From the President’s Desk
We welcome all Members back from a summer that certainly had its challenges across Canada with regard to weather and climate instability. We all share our thoughts and prayers with those people affected by fires and flooding, depending on the area in which you reside.
While we gear up for September activities, which include Chapters starting up following a summer break, and Committee work also resuming, it is gratifying to see so many Members contributing their time and efforts to make the CCB the great organization it has become. With more and more individuals stepping up to support the organization, the Council continues to have a bright and promising future.
The CCB wishes to congratulate a long-term Member, Ken Christie, and his lovely wife, Kay, who, in September, will be celebrating their 75th Wedding Anniversary. Ken played a key role for many years in the success of the Council in Ontario. For those who were fortunate enough to know Ken and Kay, the CCB is truly indebted to their efforts and long-lasting commitment to supporting the Council in many different roles. Ken was instrumental in the long-term success of the Windsor-Essex White Cane Chapter even following his retirement. A heartfelt thank you to Ken and Kay.
September also brings Labour Day, September 7th, the unofficial ending of summer, National Grandparents Day, Sunday, September 13th, an unofficial time to celebrate us Grandparents, and September 30th, Truth and Reconciliation Day, or Orange Shirt Day, in recognition of the atrocities in the Indigenous school system.
On behalf of the National Board, Our Staff Team, and our many cherished volunteers across Canada, we wish everyone the best and welcome everyone back from their summer retreats, whatever they brought forward. I am sure many of us cherished the time we had to spend with Family and Friends. Enjoy the September edition of Visions, and please don’t forget to get your eyes checked.
Jim Tokos,
National President
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
From Vision Loss to Leadership: A Conversation with Valerie Collicott:
(Description of image: A photo of a Scrabble board with wooden letter tiles forming the words ‘LEAD,’ ‘TEAM,’ and ‘SUCCEED.’ The board includes blue and orange bonus squares labelled ‘Double Letter Score’ and ‘Double Word Score.’)
Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with Valerie Collicott about her remarkable journey through vision loss, education, employment, volunteering, and lifelong learning. Her story is one of resilience, adaptability, and encouragement for others living with vision loss.
Valerie lost her sight at the age of five after a childhood accident involving broken glass caused severe trauma to one eye. Following the accident, she attended the School for the Blind in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where many lifelong friendships began.
After completing Grade 11 at the school, Valerie attended a private school in Halifax for Grade 12 and later pursued higher education at Saint Mary’s University and University of New Brunswick. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with concentrations in political science and psychology.
Life eventually brought Valerie and her husband to New Brunswick through a job transfer, and later to Ottawa, where she built a successful professional career. She worked for a time as a telephone operator and later became involved in communications consulting. Through volunteer involvement and community training initiatives, she was invited to serve on the board of directors for an organization now known as Women’s Initiatives for Safer Environments, often referred to as WISE.
When a staff position opened within the organization, Valerie stepped down from the board and accepted the role. She has continued working there ever since.
Sports and recreation also played an important role in Valerie’s life. As a student, she participated in bowling and later enjoyed competitive goalball as a young adult. She also discovered a love for downhill skiing after attending a ski event in British Columbia. What began as a plan to try cross-country skiing quickly changed when ski instructors invited her to help them practice guiding techniques on the slopes. Valerie laughed as she recalled thinking, “With eight instructors around me, I couldn’t be safer!” That experience turned into a week of downhill skiing and lasting memories.
Today, Valerie is also a proud grandmother of two energetic grandsons who are active in hockey, baseball, and lacrosse. She and her family enjoy attending as many games and activities as possible.
When asked what advice she would offer to people experiencing vision loss later in life, Valerie spoke candidly about the discouragement many people face, especially while seeking employment. She remembered sending out resumes, attending interviews, and sensing the hesitation some employers had toward hiring someone with vision loss. Yet she emphasized the importance of perseverance.
“You never know when opportunities will come along,” she shared.
Valerie also stressed the importance of volunteering. Many of her own opportunities began through volunteer work and community involvement. Being present, learning new skills, and building relationships often opened unexpected doors.
She reflected honestly on her early experiences serving on a board of directors. At first, she found meetings intimidating and awkward, especially when she could not tell how people were voting or what procedures were expected. Over time, however, she learned, adapted, and eventually moved into leadership positions, including serving as chair of the board.
Even now, Valerie continues learning new technology skills and adapting to changing workplace tools. She believes strongly in lifelong learning and encourages others never to give up trying new things.
