British Columbia – Yukon Division

PO Box 531, Chilliwack Main Stn., Chilliwack, BC  V2P 7V5

604-795-3885 OR 1-800-874-4666 – ccbbc-yukondivision@telus.net

Website http://www.ccbbcyukon.com – Facebook CCB BC-Yukon Division

Under the Distinguished Patronage of Her Honour

The Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC

Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia

Winter 2018 News

Hello, everyone! I am sure that you have been very busy over the last couple of months with Christmas and New Year’s holidays and all the festive gatherings. We apologize for the delay in sending this issue and although it is almost Spring, sharing of information is always valuable regardless of the season. Please take note of the fundraising deadline for the CBSVI Chapter as noted in their article that is fast approaching.

In this edition of the newsletter, I am writing the president’s message on behalf of Ann McNabb as she is unable to correspond with you at this time due to a very busy schedule and the upcoming Annual General Meeting. More importantly, her husband Gerry has been hospitalized for the past several weeks and Ann has been battling a bad cold. We all of course wish both of them a very speedy recovery. While Ann is distracted I am going to sneak in an official CONGRATULATIONS to  Ann and Gerry as they were married on December 16, 2017. I’m confident that you will all join me in wishing them a long and happy future together!

Just a reminder that the CCB BC-Yukon Division 2018 AGM and Workshop will be held at the Best Western Plus Langley Inn 5978 Glover Road on Wednesday April 25th. This year’s Workshop will be Emergency Preparedness. Details and delegate registration forms have been sent to all chapters and all member and chapter dues must be paid in order to be deemed in good standing. Please plan to attend or send a delegate from your Chapter. It’s an opportunity to share ideas and experiences, learn from one another, meet new friends and reconnect with old ones while having fun.

We are all looking forward to spring as this year it seems to be coming late, and note there is still a lot of snow across the province.  I congratulate you on your White Cane Week events as I know there were many chapter activities taking place; read on to hear more about WCW happenings.

With plans underway for spring and summer activities, I am sure you are very busy. Hopefully you have some very original ideas for events and it would be greatly appreciated if you can share these ideas so they can be printed in our next news letter.

I have been enjoying my participation as co-host in the Division monthly chapter call in sessions and encourage all of you to take part. Further details are included in this newsletter.

I look forward to seeing you all at the 2018 CCB AGM in Langley. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me at any time at 1-604-485-5028 should you have any comments, questions and/or concerns. Your Division Board of directors are here to assist wherever possible. – Submitted by Geraldine Braak Division 1st Vice President

Membership Tidbits///

For assistance with membership matters please contact your Division National Representative Lori Fry at 250-395-2452 or ODIFRY@shaw.ca; Judy Macdonald at 250-706-0233 or judymacdonaldccbassistant@yahoo.ca  or the Division office.

 Chapter Call in Sessions///

Calling all Chapters.  Chapter Call In Sessions will continue to be hosted by two CCB BC-Yukon Division Directors. We encourage all chapters to get involved in this opportunity to share information and ideas. To participate please dial 1-866-351-5099 and enter the one time participation code that will be sent to you in a reminder email prior to the session date.

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In 2018, the Call In Sessions are scheduled on Thursdays at 10:00 AM as follows:  March 15th, April – no session due to Division AGM, May 17th, June 14th, July and August – no sessions for summer break, September 20th, October 18th, November 22nd and December 13th.

White Cane Week (WCW) 2018///

Article from the Comox Valley Record – Terry Farrell, Editor

Sent to all Black Press websites in BC

For 72 years, the first week in February has been “White Cane Week” in Canada.

This year, thanks in large part to the work of Comox resident Pat Chicquen, Feb. 4-10 will also be White Cane Week in the province of British Columbia.

Chicquen, the 2nd vice-president of the Canadian Council of the Blind, BC-Yukon Division, spearheaded the campaign to have the nationally-celebrated week recognized at the provincial level. She received word of the provincial decision by way of email last month, along with the official proclamation

The document, signed by BC Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon, and Attorney General David Eby, reads in part:

“WHEREAS since 1946, the first full week of February has traditionally been ‘White Cane Week’ in Canada due to the initiative of the Canadian Council of the Blind, and WHEREAS the objective of White Cane Week is to provide education and awareness of vision loss to British Columbians through a network of special events and hands-on demonstrations throughout the province, and–WHEREAS White Cane Week has evolved to reflect the changing situations of the blind community and has begun to emphasize equal capabilities and talents of people who are blind and partially sighted, and WHEREAS with the province’s aging population, all British Columbians need to be better informed about the effects of vision loss and to work towards creating more supportive, inclusive communities; NOW KNOW YE THAT, We do by these presents proclaim and declare February 4 to 10, 2018 shall be known as ‘White Cane Week’ in the Province of British Columbia.”

