Former CFB President Elizabeth Lalonde, who is now setting up the Pacific Training Centre for the Blind, was interviewed by CBC Victoria on March 12. Read the rest of this entry »

CFB member Graeme McCreath won his case late last month against the organizers of the Times-Colonist 10-kilometre run in Victoria. The BC Human Rights Tribunal ruled that organizers discriminated against Graeme by not making special arrangements for his safety.

Several news organizations covered the ruling, including the Vancouver Province, the Saanich News and the CBC.

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
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The blind’s right to accessible transit service in Victoria, British Columbia, remains unresolved, due to inaction by BC Transit and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission.

The Canadian Federation of the Blind (CFB) has been in communication with BC Transit and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission since at least 2008, and with the BC Transit Accessible Transportation Advisory Committee since 2000, advocating for accessible transit for the blind. Letters we’ve received in return have cited the inaccessibility problems we speak of as “known at BC Transit” and “recurring”. But, to date, these inaccessibility problems have not been resolved.
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Greetings Federationists,

Our treasurer, Graeme is running this Sunday in the GoodLife Fitness
Victoria Marathon. He is doing the 8km. This run is specifically
designed to enable charities to raise money. We are looking
forpledges in benefit of the CFB.

To make a pledge, please email Doris at secretary@cfb.ca

Let’s make Graeme’s run count!

Despite continued appeals, rallies, requests and discussions, blind
people in British Columbia and in the rest of the country continue to
receive apathy and indifference in response to their need for proper
blindness skills training and rehabilitation.
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When
Sunday, September 23 at 4:30pm
Where
871 Harding ave. Nanaimo BC
Phone for directions:
250-753-1700
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Please note new location.
Hi all,
We will be having our September CFB meeting this Saturday, September 8
at 10:45 AM at the Executive House Hotel, smaller conference room in
Café D’Amore, 777 Douglas St, Victoria. You can go in the main
entrance off Burdett St and take the elevator to the lower floor, or
use the back Humbolt St entrance which is the lower level. Locals are
encouraged to attend for commaraderie and fun. They have a great
breakfast and lunch menu. Breakfast is served until 2 PM and lunch
menu starts at 11 AM, so there’s a great selection of food to order.
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Robo Braille: enhancing the accessibility of documents

By Scott Davert, Monday, August 13, 2012

For many reasons, people who are blind or deaf-blind find it
necessary to convert files from one format to another. For example,
converting a graphical PDF file to an accessible format such as
Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), rich text format (.rtf), digital
braille (.brf) or plain text (.txt). This is especially the case when
textbook publishers send out books in PDF format.
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Do you have any new or rarely used smallish,quality items lying about your home or office, taking up space and not earning their keep? Instead of letting them collect dust, why not use these items to raise much needed funds for the Canadian Federation of the Blind’s programs and goals? We will gladly receive any such items, weighing under 2 kilograms, you wish to donate and we’ll sell them via online auction, for the benefit of the Federation. Your donations will not only help the organization, but it will also provide the blind individuals involved in this venture valuable Ebay trading work experience.
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