Her story is a powerful reminder that vision loss does not define a person’s future. With determination, community involvement, and a willingness to keep learning, meaningful opportunities continue to unfold throughout life.
By the GTT Team, with the assistance of AI.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Women of CCB:
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Join Women of CCB for our monthly virtual gathering, where women from across Canada come together to connect, share experiences, enjoy great conversations, and have a few laughs along the way!
Each month brings something different, including guest speakers, interesting topics, helpful information, and plenty of opportunities to chat, share, and connect with one another.
Women of CCB meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Eastern / 8:00 p.m. Atlantic via Zoom.
Don’t use Zoom? No problem! You can still be part of the conversation. If you’re not comfortable using the Zoom platform, we can arrange to call you directly so you can participate by phone.
New participants are always welcome, and we would love to have you join us!
If you have questions or want to join the group, please get in touch with Heidi at hwhite@ccbnational.net, and she’ll be happy to help you get connected.
Heidi and Leslie can’t wait to welcome you to the next Women of CCB gathering!
Greetings from the Men of CCB:
Typically, members of our group discuss virtually anything that comes up, including issues of specific interest to “men”, as well as many other topics. So, if you would be interested in attending our monthly (4th Tuesday evenings of the month) meetings, please contact Jim at the email address listed below. Or, if you prefer, you may contact the CCB National Office for more details.
One of our upcoming topics should be on everybody’s radar. It is the very “hot topic” of creating awareness regarding those frauds and scams, which seem to be coming at ever-increasing frequency, with ever-increasing “cleverness”, regarding people trying to move “our” money, into “their” pockets.
Since this topic is important to everyone, this presentation will be open to all CCB members, not just the “Men of CCB”.
Last year, we arranged 2 presentations on the topic of “Balance”, which were enjoyed by quite a number of CCB members. If you are interested in listening to recordings of those presentations, they may be requested through the CCB National office in Ottawa, by calling: 1-877-304-0968
The details of the above presentation have not yet been finalized. So, I will try to poll those who express interest in attending, as to their day/time preferences, and choose the “best time for most people. This presentation will then be recorded for future use by all members.
So, “all Men of CCB”, Please join us for another year of lively conversation!
Also, to “ALL members of CCB”, please contact us regarding your interest in attending the presentation, which was briefly described above.
Finally, I look forward to hearing from people in both groups. Cheers for now.
Jim Hamilton
jim.hamilton@rogers.com
(Description of image: A photo of four men sitting on the ground with their backs facing the camera. Three men on the right are turned toward the man on the left, smiling as they look at him. They are wearing short-sleeved shirts, with green, mountainous scenery visible in the background.)
CCB 2027 Membership Renewal and Information:
It’s that time of year again! CCB membership renewal packages have now been sent to all chapter contacts. Independent membership renewal documents will be sent soon.
We ask that all chapters review and verify their members’ contact information in the membership lists provided, including phone numbers, mailing addresses, and email addresses. The membership lists and invoices reflect the information currently in our database. If corrections are needed, please complete the Corrections Form included in your package.
We are also requesting members’ dates of birth going forward; please note that this information is optional and will be used for demographic and statistical purposes only. Members may provide just their year of birth if they prefer.
The Early Bird Draw is on again this year! Submit your chapter’s memberships by the deadline for a chance to win back the memberships paid before this date.
Important 2026–2027 Dates:
- Early Bird Draw Deadline: Friday, October 23, 2026.
- Chapter Rebate Deadline: Friday, December 11, 2026.
- All 2027 Memberships Due: Thursday, December 31, 2026.
- White Cane Week Orders Due: Monday, December 7, 2026.
- White Cane Week Insurance Requests: If your chapter is holding an event during White Cane Week, please submit your requests for a Certificate of Insurance as soon as possible (at least 4 weeks prior to the event) to ensure the Certificate is ready in time.
- White Cane Week 2027: Sunday, February 7, to Saturday, February 13, 2027.
These dates refer to the time that the memberships and requests arrive in our office, either by mail or online at the following link:
https://ccbnational.net/shaggy/membership/
Below is a list of different kinds of CCB memberships:
- BLIND: A paid voting member who is blind.
- VISION IMPAIRED: A paid voting member who is vision impaired.
- SIGHTED: A paid voting member who is sighted.
- AUXILIARY: A member who is paying their dues in another chapter but is also a member of yours. (E.g., Sophie is in CCB City Chapter, but she is also part of CCB City Curling Chapter. Sophie is an auxiliary in the curling chapter, so she only has to pay her dues once.)
