Who We Are and What We Do
Canadian Council of the Blind Is the Voice of the Blind in Canada™
Based on belief in ABILITY, not disability Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) is a vibrant network of active members across Canada. Each chapter is unique to its geographic area and engages in a variety of social and recreational activities based on the particular interests of their local members.
LACK OF SIGHT IS NOT A LACK OF VISION
CCB Mission Statement
To work together as a community of peers that acts to improve the individual and community quality of life of people who are blind, deaf-blind, or living with low vision.
CCB Objectives
To promote the well-being of those people who are blind or have low vision.
To work with other groups of persons with low vision or who are blind.
To promote measures for the conservation of sight and the prevention of blindness for all.
Who We Are
The Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) is a membership-based not-for-profit organization that brings together Canadians who are blind, deaf-blind or living with vision loss through chapters within their own local communities to share common interests and social activities.
CCB works to improve the quality of life for persons with vision loss through awareness, peer mentoring, socializing, sports, advocacy, health promotion and illness prevention.
Members participate as volunteers in the peer support, sports and recreation, book clubs, awareness, and educational activities of the CCB. Members manage the affairs of their own local chapters consistent with the National Canadian Council of the Blind and may be elected to executive functions locally, provincially and/or nationally. They serve on various committees at these levels as well as participating in many other community groups.
CCB chapter members may involve themselves at their own comfort level and may choose to learn new skills or sports, become involved in accessibility awareness, and educational activities or simply enjoy the company of others.
Membership provides inclusion, purpose, fellowship and social interaction with peers who understand and support each person’s unique strengths and abilities.
The CCB was founded in 1944 by blind Canadian war veterans and schools of the blind. The national office is located in Ottawa with over 80 chapters across Canada. The CCB is the largest membership based organization for the blind in Canada and is known as the Voice of the Blind™.
The CCB’s offers programs to assist people living with vision loss, increase accessibility in all areas of life and bring awareness of vision issues to the public and government.
What We Do
The CCB works to improve the quality of life for persons living with vision loss through awareness, peer mentoring, socializing, sports & recreation, advocacy, health promotion and illness prevention.
CCB’s community-based model offer programs to assist those people living with vision loss, create awareness of vision issues to the public and government. Recently, the CCB has undertaken proactive programs such as mobile eye health and training for employment.
The CCB partners with a number of local, provincial, national and international organizations all of whom are dedicated to the same mandates and principals that CCB adheres to.
The CCB has implemented the Get Together With Technology (GTT) program which helps people who are blind, deaf-blind or with low vision explore the accessibility and usefulness of electronic devices in every day living.
Core Programs
Core programs are activities that are essential to fulfilling CCB’s mission to respond to the needs and interests of its members. Core programs vary from chapter to chapter based on the interests and abilities of the members involved. No activity that meets these requirements is excluded within these definitions of core programs.
Community Networking/ Individual Mentoring
Linking Canadians living with vision loss together for support, inclusion and individual mentoring based on shared experiences. This is the first important step towards building independence, community inclusion and acceptance of vision loss.
Advocacy & Accessibility
Activities that utilize the strength and influence of the Council to promote increased accessibility, equality of opportunity and quality of life for people who are blind or have vision loss throughout society.
Canadian Council of the Blind members are continually involved in a variety of meetings that address a range of accessibility and advocacy issues. Committee members attend local, provincial, and national forums and information sessions, both in person and via teleconference, to speak on behalf of CCB members and tirelessly advocate for accessibility and independence for people living with vision loss in all areas of life.
The right to accessibility in transportation, banking, voting venues, office and public building environments, bus stop announcement systems and non-drivers ID cards are just some of the subjects that have been addressed in recent years.
CCB has supported the signing of the Marrakesh treaty so all may read and supports book clubs across the country.
On-going concerns include representation on health boards, aiming to get the right eye treatment to all Canadians at the right time to prevent vision loss. Information & concerns from our committees are communicated to local, provincial and federal governments across Canada to ensure that proper and best practice eye-care health is foremost.
CCB has played an integral part in ensuring that Canadian bank notes are accessible to people living with vision loss by advocating for and testing the ease of use and durability of Brailled bank notes.
Public Awareness
Increasing public awareness of the challenges and the barriers faced by people with vision loss through public education, print and social media and national and local awareness events.
Recreational and Social
Local chapters organize leisure, sports and social activities, encouraging participation, providing interaction with peers and group involvement while increased self-esteem and self-worth with the development of new social, personal and life skills.
Health & Prevention
Ongoing advocacy & awareness campaigns promote safe use of eye treatment drugs & public education in eye disease prevention, treatment and overall health issues. In conjunction with development of a Mobile Eye Clinic prototype, CCB is proactive in addressing the concerns that most impact our members. Across the country there are several chapters involved in sports and fitness activities, which encourage health and confidence.
Knowledge and Education
Developing and supporting opportunities to increase knowledge and skills for people living with vision loss in order to aid inclusion and interaction within the larger community.
The CCB has implemented Get Together With Technology (GTT) which helps the blind and persons with low vision to explore access to new devices. There has been an explosion of new devices and apps that enables the blind community to adjust and expand their horizons. The groups meet to discuss new devices and programs and teach one another how they operate. There are also conference calls, email lists, and many ways to participate. This is another self-help program offered by the CCB. This is a program that also supports peer mentoring.
Governance
All members of the National Board of Directors are people who are blind or living with vision loss. Opportunities are available to participate in governance at local, regional and national levels.
Basic Facts About the CCB
Founded: in 1944 by blind Canadian war veterans and schools of the blind
Incorporated: May 10, 1950 by Letters Patent
Charitable Registration #: 11921 8899 RR0001
CCB National Office: 200-14 Chamberlain Ave. Ottawa, ON K1S 1V9
Phone: (613) 567-0311
Fax: (613) 567-2728
Toll-Free 1-877-304-0968
E-mail: ccb@ccb.monthlyconversion.com
Website: www.ccbnational.net