From the President’s Desk
While finishing October with Thanksgiving, beginning November with Remembrance Day, moving forward to International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3rd, all signs now appear to point us in a direction of Christmas, and all of the celebration that become a part of that wonderful time of the year.
Let us not forget the many across Canada to which Christmas is a burden to not only themselves, but also families all across this Country from coast to coast. While many of us are celebrating Chapter outings and dinners or luncheons with their peers, may we all please remember if you are able to donate to those less fortunate during this time of year.
Truly it is a reality that many of our peers, friends, and those within communities across Canada have to make difficult decisions daily. Mortgage, rent, food, and clothing; a harsh reality when it comes to many on what is the priority, forcing many to make difficult decisions just to put food on their tables, or a roof over their heads. To those it is important that we take time to give at the local food bank, purchase an unwrapped toy for children, as well as donating warm clothing to those who cannot afford the many luxuries and expense that this time of year presents.
I would like to personally thank those many Chapters from coast to coast who consider gathering goods for those less fortunate. Who also ensure they continue to check in on many who reside on their own; not having family and friends to celebrate with. While ensuring each of their members have opportunity to spend time with peers, and a warm prepared dinner becomes a reality. A special thanks to many of our members who volunteer their time in helping in food banks and shelters in many different capacities.
While we all feel a chill in the air, winter has truly flexed its muscles all across this Country, lending itself to events such as curling, locally and the CCB National curling bonspiel as well which is being held in Sydney, Nova Scotia this year.
Plans are continuing for White Cane Week activities, important to the Council, as we continue to ensure our peers are aware of many of the great activities throughout the winter that our many Chapters have to offer. It is important that these efforts are realized.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, and the many volunteers across Canada, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone and their families a warm and healthy festive season, and hope each of you spends quality time with your families and friends alike, while remembering the importance of getting your eyes checked.
Jim Tokos
National President
Member Spotlight:
We would like to introduce William (Bill) Conway from the Sunshine Coast White Cane Club in British Columbia.
Bill was born in January 1952 and in 1963 was deemed legally blind after going through a difficult life as a child and the loss of an eye, by the mid-eighties he was totally blind. He attended ‘Sight Saving’ class within the Hamilton Public School system and then went on to become the first blind student to graduate from Hill Park Secondary School in 1972.
From 1976 to 1982 Bill volunteered with CNIB in Vancouver with the recreational department. During this time Bill joined the CCB and was the president of the Vancouver White Cane Club from 1979 to 1982, where he began learning to advocate for the rights of the blind.
As a member of BC Blind Sports from 1977-1982, Bill competed in provincial, national and international track and field events. As well Bill was a valued member of the 1980 cross country blind ski team that participated in the 2nd Olympics for the Physically Disabled, (as they were known at that time).
From 1993 until 2007, Bill joined the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities and served on its board and executive where he further learned how to advocate for citizens with disabilities.
After moving to the Sunshine Coast and since 2002 Bill has been the President of the Sunshine Coast White Cane Club for many of those 22 years. In 2009 Bill joined the CCB BC-Yukon Division board of directors, he has served as the 1st, 2nd and today sits as their 3rd vice president. Bill has been part of many committees including Policies, Book of Honour and was instrumental in virtual events as the White Cane Week Committee Chair person during the COVID years.
Since 2017, Bill has been an active member of the Sunshine Coast Lions Club, serving as president in 2022-2023 and currently is the Zone Chair. He is also involved with the Knights of the Blind and the Canadian True Vision Lions Cyber Club Branch. Bill was, as a point of interest a founding member of both organizations.
In the past Bill was the chair person of the Sunshine Coast Accessibility Advisory Committee and is currently the Chair of the new Sunshine Coast Regional Accessibility Advisory Committee.
Since 1979 to present Bill has proudly used a Dog Guide from two different training facilities, The Seeing Eye Inc, in Morristown New Jersey, and Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides in Oakville Ontario and has become a strong advocate for our DOG GUIDES helping shape the laws in the province of BC and our country.
Bill’s long-term service and willingness to give of his time to volunteer is appreciated by the CCB BC-Yukon Division.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CVICC returns in 2025: National Curling event is back in 2025:
As mentioned in last month’s edition of the newsletter, The CCB is delighted to announce that the Canadian Vision Impaired Curling Championship (CVICC) will be returning as the organizations lead event during White Cane week in 2025.
Plans are well underway for the event that will take place from February 3rd to 7th in Sydney, Nova Scotia. This will be the first year ever in the rich history of the event that it will be held away from our nation’s capital.