- HONOURARY: A member who has been recognized at the national level for their commitment and service. They are the only free voting membership. Chapters may nominate someone for this but cannot simply give it out. A chapter is free to pay the dues of a member they wish to support locally. To get the nomination forms, please email admin@ccbnational.net.
- VOLUNTEER: A free non-voting member, usually someone who helps out with the chapter. Sometimes a representative of another group the chapter works closely with.
- YOUTH: A member under the age of 18. A parent’s signature is needed on their membership sheets.
- INDEPENDENT: A CCB member who does not belong to a chapter.
We hope that you will find this information helpful as you complete your chapter’s membership renewal. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact our national office at ccb@ccbnational.net or 1-877-304-0968.
National Membership Meeting – Open to All Chapters – Monday, September 28, 2026:
The CCB Membership Committee is pleased to invite all CCB chapters to a National Membership Meeting on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) / 8:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).
Hosted by Membership Committee Chairs Surander Singh and Heather Hannett, this informal forum will bring chapters together to exchange ideas and best practices for growing and strengthening CCB membership. The discussion will explore ways to enhance chapter programming, encourage greater participation among current members, and develop new approaches to attracting and engaging prospective members.
Whether your chapter has a successful initiative to share or simply wants to hear what other chapters are doing, we encourage you to join us, participate in the conversation, and help shape the discussion.
The Zoom meeting link and details are provided below:
Topic: CCB National Membership Meeting.
When: Monday, September 28, 2026.
Time: 11:00 AM Eastern Time; 8:00 AM Pacific Time.
Where: Online via Zoom.
How to Join:
From PC, Mac, iPad, or Android, copy and paste the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86977903697?pwd=98LDbTM2CJSf4w8bO9bj6N6rbOxGf0.1
Join via Audio:
Call one of the numbers below and enter the
Meeting ID: 869 7790 3697
Passcode: 714327
- +1 780 666 0144
- +1 204 272 7920
- +1 438 809 7799
- +1 587 328 1099
- +1 647 374 4685
- +1 647 558 0588
- +1 778 907 2071
We look forward to bringing chapters together for an engaging and collaborative discussion.
Another Successful Mobile Eye Clinic Day in Ottawa!:
(Description of image: A photo from a CCB Mobile Eye Clinic day at the Muslim Association of Ottawa. Three people are in an eye examination room. Amanda, wearing a face mask and black clothing, gives a thumbs-up while seated on the right. Mohamed, wearing a blue shirt, sits smiling in the centre. Angela, the optometrist, sits at an examination station wearing scrubs. The room contains eye-testing equipment, computers, and examination tables.)
On August 18th, the CCB Mobile Eye Clinic (MEC) visited the Ottawa Muslim Association to provide free eye exams to local school-aged children.
We believe everyone deserves access to quality eye care. That’s why MEC brings comprehensive eye exams directly into the community, helping make vision care more accessible to families in Ottawa.
It was wonderful to see so many big smiles and healthy eyes throughout the day! We would like to thank the Ottawa Muslim Association for welcoming our MEC and helping us connect with families in the community.
We look forward to holding more clinic days in Ottawa soon. If you are in the Ottawa area and would like to have your child’s eyes checked, stay tuned for information about our next clinic day!
Please note: MEC is currently providing eye exams only to school-aged children in Ottawa. If you have any questions about the Mobile Eye Clinic or upcoming clinic dates, please contact mec@ccbnational.net.
Coming This Fall: CCB’s Author’s Series, Sponsored by AMI:
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This fall, the CCB is launching the CCB Author’s Series, a five-session national webinar series highlighting Canadian authors who are blind or living with vision loss. The series will bring together readers, writers, and members of the low-vision community for engaging conversations about authors’ books, creative processes, and lived experiences.
These conversations will offer a unique look into the creative journeys of each author while amplifying blind and low-vision voices in Canadian literature, promoting accessible storytelling, and celebrating the diverse perspectives shaping Canada’s literary landscape.
Confirmed Sessions:
Charles Mossop: Thursday, October 22 at 12:00 p.m. ET:
Legally blind since age 19, Charles Mossop is a retired educator, historical fiction writer, motivational speaker, and active volunteer with CNIB, CCB, and the World Blind Union. Now living on Vancouver Island, he continues to pursue his passions for writing, music, and speaking.
