From the President’s Desk
I would like to begin by wishing everyone the best for the upcoming fall season, and hope your summer was adventurous and safe.
I would be remiss if I did not mention on behalf of all at CCB; that we hope all of our members and their families have not been affected by the fires across Canada. It seems that no province has escaped the ire of the fires and the subsequent effects of the smoke. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone as the harsh reality of a very hot and dry summer has been felt across Canada.
While we begin another exciting fall season where our members return to a regular routine, many have kept involved in summer activity, be it organizing outings or participation in summer sporting events, all conducive to getting together with friends; and staying active and healthy along with peers.
We also applaud the many who had the opportunity to travel, revisiting family and friends, or just getting away and meeting new acquaintances.
Recently I received information regarding activities transpiring during White Cane Week, (2026) namely the CCB National Curling championships being held in Edmonton and wish to thank the many involved in planning and review of the rules to promote a spirit of sportsmanship and competition.
I also wish to thank our CCB GTT team for their continued efforts throughout the summer in supporting members’ training. This training continues to be helpful for those of us struggling to keep up with the vast number of upgrades and changes in technology—which certainly do not take a vacation for the summer!
On behalf of the National board, staff team, and our volunteers I wish to welcome all of our members back to the many activities our Chapters continue to involve themselves with, enhancing and challenging our members across Canada. Please do not forget to get your eyes checked regularly.
Jim Tokos
National President
Member Spotlight
A Life of Resilience and Love: Fred and Gloria Haynes, Halifax
In this edition of the Visions newsletter, we have the pleasure of hearing from Fred and Gloria Haynes, a remarkable couple from Halifax who have lived their lives with courage, grace, and an unshakeable commitment to each other. Married for 61 years, Fred and Gloria share their journey of living with vision loss, raising a family, and finding joy in everyday life.
Fred’s Journey: A Life Transformed by Adversity
Fred first began experiencing vision loss at the age of eight following a tragic accident involving a gasoline barrel and a match. The explosion severely damaged his eyes, leading to over a dozen corneal transplants throughout his life.
“I would often regain 40 to 60% of my vision after each transplant, but the body would soon begin to reject it. Within six weeks to two months, I’d be back where I started.”
Originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Fred attended the Halifax School for the Blind and eventually trained as a piano tuner—a career he pursued with excellence for over 61 years.
“I tuned for concert pianists such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Anton Kuerti, John Browning, and even Victor Borge, who was as much a comedian as he was a pianist.”
Gloria’s Story: From Moncton to Motherhood
Gloria, who grew up in Moncton, New Brunswick, also attended the Halifax School for the Blind beginning in 1956.
Though she initially had some usable vision due to nearsightedness, her eyesight declined significantly in her late teens and was fully lost by 1990.
“Looking back, attending the school for the blind prepared me in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time. It gave me confidence and skills I’d need later in life.”
Gloria and Fred met as teenagers at the school, and their connection blossomed slowly over time. By age 19, they were married—a bond that has stood the test of time.
Raising a Family Without Sight:
The couple raised two children, Peter and Cynthia, born in 1965 and 1967, respectively. Fred and Gloria speak about their parenting experience not as extraordinary, but as a natural part of life.
“We didn’t really think of ourselves as ‘blind parents.’ We were just Mom and Dad,” Gloria shares. “Our children adapted easily. If we dropped something, they’d help without hesitation.”
Fred adds:
“When Peter turned 16 and got his license, it opened even more doors for us. But before that, we relied on taxis and buses, like many others.”
Both are thankful their conditions were not hereditary and could not be passed on to their children.
Hospitality, Technology, and Staying Connected:
Anyone who’s visited Fred and Gloria knows they have a gift for hospitality.
“There’s no stress in their home,” says David. “You always feel like family. Gloria’s oatmeal raisin cookies were unforgettable!”
While Fred remained deeply connected to the mechanical world of piano tuning, Gloria embraced modern technology. With the help of programs like Get Together with Technology (GTT), she now uses an iPhone, iPad, and Victor Reader to stay in touch and read books.
“I never imagined I’d learn to use all this, but here I am! I love reading with the Victor Reader, and I’m even sending messages and emails on the iPad.”
Words of Wisdom for Younger Generations:
When asked what advice they’d offer to younger couples starting their journey with vision loss, Fred simply said:
“Patience and understanding. You have to accept differences and grow together.”