During a special year where the CCB is celebrating its 80th year of existence, this event promises to be one of the biggest and best ever.
We will be welcoming two rinks this Year. The Sticks and Stones rink from Saskatoon and the return of a group of curlers from New Brunswick.
As well our defending champs from Alberta, skipped by Natalie Morin will be there in an attempt to repeat.
More details to come in the January edition of Visions. in the meantime, we wish everyone all the best over the Holiday Season!
Submitted by the CVICC organizing committee.
Early Bird Draw Winners Announced!
CCB National is pleased to announce that the two winners of the 2025 Early Bird Draw are CCB Chatham Kent Chapter, ON and CCB Prince County Chapter, PEI. Congratulations!
Each of these chapters paid their chapter dues before the October 25 deadline and will be receiving back 100% of their dues back to help support their chapter activities.
All other chapters who have paid thus far, as well as those who pay by the “Rebate” deadline of Friday, December 6, 2024 are still eligible for the Rebates of 50% of membership paid plus $1.00 per unduplicated email.
Please encourage your members who are paying individually via credit card, e-transfer or via the CCB website to do so before this deadline so that their payment can be credited to your chapter.
In any case, ALL 2025 membership dues are due by December 31, 2024.
Congratulations to Natalie Dorion of the Windsor Low Vision Social and Support Group Chapter:
Natalie Won the regional and provincial Kiwanis Music Festival for flute. Natalie has a Bachelor of music from Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, and sings with the Windsor Symphony Chorus. She loves music and has been playing the flute since age 12. These awards were received between the months of April and June of 2024.
Bill C-284 – An Act to Establish a National Strategy for an Eyecare Receives Royal Assent:
Bill C-284 aims at improving the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of eye diseases for all Canadians. This strategic initiative will be developed in consultation with provincial and territorial health representatives, Indigenous groups, and other key stakeholders to ensure comprehensive support for eye health across the country.
“The passage of Bill C-284 is a major step towards ensuring that vision rehabilitation of people who are blind, deaf- blind or partially sighted is integrated into the continuum of care and that all Canadians achieve the best possible vision health.”, said Jim Tokos, CCB National President.
Eye diseases affect millions of Canadians, impacting their quality of life and overall health outcomes. The National Strategy for Eye Care will address various forms of eye diseases, including macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.
The National Strategy for Eye Care will also take into consideration existing frameworks, strategies, and best practices in eye health, particularly those focused on reducing health inequalities. By integrating these considerations, the strategy aims to provide equitable access to eye care services across Canada.
CCB is hosting new – “Weekly Chats”
These chats are to help us all make connections, share experiences and develop new friendships.
The French chats is on Sunday’s from 6:00 to 7:00 PM Atlantic Time.
The English chats is on Monday’s from 6:00 to 7:00 PM Atlantic Time.
Louise Burley will be hosting these chats and you can register for your zoom link by sending an email to: lburley@ccbnational.net
Come join us and participate in great conversations with others within CCB communities.
It’s back!! Next Coast-to-Coast-to-Coast Bistro Night
Saturday, December 14th, 2024 (please adjust for your time zone)
7:30pm-9:30pm Atlantic Time
6:30pm – 8:30pm Ontario Time
The zoom room will open 15 minutes before the starting time.
Just as before, the evening will begin with a brief meet and greet followed by music, music, music.
As always, the Bistro night will feature singing, piano and guitar and so much more! Music will be in English and some French as well. The focus on the 14th December will be holiday-style music.
We encourage performers to register as soon as possible as there are limited spots.
Come along, listen, tap your feet to the beat, and have a fun time while sipping on your favorite drink
Please e-mail Louise at lburley@ccbnational.net
IN THE NEWS
Guide Dog Owner Says Louie May be her Last Unless Behaviour of ‘Service Dogs’ Changes:
When Avril Rinn goes out for a walk, her Labrador retriever Louie leads the way.
Rinn, of London, Ont., is legally blind and Louie is her trusty guide dog, the second one she’s owned.
As he guides Rinn along the sidewalk, onto the bus or down the grocery store aisle, Louie doesn’t bark, beg or jump up on seats. He does his best to ignore other dogs because he’s focused and trained for the task at hand: Guiding Rinn around any dangers in her path.
And while Rinn loves Louie and his ability to allow her to move around in freedom and safety, she’s leaning toward not getting another guide dog after he’s gone. That’s because increasingly when she and Louie are in stores, restaurants and other indoor public spaces, Rinn is often not the only person with a dog, and lately she hasn’t been welcome with Louie.