Yvonne Garvey: Thursday, October 29 at 12:00 p.m. ET:
Yvonne Garvey began her career as a frontline social worker before moving into communications and fundraising. Today, she combines her communications work with her passions for wellness, recovery, and creative writing. Yvonne is also a proud member and volunteer of the Peterborough Chapter of CCB.
Lynn Jensen: Thursday, November 5 at 4:00 p.m. ET:
After unexpectedly losing her sight shortly after graduating from nursing school, Lynn Jensen built a 24-year career in vision rehabilitation. Today, she works as an independent consultant providing independent living skills training and support, while continuing to write and speak about living with sight loss.
Penny Leclair: Monday, November 9 at 12:00 p.m. ET:
Deafblind author Penny Leclair’s Life with Jefferson tells the true story of her remarkable partnership with Jefferson, her guide dog. Through heartfelt and often humorous stories, the book explores their bond, independence, trust, communication, and love.
Anne Mok: Wednesday, November 18 at 12:00 p.m. ET:
Anne Mok is a digital storyteller who shares her experiences with vision loss through accessible online storytelling, including image descriptions, audio and video descriptions, and all text. Her work celebrates resilience, creativity, and connection while empowering others living with vision loss.
All sessions will take place on Zoom.
Please visit the link below to register now:
CCB Author’s Series Sponsored by AMI – Registration Form
Call For In-House Article Content for the Upcoming Fall Edition of White Cane Magazine:
We are currently developing the upcoming Fall edition of White Cane Magazine and are inviting our members to submit in-house article content for consideration.
The theme will closely align with our upcoming World Sight Day Conference, focusing on health literacy, patient rights, and lived experience. We are looking for articles that can help Canadians better understand their eye health, patient rights, and available care options, and are especially interested in the lived experiences of those who are blind or living with low vision, including their experiences navigating the healthcare system and advocating for their rights and needs.
If you have a story, experience, or perspective to share, please send us a sample of your article. One submission will be featured in the upcoming edition of White Cane Magazine, and we will be in touch to let you know if your article is chosen!
Articles may be one or two pages in length, depending on the content.
Content Guidelines:
- One-page articles: approximately 450–475 words maximum
- Two-page articles: approximately 950–1,000 words maximum
- Please keep in mind that space is also needed for headings and imagery, so staying within these word counts is important.
The deadline for submitting in-house articles is Friday, September 11, 2026.
If you have any questions about the theme or would like to discuss an article idea, please contact ccb@ccbnational.net.
We look forward to hearing from you and showcasing your perspectives and experiences in the upcoming edition of White Cane Magazine!
Beyond the Diagnosis – Season One Webinar Series Recap:
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The first six sessions of the Canadian Council of the Blind’s Beyond the Diagnosis Webinar Series have now come to an end.
This inaugural season brought together experts from the fields of research, advocacy, law, and technology, providing invaluable information, perspectives, and insights for the low vision community.
The series aired weekly on Zoom throughout July and August, offering participants the opportunity to learn from specialists, ask questions, and engage in meaningful discussions on a variety of important topics.
Thank you to all of our speakers and attendees who contributed to the success of this first season. We are grateful for the enthusiasm and engagement shown throughout the series and look forward to continuing these conversations in the future.
If you missed any of the sessions or would like to watch them again, recordings are available on the CCB website:
https://ccbnational.net/shaggy/beyond-the-diagnosis-webinar-series/
Save the Date – 2026 CCB World Sight Day Conference: Celebrating World Sight Day by Advancing Health Literacy and Patient Rights:
(Description of image: CCB 2026 Conference logo showing stylized figures in a circle beside the text “PEOPLE BEFORE PROCESS,” with “BEFORE” in orange and “Toronto, ON” below.)
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON:
2026 CCB World Sight Day Conference – People Before Process
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO REGISTER TO ATTEND VIRTUALLY:
Webinar Registration – Zoom
Date:
Thursday, October 8, 2026
10:00 AM – 2:30 PM (ET) Eastern Time
A complimentary continental breakfast as well as a lunch will be provided.
Address:
North York Central Library – Concourse Event Space
5120 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M2N 5N9
What if we reimagined eye care by putting the person before the process?
As Canada’s eye health system continues to evolve with the implementation of the National Strategy for Eye Care Act – formerly Bill C-284 staying informed about new research, treatments, technologies, and support services can be challenging. This conference will explore how we can ensure that patients and people with lived experience remain at the centre of eye care.
