From the President’s Desk
While the days become shorter, and the evenings become cooler, it is a true sign that the fall season is upon us. Autumn brings much activity to our members, as Chapter activity resumes, and in many areas our outdoor sports move indoors.
The Council is blessed in welcoming five new Directors to its Board following our Elections in June, we welcome each, as they will add new perspectives and ideas to our Board, and all are active in Committee work.
Speaking of Committee work, our membership Committee begins in late September, and our Advocacy Committee resumes in early October. The CCB is always welcoming interested members who wish to display an active role in advancing themselves in the committee work it performs to enhance membership and support advocacy. The Council is strongly involved coast to coast in many different areas, as We all strive to advocate for Communities that demonstrate accessibility, free of barriers to persons who are blind, low vision, and deafblind.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Staff, Sponsors and Partners, and our many wonderful volunteers, we welcome everyone back in support of our truly valued work within our communities, as you will observe in our Visions Newsletter.
Jim Tokos
CCB National President
Member Spotlight:
We would like to introduce Debby Haryett from the Peterborough Chapter in Ontario.
Debby Haryett’s Story: When I Was Sixty-Four
When I was 64, travelling with my husband was a normal thing to do. One time when we were away, my vision became a problem. Instead of going straight home, we stayed and enjoyed the rest of our holiday, with my husband guiding me around. I was sure that when I got home, it wouldn’t be a problem. I would see the eye doctor and it would be fixed.
Well, I saw the eye doctor. But after three different surgeries, my problem still wasn’t fixed. Now I had no sight in my right eye, and a gauze curtain covered my left eye. I had had 50 years of type one diabetes, but the vision loss came suddenly.
I spent weeks at home feeling lost, feeling broken and grieving my lack of independence. I kept asking myself what to do. I would look online or in the Yellow Pages, and I would find service people or service clubs or organizations that might be able to point me in the direction of help. I had to acknowledge that I had to build a new life.
Over time, I spoke to many different service people who gave me helpful hints. Eventually, I found some people with similar problems to mine, and we started to discuss what we needed to do to get our world back together.
And that’s when we learned of a group of people who were going to start a new service club in Peterborough – the Canadian Council of the Blind, Peterborough Chapter.
I was eager to join this group. And for the next nine years, I’ve tried to learn what I could about blindness. I wanted to find out how to make a better life for myself with limited dependence. And I’ve watched the blind members of our group live the lives they have built for themselves.
But more than just learning for myself, what I have really enjoyed doing is helping others as they had lost their vision and were struggling through the grief and the rebuilding. It has made me very happy to be able to help them.
From that emerged a lending library of visual aids. We requested donations of items that were no longer being used, so that we could pass them on to people who might use them. This has become a love of mine. It gives me great satisfaction to be able to see someone who is feeling so lost and dejected find an object that is going to help them continue to do something they love. The smiles on their faces when they realize an item can help make me smile, and my husband smile as well; it is very rewarding. Out of all the things that I have done with the CCB over the years, which has been the one thing that makes me the happiest in helping others.
Something I have recently learned – because we’re always learning – is that the blind people who were born that way and raised that way don’t always require that kind of help. They are independent and they are able to find a way for themselves. They always have. It’s the people who suddenly lose their vision who get lost.
I was one of those people. And because of the opportunities the CCB has given me, I have learned so much about this community and found so many people to look up to. There don’t seem to be too many holes left in my life right now. And for that, I am so grateful!
Written by Debby Haryett
ANNOUNCEMENTS
New CCB Chapter: It gives me great pleasure to announce that the CCB has added their newest Chapter from up North-the CCB Yukon Chapter. We welcome our Yukon friends with open arms and are proud to expand our horizons. On behalf of our National Board of Directors, staff and Members across Canada, we welcome our new friends to the CCB family! -Jim Tokos, CCB President.
CCB Participates in Capital Pride Parade: The Canadian Council of the Blind had the pleasure of participating in the 2024 Capital Pride Parade in August! The CCB marched alongside the LGBTQ+ community because inclusion and diversity make us all stronger. The Council is proud to support and represent all of our LGBTQ+ members!
