From the President’s Desk
While we cherish the beginning of the autumn season, we welcome October, a monumental month for the Council and its members.
On October 9th, we celebrate World Sight Day with our vision partners, with a gala event in Toronto and you can find more details on this event below in this newsletter.
While doing a little history lesson, we find World Sight Day was originally initiated for those blind/visually impaired in 2000 by Lions International, an Organization recognized around the World for being “The Knights of the Blind”. We at the Council are so proud of our affiliation with Lions Clubs across Canada.
The Council continues its work on programs and events to enrich the lives of its valued members. Chapters across Canada continue planning local events, such as theatre visits, and visits to fall fairs, while continuing to meet regularly indoors to fulfill the requests of its member’s.
Events such as curling are also prevalent across the Country, and many are preparing for the Canadian Vision Impaired Curling Championships, (CVICC), a signature event for the Council. We also recognize the many who use curling in a recreational role.
To all participants we wish good curling!
October is also a time to celebrate Thanksgiving, a time to cherish a gathering of Family and Friends, but we must also remember many who may spend Thanksgiving with reliance on a food bank or go without. Please remember those less fortunate, and a donation of any kind, albeit donations of food, or monetary are all gratefully accepted by many who ensure everyone has an opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving. Many of our CCB members are also volunteers at local food banks or churches and we thank you for helping with the cause of those less fortunate.
On behalf of the National Board, staff and our many volunteers, we wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, and we hope you will join us on October 9th either in person, or virtually as we celebrate World Sight Day with our members and partners.
Please remember to get your eyes checked regularly.
Jim Tokos
National President
Member Spotlight
We would like to introduce Reg Sullivan, from the CCB Toronto Visionaries Chapter.
I was born in St John’s, Newfoundland, the home of the CCB EA Baker Chapter. My parents moved to Ontario in the early 70’s to explore work opportunity for themselves and education for their three visually impaired children.
I settled in Toronto in 1972 in my late teens where I finished my education and began to call Toronto my new home. I have never looked back, spending fourteen years working for CNIB CaterPlan, definitely not my dream job, and when personal computers became the rave in the mid 80s, I was ready to move on to bigger opportunities. My strength was business, and my passion was to work for a reputable company where I could learn and grow!
I was hired on as a front line customer service rep by Rogers Cable in 1989. Rogers was entering a huge growth stage shortly after I joined them and I realized that my decision was one of extreme opportunity. I began to take on lead roles and responsibilities about two years into my front line position and it wasn’t long before I progressed into a Junior Management position supporting other front line agents.
About five years in I was able to move to a middle management position with the focus on sales. I found myself in a very rewarding career with plenty of opportunity to develop and lead very successful sales teams.
I was able to influence disability hiring within Rogers as part of my position as Equity & Accessibility Leader. At the peak, we had 22 Visually impaired or Blind employees at Rogers. It was clearly the place for young, motivated individuals to look to for gainful employment.
After thirty years with Rogers, I retired, having had a very gratifying and successful career, achieving many of my life goals and leaving with great respect for the relationships I built over those thirty years.
My outgoing personality and strong interpersonal skills contributed to my success. I am still a very positive person with the belief that goals are made to be smashed and exceeded.
A few years into retirement, I found a need to explore other opportunities where I could give back to the visually impaired community. That was when I found Toronto Visionaries, the local CCB Chapter. I began as Vice-President where I spent a couple of years and in the past year, I was elected as President of the Chapter.
I am enjoying the challenges and rewards that come with this position and am enjoying building relationships on a different level where I am focused on growing the Chapter with younger smarter minds!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
World Sight Day 2025 – Act now, Act Together:
Together we will accelerate prevention, support mental health, and strengthen accessibility in vision health.
CCB invites you to join us for the World Sight Day Conference, an afternoon dedicated to exploring the future of vision health in Canada.
About the Event
The goal of this conference is to raise awareness about the intersection of eye health research, lived experience, mental health, and accessibility. With the theme “Act Now, Act Together” we will highlight the urgent need to influence policies, amplify voices, and ensure that inclusive decision-making is at the heart of vision health.
By bringing together data, research, and lived experience, this event will create a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to drive action and build partnerships that support lasting change in the vision health landscape.
Highlights of the Conference
- Engaging presentations from researchers, advocates, and individuals with lived experience.
- Discussions on mental health, accessibility, and inclusive policy-making.
- A light lunch with sandwiches will be provided for attendees.
