 4%.
- Pharmaceutical claims: increase of 9%.
- Cataract surgery wait times: increase of 10%.
Initiated in 2022, the National Strategy for Eye Care remains unapproved as of 2024. The history is as follows:
- 2022 Private member’s bill introduced to Parliament.
- 2023 Bill passes House of Commons
- 2024 Bill passes 2nd reading in Senate.
Emerging issues include:
- Healthcare workforce shortages and supply chains
- Access to regular eye exams
- The role of AI in healthcare
- Trust and access for Indigenous communities
- Access to assistive devices programs
To read the infographic, please visit these links.
https://ccbnational.net/docs/FBC_Infographic_VF_English.pdf
https://ccbnational.net/docs/FBC_Infographic_VF_French.pdf
For those who missed it or wish to revisit the sessions, a recording of the event will soon be available on the CCB website. Stay tuned to access this valuable resource and relive the conference’s highlights!
CCB White Cane Magazine: Fall/Winter White Cane Magazine is arriving soon! To download the magazine, please visit:
https://ccbnational.net/docs/WC-2024-MAGAZINE-OCT-VF1.0_online_FINAL-s.pdf
https://ccbnational.net/docs/WC-2024-MAGAZINE-OCT-VF1.0_textonly.docx
New CCB Partnership:
CCB is thrilled to be collaborating again with Louise Levesque-Burley on an upcoming project situated in Eastern Canada. Please stay tuned to Visions newsletter for more details coming soon!
Louise is a powerful voice for disability awareness and etiquette and a thriving example of what can be accomplished when the impossible is made possible. Louise is a captivating and practical speaker, trainer and coach who stimulates positive change through personal INsight. She has long been an advocate and powerful speaker on enriching organizations through embracing diversity. Facing the twin challenges of being blind and having chronic rheumatoid arthritis, Louise is no stranger to adversity. She is also no stranger to sheer determination, self-motivation and the fact that embracing challenge can indeed reveal our greatest strengths.
Bill C-284 Senate Hearing:
On October 24, representatives from CCB, including Ian White, were called to represent the CCB as a witness before the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology and to speak in support of Bill C-284, an Act in support of a national strategy on eye care. They were joined by AEBC and Fighting Blindness. The hearing lasted 2 hours, starting at 11:30 am running until 1:30 pm and was broken into 2, 1-hour sessions. Our session starts around 12:33 pm. The link to the hearing is below. You can adjust the video to start when we do at 12:33 pm.
As a point of interest, you might want to observe the first session where Ms. Elizabeth Toller, Director General, Health Care Strategies Directorate, Health Policy Branch, Health Canada spoke to the Bill representing the Government and explaining the process.
Here is the link to the video:
https://senparlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2?fk=653441&globalStreamId=3
Air Transport Association v. Canada (Transportation Agency); The Supreme Court of Canada Rules on Compensation for Air Passengers:
This month, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) upheld the Air Passenger Protection Regulation (the Regulation) introduced by the federal government a few years ago. The Regulation provides a standardized system of compensation for passengers who experience disruptions to their air travel plans. The Council of Canadians with Disabilities along with the National Pensioners Association and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre intervened in this case. As a coalition we argued that the Regulation was needed and of benefit to air passengers, especially those who already experience transportation barriers and disadvantage.
At issue in this case is the Air Passenger Protection Regulation. This Regulation provides a standardized system of compensation for air passengers traveling domestically or internationally who experience flight delays, cancelations, denial of boarding, and lost or damaged baggage.
The airlines challenged the validity of the Regulation arguing that the government was overstepping its authority as a compensation scheme already exists through the Montreal Convention. The SCC determined that both compensation systems, the Regulation and Montreal Convention, can coexist as they offer air passengers different options for claiming compensation.
Under the Regulation, a passenger can apply, without too much effort, to an airline for a standard amount of compensation when flight arrangements do not go as planned.
The passenger does not need to prove fault of the airline, just that they were inconvenienced by flight disruptions, etc. Under the Montreal Convention passengers must prove that the airline was at fault and provide evidence to prove their claim. It is a process similar to a small claims court hearing.
This approach can require preparation, time, energy and possible expense. However, filing a claim under the Montreal Convention may be an appropriate option when a passenger encounters extraordinary harm or damage.
As we all know, people with disabilities in Canada experience significant obstacles as air passengers. Getting stranded while on route because of delays or cancelations can create further difficulties and expenses if alternative travel plans need to be made. CCD argued in favour of the Regulation as it provides a simple method of claiming compensation. Given the many barriers that people with disabilities often experience when flying, being able to access needed compensation through a non-adversarial process offers a small step towards improving their travel experience.