Updates on the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR): The is a key instrument to protect the human right of persons with disabilities to an accessible transportation network.
For more information, please visit:
https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2019-244/page-1.html#h-1175901
Examples of Updates from the CTA Accessibility team include:
-They will keep health information or info specific to their disability for a person with a disability on file for 3 years, so the person does not have to prove this every time they travel.
-Staff must receive training within 60 days of assuming their duties and retraining at least once every 3 years.
-And good info on the CATSA and CBSA screening process.
Submitted by Leslie Yee, CCB 1st Vice President
About the Goodmaps APP:
The Good Maps Indoor APP went Live Starting the week of July 15.
CCB has been working with Via Rail around the testing of the Good Maps Indoor APP.
We just put it through another beta test and starting mid-July until January 2025 the APP will be available to use if you travel to the Ottawa Via Rail Station.
Over 70 locations in the station are included and you can find directions to these locations.
Via Rail encourages you to test the app and to share info with your friends and family.
Submitted by Leo A. Bissonnette, Ph.D.
CCB 2nd Vice-President
CCB Members! We want to hear from you! Your unique experiences and stories are what make the Canadian Council of the Blind such a vibrant and impactful community. In his recent presentation at the CCB Vision Month Conference, Kelly McDonald shared his story of becoming a member of the CCB. We invite you to share why you became a member of the CCB and what makes your Chapter unique.
Whether it’s a memorable event, a personal achievement, or the everyday efforts that make a difference, your stories are invaluable. By sharing them, we hope to use our national voice to better promote the important work that each and every member and Chapter does every day.
Please reach out to us with your stories and experiences. Together, let’s highlight the incredible work and dedication within our community.
If you are interested in sharing your experiences with the CCB please email Braydin Frizell at: bfrizell@ccbnational.net or call: 613-292-5384.
Para Bowls Championship:
The 2024 Canadian Para-Bowls Championships took place at the Brampton Lawn Bowling Club from August 17-22, 2024. For more information on the Para Bowls Championships, please visit the information page, which can be found at the following link: bowlscanada.com
Proposed Canada Disability Benefit Regulations Still Open for Public Comment: In April 2024 the CCB sent the press release to all of its Members across Canada to comment on the incoming Canada Disability Benefit. Since Budget 2024, when this was passed, many in the Disability community are crying foul, as many made promises to their clients/members.
The Advocacy Committee of the CCB decided to send this to its membership across Canada, as we did not wish to answer on behalf of individuals whom this would directly affect.
Now that budget 2024 has passed and the CDB is now the law of the land, many are crying foul because many assumed the benefit to be much larger than what the budget allocated.
So, we leave the comments up to each to share with your constituents to see if they wish to react to the Government not responding to their wishes, or those promises from many Disability Organizations
Below you will find an opportunity to get involved in the framework of the CDB benefit prior to it paying out in June 2025. Remembering we (CCB) allowed its full membership across Canada to comment on the feedback the CDB requested.
Thanks to all, and just wished to verify the steps we decided to undertake on this matter, we are reaching out to remind you that the proposed Canada Disability Benefit Regulations have been published in Part I of the Canada Gazette and are open for public comment. The proposed regulations detail how the Canada Disability Benefit would be administered and delivered. Along with the proposed regulations, a Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement (RIAS) has also been published for comment. The RIAS is a description of the proposed regulations, rationale for the approaches, as well as an assessment of their cost and positive and negative effects. We invite members of the public, especially disability stakeholders, to comment on the documents using the Canada Gazette’s online commenting system.
You can read and comment on the proposed Canada Disability Benefit Regulations and the Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement on the Canada Gazette.
The consultation period for the proposed regulations will be open until September 23, 2024.
A summary of the proposed regulations has also been prepared and has been translated into American Sign Language and Langue des signes québécoise. The summary, as well as additional information on the proposed Canada Disability Benefit Regulations and engagement, is now available on the Employment and Social Development Canada website.
