Recognizing the iPhone as a very powerful information access tool for the blind, the District 19 Zone I-2 Lions, represented by 12 clubs situated on Southern Vancouver Island, are excited to be sponsoring a project that will see up to 12 blind individuals be equipped with their very own unlocked iPhone 5, valued at $783. each.

In partnership with the Canadian Federation of the Blind (CFB), the iPhone project goals are to: boost individuals’ employment prospects, enhance individuals’ independence, increase community participation, integration, and generally, improve one’s quality of life.

We encourage all interested blind Canadians to apply in writing, by submitting a brief request letter, and email it to: djones@uvic.ca

Please make the subject text: “Lion’s iPhone Project”, and in the body of the message, provide your street address, phone number and a statement about how the iPhone would specifically benefit you in relation to the above project goals.

Approved applicants will be prioritized and wait-listed for iPhones, as new units become available. (The program will initially be launched on Lower Vancouver Island but as success is demonstrated there, the Lion/Lioness committee will encourage clubs to become sponsors in other regions across Canada where applicants reside.) Individuals receiving the iPhones are responsible for purchasing the apps they require and for their own on-going monthly data and cell-phone plan expenses.

Members of the Canadian Federation of the Blind (CFB) will provide the iPhone recipients with beginner’s device orientation, information on useful blindness-specific iPhone apps, and on-going mentoring support, via CFB’s TeamTalk audio server.

The iPhone recipients’ names and circumstances will be shared with interested Lions Clubs, to promote the program and enable project outcome evaluation.

Did you know: that this mainstream device is being used by the blind to participate on social media, such as Twitter and Facebook; to identify the colour of clothing; browse web pages; listen to audio books and YouTube; send and receive email; identify products and objects; convert printed text into spoken information; explore city maps; obtain real-time GPS information while travelling; identify Canadian and US bank notes; confirm whether household lights are on or off; do audio recordings of classroom notes or favorite recipes; make and receive phone calls; not to mention Siri, which is available to answer all kinds of inquiries; plus much, much more in specific disciplines and hobby pursuits.

If access to that kind of technology would significantly benefit you, the Lions would be very interested in receiving an application from you for the new iPhone 5.