“There’s an industry out there that provides very official looking service dog vests and even service dog ID cards,” said Rinn. “And people use them to get access to places.”
In addition to accredited guide dogs for the visually impaired, like Louie, there are other dogs that fall into the more general categories of “service dogs,” “support dogs” or “comfort dogs.”
These dogs help their owners cope in public with any number of challenges and disabilities, including non-apparent conditions such as autism, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
However, the difference between Louie and some of the service dogs Rinn encounters becomes apparent immediately.
“They really don’t have the right training or temperament to be in public,” she said. “They misbehave, they growl, and their humans let them do things that a guide dog handler never would. It happens everywhere now.”
Louie spent almost two years working with Leader Dogs for the Blind, a Michigan-based guide dog training program accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation. He was bred for the job and there was an extensive matching process before he was placed with Rinn.
In Canada, organizations such as the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides have training programs with the same accreditation as the organization that trained Louie.
It’s a rigorous regime and many dogs don’t make the cut.
Rinn said service dogs that don’t behave well in public create challenges for owners with accredited service and guide dogs.
Business owners are sometimes not sure about which dogs they should allow inside. Dogs that misbehave are sometimes lumped together with those that don’t, which can make business owners skeptical. It’s a situation Rinn and others say is leading to more limits to access public spaces.
“I am challenged far more today than I ever was in the past,” said Rinn.
Diane Bergeron is president of CNIB Guide Dogs, a charitable organization that trains accredited guide dogs in Canada. She’s also legally blind and has used a guide dog for 40 years.
Bergeron said almost anyone can claim their dog as a “service” or “comfort” dog, but according to Ontario’s legislation, only dogs with training can qualify as a “service animal”. The act says “comfort animals” do not require training, and therefore service providers are not required to allow the animal on the premises.
The act does not outline what constitutes training.
“It gives a bad reputation to service dogs or guide dogs who meet the high standard,” she said.
Both Bergeron and Rinn have had other dogs approach theirs in public, distracting them from the main task of keeping their owners safe.
“It actually puts us at risk,” said Bergeron.
Both Bergeron and Rinn believe the number of people who bring dogs into public places has grown since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s become a global concern,” said Chris Diefenthaler, executive director of Assistance Dogs International, a coalition of non-profit organizations that raise, train and place assistance dogs. “We’ve got member organizations around the world. They’re all reporting issues with their graduates that are experiencing difficulties with encountering dogs that are not properly trained to be out in public as an assistance dog.”
Diefenthaler said that because it’s so difficult to craft legislation to suit every situation, the best solution is a reliance on behaviour standards. Also, business owners need to have a clear right to ask owners with disruptive dogs to leave or to deny them entry.
“If dogs are being disruptive out in public such as lunging, approaching people, interacting with other dogs, then they are truly not providing an assistance to the people they’ve been placed with,” she said. “Their owners may not realize the impact that they are having on the individual that has a trained assistance dog.”
Diefenthaler, Bergeron and Rinn all said they’re not out to deny access to a dog to anyone who relies on them for comfort or healing. They just want people to know that when a dog misbehaves in public, it has the potential to reverse hard-won rights to allow visually impaired people access to public spaces.
“What I’d really like is more awareness,” said Rinn. “I would like people who are just bringing their dog with them for convenience or because they enjoy having it around to think twice about it.”
Not all ‘helper’ dogs are service dogs.
Pets can be of great comfort for some people but getting them a vest does not make them a service dog. Avril Rinn is visually impaired and has a guide dog who went through rigorous training. Rinn finds the proliferation of ‘service’ animals is changing how she is received with her genuine guide dog.
By Andrew Lupton, CBC News
Update on Ontario’s Assistive Devices Program (ADP):
We have achieved a serious measure of success with ADP We learned, from a Government of Ontario Press Release, of the proposed Cutting Red Tape, Building Ontario Act, 2024, part of Ontario’s Fall 2024 Red Tape Reduction Package, which is intended to provide better services, keep costs down, and bolster the economy. The proposed initiatives include, under the Ministry of Health (MOH), “Streamlining the Assistive Devices Program (ADP): Based on input from the “community,” Ontario is making it easier and more convenient for people with vision loss to receive more support closer to home. Ontario will increase coverage to 100 per cent for white canes and cane tips while also modernizing its processes to reduce burden on clients and the sector such as eliminating the need to be re-authorized annually.”
