NEWS FROM NATIONAL
Our 2024/2025 Board
At the end of September, we held our Annual General Meeting. This year’s AGM was especially exciting because it is the first time we were able to meet face-to-face since 2019. We can also boast that it was our first fully hybrid meeting where both in-person and on-line registrants could fully participate together in the meeting.
In case you missed it, read our President’s Report here:
The AEBC Board for the 2024/2025 year is as follows:
Marcia Yale (Huntsville, ON) - President
Linda Bartram (Victoria, BC) - 1st Vice President
Ryan Fleury (Vancouver, BC) - 2nd Vice-President
Chantal Oakes (Kelowna, BC) - Treasurer
Diana Brent (Calgary, AB) - Secretary
Hilton Schwartz (Montreal, QC) - Director-at-Large
Pat Seed (Thunder Bay, ON) - Director-at-Large
Become an AEBC Member and Get Involved on one of our Committees!
Each year, after our Annual General Meeting, we re-establish our Standing Committees based on current organizational priorities. In addition to the Board, these committees are essential to running our organization and achieving the many goals of AEBC. We could not achieve so much for our community without the dedication of our volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved, you can read more about each committee here and learn about membership here.
Embracing Change for People with Disabilities
Our 8th annual event in honour of International Day of People with Disabilities
Date and time: Saturday, December 7, 2024 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST
Welcome to Embracing Change for People with Disabilities! This is our 8th annual event in honour of International Day of People with Disabilities.
This online gathering is all about supporting individuals with disabilities through the process of change. Join us for insightful discussions and inspiring stories. Let's come together to learn, grow, and empower one another. Embrace change with us and make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. We can't wait to have you join us!
This event is ONLINE and FREE. Please register at
The Zoom link will be sent out two days prior to the event.
Our Partners:
Accessible Housing Network (AHN)
Accessible Media Inc. (AMI)
Baker McKenzie LLP
CCB Toronto Visionaries
Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (C.I.L.T.) Inc.
Ethno-Racial People with Disabilities Coalition of Ontario (ERDCO)
Trailblazers Tandem Cycling Club
WoodGreen Community Services
CHAPTER/AFFILIATE HAPPENINGS
BC AFFILIATE NEWS
Hello from the BC Affiliate! We are writing to share updates and information from the BC Affiliate. On September 7, 2024, the BC Affiliate had its AGM and here is the new Executive Board: President: Chantal Oakes, Vice President: Betty Nobel, Secretary: Peg Mercer, Treasurer: Rita Dilek
We also voted in three members at large: Lisa Lawson, Louise Johnson, and Mary Brunner.
The next BC Affiliate Executive meeting will be held on November 27, 2024 at 4:00PM Pacific Time all members of AEBC are invited to observe the meeting.
GUESS WHO’S COMING FOR DINNER?
Would you like to get together with friends and raise money for the BC Affiliate at the same time? From now until the end of December, you can do just that! Invite some friends for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner for a minimum cost of $15 and a maximum of $25 per person depending upon what yummy food or drinks you are providing and/or the financial limitations of your friends.
Once you collect the money for the meal, just send an E-transfer to bc@blindcanadians.ca. Our goal is to raise $500, let's see if we can do even better than that! Don’t forget, you can choose to participate either as a host or a guest. This could be a good opportunity to meet new people or reconnect with friends you haven’t seen in a long time. Louise Johnson is also sharing if you go and visit her new home before December 31 she will donate $25 for each person who visits.
SAVE THE DATE FOR TRIVIA!
The BC Affiliate announces February 22, 2025 for our next Trivia Event.
OTTAWA CHAPTER NEWS
On October 8th the Ottawa chapter held its AGM and here is your new board: Maryse Glaude-Beaulieu has another year to go as Vice-President. Shelley-Ann Morris was acclaimed as Secretary for two years and Lourdes Rojas was acclaimed as treasurer for a two-year term. Pierre Castagner was acclaimed as Director for a one-year term.
FROM THE AEBC BLOG
GoodMaps Could be a Game Changer for Indoor Navigation
Member Wayne Antle recently tested an exciting app for indoor navigation called GoodMaps. This app has been around for a little while, but is continuing to improve substantially. Read about how to use the app and Wayne’s first impressions. https://wix.to/2gPwzCW
Guide Dog Awareness
We recently celebrated Guide Dog Awareness Month with more articles on the blog by Linda Bartram. Guide Dog Benefits and Challenges. In case you missed them, read them here:
Self-Serve Machines Fail to Serve Consumers with Disabilities
Marcia Yale was interviewed about a recent study showing the challenges consumers with disabilities face when using self-serve machines — and how those barriers can be fixed. Read it here:
ADVOCACY NEWS
From Dean Steacy, Chair of Advocacy Committee
Submission: Described Video and Audio Description
In late August, we provided a submission to the CRTC on described video and audio. Read the full submission here:
WHAT WE ARE READING
Blindness, Low Vision, and Nonverbal Communication.
Social interactions that rely on nonverbal cues can be challenging for the vision-impaired.
Analysis: Why Canada needs a national disability strategy
https://brighterworld.mcmaster.ca/articles/analysis-why-canada-needs-a-national-disability-strategy/
Guide dog owner says Louie may be her last unless behaviour of 'service dogs' changes
Beyond buzzwords: we need more disabled voices in Canadian politics
This blind hobby farmer wants to change the way people think about life without sight
Hilton and Be My Eyes Launch Industry‑First Partnership to Enhance the Hilton Stay for Guests who are Blind or Low Vision
UPCOMING AEBC EVENTS
Training: Personal Response to Emergency Preparedness
Personal Response to Emergency Preparedness; what does this mean to you? Are you prepared in the event of an emergency? AEBC invites members and guests to join us for an important 90-minute session on being fully prepared for emergencies.
When: November 9, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM, Pacific; 11:00 AM, Mountain, 12:00 PM, Central; 1:00 PM, Eastern; 2:00 Atlantic; 2:30, Newfoundland/Labrador
Contact bc@blindcanadians.ca for the zoom link
Emergencies can happen at any time—floods, fires, power outages, or even natural disasters—and being ready is key to staying safe. This session is specifically designed for people who are blind, partially sighted, or deafblind, and will provide you with practical tools and knowledge to plan for and handle emergencies with confidence. This condensed version of the full program that was offered last year by the BC Affiliate, will cover the basics of personal emergency planning and guide you through the steps needed to create a plan that works for your unique needs.
Whether you’re living alone or with family, it’s important to know how to protect yourself when things go wrong. Also, in many emergencies, help might not arrive immediately, so it’s important to know what to do and how to react on your own. You’ll also learn how to find helpful resources that will support your emergency preparedness journey, so you can stay informed and ready for whatever comes your way, as well as ways to help you continue learning about different types of emergencies and how to protect yourself and your family.
We encourage you to attend this session and take the first step toward greater safety and security. Join us to gain the tools and confidence to manage emergencies safely and effectively while ensuring you’re as prepared as possible for whatever challenges might come your way.
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.
AEBC NATIONAL BOARD MEETING DATES 2024/2025
Board meetings for 2024/2025 will be held on the 4th Monday of every month with the exception of December 2024 and August 2025. 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:
November 25, 2024 - members as observers
December 2024 - no meeting
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
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 abilities. 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 Government Relations.
If you’re not already a Member and would like to support us as a Member or Donor 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
Copyright (c) 2024 Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians
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