Help a blind person attend a life-changing blindness empowerment event. All money goes directly to the CFB. All donations are welcome whether large or small.

You can support the CFB Empowerment Fund (or assist with CFB’s other activities -please specify) by sending a cheque to:

Canadian Federation of the Blind
P.O. Box 8007
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada V8W 3R7
Or, by contributing online through PayPal:

About the CFB

The Canadian Federation of the Blind is a nonprofit organization of blind people committed to the equality and empowerment of blind Canadians. We work together to improve the skills, self confidence and independence of blind people, and to promote a positive perspective of blindness.

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re probably right.”

For more information about our organization, please visit www.cfb.ca

Empowerment Event

This annual, week-long gathering of close to 3000 blind people, hosted by CFB’s sister organization, the National Federation of the Blind, (www.nfb.org) brings blind people together from around the world to mentor each other, to build self confidence and to learn a positive perspective on blindness.

At this event, participants will take part in a wide array of seminars and classes related to employment, independence and blindness skills, such as travel with the long white cane, adaptive technology and Braille; they will hear speakers who talk about blindness from a positive and proactive perspective; they will participate in workshops on everything from blind parents, to blind lawyers, to blind educators, to blind journalists; and they will take part in events such as adaptive technology exhibits, employment seminars and recreational activities.

These events provide exceptional training, education and employment information to participants. But the chief benefit of attending this gathering of nearly three thousand blind people (the largest gathering of blind and visually-impaired people in the world) is the opportunity to network with others and to come to understand the diversity, potential and normalcy of the blind.

Testimonials

The following articles and excerpts come from the Canadian Federation of the Blind website, publications and other materials.

From a speech given by Shane Baker at the Canadian Federation of the Blind “Moving Forward” Convention 2007, in Victoria, BC:

I am 29 years old. I have been blind for four years. Yesterday was the anniversary of my accident. I sustained a serious trauma to my head and damaged my optic nerves.

When I woke from the coma, I was blind. My life as I knew it was over. I remember saying to my mom ‘I don’t want to live if I can’t see’.

It was a hard time for me, and I received little support over the next few years

Then one day, I was given a CFB brochure.

And Now here I am.

You all have helped me. At first, I went to a few CFB meetings, and what I found was a group of people who had passion, fire, and who believed strongly in what they were talking about.

It was that level of people coming together — I wanted to be with these people, to hear these intelligent, these strong people. I said ‘hey, this is for me’.

The CFB gave me some money to help me go to the NFB convention in Dallas last summer – to help me pay for meals and things. My mother went with me.

It was one in the morning when we first stepped in the door of the hotel; it was something special. I heard chimes wringing from a clock, and people laughing. People welcomed me, knowing it was my first convention. The confidence that emanated from these people was something to be proud of.

Over the next few days, I would be lying if I said it wasn’t overwhelming. It brought back emotions of loss and grief. But with the help of my mother and people from the CFB, I was able to face my fears.

Now I know this cane I am holding is something to be proud of. I’m not worried about being blind anymore. I am proud to be here.

Every time I went to a session at the convention, there was that passion – the passion I had lost when I lost my sight.

A friend I met there told me that, if I learned the skills of blindness, blindness would become a nuisance, not a nightmare. Now take moment to think about that — because that is what blindness was to me – a nightmare.

During that week, I was able to say to myself ‘you know, you can dream.’ I have so much potential, and now I won’t let myself be limited by my lack of sight.

From a speech given by Nancy Gill at the CFB “Moving Forward” Convention 2007, in Victoria, BC:

I have been legally blind for 17 years. I knew I needed help. I knew needed support.

I was afraid to leave home. I wanted to meet other people who were blind. I was afraid to use my cane. I was afraid to show people I was blind.

But a call to CFB and talking to the people helped me to be strong.

I raised money to help me go to the convention in Dallas. I was so happy. I learned a lot. I went to a seminar for parents who are blind, and I spoke at this meeting.

A few months after the convention, I went mountain climbing in Peru.

I had to keep climbing. I couldn’t look back. I had to keep going up. Now I know a blind person can do it, a blind person can climb a mountain.

