May 3-5, 2019

Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, 6083 McKay Ave., Burnaby, BC

Tiffany Ballroom

MC: Mary Ellen Gabias, President, Canadian Federation of the Blind

NFB Representative: Carla McQuillan, President, National Federation of the Blind of Oregon

Recording and Audio: Sky Mundell

Door Prizes: Nancy Gill

Thank you to our official convention sponsors:

AMI, Accessible Media Inc.,

Canadian Assistive Technologies Ltd.,

De Lestre Council Knights of Columbus,

B and C List

and private donors.

Employment-Empowerment Convention Agenda

Friday, May 3, 2019

9:30 AM to 10AM Registration and Information Table (just outside the Tiffany Ballroom)

10 AM to 4 PM  Adaptive technology exhibits, blindness resources and blindness skills fair (concurrent) (Tiffany Ballroom A and B)

Exhibitors from blindness-related non-profit organizations and businesses will host tables from 10 AM to 4 PM in the Ball Room.

Exhibitors include:

• Canadian Assistive Technologies Ltd.
• Blind Beginnings
• Vocal Eye
• Neil Squire Society Access RDSP Program
• Camp Bowen Society for the Independence of the Blind and Deafblind
• Pacific Training Centre for the Blind
• Disability Alliance of BC (DABC)
• BC Blind Sports and the Vancouver Eclipse Blind Hockey Team
• Library user from National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS)
• Information from Braille Literacy Canada

 

The Blindness Skills Fair, hosted by the Pacific Training Centre for the Blind and the Camp Bowen Society for the Independence of the Blind and Deafblind, will also run from 10 AM to 4 PM in Tiffany Ballroom A and B. This interactive event includes hands-on, non-visual learning opportunities:

• Explore a Tactile Miniature museum, Created and Hosted by Josh Yates;
• Try self-defence techniques from blind self-defence instructor, Johnny Tai, Night Strikes Self Defence for the Blind;
• Learn about Braille;
• try out a talking computer and smart phone;
• and practice measuring with a click ruler.

 

10 AM to 12 PM

Employment -Empowerment an Exploration of Potential: Employment Strategies Seminar (Tiffany Ballroom C)

Lead by Internationally recognized job coach and career developer Buna Dahaland organized by The Canadian Federation of the Blind Employment Mastermind Group (EMG)

Welcome and greetings, Doug Lawlor, Employment Mastermind Group Co-Chair.

 

Seminar Synopsis: The job market of tomorrow will certainly be different.  Are blind people ready to face its challenges and benefit from its opportunities?  Are employers ready to incorporate the skills and talents of blind job seekers?

 

 

This seminar will include an employment panel with blind people talking about their employment experiences. This interesting panel includes:

• Patricia Elgersma (Project Manager, HSBC)
• Donna Hudon (Support Worker – Nanaimo Association for Community Living)
• Tim Black by Skype (Radio Program Director / Group Music Director (Country) / Morning Show Host for 101 the Farm / Bell Media).
• Erik Burggraaf, Computer Programmer and Technology Training Consultant

 

1:30 PM to 2 PM

Experience a live demonstration of self-defense techniques, conducted by blind self-defence instructor, Johnny Tai, of Night Strikes Self Defence for the Blind

 

2 PM to 4:30 PM

Seminar: Blindness has No Borders: a Positive Perspective on Blindness and the Abilities of Blind People. (questions and answers, panel speakers and small group-focused topics).

(Tiffany Ballroom C)

Lead by Kerry Kijewski, Secretary, Canadian Federation of the Blind of Ontario.

Panel speakers include:

• Carla McQuillan, President, National Federation of the Blind of Oregon;
• Mary Ellen Gabias, President, Canadian Federation of the Blind;
• Erik Burggraaf, President, Canadian Federation of the Blind of Ontario;
• Jessica Gladysz, Secretary, Pacific Training Centre for the Blind and secretary, Camp Bowen Society for the Independence of the Blind and Deaf-blind;
• Shawn Marsolais, Executive Director and founder Blind Beginnings.

