After a successful convention this month, the Canadian Federation of the Blind (CFB) elected a new executive board at its annual general meeting on May 13, 2012 in Victoria, BC.

Members elected Mary Ellen Gabias as their new president. Mary Ellen is a founding member of the organization and has worked tirelessly to spread the group’s positive message about blindness.

“I am excited about taking on this position. When provided with adequate training and given opportunity, blind people can and do compete on terms of equality with the sighted,” explained Gabias.

One of the new president’s top priorities is to convince government that paying for blindness skills training and giving blind people a choice of where to obtain this training is cost effective.

“Unfortunately, adequate training is not available in British Columbia because government has abdicated its responsibility to make sure blind individuals have options,” says Gabias.

On another important matter, Gabias says she is encouraged by the continuing efforts of the public library system to develop truly inclusive library services for blind patrons and says the organization will continue to support that effort.

Elizabeth Lalonde, stepped down from the president’s position after a decade of service, so she could pursue other important projects relevant to blind Canadians. “I am not stepping down; I am stepping forward. My goal over the next few years is to work towards improving blindness skills training and employment for blind people,” says Lalonde.

The Canadian Federation of the Blind wishes to welcome other new executive members including: Gail Copp, first vice-president; Graeme McCreath, treasurer; and Heidi Propp, member at large, and is grateful to Dr. Paul Gabias, second vice-president, and Doris Belusic, secretary for their continued hard work and service.

The Federation also wishes to thank outgoing executive members Oriano Belusic, Larry Scharschmidt and Erin Lacharity, for their dedication and commitment over the years.

The Canadian Federation of the Blind is an organization of blind people committed to the equality and empowerment of blind Canadians. Through advocacy, public education and mentoring, members work for change, promote a positive perspective on blindness and together gain confidence and skills.

For more information about the organization, please contact us at 1-800-619-8789 or visit our website at www.cfb.ca

Executive Members of the CFB

Mary Ellen Gabias, newly-elected president, is a board member of the American Action Fund and a national and international employment advisor for the blind. Mary Ellen has more than 35 years of experience in work with blind people, including rehabilitation counseling, work with blind seniors and program development.

Before immigrating to Canada, she served as Assistant Director of the Job Opportunities for the Blind project of the National Federation of the Blind in the United States where she created and taught a career information curriculum to more than two thousand program participants. Since coming to Canada in 1989, Ms. Gabias has served as the editor for a national magazine for blind people and is a co-founder of the Canadian Federation of the Blind.

Gail Copp, first vice-president, has worked in the blind community through volunteering with the Victoria Blind Curling Club, teaching a course in the basics of Braille through the Esquimalt Recreation Centre and as an assistant for blind students at the Victoria School District. Gail currently works as a software developer for an IT consulting company in Vancouver, BC.

Dr. Paul Gabias, second vice-president, was born in Montréal and obtained his Ph.D. from New York University in 1988. He currently works as an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan, where he has developed several courses, including courses in tactile perception and in the psychological aspects of advocacy. Dr. Gabias founded the CFB and holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Victoria in recognition of his pioneering work improving opportunities for the blind of Canada.

Doris Belusic, secretary, is a founding member of the CFB and has served as secretary for almost 10 years. She has been editor and is currently assistant editor of a blindness magazine and writes extensively on blindness issues. She has worked for 30 years at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, and more recently has been co-contractor with her husband in building houses.

Graeme McCreath, treasurer, was born in Liverpool, England where he attended a school for the blind and attended a Physiotherapy training program in London, specifically designed for blind students. After immigrating to Canada, Mr. McCreath worked at the Victoria General Hospital for several years before opening his own physiotherapy practice in Victoria. He is the authour of the book, The Politics of Blindness.

Elizabeth Lalonde, past-president, has extensive personal and professional experience in the field of blindness. Ms. Lalonde recently completed a nine-month intensive blindness immersion training program at the Louisiana Center for the Blind. After earning a BA with a double major in journalism and anthropology from the University of Victoria, she worked as a communications co-ordinator for the Province of British Columbia and served as president of the CFB from 2002 to 2012.

Heidi Propp, member at large, studied psychology at the University of Victoria. Ms. Propp’s goals are to attend the Colorado Training Centre for the blind in the US, to help bring a blindness skills training Centre to Canada, and be part of realizing the dream of full, equal participation in society for blind Canadians.