Consult the summary of the proposed Canada Disability Benefit Regulations and the additional information on the proposed Canada Disability Benefit Regulations.
When the consultation period for the proposed regulations is complete in September 2024, the Government will consider the feedback received and may make changes to the regulations before they are finalized and published in Part II of the Canada Gazette in 2025. As announced in Budget 2024, the Government of Canada is committed to begin payment of the Canada Disability Benefit to eligible Canadians starting in July 2025, following the successful completion of the regulatory development process and consultations with persons with disabilities.
Thank you for your continued interest in the Canada
IN THE NEWS
Self-Serve Machines Fail to Serve Consumers with Disabilities:
A new study shows the challenges consumers with disabilities face when using self-serve machines — and how those barriers can be fixed
When grocery store employees ask Marcia Yale if she wants to use the self-checkout, she responds with her own question: “I say, ‘Well, do you want to use it?’”
Yale, who is completely blind, can only use self-checkout machines and other self-serve kiosks independently if the machine reads out what is on the screen. Finding accessibility features on most self-serve machines is nearly impossible, she says. The only ones she can use are bank-issued automatic teller machines.
“If [the self-serve machines are] just touchscreens with no audio, I can’t use them,” Yale said.
Self-serve machines have become a ubiquitous way to place restaurant orders, buy transit tickets or purchase groceries. But for many consumers with disabilities, they are self-serve in name only. These machines often do not have features to make them accessible for consumers with disabilities, or consumers cannot find these features.
This means a significant number of consumers cannot use self-serve machines independently. According to recent data, 27 per cent of Canadians report having one or more disability that negatively impacts their ability to do daily tasks.
Few guidelines exist about how to make self-serve machines accessible to consumers with disabilities. Each machine is different. Just because a blind individual knows how to turn on voice-over technology that reads out the words on an ATM screen does not mean they know how to access the same features at the self-checkout at the grocery store.
A recent study from the University of Waterloo seeks to better understand the problems consumers with disabilities face when using self-serve machines, and how those barriers can be fixed.
“We were really lacking the understanding of the experiences of people with disabilities and their usability concerns with these devices,” said Gaya Bin Noon, a PhD candidate in public health sciences and the study’s lead author.
The research was done in partnership with the CSA Group, formerly known as the Canadian Standards Association. The organization publishes voluntary guidelines, called standards, for various products and services. Companies and governments can use these standards if they want but are not required to do so unless the standards become law.
Accessibility for ATMs is mentioned in a standard, but there needs to be more guidance about accessibility for self-service machines in general, Bin Yoon says.
Standards can be helpful even if they are not mandatory, Bin Noon says. Businesses want to know how to make their products accessible to consumers, and they can often make changes faster than standards can be enacted into law.
“Even though they’re voluntary, there is a need for them while we are waiting for regulations, and that need comes not only from the consumer, but from the business themselves,” she said.
In a statement to Canadian Affairs, a spokesperson for the CSA Group said a new edition of the accessibility standard for self-service machines is set to be published in early 2025.
For the study, researchers interviewed 19 individuals — 17 of whom had disabilities — about the difficulties faced when using self-serve machines.
Participants mentioned the lack of consistency among machines. Wheelchair users noted that self-serve machines needed to be at a height that they can access. Participants with hearing difficulties said machines should have visual, as well as auditory, prompts and be in quiet areas.
Many also said it was hard to find staff who could help them. Their biggest concern was not that staff did not want to help — it was that staff were not there at all.
Staff need to be trained to show people what the accessibility features are on machines, they said. This can help consumers with disabilities use the machines independently.
People with disabilities want to use self-serve machines independently just like anyone else, says Leslie Yee, who was on the advisory group for the study.
Yee, who has macular degeneration and struggles to read most printed materials, often has store employees check her items out at the self-checkout for her. But this is not the optimal solution, she says.