VIA Rail Now Offering Sensory Support Kits:
We are happy to announce that VIA Rail is now offering Sensory Support Kits for the neurodiversity of our passengers. Passengers who place a specific service request related to a cognitive disability will be offered the option of receiving one for their trip.
Ableism Forum Recap: On October 22, CCB’s immediate past-President Louise Gillis attended the Canadian Accessibility Network (CAN) Team and the Accessibility Institute at Carleton University’s on-line forum on Ableism.
Ableism affects people with disabilities every day, often in ways we don’t notice. During this CAN Connect Forum, the panel addressed what ableism is, how to spot it, and practical steps to create a more inclusive environment. The panel of experts discussed key issues related to ableism and shared their experiences and solutions for addressing it.
Below are some key issues from the forum:
We have found in the Canadian Survey on Disability in 2022, that there are more than 27% of the population, 15 and older that have one or more disabilities in Canada. In the world, there’s more than 17% that identify as persons with disabilities. There is also an organization on learning ableism that do a big ableism survey. They found that 95% of persons with disabilities that participated in the survey feel that they face ableist behaviors in their life, and 99% virtually all, feel that we need more training and education about ableism.
Question: What is ableism and what are some common examples of ableism that people may not recognize? How can we become more aware of these behaviors?
Answer: Ableism is a set of beliefs that views disability as bad and normality as good. This mindset makes disabled people feel that they—or their disabilities—are the problem preventing them from participating in life. Instead of recognizing that inaccessibility and discrimination are the real issues, society often puts the burden on disabled individuals to find their own ways to access opportunities.
This creates pressure to focus on overcoming perceived weaknesses and to conform to what is considered “normal.”
Disabled individuals often feel they must work harder to fit in, especially in spaces like schools and workplaces. In short, ableism leads to the belief that disabled people are responsible for their own access and participation, suggesting they need to “get better” or “be more normal.”
We often think that making workplaces or schools accessible just means adding policies and features on top of an existing system. However, if those systems are flawed or not working well, adding accessibility measures won’t solve the underlying issues. In fact, needing these measures highlights that there are significant problems that need addressing. When someone constantly must advocate for access—whether to policies, buildings, or learning environments—it indicates that something isn’t right. Many of these environments are designed by able-bodied people and don’t consider the needs of those with disabilities.
It’s crucial to listen to disabled individuals about their experiences instead of just providing quick fixes or workarounds. Constantly relying on workarounds means we’re not really addressing the barriers that hinder full participation.
To make real progress, organizations need to examine their policies and practices and actively dismantle barriers that prevent inclusivity. This isn’t a simple fix; it requires a deep commitment to understanding and changing the systems in place.
it is a question of acceptance. Feeling accepted by our communities, by our organizations. Feeling included but also accepted in the way we do things differently, but still achieve creative results.
Question: What concrete steps can communities and organizations take to create positive and conducive environments for people with disabilities to feel included and to make sure that ableist behaviors disappear or are significantly reduced at least?
Answer: It’s crucial to recognize what ableism looks like in everyday life and in systems and policies. One key point is that many workplaces and educational institutions rely on accommodations for access, which highlights their inaccessibility. This means they prioritize traditional ways of working and learning that don’t consider the needs of people with disabilities. When someone who needs accommodations comes along, they are seen as “special,” and adjustments are made just for them.
To truly create accessible environments, organizations must examine their core policies and processes. If those policies depend on accommodations, they need to be rethought. It’s important to involve a diverse range of disabled voices in this process, so that accessibility is built into the systems from the start. This approach helps ensure that everyone feels valued and included in workplaces and educational spaces.
Planning for accessibility from the beginning is vital, especially when redesigning policies, programs, or services.
We need to ensure that discussions about policy reviews are inclusive, with a diverse group of people involved. Often, organizations review policies every few years, but they only let one person quickly check them. This approach fails to include individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, which is essential for understanding how these policies affect everyone.
Ho-Ho-Ho!:
It is that time of year to think about sending a braille letter to Santa:
The folks at Canada Post will make sure that Santa gets it!
How to get your braille letter to Santa: Santa and the postal elves are busy this time of year. Send your mail to the North Pole in time to hear back from Santa.
Here’s Santa’s address:
Santa Claus
North Pole
H0H 0H0
Canada
Get a braille letter back: Include a return address in your letter and Santa will send you a letter back.
Don’t miss the deadline! Send your braille Santa letters no later than December 6th, 2024, to receive a reply before the holidays.
Our thanks to the many elves at Allyant who ensure that the braille copy is good to go!