Join the Canadian Council of the Blind for a day of learning, discussion, and connection focused on:
- Health literacy: Helping Canadians better understand their eye health and available care options.
- Patient and lived-experience rights: Strengthening the role of patients and people with lived experience in shaping healthcare.
The conference is open to patients, people with lived experience, healthcare professionals, students, industry partners, and anyone interested in the future of eye health in Canada.
Sneak Peek of Our Speakers:
Leah Stephenson:
Motivated by her experience as a caregiver for her late mother and influenced by her background in the arts, Leah has developed consulting expertise focused on improving how we collaborate to address complex systems change.
For more than twenty years, Leah has worked to improve Canadian healthcare systems so they better meet the needs of the people who use them, particularly through co-design with Indigenous communities and communities that experience structural barriers.
She is the Strategic Lead of All.Can Canada, a patient-led, multi-stakeholder network focused on improving early and equitable cancer diagnoses in Canada. In addition to her work with All.Can Canada, she has provided strategic support and contributed to the development of numerous transformative shared agendas. These include the Declaration of Personal Health Data Rights in Canada, endorsed by more than 30 Canadian patient and caregiver groups, and Peel’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter, endorsed by more than 100 institutions. Both initiatives continue to be advanced through advocacy, education, and knowledge mobilization.
In her presentation, “Informed Consent: The Foundation of Trust for Sharing Personal Health Data,” Leah will describe the current state of personal health data in Canada and the barriers to sharing it systematically, including the harms caused by the status quo.
She will discuss informed consent as a critical foundation for building trust and addressing these challenges. Leah will conclude by highlighting current opportunities for Canadians to help shape a future in which the responsible use of personal health data leads to better health outcomes, more supported and effective healthcare providers, stronger healthcare systems, and greater Canadian research, innovation, and resilience.
More speakers to be announced!
Reserve your room by September 11, 2026, to access the special group rate.
To book:
- Call 416-733-2929, extension 1, and mention Canadian Council of the Blind or Block ID: 1883860.
- Email reservations@novotelnorthyork.com.
Rooms not reserved by the cutoff date will be released for general availability. A limited number of rooms is available, so we encourage attendees to reserve early.
Join us this World Sight Day as we work toward a future where eye care truly puts people before process.
Guide Dogs for the Blind: Announcing GDB’s new Access PSA: “Nonsense”:
(Description of image: A photo of a Golden Retriever wearing a green service dog vest, with a person’s hand holding his leash. The dog stands in front of a wooden fence with square-patterned wire fencing, with greenery visible beyond it.)
We are pleased to share the following from Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB). As part of its ongoing advocacy efforts, GDB has developed a new public service announcement (PSA) highlighting access denials experienced by guide dog handlers in three common scenarios. The PSA also encourages businesses to uphold the rights of guide dog handlers by following the law.
Please help spread awareness by sharing the 60-second PSA video through social media, email, or by discussing it with local businesses. To watch the video in both broadcast and audio-described formats, or to learn more about the project, please visit the following link:
https://www.guidedogs.com/access-psa
Content from the link above, including links to the video in both formats, has been included below:
Access Public Service Announcement: “Nonsense”:
This satirical public service announcement (PSA) highlights access denials to guide dog handlers by restaurants, ride shares, and hotels. The PSA aims to raise awareness about the global problem of people with service dogs being denied access by businesses, despite such denials being against the law in the U.S. and Canada. The spot is called “Nonsense,” with the tagline, “Let them in. Let them work,” that underscores the difference between working service dogs and pets.
Click the link below to view the broadcast version of the video:
“Nonsense” PSA – Broadcast Version
Click the link below to view the audio-described version of the video:
“Nonsense” PSA – Audio-Described Version
Advocacy is foundational to all of Guide Dogs for the Blind’s work. GDB hopes this PSA will raise awareness about how widespread the problem is for guide dog teams. One of the motivations for the PSA was a benchmark ride share survey conducted by GDB of its alumni who are guide dog users. The survey found that a staggering 83 percent of respondents had experienced denials from ride share drivers because of their guide dogs, which caused not only inconvenience and anxiety but also economic and social impacts.
“We are very motivated to find lasting solutions to this issue in the blindness community, and two key components to any solution are to raise awareness about it among the general public and to educate businesses about the truly harmful effects of these denials,” said Christine Benninger, GDB President and CEO. “But we also hope that by using irony and humor, more businesses will embrace guide dogs in their establishments by letting them in and letting them work.”