From a speech given at the Canadian Federation of the Blind ‘Believe’ Convention 2005, Victoria, BC, by President Elizabeth Lalonde:

Putting It Into Context
What is the Canadian Federation of the Blind?

I will tell you about the first time I encountered the Federation and what first went through my mind.

Thanks to the hard work and fundraising efforts of Marry Ellen and Dr. Paul Gabias, I was one of the fortunate people who went to New Orleans back in 1997 to the National Federation of the Blind convention. A group of us went for free on this incredible adventure. But I don’t think any of us at the time knew what we were getting into and how fortunate we were to get this opportunity.

All I knew was that I was going to some blind person conference in the south, maybe about 200 people or so, and I couldn’t wait to see Bourbon Street and have a relaxing vacation.

Well, I was right about a few things. I was going to the South, and there were blind people there, and I did get to see Bourbon Street, briefly.

However, once I got there, I didn’t have time to relax, and the 200 blind people I had expected became in reality 15 times that number. Boy, had I underestimated the size and scope of the National Federation of the Blind.

As I sat in a room the size of a large banquet hall, and listened to the sound of 3000 people, mostly blind people talking all around me, and heard the tapping of white canes everywhere, and felt the energy of so many people gathered together in one place – all blindpeople taking charge of their lives and feeling good about themselves, I was in awe.

Actually, I was overwhelmed. I had never heard of the National Federation of the Blind before this convention. How could such a large and influential and positive organization exist on the same continent for over 50 years, without my knowledge?

I came home exhausted, confused and motivated. And, immediately started researching the National Federation of the Blind.

I haven’t stopped since.

Throughout my life, an energy had lived in me — a positive view of my blindness and my abilities, a feeling of pride, but I never found a clear way to express this feeling, until I found the National Federation of the Blind. Finally, I had discovered a group of people who were blind and who didn’t think blindness was a big deal, a group of people who used their canes unashamedly, and who made blindness seem ordinary and acceptable and best of all respectable. Finally, I had found my place…

In closing, I want to tell you about my second National Federation of the Blind national convention this past July in Louisville Kentucky. This time I was prepared. My mom, my son Rhys and I spent the entire day traveling on 3 planes to get there, and it was worth it.

The National Federation of the Blind conventions are like nothing else.
They include: workshops and seminars on a range of blindness issues from technology, to occupations, to education. There are meetings for blind lawyers, blind medical workers, blind entrepreneurs, and parents of blind children. There are dances, exhibits, a banquet and a camp for children both blind and sighted. And there is a general session with speakers who make you think, who make you cry, who make you laugh, who make you say to yourself, — it’s really ok to be blind…

Excerpt from a president’s message by Dr. Paul Gabias on the benefits of attending the National Federation of the Blind gatherings:

“National Federation of the Blind events provide invaluable educational experiences for blind Canadians including: programs dealing with employment in various fields, seminars on adaptive technology, research and development of technical aids for the blind, workshops for participants, parents of blind children, blind parents of sighted children, guide dog users, people with diabetes, blind children, and the deaf-blind…”

“Teachers, co-ordinators, and mentors present a positive attitude towards blindness. This positive outlook refreshes the mind, uplifts the spirit, and recharges people…”

“Consider the group of blind professionals represented at these Conventions: meetings of blind lawyers, blind educators, blind computer scientists, blind journalists, blind musicians, blind human service workers, blind secretaries, blind merchants, blind scientists, blind government employees, and blind entrepreneurs.”

“Attendees say these events improve their outlook on blindness and provide them with practical skills and techniques for their daily lives. They benefit from networking with other blind people in various careers, and use what they learn to improve the lives of other blind people in their local communities.”

From THE BLIND CANADIAN, Volume 1, March 2003
A Publication of the Canadian Federation of the Blind:

U.S. National Federation of the Blind Convention
By Doris Belusic

For anyone unfamiliar with National Federation of the Blind conventions, they are life-changing experiences. I feel fortunate to have attended three of these conventions with my husband Oriano: Atlanta, 1999; Dallas, 1998; and New Orleans, 1997. Each time, we returned home full of inspiration and knowledge that became integral to our daily lives.