This is a win, a win for everyone involved but especially for the 466,000 Ontarians who are blind, deaf blind and partially sighted.
The Cutting Red Tape Act will reduce the administrative burden, wait times and costs borne by clients of the Ministry of Health’s ADP. It will also result in a freeing-up of time spent by O&M Specialists on re-authorizing ADP clients annually, permitting these Specialists to spend more time providing mobility instruction to those who need it. Furthermore, it will streamline the ADP’s own administrative burden in tracking interim eligibility and re-authorization for replacement canes. In addition, it will afford the ADP client more choice with respect to cane types and availability of replacement cane tips.
Assistive Technology
Aira: On-Demand Visual Interpreting:
Aira is a free mobile and web app that provides on-demand visual interpreting for the blind and low-vision community. The app can be downloaded from the iOS App Store, Google Play Store, or on any laptop browser. With the tap of a button, you can connect with a visual interpreter, who will use your phone’s camera to assist by describing, navigating, reading aloud, narrating, and answering questions. Visual interpreters are trained professionals, operating on a secure platform; information you choose to share is secure and private. There are no advance reservations required, and visual interpreters are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and typically answer in less than 10 seconds.
Download Aira in the iOS App Store here
Download Aira in the Google Play Store here
While many readers may already be aware of Aira, we wanted to highlight how Canadians can access the service and share some exciting new features and developments.
How to Access Aira
There are three ways to access Aira:
1. Access Locations
Below are organizations in Canada that offer free Aira minutes to their customers and visitors. Once inside one of these locations, you can simply open the Aira app, place a call, and the free offer will automatically be applied.
● Edmonton Airport
● Greater Toronto Airports Authority
● Halifax Stanfield International Airport
● Vancouver International Airport
● Winnipeg Airports Authority
● Edmonton Regional Airports Authority
● Ottawa International Airport
● Nova Scotia Museum
Once on a call at one of these locations, you can work with the visual interpreter to accomplish a range of tasks, from assisting with travel logistics to navigating to more fully engaging with museum exhibits.
2. Aira Promotions
These are ongoing offers you can use to get free Aira minutes!
Get Started with Aira
New Explorers receive three free welcome calls or tasks upon downloading Aira. The task must be marked complete by a visual interpreter in order to count. These calls are unlimited in duration and serve as an introduction to our services. In addition to the three free welcome calls, visual interpreters are prompted to complete a training session with the Explorer, after which they receive an additional 60 minutes good for seven days as soon as the training is completed.
Five Minutes Free
Explorers who do not have a subscription can call Aira for up to five minutes every 48 hours, at no cost. Subscribers will be able to call Aira for up to five minutes every 12 hours, at no cost.
Job Seeker
These are free minutes to cover tasks related to searching for a new job, like applying to positions, choosing interview outfits, or updating a resume. One free call per 24-hour period, up to 30 minutes in length. Learn more about the Job Seeker offer here.
Intuit Small Business Offer
Sponsored by Intuit, the small business offer gives small business owners, self employed people, or independent contractors up to 150 free minutes a month for tasks related to running their own business, with calls up to 30 minutes in length. Learn more about the Small Business Offer here.
3. Individual Subscriptions
Subscriptions are available to suit a range of needs. Please visit our website here for individual subscription prices.
Access AI is completely Free: Picture descriptions that are verified by Agents.
Aira recently launched Access AI, an innovative image chat tool. Simply take a picture or upload an image from your camera roll or your computer and receive an instant AI-generated description. Some popular uses include taking pictures of signs, outfits, menus, packaging, and digital readings like those on a thermostat. Access AI is available to all Explorers for free whether they have a subscription or not. Plus, use the free Aira Verify option to confirm the AI description with a human visual interpreter for free. Full info about Access AI here.
Aira and Meta Ray-Bans – enjoy handsfree visual interpreting.
The Aira team is continuing to innovate with high quality solutions for hands-free visual interpreting and are excited to have launched a Meta Ray-Bans integration beta! This public beta is open to anyone who is blind or low-vision and owns a pair of Meta Ray-Bans. Calls can be made using Five Minutes Free, an Explorer’s plan minutes, or by calling from an Access Location. Building technology with our community is fundamental to how Aira innovates, and we’re looking forward to feedback from our Explorers. Learn more and get involved in the Meta Ray-Bans public beta here.
Connect with Aira
Need support while using Aira? Contact support@aira.io or call us 1-800-835-1934 and our team will be happy to help.