“It takes away a person’s independence, of being able to do it for themselves,” she said. Yee would rather have someone show her how she can use the machines herself.
Many study participants said they would like a way to use their own devices, such as smartphones, at self-serve machines. This could allow them to use the accessibility features on their devices — such as downloaded apps — that they have set to meet their needs.
Marcia Yale, who is president of the advocacy group Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians, says advocates have talked about this idea since at least the mid-2000s.
Bin Noon says it still needs to be determined how people’s personal devices could be integrated with self-serve machines to make the machines more accessible.
And machines need built-in accessibility features themselves, she says. Integrated personal technology is not enough.
“It should not be an assumption that anyone with a disability who is going to interact with this [self-serve] device has the privilege of a smartphone with all these features,” she said. “It’s an important feature, but it should not be the only way of accommodating people with disabilities.”
Yee agrees. Yee, who is a vice-president of the consumer group Canadian Council of the Blind, says that no matter what technology is used, there will always be a need for employees who know how to help consumers with disabilities.
“You always have to have the option of a cashier regardless, because there is no one device that is a solution for all people with disabilities,” she said.
by Meagan Gillmore, Canadian Affairs
Blind Saskatchewan. student puts his reading skills to the test at international competition:
Despite Saskatchewan falling behind other provinces in reading, math and science scores, one Martensville student is bucking the trend.
Since the moment school finished last June, Isaiah Gauthier has been busy playing sports, going to hockey camps, fishing, camping and all the other things kids do in the summer.
“I went on a fishing trip, and I caught four fish,” said 11-year-old Gauthier. “But we only got to keep one of them because the other ones were tiny.”
But between all the activities, he was also named a finalist in the 2024 Braille Challenge. It’s an international braille reading, spelling, proofreading and graphs competition held by the Braille Institute, hosted on the University of Southern California campus.
Being named one of the top 50 competitors out of more than a thousand entries, Gauthier was going up against the best braille readers and writers from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Despite the pressure, Gauthier says he had a lot of fun, made new friends, and finished second in the freshmen category.
“It was cool to do, but we didn’t feel like we were competing,” he said. “It felt like we were on the same team.”
Gauthier’s teacher says he reads at a Grade 8 level despite starting Grade 5 next week. She says he works hard, but he also has a gift.
“Like any student, when they practice their reading, they excel,” said Christina Jean, braille interpreter at École Holy Mary Catholic School. “So, if students are struggling, you get them to do more take-home reading or more sight words for more practice.”
She says his development has been accelerated from the various technology aids he uses, but she also credits his passion for sports for fuelling his reading skills.
“If you have somewhere where you’ve got interest, then you feed that,” she said.
Now, he’s got a year of school to look forward to, and he’s also working on qualifying for next year’s Braille Challenge.
But in his spare time this summer, Gauthier has also been advocating for the visually impaired.
“I went to Wakaw Lake, and I love their mini-golf course,” he said. “It’s really fun, and I wrote a letter to them about putting braille on all of their signs. They’re starting to put braille on them, so that’s pretty good.”
The Braille Institute says Gauthier’s participation alone made him a Saskatchewan first, meaning his second-place result is the highest of any Saskatchewan competitor in 24 years of the Braille Challenge.
By John Flatters
CDC Update from GDB:
Please find below information sent from Guide dogs for the Blind regarding the new CDC form required for entry into the U.S. The links are also within.
CDC Regulations Update
We are providing an update on the regulations that went into effect on August 1st and share information on GDB’s response.
In response to feedback, the CDC has relaxed some of the requirements originally announced. As per their website, they have “simplified the process for meeting requirements for dogs arriving from dog rabies-free or low-risk countries. This means that for dogs that have been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries for the last 6 months, the one form you will need is the CDC Dog Import Form, which can be found at:
https://cdc-786687.workflowcloud.com/forms/090dc543-7b2f-4538-b2c7-2919d12ecc73
Also, per the website, “A receipt will be emailed to you upon submission of the form. You can print the receipt or show it on your phone.”. The receipt is valid for 6 months from the date of issue unless the dog visits a high-risk country during that time period.