The convention is an annual, week-long gathering of thousands of blind people from around the world, of all ages and backgrounds. These people come together in a positive atmosphere to celebrate the personal and collective achievements of people who are blind. They come to learn, find inspiration, recharge and have a good time. Many are repeat convention-goers who have been attending for decades.

Around the same time each year, a large U.S. city hosts the convention. Federationists stay in a first-rate hotel, which offers excellent rates.

The convention boasts a jam-packed agenda, and there is something for everyone. There are seminars and workshops on topics such as computers and technology, jobs, Braille, and ham radio.

There are meetings for dog guide users, diabetics, parents of blind children and the deaf/blind. There are meetings of blind merchants, educators, lawyers, journalists, industrial workers, entrepreneurs, public employees, health care professionals and musicians. There are social events and activity tours for adults and families and a day camp for children.

The Exhibit Hall is a major attraction providing everything from Braille, print or tape publications on blindness issues, to aids and appliances useful to the blind. Hundreds of salespeople demonstrate new technology and people browse, ask questions, and try the equipment.

The banquet is the highlight of the week. This event features good food, a chance to mingle with other conference-goers and a keynote address from the NFB president. The core of the convention is the three-and-a-half-day long General Meeting. This meeting consists of presentations, information, organization business and door prizes.

The convention sports a hubbub of activity. People meet old friends and make new ones. They share ideas and learn new skills. They do all this in a busy and stimulating environment, where blind people aren’t ashamed to use their white canes and guide dogs, where they are proud of their accomplishments.

The NFB Convention provides an important educational and inspirational experience. It represents the culmination of our philosophy. It is where we witness blind people at their best.

We learn blindness is a characteristic, not a handicap. We learn that with training and opportunity, blind people can compete on terms of equality with sighted peers.

We learn the problem of blindness is not the lack of eyesight, but the lack of positive information about blindness and the achievements of blind people.

We learn it is respectable to be blind. We learn to speak for ourselves. We see that the traditional concept of blindness is changing and we become free of old, negative attitudes.

From THE BLIND CANADIAN. Vol. 2, July 2005.
A Publication of the Canadian Federation of the Blind:

Convention Blues
by Fikru Gebrekidan

The deafening hubbub at the Atlanta Hartfield Jackson International Airport echoed in every direction, submerging the words from the public address system that never seemed to shut up. I strained my ears for any sound of a white cane or dog in harness, but all I could make out was the cry of a toddler in the distance, the rhythmic steps of a woman wearing high heels a few yards away, and the endless procession of suitcases rolling in both directions. The friendly tap-taps of white canes were long gone as was the good-natured pushing and shoving of my fellow Federationists. The relatively well-trained and eager-to-help group of volunteers at the Marriott Marquis seemed a world away and from another century.

“Does he have his ticket?” inquired a voice, addressing the airport agent whose arm I held as he escorted me past the security gate. Under normal circumstances, I would have insisted that I be spoken to instead of the person with me, but given my foreign name and the paranoid nature of airport security, I chose to forego this commonplace courtesy. I reached for the ticket in my shirt pocket, reminding myself that this was the way the world had been before the convention and the way it would continue to be afterwards.

In 1992, while a first-year graduate student at Michigan State University, I attended my first annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind, (an organization of the blind speaking for themselves) held in Charlotte, North Carolina. I have since traveled to six more conventions, which roughly translates to one convention every other year. When I missed a convention it was usually the result of being abroad doing research, and last summer I was moving to Canada, having just landed a faculty position at a university there.

As I finally eased myself into a window seat in a Boston-bound Boeing 737, I began to reflect on my decade-long love affair with National Federation of the Blind conventions: the friendships I have established (some temporary, some permanent); the strolls through the exhibit halls, where samples of the latest adaptive technology are always on display; the tears and laughter at the professionally executed plays performed by the Louisiana Center Players; the hypnotizing eloquence of the late Dr. Jernigan; and the climactic
banquet addresses by President Maurer, often punctuated with light-hearted humour.

Although these are in themselves enough reasons to make one a regular attendee at the conventions, I admit that one other factor overrides all other explanations. During fifty-one out of fifty-two weeks of the year, I live my life and work by the standards and expectations of the world at large. At the National Federation of the Blind convention, however, where thousands of blind people converge to strategize about their struggle for acceptance and equality, I am part of the majority. It is a world without stares and prejudgment, a world of freedom; it is my world, where I canafford to be myself and still be understood–liked or disliked for what I am
and not feared or avoided for what I am not. It is also the place where blind people speak up with power and confidence.