- A networking hour to connect with colleagues, advocates, and leaders in the field.
- This is an opportunity to learn, connect, and commit to making a difference!
Date: Thursday, October 9th, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT (Eastern Daylight Time)
Location: North York Central Library – Concourse Event Space (Toronto)
Address: 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M2N 5N9
Contact: 1-877-304-0968 | ccb@ccbnational.net
Register to attend virtually: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4EPCiO9-R4W5WamfxZS5mg#/registration
It’s Back – Our Coast-to-Coast-to-Coast Bistro Night!
Mark your calendars for:
Saturday, October 25th, 2025
7:30–9:30 PM Atlantic Time
(6:30–8:30 PM Ontario Time – adjust for your time zone!).
The Zoom room opens 15 minutes early, so you can say hello before the music begins.
We anticipate an evening of good vibes, good friends, and even better music!
We will kick off with a friendly meet-and-greet, then dive into a mix of singing, piano, guitar, and so much more. Songs will be in English and French, with a special focus on happy tunes to get everyone in the festive spirit!
Calling all performers!
Spots are limited, so register early by emailing Louise at lburley@ccbnational.net
Grab your favourite drink, and a cozy chair and Zoom in and enjoy from coast to coast to coast!
CCB Poker Run:
On September 20th, 2025, the CCB Chatham Kent (CK) chapter Held a poker run hosted by the Southern Cruisers Riding Club (SCRC) 312 chapter.
A poker run is an organized event in which participants, usually using motorcycles, or other means of transportation, must visit five to seven checkpoints, drawing a playing card at each one. The object is to have the best poker hand at the end of the run.
This fundraiser was held in Chatham Kent and had at least 20 bikes riding from the start point KBD and ending back at the KBD.
The stops included:
- Shrewsbury Bait
- Mitchels Bay
- Ferguson Park
- Flame and Frostbite.
There was a great meal provided by Savery Sweets, and we also had a raffle table plus a 50/50 draw. Funds raised $1700, and for our first poker run, we were very satisfied with the results.
The CCB CK chapter would like to thank SCRC for not only hosting but for partnering with us to make this event happen. It’s also worth mentioning that Markus McCracken is a part of the SCRC 312 chapter and Jennifer Pyne is a member with Rob of the Windsor 334 Chapter.
CCB Membership Renewal – Deadlines to Remember:
It’s CCB’s Annual Membership renewal season. Here are some important dates:
Early Bird Draw: Send in your chapter’s memberships before the deadline for a chance to win back the memberships paid before this date.
Chapter Rebate: CCB is offering a rebate for your chapter’s membership dues of $5.00 per member plus an additional $1.00 for each member’s unduplicated email address provided. This includes any members that have identified as members of your chapter when paying online before the deadline.
Early Bird Draw Deadline – Friday, October 24, 2025
Chapter Rebate Deadline – Friday, December 12, 2025
All 2026 Memberships Due – Wednesday, December 31, 2025
These dates refer to the time that the memberships arrive in our office either by mail, or online. https://ccbnational.net/shaggy/membership/
PLEASE NOTE: We will make every effort to adjust should the Canada Post strike continue.
If you renew your membership or become a new member of a chapter online, please contact someone in your chapter to let them know that you have registered/renewed for 2026.
White Cane Week Orders Due – Monday, December 8 2025
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. This will help to make sure that the Certificate will be ready in time for your event.
White Cane Week 2026: Sunday, February 1, to Saturday, February 7.
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact our national office at ccb@ccbnational.net or 1-877-304-0968.
Vision Without Borders: Reflections from the 2025 World Blindness Summit:
São Paulo, Brazil | September 1–5, 2025
As the vibrant city of São Paulo welcomed delegates from over 190 countries, the 11th World Blind Union (WBU) General Assembly and World Blindness Summit became a powerful testament to global unity, advocacy, and progress. Representing the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB), Leslie Yee (First Vice President) and I had the privilege of attending this landmark event, which marked the beginning of CCB’s 2025–2026 season with renewed purpose and insight.
A Global Gathering for Change
The World Blind Union continues to challenge stereotypes, dismantle barriers, and amplify the voices of blind and partially sighted individuals worldwide. This year’s summit was no exception. From plenary sessions to grassroots forums, the event showcased the diversity of lived experiences and the collective drive to improve quality of life for people with vision loss.