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AI Spurs ‘Revolution’ for Some Visually Impaired People:
“AI has revolutionized my daily life,” says Louise Plunkett from Norwich.
Ms Plunkett has a genetic eye condition called Stargardt disease, a rare condition that causes progressive vision loss, which she says, “impacts everything I do.”
“I can’t recognize people, even my own husband or my children. When my children were younger, I used to have to teach them how to come to me when I met them at the school playground.”
Ms Plunkett is comfortable with digital tools – her business advises companies on how to ensure their online content is suitable for the visually impaired community.
She has used services like Alexa, Google Home and Siri for years, helping with tasks like setting alarms and weather checks.
Now she is finding an assistant called Be My AI useful.
The app uses ChatGPT to generate and then read out detailed descriptions of pictures.
“I’m quite a stubborn person,” says Ms Plunkett. “I don’t like asking for help or admitting I need help, so using the AI tool is useful for things when other humans aren’t around.”
She says she might use it to check which is the female toilets, or read the ingredients on food packaging, or read a letter.
However, she feels that AI can sometimes be hit or miss. “The downside with AI is that sometimes it gives you too many details. You sometimes just want the basic information of what is in front of you, but it will go above and beyond and offer up mood and emotions.
“For example, it might say ‘a swirling carpet evoking memories of times gone by’. It feels like it is one step too far.”
Be My AI was developed by Danish firm Be My Eyes. Its original service put human volunteers in touch with its clients. Via mobile phones the volunteers would describe what was in front of the person with vision problems.
However, some of its 600,000 users are switching to their AI tool for help, says Jesper Hvirring Henriksen, chief technology officer.
“We have a woman who was one of our first users 10 years ago, and within the first six months [of releasing Be My AI], she did more than 600 image descriptions.”
He’s also discovering people are using the app in ways they hadn’t imagined. “We’re finding people using it to check pictures that have been sent to them on WhatsApp groups,” he says.
“Maybe they’re not going to call another human each time to ask them about a picture sent on a WhatsApp group, but they use AI.”
Be My Eyes connects volunteers with the visually impaired.
As for where it might go in the future, he says live streaming video – with the tech describing buildings and movements around them – might be an area they move into. “This is going to be a game changer. It’s like having a little person in your shirt pocket all day telling you what is going on.”
Be My Eyes, which is free to users, makes money by signing up companies to its paid-for directory service where they can provide information and numbers to the blind and low-vision community.
Mr. Henrikson says AI won’t replace the need for human connection.
“At Be My Eyes, people are still choosing to call a volunteer too. The blind population in the Western world are generally not young when they start to experience vision loss… it’s more skewed towards the elderly population and this [AI] might add a later extra of complexity. Humans are faster and potentially more accurate.”
Other firms also have products to help those visually impaired.
Featuring a voice assistant, WeWalk is an AI-powered cane that detects obstacles and offers accessible navigation and live public transport updates.
Connecting to a smartphone app with in-built mapping, it can tell users where places of interest are, including where the nearest café is in over 3000 cities.
“The cane is very important for us, it helps navigation and is a very important symbol as it shows our independence and automacy,” says Gamze Sofuoğlu, WeWalk’s product manager.
“Our latest version helps users navigate the cane through voice commentary, for example when say take me home or the nearest café it starts navigating, and you can get information about public transport. You don’t need to touch your phone. It provides freedom for blind and low vision people.”
Ms Sofuoğlu, who is blind, says she has been using it in cities she has visited recently such as Lisbon and Rome.
Robin Spinks, head of inclusive design at the RNIB (Royal National Institute of the Blind), and who has low vision, is a huge advocate of AI – he uses AI most days.
For example, he turns to ChatGPT to assist with his workflow, giving him a summary of development in certain areas in relation to work, or even to help plan a paddle board trip, and to the Google Gemini AI tool to help him locate items.
Last year was all about conversational AI and Chat GPT, he says. Now he argues 2024 is the year of what he called “multimodal AI”.
He goes on to say: “That might be showing video and images and being able to extract meaningful information and assist you in an exciting way.”
He points to Google Gemini. “For example, with that you can record meetings, and it assists with your voice labels and an account of a meeting, it’s genuinely helpful and it’s about making people’s lives easier.”
Mr. Spinks says AI has been transformational for people who are blind or low vision.
“I sympathize with people who are genuinely scared of AI but when you have a disability if something can add value and be helpful that has to be a great thing. The benefits are too great to ignore.”
By Suzanne Bearne
www.ccbnational.net 1-877-304-0968