 

4 PM to 5 PM

Registration (just outside the Tiffany Ballroom)

 

6 PM to 8 PM

Welcome Reception: Meet and Mingle.  (Appetizers included as part of registration., cash bar)

(Tiffany Ballroom A and B)

 

8 PM to 10 PM

Live and Loud Auction to benefit the Canadian Federation of the Blind

(Tiffany Ballroom A and B)

(Auctioneer, Brian Kijewski)

We need donated auction items – baked goods, household items, gift cards, blindness gadgets, donated services and other creative ideas – all would be so helpful… Please drop off your item at the registration table located just outside the Tiffany Ballroom. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

 

Saturday, May 4, 2019

9 AM to 4:30 PM

Canadian Federation of the Blind Conference

(Tiffany Ballroom C)

 

8:15 AM to 9 AM

Registration and Information Table (Just outside the Tiffany Ballroom)

 

9 AM to 9:10AM

Conference begins. Opening Ceremony

Mary Ellen Gabias, MC and President of the Canadian Federation of the Blind

Introductions, invocation and “Live the Life You Want”, theme song of the National Federation of the Blind

 

9:10 AM to 9:20 AM

Greetings from Peter Julian, Member of Parliament, New Westminster – Burnaby

 

9:20 AM to 9:40 AM

Greetings and Update from the National Federation of the Blind

Carla McQuillan – National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Representative and President of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon.

 

9:40 AM to 10 AM

Canadian Federation of the Blind President’s Report

Mary Ellen Gabias, President, Canadian Federation of the Blind.

 

10 AM to 10:20 AM

Blind Beginnings: It Takes a Village to Raise a Child.

Shawn Marsolais, Founder and Executive Director of Blind Beginnings.

 

10:20 AM to 10:30 AM

The Silent Hazard: Update on the Canadian Federation of the Blind Legal Bike Lane Case, Oriano Belusic, Vice President, Canadian Federation of the Blind

 

10:30 AM to 10:45 AM

Empowering E-Book Accessibility: Working Toward a Brighter Future

My Experience working for the National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS),

Heidi Propp, Self-employed blindness and Accessibility Consultant.

 

10:45 AM to 11:05 AM

The Promise of Accessible Publishing: Creating an Accessible and Equitable Reading Ecosystem for Canadians with print disabilities

National Network for Equitable Library Services (NNELS)

Laurie Davidson, Emerging Initiatives Coordinator – BC Libraries Cooperative

 

11:05 AM to 11:10 AM

Perception Massage: Creating Employment Opportunities, Agnes Chow

 

11:10 AM to 11:30 AM

A History of Guide Dog Legislation in BC, Darrell Jones

 

11:30 AM to 11:40 AM

Ongoing work to fix the BC Guide Dog and Service Dog Act, Oriano Belusic.

 

11:40 AM to noon

Let Me Lead the Way –Guide Dog Discrimination First-Hand, Georgia Pike

 

Noon to 1 PM

Lunch (provided as part of registration).

 

1 PM to 1:05 PM

The Canadian Federation of the Blind Employment Mastermind Group, Doug Lawlor, Co-Chair

 

1:05 PM to 1:25 PM

Blazing New Trails Takes Persistence: My Job as a Personal Support Worker, Donna Hudon.

 

1:25PM to 1:40 PM

Experiences on the Job: Strategies for Success, Patricia Elgersma (Project Manager, HSBC)

 

1:40 PM to 1:50 PM

My work with the Government of Canada: Canada Revenue Agency, Bilingual Tax Payer Services Agent, Angell Lu-Lebel

 

1:50 PM to 2:05 PM

An Outlook is as Unique as a Fingerprint –: Outlook on the Radio.

Kerry Kijewski, Secretary, Canadian Federation of the Blind of Ontario and Brian Kijewski, Treasurer, Canadian Federation of the Blind of Ontario.