Gloria adds:
“Don’t let blindness stop you from having children or living a full life. It can be done, and there’s always help. My close friend, who was totally blind, raised two boys beautifully.”
Breaking Barriers, One Day at a Time:
Fred and Gloria shared stories of misunderstandings they’ve faced from the sighted community—like being asked why they owned lamps or a television.
“People often just don’t understand,” Gloria says. “But that never stopped us from living fully.”
Their quiet strength and enduring love are an inspiration. As Fred so perfectly put it:
“You adapt to whatever conditions you have to work under. keep loving each other, and move forward.”
Thank you, Fred and Gloria, for reminding us that vision loss doesn’t define your future—it refines your journey.
By [the GTT Team], with the assistance of AI.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CCB Men’s Group:
CCB’s “Men of CCB” monthly meetings are opportunities for members to discuss topics of relevance to them. This group has been around for several years. Those interested in this kind of experience are encouraged to join the “virtual” Meetings which are held from 7:00 to 9:00pm (EDT) on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Reminders, along with Zoom links, will be sent out a few weeks earlier.
To provide a taste of what’s to come, recent topics have included “fitness”, where members talked about some specific exercises they use to help keep up with their lives. We may revisit this during upcoming sessions. “It is hoped that “balance”, and related matters including “Tai Chi”, will be on the September meeting agenda. Other topics could include:
-Talking books, as well as “apps” to access music, sports programming, TV, and movies,
-Cooking, including finding recipes, etc.,
-General mobility skills, including apps, techniques, and equipment/navigational aids.
Of course, group members are encouraged to suggest other topics, as these sessions continue through the year.
Most importantly, there is a very supportive atmosphere within group members. It is a monthly opportunity to chat with peers. As such, lots of non-specific topics also come up in discussion. Naturally, “confidentiality” has been, and continues to be, very important in this context.
If you wish to join this group, please contact its host: Jim Hamilton at:
jim.hamilton@rogers.com
Please note that the first meeting this year will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
We hope to hear/see you then.
Calling all Women of CCB:
Please join us for an hour zoom call every 2nd Tuesday of the month, at 4:00 Pacific, 7:00 eastern, 8:00 Atlantic.
This casual hour allows us to discuss issues that are important to the Women of CCB. Our successes, hopes, dreams, travel plans, mental health, vision services and of course many stories or laughs about living with vision loss.
We often will have a guest speaker on topics you are interested in, so join us and share your thoughts with your peers.
To join us, please email Heidi at hwhite@ccbnational.net
and join our mailing list to receive the zoom link.
Looking forward to seeing you.
Heidi and Leslie
Guide Dog Tales: Where Paws, Play, and Learning Come Together:
The Canadian Council of the Blind Peterborough Chapter is making a big impact with a small but mighty program called Guide Dog Tales. This community education initiative brings members — and their guide dogs — to schools, summer camps, seniors’ residences, and local businesses to teach about the vital role guide dogs play in the lives of people who are blind or have low vision.
The message is simple but important: guide dogs are not pets, but highly trained partners who provide safety, independence, and confidence.
Recently, the program has grown to include a hands-on skit designed for children from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6. In this interactive activity, students get to “be” a guide dog — starting as a puppy with their mom, moving on to a volunteer puppy raiser, returning to the training school, and finally meeting their forever partner: a blind or low vision handler.
This skit has been a hit at local schools and YMCA camps. Children especially love the moment when the guide dogs’ harnesses come off and they’re allowed to pet them. Before that, they’re encouraged to ask anything they’ve ever wanted to know — about guide dogs, blindness, or how people who are blind do everyday things.
“One of our favourite moments is hearing the squeals and laughter of the children when the harnesses come off,” Our dogs know what’s coming — they roll over for belly rubs and happily lick little faces.” For the dogs, these programs are as exciting as they are for the children. After a few visits, the dogs recognize the routine, and the second the harnesses start to come off, tails wag in anticipation.
Guide Dog Tales is more than just an adorable encounter — it’s an opportunity to build understanding, empathy, and respect for guide dogs and their handlers, ensuring that the next generation knows the rules and responsibilities when they meet one in public.
For more information about Guide Dog Tales, contact Christel at ccbpeterborough@gmail.com
CCB Membership Renewal and Information:
Hi Everyone! My name is Olivia Nicholas, and I am the new Office Manager here at CCB National.