In the News
World Blind Union Celebrates 40 Years of Advancing the Rights of Blind and Partially Sighted People Worldwide:
On October 26, the World Blind Union (WBU) proudly celebrated its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of dedication and commitment to improving the lives of blind and partially sighted individuals across the globe. Since our founding in 1984, the WBU has worked to promote human rights, equal opportunities, and accessibility for all.
WBU President, Martine Abel-Williamson, said: “This milestone is a testament to the collective effort of our members and partners worldwide. Over the past 40 years, we’ve made incredible strides in advancing the rights and inclusion of blind and partially sighted people, breaking barriers and building bridges. Our community has grown stronger, more unified, and determined to shape a future where no one is left behind.”
Over the past 40 years, the WBU’s reach has grown to encompass 190 member countries, making it the global voice for an estimated 253 million blind and partially sighted individuals.
Throughout our history, the WBU has been at the forefront of advocating for key initiatives, from the Marrakesh Treaty to inclusive urban environments to accessibility in education and technology. And we continue to be on the cutting edge in our advocacy around accessible autonomous vehicles and equitable artificial intelligence.
Marc Workman, WBU CEO, said: “As we mark 40 years of progress, we reflect on how far we’ve come and, more importantly, look ahead to what’s possible. The future of accessibility lies in innovation, and WBU is at the forefront of that change. Our work isn’t just about adapting to the present—it’s about shaping a more inclusive and equitable future.”
As the WBU looks toward the future, the organization remains committed to advancing its core mission of ensuring the rights, freedoms, and dignity of blind and partially sighted individuals are realized worldwide.
Join the World Blind Union in celebrating 40 years of impact and learn more by visiting https://worldblindunion.org/
Disability Data: Improving Representation to Drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation:
In October, Microsoft announced a new collaboration with Be My Eyes to bring high-quality, disability representative data to help train AI systems. This work with Be My Eyes will help make Microsoft AI models more inclusive for the 340 million people in the world who are blind or have low vision and is the latest step in Microsoft’s commitment to build inclusive technology.
AI requires large amounts of data for training and utility but too often disability is underrepresented or incorrectly categorized in datasets. In Microsoft Research’s most recent paper on AI performance for describing images from blind or low vision individuals, disability objects, like a braille device, were included less frequently in popular large-scale image-text datasets, leading to recognizing those objects around 30 percent less accurately. This disability data desert can limit the utility of a technology, strengthen existing stereotypes and magnify bias. As we continue to discover the opportunities for AI and accessibility, inclusive data through these types of partnerships and community collaborations are paramount to building inclusive AI.
How we do this matters. Transparency and user control are the guiding principles for data privacy in this agreement. Be My Eyes will provide video data sets, including unique objects, lighting and framing that realistically represents the lived experience of the blind and low vision community. Personal information will be removed from metadata by Be My Eyes prior to sharing and the company continues to work transparently with its members to provide a clear process and options to opt out of data sharing. Microsoft will then use the data to improve the accuracy and precision of scene understanding and descriptions with the goal of increasing the utility of AI applications for the blind and low vision community.
This news is the next chapter in Microsoft’s collaboration with Be My Eyes, which began in 2017 when their app was integrated into the Disability Answer Desk support experience to give customers more efficient technical support. Last year, Microsoft was the first to pilot their new ‘Be My AI,’ with AI helping to solve technical support issues. Be My Eyes also recently developed a Windows app, available in the Microsoft Store. Collaborations like these allow us to improve representation and diversity of AI data and drive more authentic inclusion of disability in our technology.
AI innovations can reduce cognitive load through summarization, automate meeting notes, and provide detailed image descriptions. These innovations have so many positive implications for neurodiverse, deaf, and blind communities and more, and with 1+ billion people on the planet who experience some type of disability, the disability data desert is a crucial issue to address.
Between 2014 and 2017, Microsoft created the Disability Answer Desk, the Inclusive Design Toolkit, and released the Seeing AI app, each in collaboration with the disability community. In 2018, they launched AI for Accessibility, a $25 million grant program for accessible AI innovation globally. In 2019, they co-authored research papers: “Sign Language Recognition, Generation, and Translation”, “Disability, Bias, and AI”, and “Toward Fairness in AI for People with Disabilities: A Research Roadmap”. In 2020, Microsoft was awarded grants for ORBIT and VizWiz to enhance AI tools for blind and low vision individuals. In 2021, they co-published research on teachable object recognition and sign language AI datasets. They also released the AI for Accessibility 3-Year Impact Report. Lastly, between 2022 and 2024, Microsoft expanded industry and academic partnerships including the Speech Accessibility Project led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and with Be My Eyes.
If you have questions or feedback on Accessibility at Microsoft, let us know at the Disability Answer Desk or try out the Bing AI-powered Ask Microsoft Accessibility tool.
www.ccbnational.net 1-877-304-0968