 

2:05PM to 2:15 PM

Transformational Theatre/Storytelling Workshop Info, Thelma Fayle

 

2:15 PM to 2:25 PM

Adventures on a Dragon Boat- Erin Lacharity

 

2:25 PM to 2:50 PM

Being Blind & Belonging in Academia

Laura Yvonne Bulk OT, MOT, BSW

PhD Candidate, Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia

 

2:50 PM to 3:10 PM

Camp Bowen: Preserving the Past, Building the Future

Presented by the Camp Bowen Society for the Independence of the Blind and Deafblind

 

3:10 PM to 3:35 PM

Blind People in Charge: Ring the Freedom Bell, Pacific Training Centre for the Blind (PTCB), Elizabeth Lalonde, PTCB Executive Director and centre students: Charmayne Daniels, Vanessa Pettinger, Gabrielle Bond, Josh Yates, Michelle Balantyne.

 

3:35 PM to 3:50 PM

One Voice, One Cane, One Dream: My Work in India, Anna Tolstaya

 

3:50 PM to 4:10 PM

“Make the Impossible, Possible.”

Dynamic Buna, Inc., Blind Corps – Spark Inspiration; Engender Empowerment!, Buna Dahal, MS

 

4:10 PM to 4:30 PM

Training, Opportunity and Advocacy

Report from the Canadian Federation of the Blind of Ontario (CFBO),

Erik Burggraaf, CFBO Chair.

 

4:30 PM to 4:45 PM

Aira, Instant Access to Visual Information: Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) Pilots Aira App for the Blind in Vancouver and Victoria.

David Brun, Director, Gateway Navigation CCC Ltd.

 

4:35 PM to 5 PM

Closing comments and questions.

 

6 PM to 8 PM

Banquet with inspirational blind speaker Carla McQuillan, National Federation of the Blind Representative.

MC: Elizabeth Lalonde, Past President of the Canadian Federation of the Blind.

(Banquet meal included as part of registration).

 

8 PM to 11 PM

Talent night and music. (We are looking for performers for this fun-filled evening).

The evening will start with Anna Tolstaya on the flute. Her repertoire will follow the theme of the languages and cultures that have influenced and shaped her life – Russian, Hindi and Arabic songs and English folk music.

Followed by music on the keyboard from pianist and Vancouver islands Got Talent winner, Sky Mundell;

More songs performed by Jocelyn Gladysz, Jessica Gladysz and Alex Jergenson;

A poem recited by Soma Ali;

And More!

 

 

Sunday, May 5, 2019

 

9 AM to 10:30 AM

Canadian Federation of the Blind Annual General Meeting (hot breakfast provided

Please join us and help build the Federation in Canada.

 

Description of Menu Items Served during Convention as part of Registration

 

RECEPTION – FRIDAY, MAY 3 AT 6 PM

Appetizers will be set up at a table with someone from the hotel to help serve people.

There will be a selection of five types of appetizers including:

-Mango California Roll

-Roasted Red Pepper and Sweet Onion Crostini with Whipped Goat Chèrve

-Italian Soppressata and Provolone Grilled Cheese Sandwich

-BBQ Beef Sliders with Aged Cheddar on Brioche Buns

-Warm Poached Pear, Walnut and Brie Tart

-Cash Bar (everyone pays own)

 

LUNCH – SATURDAY, MAY 4 AT 12 NOON

PLATED LUNCH

-Soup

-Grilled Chicken Wrap and Caesar Salad

-Dessert – Chocolate Mousse

-Water, Coffee, Tea served at tables

 

BANQUET DINNER – SATURDAY, MAY 4 AT 6 PM

PLATED DINNER

-Crisp Market Greens Salad

-Roasted Fraser Valley Chicken Breast with Baby Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Roasted Garlic Pan Jus

-Triple Chocolate Decadence Cake

-Water, Coffee, Tea served at tables

 

BREAKFAST, SUNDAY AGM 9 AM

PLATED BREAKFAST, The Heights breakfast of eggs, bacon, pan fries, toast

 With special thanks to the CFB Convention Planning Team for organizing this convention.

 Convention Planning Committee: Elizabeth Lalonde, Mary Ellen Gabias, Kerry Kijewski, Brian Kijewski, Eric Burggraaf, Nancy Gill, Doris Belusic, Alex Jergenson, Donna Hudon and Vicky Raja.