Women’s Forum: Building a Manifesto for Equity
Sunday afternoon featured two parallel forums: the Women’s Forum and the Youth Forum. While two young CNIB interns participated in the Youth Forum, Leslie and I attended the Women’s Forum, where we each moderated discussion groups—Leslie opened the day, and I closed it.
Organized and chaired by Diane Bergeron (CNIB), Chair of the WBU Women’s Committee, the forum adopted a horizontal, experience-based format. Rather than rigid thematic blocks, the agenda prioritized the territorial and personal contexts of participants. This approach fostered deep listening, collaborative construction, and political advocacy.
With over 190 registered participants—a record turnout—the forum culminated in the drafting of a manifesto. This document, rich with insights and recommendations, will guide the Women’s Committee’s work over the next four years to elevate the status of blind and low-vision women globally. It wasn’t just about visibility—it was about building lasting change.
Opening Ceremony: Culture and Connection
Sunday evening’s opening ceremony set the tone with heartfelt remarks and lively Brazilian entertainment, celebrating the spirit of inclusion and international collaboration.
Plenary Highlights: Braille, AI, and Climate Action
From Monday to Wednesday, the summit featured a dynamic mix of plenary and concurrent sessions. The first plenary, “200 Years of the Braille System: From Slate to Display,” explored the evolution of braille and its integration with artificial intelligence and assistive technologies. Speakers emphasized that tactile literacy remains essential for empowerment, independence, and employment.
Another standout session focused on humanitarian emergency readiness. Moderated by Diane Bergeron, panelists from Denmark, South Africa, Ukraine, and the United States discussed climate change, environmental disasters, and inclusive strategies to ensure that visually impaired individuals are not left behind during crises.
Concurrent Sessions: A Wealth of Knowledge
Leslie and I strategically attended different concurrent sessions to maximize our learning. Topics ranged from:
- Turning global commitments into local realities
- Cultural accessibility as a universal right
- Maximizing inclusion for people with low vision
- Employment for all
- Blindness, intersectionality, and diversity
- Technology and innovation
- Health and visual impairment
The summit also included games and entertainment for non-delegates, and a bustling exhibition hall showcasing the latest in accessible tech and services.
General Assembly: Leadership and Elections
The official WBU General Assembly ran Thursday through Friday, with 420 delegates participating either in person or online. Elections were conducted via paper ballot and digital platforms to accommodate all attendees.
Meet the 2025–2029 WBU Table Officers:
| President | Santosh Kumar Rungta | India |
| First Vice President | Cristina Chamorro | Spain |
| Second Vice President | Yaw Ofori-Debra | Ghana |
| Secretary General | Moises Bauer Luiz | Brazil |
| Treasurer | Alejandro Antonio Paz Ambrosio | Guatemala |
| Immediate Past President | Martine Abel-Williamson | New Zealand |
While we were disappointed that Canada’s nominee, Diane Bergeron, narrowly missed election as President—possibly due to timing changes and technical issues—we remain proud of her leadership and advocacy.
A Week of Connection and Purpose
Despite some logistical challenges, the summit was an unforgettable experience. Leslie and I were inspired by the passion and resilience of our global peers. We reconnected with old friends, forged new relationships, and returned home with fresh ideas and renewed commitment.
Our Canadian team was incredibly supportive throughout the week, and we look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted individuals across Canada and beyond.
By Louise Gillis, Immediate Past President, Canadian Council of the Blind
Blind Hockey:
What is Blind Hockey?
Blind Hockey is an adapted version of ice hockey designed specifically for athletes who are blind or partially sighted. The game maintains all the excitement of traditional hockey while incorporating adapted rules to accommodate visually impaired players.
Our Ottawa Programs
We offer both children/youth and adult Blind Hockey programs in Ottawa, welcoming participants who are blind or partially sighted of any age and any skill level.
All participants receive proper instruction and support to learn the game safely and enjoyably.
For those who wish to participate, but perhaps do not have the necessary equipment, we can provide them with the equipment they need.
Registration and Information
Ottawa Blind Hockey programs run every Saturday from October 25th to March 14th at the McNabb Arena and Community Centre (180 Percy St)
REGISTRATION LINK: https://www.canadianblindhockeyregistration.com/
The registration fee for the 2025-2026 Season is $400. Financial assistance is available. We do not want finances to be a barrier for anyone who is blind or partially sighted to participate in Canada’s National Winter Sport.
We Need Your Help
We are asking for your help advertising and promoting Blind Hockey to the blind and visually impaired community in Ottawa. Your connection to this community makes you an invaluable partner in helping us reach individuals who might benefit from this empowering sport.