As my plane taxied and took off into the dusky Atlanta skies, I knew I was leaving behind another memorable week of convention. On the entire flight to Boston I found myself reliving my Atlanta experience with wistful nostalgia, in the same way one replays an old graduation video. Everyone I met had that youthful air of sweetness and vigour. Everything seemed to fall in place. Even the vast and open lobby of the Marriott, where nothing seemed to be in the same place twice, exuded beauty and elegance.

As we descended into Logan International two-and-a-half hours later, a gentle tap on my left shoulder roused me from my reverie. It was the flight stewardess advising me to stay behind until everyone was out, at which time she would come and get me. I remembered walking past the same flight attendant as I preboarded the plane. Why are we the first to board and the last to deplane, I silently wondered. It reminded me of some of my friends’ kids who like to dash into my high-rise apartment before their parents and are the last ones to be cajoled out.

Do the sighted perhaps think that the blind enjoy the tube-like atmosphere of the plane? Are the extra minutes in the plane a sympathetic gesture to prolong our experience of flying? I did not know the answer, nor did I follow the stewardess’s advice to stay put. I waited for my turn in the aisle, got up, opened my collapsible cane, collected my bags from the overhead bin, and headed for the exit, humming to myself Ray Charles’s classic, “Georgia on My Mind,” although what I really had in mind was not the Peach Tree State, but the convention.

From THE BLIND CANADIAN, Vol 2, July 2005.
A Publication of the Canadian Federation of the Blind:

An Awesome Adventure
My First Experience at an NFB Convention
By Larry Scharschmidt

Hello all you Federationists. The idea of attending an NFB convention manifested itself innocently enough during a glum, grey week of March in Victoria. Looking for a destination to enjoy a break from work, I thought why not. Planning an adventure would be just the right diversion. Little did I realize the impact it would have on my life.

I received a vote of confidence and support from several CFB members who had attended previous NFB conventions, and so I decided to go to the 2004 NFB convention in Atlanta Georgia. I booked all flights and hotel reservations using the phone and internet.

The day arrived, and my sister and I set off. We woke at 4:00 am for a 7:00 am departure from Victoria to Toronto, then on to Atlanta. The morning’s entertainment started when we checked in with Air Canada. Our hand luggage weighed over the 22kg per bag limit. We transferred shoes and other articles and met the criteria, much to the relief of the growing line of passengers waiting to check in behind us. I understand now why airlines require at least two hours between flights. Airport travel, security, customs, immigration and re-boarding take an inordinate amount of time.

When my sister and I finally arrived in Atlanta, we found the subway to town, and discovered the hotel without any problem.

The opening session of the convention started at 9:00 am, and I experienced some culture shock among the loud, raucous group of between 2000 and 2500 blind folk from several countries. NFB President, Dr. Maurer made his address full of inspiration and promise.

Themes of blind people’s challenges to overcome political, economic, and society’s reluctance to treat the blind as equals echoed through the sessions I attended. The Washington State affiliate gave us newbie conventioners a warm welcome and much-appreciated hospitality. The extraordinary manners and dignity from those in Georgia State eclipsed all other welcomes, including that of an unsolicited street guide who shepherded us to the Coke Cola headquarters.

The convention featured enormous opportunity and diversity. Some of the highlights included: 30 students who received substantial bursaries to further their college and university education; presenters from a range of professional, technical and social backgrounds who spoke on a variety of subjects and new technologies; and meetings for blind Webmasters, travellers and members of the Washington State Caucus. Numerous programs and activities also took place for children, parents, students and blind professionals. Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend all of these events due to time restraints and simultaneous programs.

The exhibit area, which featured low and high tech devices, inhabited its own world.

I felt in this short time at the convention, as a CFB friend put it, that “Blindness rocked and blindness ruled.” I can only say it was awesome.

*please note, we are a registered nonprofit organization, and as such cannot issue tax receipts.

The Canadian Federation of the Blind would like to thank you for your interest and support!