Membership packages are being sent to the chapter contacts of each chapter. Independent membership will be sent shortly.
The Early Bird Draw is on again this year. Send in your chapter’s memberships before the deadline for a chance to win back the memberships paid before this date.
Early Bird Draw Deadline – Friday, October 24, 2025
Chapter Rebate Deadline – Friday, December 12, 2025
All 2026 Memberships Due – Wednesday, December 31, 2025
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, 2026
These dates refer to the time that the memberships arrive in our office either by mail or online. https://ccbnational.net/shaggy/membership/
Here is a quick 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 just 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 those who help 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.
I hope that you will find this information helpful. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact our national office at ccb@ccbnational.net or 1-877-304-0968.
The Corporate Corner:
As the CCB Corporate Representative for the CCB to the Braille Literacy Canada (BLC) board and as an active board member of BLC I headed to Toronto for our AGM 2025 weekend of events with great anticipation and enthusiasm. It would be for me the first time that I would meet board members who I previously only met through Zoom contact.
It was also an opportunity to have with me Jim Tokos, President of the CCB to participate in the Saturday events in the morning and in the afternoon.
Before commenting on the renewed energy that Jim and I came out of the AGM with, I would like to note that CCB over the years has had corporate members support the work of BLC. Elizabeth Mayo and Louise Gillis served in this role.
Kim Kilpatrick had CCB support in establishing a very active braille display group that meets regularly to keep current on emerging technologies in this area.
I proudly note that I am now in my second term as the ccb corporate member and serve as a director on the BLC board.
As we left Toronto, I came away with renewed energy to work on emerging BLC priorities.
Part of this renewed energy will have CCB use social media to get the word out to CCB members about our upcoming events and activities. While we have tended to make sure that board members of CCB know about upcoming events we want to broaden this to get the word out to our members as well. So social media postings will be in the future planning for CCB.
I am pleased to note that we have a younger member of our board excited to step up to learn more about BLC and eventually take on the role of being our corporate representative!
Submitted by Leo Bissonnette
Artist-led tactile tour for Blind and low vision community members in Ottawa:
September 15, 2025, 6:00 – 8:00pm at Carleton University Art Gallery
Blind and low vision community members are invited to explore Unknown Area with artists Emily Cook and Andy Slater.
Unknown Area creates a speculative archaeological encounter with collected evidence from an outpost where scientists and artists once worked. Visitors to the exhibition are invited to take on the role of researchers in order to piece together the site’s history through artefacts and artistic interventions.
This artist-led tactile tour is designed specifically for members of Ottawa’s blind and low vision community and invites them to chat one-on-one with two artists who are on the Blind spectrum.
This event is free to attend, and no registration is necessary. Light refreshments will be available after the tour for everyone to enjoy!
Carleton University Art Gallery will have several of our Ambassadors on site before, during, and after the tour to support you in accessing the gallery.
We recommend you contact Kathryn Desplanque (KathrynDesplanque@cunet.carleton.ca) for directions to the art gallery or with any questions. Kathryn will also be present at the tour and is looking forward to meeting you.
Participants:
Andy Slater is a blind Chicago-based media artist, writer, performer, and disability advocate/loudmouth. Andy holds a Master of Arts in Sound Arts and Industries from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Emily Cook is an artist who works primarily in handmade paper exploring memory and loss through manipulating the processing of fiber into objects that often look more found than made. As a low vision arts worker, she is active within disability arts and crip culture.
New Book by Valerie Maidment, a former member of the CCB E.A. Baker Club Chapter:
My name is Valerie Maidment, a former business owner and first-time author from Lower Island Cove, NL. I am a CNIB client in St. John’s, NL. I am excited to share that my memoir, From Daylight to Dark: Finding Work in an Inaccessible World has been published and I would like to share it with you.
From Daylight to Dark highlights my personal experiences with vision loss. It is a book of tragedy and triumph, where I persisted, never losing hope or courage as I navigated a world that is largely unprepared to accommodate people with disabilities. Told with remarkable heart, humour, and wisdom, From Daylight to Dark is above all a story of perseverance against great odds, offering important insight into the need for accessibility in the workforce for all Canadians.