We would greatly appreciate your support in any way you can help advertise the program, whether that involves:
-Sharing details during meetings or community events
-Posting about the programs on your social media channels
-Any other ideas you might have for helping us reach the blind and visually impaired community in Ottawa
The Impact of Your Support
Blind Hockey offers participants much more than just physical activity. It provides community, builds confidence, develops teamwork skills, and creates lasting friendships. Many players describe the sport as life-changing, offering them the opportunity to participate fully in Canada’s beloved national pastime. Your help spreading awareness directly contributes to connecting more individuals with this transformative experience.
If you have any questions about the programs or would like additional information to share, please don’t hesitate to contact Conrad Eder
Canadian Blind Hockey – Ottawa Program Coordinator
https://canadianblindhockey.com/
The Triple Vision Podcast:
The September 11, 2025, show featured Disability History Month Part 2 – Barometer Rising: The Making of a Blind Mechanic
In this second podcast for Disability History month, and Triple Vision’s 60th episode, host Hanna Leavitt speaks with Miguel Agayo of the Accessibility Hamilton Alliance about the book “The blind Mechanic”: The Amazing Story of Eric Davidson, Survivor of the 1917 Halifax Explosion”. Written by his daughter, Marilyn Davidson Elliott, the book is a biography of a pioneering Haligonian who defied all expectations to take up car mechanics.
In 1917 Eric was two years old and playing in front of the window of his Halifax home when two ships collided leading to what at the time was the world’s largest non-nuclear explosion. Approximately 2,000 individuals were killed, and 9,000 injured. Eric was one of 37 people who lost his vision that day. He went on to attend the Halifax School for the Blind, but unconventional, he defied all expectations of him becoming a washing machine repair man and followed his father and brothers into the field of car mechanics. He worked as a mechanic in Halifax, Toronto and Ottawa and lead the way in breaking the stereotype of what blind Canadians are capable of.
Join Hanna and Miguel as they discuss the historical context of the Halifax explosion and the extraordinary life of Eric Davidson in this podcast.
“He continually took the engine apart and put it back together again to create a mental map of what goes where. He also experimented by disconnecting a part, listening to the engine, feeling its vibration. … He would listen to find what made that noise, what made the vibration, what made that smell.”
Website:
https://triplevision.team/Audio/TV60.html
A Live Audio-Described Performance of Nigamon/Tunai:
On Saturday, September 13, a group of people from Ottawa’s blind/low vision community were invited to attend to the audio described performance of Nigamon/Tunai at the National Arts Centre. This presentation, from the NAC’s Indigenous Theatre, would be their first audio described performance. We were asked to provide feedback to improve future audio description offerings. We were only too happy to help!
This work, by Onishka Productions, was described as “…a powerful poetic manifesto by Émilie Monnet (Anishinaabe/French) and Waira Nina (Inga Nation, Colombian Amazon). The show was described as an immersive experience, inviting audience members to sit onstage with the artists, surrounded by living trees, pools of water, and copper instruments that sing with flowing water.”
This was “…. a confrontation with the destruction of water and land in the Colombian Amazon caused by Canadian mining companies extracting copper—a mineral sacred to Anishinaabe culture. Using voice, breath, movement, and song in Spanish, French, English, Anishinaabemowin, and Inga, the artists create a ceremony that makes Indigenous resistance tangible. The forest becomes a translator, revealing the voices of rocks, water, and trees; unveiling the urgent connections between Indigenous territories across the Americas.”
Careful forethought and planning was necessary to make this unique experience truly accessible. Consultants from the vision loss community and experienced audio describers collaborated with the artists to provide input and insights.
Accommodations were made even before we took our seats in the theatre. Michelle Yagi, Producer (Indigenous Theatre) and friendly NAC ushers greeted us and provided assistance. Everyone was very friendly and respectful, providing help according to our individual needs and preferences. Before we arrived, we received an audio wayfinding guide for different NAC entrances as well as pre-recorded introductory notes for describing the story, theatre, set, costumes and performers. Pre-show information is very important for us, as we are likely to miss visual cues and things that sighted people might see incidentally. It is also good to provide information about loud, sudden noises, flashes of light and other things that could be unsettling for some. As parts of the performance involved audience participation, those who did not want to were instructed to cross their arms as a signal to the performers.
