Blogs and Articles

The Canadian Council of The Blind An Abbreviated History

By Gordon Dingle, Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians, April 2021
Prior to 1941 numerous independent associations of the blind existed across local Canadian communities. The Manitoba League of the Blind (Winnipeg), however, called for meetings between 1941 and 1943 with the London Association of the Blind of Ontario and other interested parties. These same groups met again in 1944 and established the Inter-Provincial "Council". When they parted, they faced the task of bringing together representatives from across Canada to establish a national body. The Council recognizes the value of fostering relations with International colleagues for what we can learn from each other. As these ongoing activities are nurtured or expanded, the organization is in the active process of re-defining its structure with a view to providing a more responsive, inclusive, efficient vehicle and productive forum for blind Canadians.

Preparing Blind People for the Rest of Reality

By Joe Orozco, blog, April 12, 2021
There's never been a better time to be blind, or so I've heard. And I have to ask: How low have we dropped the bar? I was recently chatting with a friend. I forget exactly how the subject came up, but we found ourselves discussing blind people and entry level jobs. I expressed frustration at the blindness consumer groups for not doing a better job of partnering with national chains to employ blind people. If the unemployment rate among the blind persists deep into double digits, why would we not fight to change the landscape? The number of jobs that ask for a high school education or jobs that do not require formal education to fulfill are growing at the slowest rate compared to other trends. Blind people should be prepared for the inevitability of automation, but in the meantime, it does not seem reasonable that blind people should be kept out of the jobs in retail, hospitality, and recreation so common to Americans as early as adolescence.

A discussion paper in support of the Canadian Federation of the Blind's complaint to the Competition Bureau Canada

By Daryl Jones, The Blind Canadian, Volume 18, CFB, December 2020
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) was created in 1918 to help victims of the Halifax Explosion and soldiers who lost their eyesight during the First World War. Over the past hundred years, the CNIB has grown into a corporate behemoth, with a highly paid executive, a full-time staff of 646, a part-time staff of 306, and over 10,000 volunteers. The CNIB controls the blindness business in Canada and its reach has spread throughout the lives of the blind, including providing them public library services. One consequence of this market dominance is that the charity holds great power over the lives of the blind. The CFB hopes that this report will become a catalyst and will trigger a long-overdue dialogue and debate on the need for a new competitive model to provide services for blind and visually-impaired Canadians.

What is Universal Design?

By David Best, Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC), January 17, 2019
Design is all around us, but for the most part it reflects the perception of the designer, and if the product or service fails your need then the design concepts are flawed. Design is the bridge that spans the digital divide to overcomes barriers between the delivery of information and the understanding knowledge that impacts life decisions. Design flaws are the barriers that keep people from benefiting from products and services. The accessibility core principles must be understood by all designers, if we are going to achieve universal inclusion within Canadian society. Universal Inclusive Design is based on Transparent Interfaces, Ubiquitous Access, and Adaptive levels of Engagement. Let us consider the barriers that must be removed, so as to close the digital divide.

Let's Talk About A Digital Canada

By David Best, Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC), April 11, 2018
Join me at the 26th annual AEBC AGM - Our Journey, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, April 27-29, 2018. The conference will be held at the Metrotown Hilton in Burnaby, BC. For 25 years the AEBC has played a critical role in targeting its advocacy efforts to change the lives of Canadians who are blind, deaf-blind, and partially sighted for the better. With the rapid deployment of technology, however, and the pace of change which surrounds us, the AEBC must learn to become a more nimble organization, capable of responding in a quick and effective way to the world around us. Join us to celebrate, reflect, engage with others, and give voice to AEBC in creating positive social change.

Join the discussion on how to make government better

By David Best, Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC), March 13, 2018
The Creating Canada's 4th Plan on Open Government 2018 to 2020 is currently underway. The Canadian government is seeking your ideas, experiences, insights, and stories in making government better. What does Open Government mean to you? What is, or isn't, working well so far? This is your chance to help shape how our country is governed, and until June 2018 you can help decide what Open Government is, and the commitments for Canada's next plan on Open Government.

Global Trends and the Impact on Prosperity

By David Best, Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC), February 16, 2018
Although most organizations want to do the right thing, each has a unique culture and business leaders that understand the effect of global trends will take the time to shape enterprise cultural values. Is the business case, of your organization, for disability based on legal compliance or inclusion best practices? Does management view the AODA enforcement as a business burden or a growth strategy? Do your software developers believe universal accessibility requirements introduce operational challenges or business opportunities? These are just some of the questions that business leaders must ask in order to close the gap of understanding between perception and reality. Providing accessible and usable technologies, that is fundamental to an organisation's core business objectives, must be clearly communicated by the senior business leaders to all employees, suppliers and partners.

Digital Design Without Inclusive Accessibility Is Blind

By David Best, Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC), November 9, 2017
I have just returned from the three day inaugural FWD50 Canada's Digital Government conference, and would like to share my experience with you. I was invited to speak at the FWD50 Conference, on the growing digital communications gaps for blind Canadians. Earlier this year the Treasury Board of Canada launched the Canadian Digital Services (CDS) without any apparent user engagement strategy that included blind Canadians, which I believe should be a major concern. We need to be participants in the design and development of the CDS, and not just consumers of the end product.

Canada's digital government conference

Mike Gifford, LinkedIn, November 3, 2017
It was a real pleasure for me to present at a FWD50 panel about Diversity and Inclusion. The FWD50 Three-day conference, leading minds in government and technology come together to redefine what is possible in an era of digital systems and connected citizens, held at the Aberdeen Pavilion in Ottawa.

Launch Of The Canadian Digital Service

By David Best, Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC), July 23, 2017
As a follow up on the government's Budget 2017 commitment, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) undertook a cross-country engagement process, Between September 2016 and February 2017, to solicit ideas and perspectives on an emerging Government of Canada approach to improving digital service delivery.

Guelph Accessibility Conference 2017

AMI Inside, Season 3, Episode 16, July 13, 2017
AMI Inside travels to Guelph University for the 9th annual Accessibility Conference, one of the largest of its kind in Canada, featuring compelling sessions focused on the importance of achieving inclusion. BlindSquare starting at 15:00 for 10 minutes.

Creating New Barriers

By David Best, Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC), April 22, 2017
If we are to meet the Ontario goal of a barrier-free society by 2025, the AODA standards must prohibit the creation of any new barriers immediately. According to the OHRC report the proposed Integrated Accessibility Regulation (IAR) fails to identify basic human rights principles to guide its overall interpretation.

Employment Equality for Canadians with Disabilities: Getting and Keeping a Job - What makes a difference

By David Best, Council of Canadians with Disabilities, September 17, 2014
The measurement of career success depends upon the values used, and what it is being compared to.  Recent reports show that there is a continually high rate of unemployment within the Canadian disability population, but the reasons for this are often misunderstood, and the expectations for career success are often misrepresented. Discrimination in the workplace, intentional or subconscious is very real, and understanding your disability and how you interact with the world, will create a positive shift in perceptions. The key attributes in my career success are flexibility in adapting to change, and a high level of comfort in using the tools of the job, and in people skills to build meaningful relationships.  I have had many disappointments along my career path, but the ability to evaluate expectations has allowed me to resolve conflicts and overcome barriers.

Confronting Real World Challenges in the Digital Age

By David Best, Lime Network Blog (Lessons from the Road), March 29, 2013
The Lime Network is an exclusive resource for university students and professionals with disabilities. Preparing For Career Success, Moving Beyond Job Survival & Accessible Workplace Technologies.