The book is currently available from most online retailers such as Amazon and Indigo, as well as the Friesen Press Bookstore. Braille users can go to my website; www.fromdaylighttodark.ca and download your copy for free. If you use the CELA library, it will be available soon!
The goal of my book is to educate employers on the need for accessibility in the workplace. I am passionate about advocating for accessibility and breaking down barriers.
Assistive Technology
GTT Tech Tip—
Take a video quickly using your iPhone:
If you would like to access your camera to take a video, do the following on your iPhone, this is using Voice Over:
- Press the power button on the phone
- Swipe three fingers from right to left. This will bring up the camera and place you on the “take picture button”
- Flick up one finger one time you will be on the take video
- One finger double tap to start video and the same to stop video.
OKO Navigation App is now Free:
OKO is an AI driven navigation app that helps you navigate and explore your environment with confidence. Simply search your destination to receive detailed, turn-by-turn directions. When approaching an intersection, OKO will inform you about intersection information. If you need visual assistance just raise your phone, and OKO will notify you when the walk sign is on. Start discovering places and remember to go with OKO.
The OKO App is available for free. Please visit the following link for more information:
https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/oko-cross-streets-and-maps/id1583614988
How a Diminutive Preposition Could Help Make Smart Glasses More Affordable:
This summer I went digging, but not in the garden or at the beach. I was digging for a tax refund on the purchase of my Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. I wondered why I was charged GST when I recently purchased these Smart Glasses. As a person living with blindness, I wondered if charging GST on a product that is beneficial in dealing with vision loss, in effect, constitutes a tax on disability. I decided to write to the Government asking for a GST refund.
In the course of my summer digging, I discovered a few things about the GST. The legislation underlying this federal sales tax is the Excise Tax Act. The ETA does provide for what amounts to a tax exemption for certain products (in part, referred to as “Medical and Assistive Devices”). In seeking a tax refund, I chose to focus on ETA Schedule VI, Part II, section 30, as I thought it provided the best option for a broad-based exemption that might also be of use to other purchasers of Ray Ban Meta Smart Glasses.
For the purpose of the present discussion, the language of section 30 can be condensed into and summarized by the following three bullets:
A supply of:
• any article specially designed for the use of blind individuals
If the article is supplied:
• for use by a blind individual,
• by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind or any other bona fide institution or association for blind individuals or on the order or certificate of a specified professional.
Before discussing these three bullets, it is worthwhile mentioning a few preliminary matters. First, the opening words of section 30 point to the fact that GST is a tax on a transaction; not a tax on property. For this reason, the tax legislation makes regular use of the word “supply”. The Excise Tax Act definition of “supply” mentions a broad range of supply transactions including a sale. The language of section 30 also reveals that the section contemplates a sale transaction at the retail level (i.e. the sale of a finished product to a consumer).
Next, the term “blind”, which is used multiple times in section 30, is not defined in the Excise Tax Act. In my view, it is entirely reasonable to equate “blind” in section 30 with the objective standard of legal blindness. The Canada Revenue Agency uses “legal blindness” in the administration of the Income Tax Act, for example as an eligibility criterion for the purpose of the disability tax credit. Significantly, the CRA also administers the Excise Tax Act.
Using legal blindness as the equivalent of blindness in section 30 opens the door to the “CNIB card” as a practical means of verifying a person’s visual status. This card, issued by the CNIB based on a professional vision assessment, is widely accepted in Canada as documented confirmation that the holder is legally blind.
First Bullet – A supply of any Article Specially Designed For The Use Of Blind Individuals
Can it be said that RBM Smart Glasses are specially designed for the use of blind individuals? In my view, the key consideration here is the partnership that brought Be My Eyes to RBM Smart Glasses. There can be no question that Be My Eyes was, and continues to be, specially designed to be used by persons who are blind or have low vision. In my view, it is reasonable to suggest that this attribute of Be My Eyes became imbedded into RBM Smart Glasses when the partnership arrangement was implemented. This made Be My Eyes available on a handsfree basis; a significant advantage for blind persons.
RBM Smart Glasses are not designed exclusively for use by blind persons. Nevertheless, I see no reason why section 30 should be considered to be restricted only to products designed exclusively for blind persons. The fact that RBM Smart Glasses are of interest to sighted persons does not make them less beneficial to someone who is blind. In addition, if design exclusivity had been intended for the purpose of section 30, it can be expected that express language to that effect would have been used.