We were given a tutorial for using the audio description technology. I have tried different technologies used for live audio descriptions. The devices used by the NAC were easy to use and worked very well. We did not have to download and configure an app, which, from my own experience, can be a little less predictable as apps can be dependent on many factors that affect how well they will work. I was able to hear the description with no interruptions. The NAC’s technology has two channels, so that they can also be used to provide better sound for those with hearing impairments.
We also had the opportunity to talk to Janis Mayers, our Audio Describer. Janis shared insights about describing this performance and the finer points that audio describers must keep in mind in order to bring a performance to life for those who may not be able to see it. Knowledge of the work, the choice of words and when and what to describe all must be taken into consideration—audio description is truly an art form of its own.
As the Babs Asper Theatre is located on a lower level, we decided to take the ‘underground route’ as some in our group had difficulty using stairs. This was really interesting as we got a look at the back stage area on the way.
Before the performance began, Janis asked us to raise our hands, making sure that the technology was working. This helps to avoid ‘corrections’ having to be made when the show is already underway.
Janis described the theatre, the props, and described the actors as well as other information that may be interesting to us. This was very helpful, as we were going to hear singing trees, rocks, pools and unfamiliar musical instruments made of copper and used water.
I asked if the artists knew that their audience would include people who are blind or have low vision, using live audio description. Everyone involved was pleased that this accommodation would be made so that we wouldn’t miss a thing. It is very encouraging that the artists and the theatre company is also keen to make the production inclusive for all.
Without live audio description, I would have missed things that gave significance to the story and its message. Having attended numerous plays and performances, I learned that everything in theatre is deliberate. Even though I have some vision, I experience gaps as I cannot see facial expressions, subtle details and small yet substantial theatrical techniques used to convey meaning and message.
After the performance, we were invited to touch the trees, feel the instruments and enjoy a drink of water, served in these lovely cups. We also had the opportunity to thank the performers, and we could tell that they were genuinely happy to meet us.
Everyone in our group agreed that we would like to see more live audio-described performances at the NAC. They truly make a difference for us. I would like to extend a huge and heartfelt thank you to all involved.
Submitted by Shelley Ann Morris
IN THE NEWS
How these visually impaired friends are ‘travelling the world through Lego’:
Windsor friends with visual impairments build enormous Lego train, Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building and Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Just some of the iconic places of the world that have been built — in Lego form — by two visually impaired friends at an apartment complex in Windsor, Ontario.
Guy Christien and Natalie Dorion have been making their own Lego dream destinations come true for about seven years.
Dorion, who’s blind, says she loves where the tiny plastic bricks bring her mind.
“With the tactile experience, it’s much better for me,” she said.
“If I was to touch a part of it, it would just be a wall or a window or a door. But when I feel the overall tactile experience of the building, to me it’s just amazing. I love Lego for that — [I’m] travelling the world through Lego, if you will.”
Dorion says it’s “fascinating” to go through the development stages of building intricate projects.
“It’s amazing to me that there are so many different pieces of Lego, which gives you more flexibility to create different effects and different designs in the work.”
Their latest big design isn’t a place, rather a way to get to a destination of choice: a 30,000-piece steam train from the 1800s.
Christien, who’s visually impaired, says the two met as neighbours in their building.
“It just started as something that we can do together,” he said.
“Whatever the project is, I look it up online and see how it’s designed. Then I kind of lay it out myself and then… Natalie can build up from what I like. I guide her to how to build the different layers of whatever project.”
Dorion says that Lego lets her gain the knowledge of what a building in another country looks like, or how something like a train is structured.
“I think it’s really cool to be able to visit these things through Lego buildings… to get a feel for it as I do. It’s something that it’s fun to talk about as well. I’ve learned a lot through Guy… and we are able to create all these fun things, and we love it.”
With limited space and Lego, the intricate and massive projects do have an expiration. Eventually they get torn down so another build can begin.
“Most of our projects, we just keep them in our apartments. We build them up and show them around. We invite our friends to come see them. We build a big project, then we tear it down, build a new one,” said Christien.
Dorion says she loves the teardown process and finds it relaxing while she’s in front of the television or listening to a book.
“I take all the pieces, the roof tiles and put them all in a container and then I sort through those… We have two bins for tiles and then I sort out the different pieces according to shape,” she says.
“They all have their separate totes, and I put those all in there and separate them and put them all in the boxes.”
The giant train will probably come down next week, they
Their next project will also more than likely be another means of transportation. Discussions are heating up around a classic Ford Model T car, according to the two friends.
By Michael Hargreaves, CBC News