{"id":7523,"date":"2025-09-15T21:09:54","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T21:09:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/?p=7523"},"modified":"2025-10-15T22:43:57","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T22:43:57","slug":"world-sight-day-conference-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/world-sight-day-conference-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"World Sight Day Conference 2025","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/WSD2025-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"Event banner for the Canadian Council of the Blind. Top: CCB logo. Center: \u201cRight to Sight\u201d over a large stylized eye with the words \u201cACT NOW \/ ACT TOGETHER.\u201d Bottom: \u201cWorld Sight Day 2025 Conference.\u201d Blue frame around the design.\" class=\"wp-image-7524\" style=\"width:634px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/WSD2025-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/WSD2025-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/WSD2025-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/WSD2025-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/WSD2025-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/WSD2025-2048x2048.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-size:30px;line-height:1.2\"><strong>World Sight Day 2025<\/strong><br>Right to Sight<br><em>Act now, Act Together<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><em>Together we will accelerate prevention, support mental health, and strengthen accessibility in vision health.<br><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>North York Central Library \u2014 Concourse Event Space<br>5120 Yonge Street<br>Toronto, ON M2N 5N9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Thursday, October 9, 2025<br>1:00\u20135:00 p.m. (EDT)<br>Eastern Daylight Time<em>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-63068d99 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-75\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-ast-global-color-1-background-color has-background has-text-align-center has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/_Qax5f1IOkY\" style=\"font-size:30px\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Watch the Recording<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">We invite you to watch the\u00a0<strong>World Sight Day Conference<\/strong>, an afternoon dedicated to exploring the future of vision health in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-2f515b0c9968162ab550e2d23d72aafe\"><strong>About the Event<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The goal of this conference is to raise awareness about the intersection of&nbsp;<strong>eye health research, lived experience, mental health, and accessibility<\/strong>. With the theme&nbsp;<strong>\u201cAct Now, Act Together\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;we will highlight the urgent need to influence policies, amplify voices, and ensure that inclusive decision-making is at the heart of vision health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-c15f6402afb5992ab9618a765b5bfe5a\"><strong>Highlights of the Conference<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Engaging presentations from researchers, advocates, and individuals with lived experience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Discussions on mental health, accessibility, and inclusive policy-making.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">A light lunch with sandwiches will&nbsp;be&nbsp;provided for attendees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">A networking hour to connect with colleagues, advocates, and leaders in the field.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-63068d99 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-75\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-ast-global-color-1-background-color has-background has-text-align-center has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Act-Now-Act-Together-PDF-AgendaProgram.pdf\" style=\"font-size:30px\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">VIEW FULL AGENDA (PDF)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-63068d99 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-75\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-ast-global-color-1-background-color has-background has-text-align-center has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/CCB-Act-Now-Act-Together-Conference-Agenda-WORD-VERSION.docx\" style=\"font-size:30px\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">VIEW FULL AGENDA (WORD)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-1e1895cdd59c9f4270438da3237cb903\"><strong>Featured Speakers &amp; Sessions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Fran\u00e7ois Couillard, CEO, Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO)<\/strong>&nbsp;will provide an update on progress toward national eye health policy and what it means for Canada\u2019s vision health landscape.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Dr. Hiba Mannan, Head of Professional Services, Specsavers Canada<\/strong>&nbsp;will share findings from the new&nbsp;<em>Canada Eyecare Report 2025<\/em>, exploring awareness challenges, barriers to access, and why certain groups remain most at risk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Andrew Galster, Executive Director, CNIB Ontario,<\/strong>&nbsp;will speak about&nbsp;<em>A Clear Start<\/em>, highlighting the urgency of early childhood eye exams, their link to long-term outcomes, and strategies to improve uptake through health and education systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Larissa Moniz, PhD, Director, Research &amp; Mission Programs, Fighting Blindness Canada,<\/strong>&nbsp;will present&nbsp;<em>Innovative Therapies in Vision Science: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities<\/em>, exploring emerging treatments such as gene therapy, cell replacement, optogenetics, and retinal prostheses, as well as the challenges of regulation, long-term safety, cost, and access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Melanie Marsden, Social Worker <strong>(Keynote Speaker<\/strong><\/strong>)&nbsp;will share her lived experience as an Indigenous blind woman and her 20+ years as a social worker. Her keynote will highlight resilience, the role of technology, and the importance of collaboration in improving mental health and breaking down barriers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">This is an opportunity to learn, connect, and commit to making a difference!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-63068d99 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-75\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-ast-global-color-1-background-color has-background has-text-align-center has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/_Qax5f1IOkY\" style=\"font-size:30px\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Watch the Recording<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-150e1e76d30f1d6c8f03da6932da5de2\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><br><strong><strong>THIS CCB CONFERENCE WAS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"284\" src=\"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sponsors_Website_20252400px-1024x284.png\" alt=\"Canadian Council of the Blind Sponsors' Logos [Abbvie, AMI, Astellas, Bausch+Lomb, Bayer, Johnson &amp; Johnson, Roche, Specsavers]\" class=\"wp-image-7289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sponsors_Website_20252400px-1024x284.png 1024w, https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sponsors_Website_20252400px-300x83.png 300w, https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sponsors_Website_20252400px-768x213.png 768w, https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sponsors_Website_20252400px-1536x427.png 1536w, https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sponsors_Website_20252400px-2048x569.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>World Sight Day 2025Right to SightAct now, Act Together Together we will accelerate prevention, support mental health, and strengthen accessibility in vision health. North York Central Library \u2014 Concourse Event Space5120 Yonge StreetToronto, ON M2N 5N9 Thursday, October 9, 20251:00\u20135:00 p.m. (EDT)Eastern Daylight Time. We invite you to watch the\u00a0World Sight Day Conference, an afternoon [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":3,"featured_media":7524,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7523","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-conference","category-event"],"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"link","format":"url"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7523","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7523"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7523\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7612,"href":"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7523\/revisions\/7612"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7524"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7523"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7523"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccbnational.net\/shaggy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7523"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}