Second Bullet – If the Article Is Supplied For Use By A Blind Individual
Based on the second bullet, a section 30 exemption is only available in the case of a retail sale to a person who is blind. The second bullet implicitly calls for a determination of the purchaser’s vision status. This determination of vision status would need to be made on a case-by-case basis, and so it would need to be made by the retail seller. It is the seller that collects and remits GST. In my view the most practical way of confirming the purchaser’s vision status is through the use of the CNIB card. If a person purchasing RBM Smart Glasses presents their CNIB card to the seller, this should be taken as satisfactory confirmation that the Smart Glasses are “for use by a blind individual”.
Third Bullet –If The Article Is Supplied by The Canadian National Institute For The Blind Or Any Other Bona Fide Institution Or Association For Blind Individuals Or On The Order Or Certificate Of A Specified Professional
The third-bullet language referring to an order or certificate of a “specified professional” can be dismissed at the outset. In my view, it is unnecessary and unrealistic for anyone to consult with a health care professional prior to purchasing RBM Smart Glasses. With RBM Smart Glasses, there are no functional variables to be selected, and the benefit of the Glasses for blind persons is a matter of public record rather than professional expertise. This means, in my view, the third-bullet language referring to a “specified professional” has no practical application to the retail supply process for RBM Smart Glasses.
Continuing with the retail supply process for RBM Smart Glasses, I am not aware of any institution or association in Canada that supplies products to blind persons on a retail basis except for the CNIB. Accordingly, I will limit my comments to CNIB.
The CNIB has never stocked or sold RBM Smart Glasses. Rather, these Smart Glasses are available in Canada from regular retail establishments including some locations supplying prescription eyewear. The fact that RBM Smart Glasses are unavailable from the CNIB raises a question: How could RBM Smart Glasses be considered to be supplied “by” the CNIB, given that that institution does not stock or sell these Glasses?
The preposition “by” plays a key role In section 30. Since a supply of RBM Smart Glasses cannot be directly “made by” or “provided by” the CNIB, could the preposition “by” carry a more expansive meaning for the purpose of section 30?
The preposition “by” can sometimes be taken as synonymous with “by means of”. This invites a more expansive range of meaning. Taking a more expansive perspective, I suggest that for the purpose of section 30, a product supplied “by” the CNIB can be understood as including a product supply “supported by” or “facilitated by” the CNIB.
In this regard, through the use of the CNIB card, the CNIB can be considered as playing a supporting or facilitating role in the RBM supply process. The CNIB card supports or facilitates the supply of RBM Smart Glasses by enabling the retail seller to confirm that the purchaser is blind, as required by the second bullet.
Reading the third bullet in an expansive manner gives section 30 practical application to the purchase of RBM Smart Glasses. This expansive reading forms an integral part of my GST tax refund request letter. I expect to receive a response from the tax authority before long. When I do, I hope to report back through this Newsletter.
Afterword
This summer I spent many hours contemplating the possibility of a GST exemption for RBM Smart Glasses. Sometimes, perhaps as poetic relief, I found myself returning to the words and cadence of “The Swimming Song” by Loudon Wainwright III (He also gave us “Dead skunk” (in the middle of the road). His memorable aquatic song begins with the lines: This summer I went swimming/ This summer I might have drowned/ but I held my breath and I kicked my feet/ And I moved my arms around. He recounts a number of approaches to swimming and diving, including the bombastic cannon ball! I encourage you to look up the rest of this entertaining song by a talented and witty songwriter. Those familiar with The Swimming Song may detect the influence of LW III in the verses that follow.
Ode To A Tax Exemption
This summer I went digging
I dug quite long and hard
I was looking for some tax relief
Using my CNIB card
When I bought my Ray-Ban glasses
I had to pay some GST
I asked myself, is this a tax
On disability?
I dug into the tax legislation
Then an idea came to play
Try reading the statutory language
In a more expansive way
I noticed a small preposition
It’s almost beyond belief
That this little word with only two letters
Fuels my claim for tax relief
So I wrote to the tax officials
I hope they agree with me
That there is no rhyme, nor any reason
To tax disability.
This article was prepared by David Woods who is a part of the CCB community in Ottawa. Before retiring he worked as a Legislative Counsel with the federal Department of Justice.
www.ccbnational.net
ccb@ccbnational.net
1-877-304-0968