For instructions on filling out the dog import form please visit the following link:
Please note that the CDC Dog Import Form is required in addition to the DOT form and USDA health certificate for international travel, it does not replace them. Additionally, dogs must be at least 6 months of age at the time of entry or return to the US, appear healthy upon arrival, and have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner. Dogs that have only been in rabies-free or low-risk countries in the past 6 months can enter the US through any airport, seaport, or land border crossing (dogs that have visited high risk countries since the receipt was issued will need to meet high risk country requirements).
Understandably, questions will arise regarding the new CDC guidelines. A list of frequently asked questions is available on the CDC website.
While the relaxation of the original CDC guidelines is a positive step, GDB feels strongly that the additional required documentation is redundant to processes already in place for service animals. We believe that the requirements are discriminatory against people with disabilities, impeding the ability of service dog users to travel outside of the United States and placing undue, unreasonable, and unnecessary hardships on guide dog handlers.
In a grass roots effort to effect change, GDB has reached out to Federal legislators in positions that can impact change with our concerns, sending over nine hundred individually signed postcards from staff, clients, puppy raisers and members of the larger community outlining our opposition. We are also in contact with Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) to support additional advocacy efforts. If you would like to help, we encourage you to write to your local representatives to make them aware of this policy change and the undue burden it puts on guide dog clients.
We will keep you informed of any additional developments. As always, please feel free to contact the GDB Support Center with questions or concerns. The Support Center team is available Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM Pacific
Time and can be reached by calling 1-800-295-4050.
World Blind Union Celebrates the 2024 Paralympics: Advocating for Inclusivity and the Benefits of Sports for People who are Blind or Partially Sighted:
The World Blind Union (WBU) extends its heartfelt congratulations to all athletes participating in the prestigious 2024 Paralympic Games. These athletes exemplify determination, resilience, and the extraordinary human spirit.
The WBU recognizes the positive impact that sports and recreation have on the health and social well-being of blind and partially sighted individuals. Yaw Ofori-Debra, Chair of the WBU Sports and Recreation Committee, emphasizes:
“While we celebrate the achievements of blind and partially sighted athletes, it’s crucial to recognize the health and social advantages sports offer them. Regular physical activity through sports helps maintain their health and active lifestyle. Beyond physical benefits, sports also nurture essential life skills, leadership qualities, teamwork, and cognitive health. We advocate for the inclusivity of sports disciplines, urging sports authorities to provide accessible facilities and equipment designed for those who are blind or partially sighted.”
Participation in sports can offer anyone who is blind or partially sighted numerous benefits, including improved physical health, enhanced cognitive function, and reduced stress levels. Moreover, engaging in sports fosters essential social skills, leadership qualities, and team spirit, contributing to overall personal development and community integration.
Martine Abel-Williamson, President of the WBU, emphasizes the broader significance of this global event:
“The Paralympic Games are a celebration of human potential and a powerful reminder that disability is not a limitation but a different form of ability. These games provide a global stage where blind and partially sighted athletes can showcase their talents and inspire millions. At the World Blind Union, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to participate in sports. We call on all stakeholders to support and promote accessibility in sports, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their visual ability, can experience the joy and benefits of athletic participation.”
The WBU calls on sports authorities, organizations, and communities worldwide to take proactive steps toward inclusivity in sports. This includes providing accessible facilities, adaptive equipment, and support systems tailored to the unique needs of blind and partially sighted athletes. Ensuring that sports are inclusive will empower more individuals to participate and excel, breaking down barriers and promoting a more equitable and inclusive society.
The WBU stands in solidarity with all athletes at the 2024 Paralympics, celebrating their achievements and advocating for a more inclusive sporting world.
Be part of the movement August 28th 2024 – September 8th 2024, and let’s make the 2024 Paralympics a celebration of inclusivity, resilience, and the incredible potential of every athlete.
www.ccbnational.net 1-877-304-0968