NEWS FROM NATIONAL
Hello from the National Office!
As we step into the year 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared and express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and dedication.
We are just wrapping up our final fundraising push for the end of 2024. If you have already donated recently, thank you for helping us fulfill our mission, to strive for equality for blind, deafblind and partially sighted Canadians in all aspects of society. If you have not yet donated, it is not too late! You can still reap the rewards of knowing that you have helped, by whatever means possible, to assist us in our goals.
In December, we held our eighth annual event in honour of the International Day of People with Disabilities, with seven thought-provoking speakers from across the country and two entertainers. We welcome you to sit back and watch this inspiring event on our YouTube channel!
As we look ahead to the opportunities and challenges that 2025 will bring, I am inspired by the collective strength of our community. With your continued support, we can reach even greater heights, extending our impact and touching more lives than ever before.
Thank you for being a vital part of this extraordinary journey. May the year ahead bring you joy, fulfillment, and the knowledge that your efforts are changing the world for the better.
Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year filled with peace, prosperity, and purpose.
CHAPTER/AFFILIATE HAPPENINGS
BC AFFILIATE NEWS
Happy New Year from the BC Affiliate! The holidays may be over, but the fun will continue, as we prepare for a fundraiser to support the AEBC scholarship program. In addition to keeping busy with advocacy efforts, the BC Affiliate’s fifth annual trivia event will take place virtually on February 22, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. Pacific and everyone is welcome. Tickets sales begin January 2, until February 19, 2025 through Eventbrite, using the following link:
Purchase your ticket by end of day January 31 and your name will be entered in the early bird draw. Reminders of our event will be communicated throughout the month of January, we hope you are able to join us in our efforts to assist post-secondary students in need of financial support. For further information, contact Chantal Oakes at chantalhoakes@gmail.com
FROM THE AEBC BLOG
Annual Year-End Fundraising Event Articles
Over November and December, we published a number of articles during our year-end fundraising event. In case you missed them, you can catch up with these links:
Do You Have Charles Bonnet Syndrome?
Do you see colours and shapes that others can’t? You might be experiencing Charles Bonnet Syndrome. Discover more about this intriguing condition and its effects on perception. Read more here: https://wix.to/2LUQYnb
How AEBC Helped Shape Canada’s New Employment Accessibility Standards
Last year, we submitted feedback on the draft Employment Accessibility Standard, and we are pleased to report that many of our suggestions were incorporated into the final version. Read the details here from Dean Steacy, Co-chair of AEBC’s Advocacy Committee: https://wix.to/zmCzRg9
ADVOCACY NEWS
If you missed our Advocacy Roundup on December 16, you can listen to the replay on our YouTube channel. This session discussed AEBC’s advocacy activities over the past year, future plans, and the importance of self-advocacy. We reviewed our advocacy committee's efforts, successes, and ongoing issues, and discussed the importance of members raising their concerns and building a network of stakeholders for advocacy projects.
WHAT WE ARE READING
Canada's Vision Health Partners Applaud Parliament's Passage of Bill C-284, the National Strategy for Eye Care Act
Elton John loses his eyesight
Helen Keller Centre - Deaf-blind community starts construction on new apartment project
World Braille Days
Louis Braille famously said, “Braille is knowledge, and knowledge is power”. Each January on his birthday, we celebrate the gift Louis Braille gave the world.
The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC), Alternate Education Resources Ontario (AERO), Braille Literacy Canada (BLC), the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB), the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA), the CNIB Beyond Print, CNIB Foundation, the National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS), and the Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired (PRCVI) are pleased to collaborate on a celebration of World Braille Day for the month of January.
In 2019, January 4th, the birth date of Louis Braille was officially designated as World Braille Day by the United Nations. Since 2020, several organizations have collaborated to co-host various events throughout January to celebrate and commemorate World Braille Day.
Visit the 2025 Event Page to learn more or to register for this year’s events. All events will be recorded and posted for future viewing.
UPCOMING AEBC EVENTS
EVENTS CALENDAR
Check out our EVENTS CALENDAR for posted dates and links to information about events.
CHAPTER/AFFILIATE CHATS
National Public Chats: Join us every Friday at 4PM Pacific, 5PM Mountain, 7PM Eastern
BC Affiliate Public Chats: Join us Thursday Nights at 8 PM Pacific
Halifax Mid-Week Meltdown: Join us on the second Wednesday of every month at 8 PM Atlantic. The Halifax Meltdowns are open to anyone--both members and friends of AEBC. If you are not a member, please email us at halifaxchapter@blindcanadians.ca so we can send you information about the meltdowns.
TRAINING VIDEO REPLAYS
Missed one of our training or other events? There’s a good chance that you will find a video replay on our YouTube channel. Check it out and be sure to Subscribe to our channel and Like our videos!
AEBC NATIONAL BOARD MEETING DATES 2025
Board meetings for 2025 will be held on the 4th Monday of every month with the exception of August. All meetings begin at 4 PM Pacific 7 PM Eastern. Members are welcome to attend all meetings--alternating attendance as observers and member mashup at the end of a meeting as follows:
January 27, 2025 - mashup
February 24, 2025 - members as observers
March 24, 2025 (budget) - mashup
April 28, 2025 - members as observers
May 26, 2025 - mashup
June 23, 2025 - members as observers
July 28, 2025 - mashup
August 2025 - no meeting
September 20, 2025 – Annual General Meeting
The Benefits of Membership with AEBC!
Did you know that we have a lively members-only email discussion group? That members receive our weekly Monday Morsels e-newsletter that is chock full of resources and news geared specifically for our members? And that membership is only $10 a year!? Consider being a part of our AEBC family by joining today! Visit our website for membership information HERE.
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ALLIANCE FOR EQUALITY OF BLIND CANADIANS
The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) is a national charitable organization committed to empowering blind, partially sighted, and deafblind Canadians to lead a life filled with opportunity, inclusivity, and equality. We advocate, support, and strive to make the world a better place for everyone, regardless of their visual acuity. Together, we can create a brighter and more accessible future for all.
Visit our website at www.blindcanadians.ca and follow us on social media
Facebook: @facebook/blindcanadians
Mastodon: @blindcanadians
YouTube: @blindcanadians
We aim to bring you timely and informative news from the organization. We appreciate your feedback on our newsletter or submissions for consideration. Contact us at EMAIL Newsletter.
If you are interested in becoming more involved in our advocacy work or joining any of our working committees, please reach out to EMAIL ADVOCACY.
If you’re not already a member and would like to join, Visit our website for more information HERE.
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Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians
PO Box 20262 RPO Town Centre
Kelowna, BC V1Y 9H21-800-561-4774
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