Advertisment: Discover a variety of phones designed with accessibility in mind on Canada\u2019s best national network. Plus special savings are available for customers with accessibility needs. Learn more. bell.ca\/network Bell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is hard to believe, but as we continue to move forward we have now turned the calendar to December, and it is gratifying to see many of our Chapters planning their Christmas returns to getting together in person. While we take time to celebrate, we must also take time to reflect on the hardships faced by many of our members and families in British Columbia and Nova Scotia, who have faced terrible flooding recently. While still maintaining a cautious approach to the pandemic. The CCB family certainly sends our thoughts and prayers to those affected by this destructive anomaly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is very compelling to see the results of the wonderful collaboration that produced the Cost of Vision Loss and Blindness in Canada report, and its subsequent addendum on the impact of COVID-19 on eye health. Our community has strong evidence why the Government of Canada should fulfill its promised National Vision Health Plan. The crisis of preventable blindness impacting over 8 million Canadians needs to be addressed to improve the lives of the 1.2 million Canadians living with uncorrectable vision loss who need better care and services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is through strong partnerships with all involved like our partners at Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC), and through strong leadership from their President and CEO, Doug Earle, and team, that we can achieve these goals as a community together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was illustrated by CCB working with FBC and others in the community to encourage the provincial governments to provide public access to Luxturna. This is the first Health Canada approved gene therapy, which restores sight for people by replacing the malfunctioning RPE65 gene and creating the precedent for public funding of future innovative treatments that are on the way. It is encouraging that these efforts have resulted in the provincial governments agreeing to start negotiations on November 25th <\/sup>to secure access to Luxturna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to extend my thanks and congratulations to the CCB GTT staff and volunteers for their continued support to answer the technical needs of those blind or partially sighted. Our GTT team continues to ensure their awareness and education of cutting edge technology and applications as they evolve, and ensures this expertise is available to all, whether beginners, or tech savvy. A great job and a big thanks for always keeping the bar high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In reflection, as we continue and advance our roles in eye care, wellness, and advocacy through many strong partnerships in communities, provinces and territories, nationally, and internationally, it is through the work of all that we are able to proudly speak on behalf of the community we represent so well. This community is made up of members, committees, staff, the many volunteers who assist in the cause, and on behalf of the National Board of Directors, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe, and very happy holiday season, and the best for 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jim Tokos<\/p>\n\n\n\n National President<\/p>\n\n\n\n White Cane Week events for 2022 are being expanded! Because of that and needing to move things because of the COVID-19 pandemic both live and virtual White Cane Week events will be taking place in two different times during the year. While there will still be White Cane Week events in February, several will be happening during Vision Month in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n February 12 Virtual<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Expo Forum: Reforming Ontario\u2019s Assistive Devices Program<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Release of findings from patient survey on Ontario\u2019s Assistive Devices Program designed to give the present state of this important program and provide recommendations on, whether or not, it needs to be reformed and\/or updated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n February 18<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n White Cane Magazine publishing date<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n February 22 Virtual<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Preventable Blindness Summit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A discussion on preventable vision loss and blindness for over 8 million Canadians, including the need for eye examinations, eliminating the COVID-19 backlog, cataract surgery and the need for reducing wait times, requirements of vulnerable seniors and children and investment in research to reduce the number of people living with uncorrectable vision loss by 2050.<\/p>\n\n\n\n May 2 and 3 Live in Ottawa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hill Day<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n May 9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n White Cane Magazine second edition publishing date<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n May 16 Virtual and Live in Ottawa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Vision Month Summit on National Vision Health Strategy, Vision Desk and increased Vision Health Research Funding.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A discussion on achieving the vision health communities push for a National Vision Health Strategy, a Vision Desk, and increased Vision Health Research Funding and how best to engage Canadians and government in preventing blindness and restoring sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n May 17 Virtual and Live in Ottawa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n CCB Vision Month 2022 Gala Dinner<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n May 28 Live in Toronto<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Toronto Visionaries Experience Expo Vision Consumer Show<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n May 28 Virtual and Live in Toronto<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View Point and Vision Month Forum \u2013 a combined FBC and CCB Event.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A Canadian Council of the Blind and Fighting Blindness Canada event discussing a patient\u2019s right to be informed consent and full disclosure for whatever the treatment, including all of the informed therapies, their side effects, dosage frequency, all options, even costs (should never influence what a patient is prescribed) before a treatment decision is made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we head into 2022, I am pleased to let you know that our partnership with AIRA continues. Below are the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ll also tell you about a pending plan for AIRA to partner with the TD Bank, and some AIRA holiday specials so read on!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aira is proud to partner with The Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) to make visual interpreting services available to more people. To encourage the CCB members to try our service, we are extending special CCB Membership pricing starting on October 1st, 2020. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Minutes: 30 per month<\/p>\n\n\n\n Price: $20.00 per month<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plan Share: no additional users <\/p>\n\n\n\n Minutes: 140 per month<\/p>\n\n\n\n Price: $99.00 per month <\/p>\n\n\n\n Plan Share: up to two additional users <\/p>\n\n\n\n To qualify for these plans, one must be a member in good standing of The CCB or its affiliates or chapters for the current membership year. Membership will be verified through the CCB head office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aira provides visual information through our smartphone app and trained agents, 24\/7, 365 days per year. Agents are screened and adhere to strict security protocols. Our app uses the camera of your smartphone plus GPS and other powerful tools to give you the visual information you need, on your terms. To learn more about Aira, visit our web site at<\/p>\n\n\n\n www.aira.io<\/a> or call our Customer Care Team at 1.800.835.1934. <\/p>\n\n\n\n From the AIRA partner @TDBank: Aira will be rolled out in 2022 for TD branches in Canada to further optimize independence and accessibility for our blind and low vision community in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regarding other news, AIRA\u2019s Holiday Cheer promo will take place from now through December 31, 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can win prizes just for using the AIRA Access Network partner locations. Each Friday through the end of 2021AIRA will draw an account from those that have used any of AIRA\u2019s Access Network partner offers since the beginning of the contest. There will be two separate drawings, one for US customers and one for customers in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Access Network partner offers include any location-based offers, like airports in Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver. On-line Access Network offers include museums and zoos from the Nova Scotia Museum to Shedd Aquarium and the Smithsonian National Zoo. Vispero, maker of JAWS, ZoomText and fusion also has an Access Network offer that qualifies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For more details about this promotion, visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n http:\/\/www.aira.io\/access-promotions-overview<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Submitted by Leo Bissonnette, CCB 1st Vice President<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emily Payne is a CCB member from Newfoundland. She is 61 years old, a mother of two, and was born with a lazy eye and near sighted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emily had vision issues as a child, and continued to lose more sight over her life. She was diagnosed as legally blind in her right eye by the time she was an adult, and her sight in her left eye continued to deteriorate as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 13 years ago, Emily moved back to Newfoundland from Nova Scotia, where she was living at the time. At this point her eyesight was so bad; she had to give up her driver\u2019s license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emily continued to struggle with her eyesight, and with the onset of cataracts<\/a>, coupled with a bleed in her eye, by the end of April 2020, she had lost all clear vision in her good eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She met with her doctor, who suggested surgery. The surgery would remove the cataracts, and replace the lens in the eye with a special lens that would correct her near sightedness. With financial support from her sister to cover the cost of the surgery, which she is extremely grateful for, Emily went ahead with the procedure in March of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe day after surgery, I could see the best I\u2019ve ever seen in my life.\u201d Emily recalls. \u201cI can now see myself clearly in the mirror, and without glasses\u2013something I could never do before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s been 8 months and she\u2019s still feeling childlike wonder every time she opens her eyes and looks around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe biggest thing for me is seeing colours and texture.\u201d she explains. \u201cgoing for a walk and seeing buds growing on trees, seeing stars\u2014it\u2019s these little things that you don\u2019t\u2019 notice that really make a difference in life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her improved vision has made a big difference in her physical activity as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is the first time in life I\u2019ve had normal vision, and it\u2019s made such a difference in my mobility.\u201d Emily says. \u201cI can move faster now, and with confidence. In fact, I recently just walked 5km, something I wouldn\u2019t have done before the surgery.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emily has been very involved with CCB over the past 5 years, which she credits as being a life saver. She loves the camp, games, sports and the events CCB hosts, and she really blossomed as a person by becoming involved with the organization. It gave her a chance to be herself amongst people who understood what she was going through. A true peer supportive environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emily is still a full member of CCB and proud!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emily\u2019s story is a true reminder of a big part of CCB\u2019s mandate\u2014eye health. It speaks to the importance of taking care of your eyes, and seeing an eye doctor on a regular basis. CCB is proud to have Emily as a member, and we wish her well as she continues to explore her new world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Advertisment: VIA Rail Canada, Ready for your comeback?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n In recent weeks much has been written about the ArriveCan app: concerns about the accessibility of the app <\/a>for visually impaired individuals wishing to travel to the United States. The CCB National Advocacy Committee has been very active on this file having had productive discussions with the Canadian Border Services Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a Canadian citizen you will not be denied boarding of your flight or entry into Canada if you do not use ArriveCAN. (This information is found directly on the ArriveCAN website: Use ArriveCAN to enter Canada \u2013 Canada.ca<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Persons with a disability are exempt from having to provide their information by ArriveCAN and will not be subject to any consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A verbal declaration can be provided to the CBSA and paper format of any required documents such as your vaccine status and COVID test results can be given to the CBSA and\/or to PHAC officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have an inquiry, please contact the ArriveCAN traveller support line by phone at 1-800-461-9999 (toll-free in Canada and the USA). Live agents are available from Monday to Friday from 7am to 8pm. Saturday, Sunday and Federal statutory holidays from 10 am to 6 pm ET.<\/p>\n\n\n\n tarting October 30, 2021, persons 12 years of age and older need to be fully vaccinated in order to board domestic or international flights departing from most airports in Canada, including charter and foreign airlines carrying commercial passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a transition period until November 29, 2021, which will allow travellers who don\u2019t qualify as fully vaccinated to travel if they can show a valid COVID-19 molecular test taken within 72 hours of travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to the proof of vaccination requirement, all existing mandatory pre-boarding and health requirements for passengers remain in place, including health check questions, and wearing masks inside airports and while on board the plane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pre-entry testing and other requirements to follow for your trip- COVID-19 vaccinated travelers entering Canada \u2013 Travel restrictions in Canada \u2013 Travel.gc.ca<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The CBSA is committed to meeting its obligations under the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations, by providing the following accessibilities services:<\/p>\n\n\n\n While all new border services officer (BSO) recruits receiving training on disability awareness as part of the CBSA\u2019s Officer Induction Training Program, the Agency is in the midst of developing a dedicated training course to educate CBSA staff of the support options that need to be offered to persons with disabilities as they undergo border processes. This course is expected to launch in December 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnnouncements<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
White Cane Week Event Schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
White Cane Week Scheduled Events \u2013 February 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Vision Month Scheduled Events\u2013 May 2022<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
CCB and AIRA Partnership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Organization Plan <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
CCB Member Intro Plan:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
CCB Member Enhanced Plan:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Emily\u2019s Story<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
ArriveCan App<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
General Information for Travelers with Disabilities <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mandatory vaccination to board<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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