“We have never thought about pursuing this before,” said Chicquen, of her motivation to push for the provincial designation of White Cane Week. “So I had this idea do it and I started it… I just feel that people need to be better educated about the blind, and about sight loss in our country.

“Every day in our country, 135 people are pronounced legally blind, or blind.”

It is a steadily growing community, but Chicquen said there are steps that could be taken to prevent, or at least slow its growth.

“Optometrist visits are so important,” she said. “At least once a year, or once every two years. So many people say ‘why would I go to the optometrist; I can’t afford glasses.’ But can you afford glaucoma, or all those other things that are basically now arrestable? So many people say they can’t afford it, but they can afford 20 cups of coffee, or the other things that they do. Things like teeth can be replaced. Eyes can’t.”

Community chapters of the Canadian Council of the Blind are known as White Cane Clubs, of which there are 29 in the province.

The Comox Valley White Cane Club meets the first Tuesday of the month, at Berwick Comox Valley (1700 Comox Ave.).

“We are sitting at 41 (members) right now, and we have a couple more who are likely to join,” said Chicquen who is the president of the Comox Valley White Cane Club.

The next Comox Valley White Cane Club meeting is Feb. 6 at 1 p.m.

2018 WCW HAPPENINGS AROUND THE PROVINCE///

CCB 100 Mile House & District Chapter – Although a good media campaign took place during White Cane Week including the promotion of the provincial WCW Proclamation, the scheduled annual open house had to be postponed due to extreme cold tempatures and snow storms. The Chapter will be re-scheduling this event for early spring as it is never too late to promote WCW! – Submitted by Lori Fry

CCB Camp Bowen Society for the Visually Impaired – Camp Bowen attended the White Cane Week event at Park Royal shopping centre. The event, which is always a great opportunity to connect with individuals and organizations within the blind, visually impaired, and deaf blind community, was a great success. Alex Jurgensen and Peg Mercer were at the Camp Bowen and AEBC table, where we offered information about our programs, Braille bookmarks, and our Braille puzzle books for sighted readers, the latter two by donation. It ran from 10 AM to 2:30 PM on Thursday, February 8 at the South mall section of Park Royal Shopping Centre in West Vancouver. All in all, it was a successful event with much networking being done between Camp Bowen, community members, and other organizations. – Submitted By The Camp Bowen Team

CCB Campbell River Chapter – We were at the Indoor Market on Saturday, February 3rd and 10th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm giving out info and talking to people. We had a Banner made for our White Cane Table and other Promos. Kelvin Adams suggested the idea and it turned out really well. It has a yellow background like our buttons, large white letters with a black outline, the words WHITE CANE Chapter in black smaller lettering. The banner includes lettering from the CCB letterhead and the two blue figures joining arms as well as the GTT lettering and the meaning of the letters. It is 6 feet long by about 2 feet high. – Submitted by Lorraine Welch

CCB Comox Valley Chapter – We had a great White Cane Week. We spent five days in malls talking to people and getting donations. We had draws for gift cards and a basket that were donated by local grocery stores. The best thing is we got two guest speakers and a new member.  Another plus is our club members get to know each other a lot better chatting to each other. Many thanks to our members that came out to help. – Submitted by Pat Chicquen

CCB Kamloops WC Chapter – February 6th, the Safeway manager on Fortune Drive and two staff members wore simulator glasses with 20/200 and 20/600 visual acuities. They used my white cane while wearing the glasses to shop in their own store which they thought they knew well. They experienced the clutter in the aisles and looking for products [they did this for 45 minutes]. Six members from the WCC were there to observe. The response from the manager and staff was very positive and we were invited to come back.

February 8th, White Cane Luncheon at Cottonwood Manor.  Our guest speaker was Lion Wanda who spoke on their Guide Dog program.  35 door prizes had been collected and given out at the luncheon.

February 9th, Myself and 3 WCC members visited two elementary schools. Children wore simulator glasses to experience different level of vision loss and white cane use, learned about Braille and learned about Goalball.  I also shared the 100 centennial of CNIB and beginning of CCB.   – Submitted by Les Nolin

CCB Penticton Chapter – This year we tried something different, we held a coffee party at a local care facility.  We gave information out and held a question and answer period.  It was well received and would consider doing this again. – Submitted by Irene Warlow

CCB Provincial Book Club – The Provincial Book Club had an information table this year on the Friday of White Cane Week.  I had help from the Kelowna Lioness, of whom I am a member.  We had balloons and a goodie basket for people to enter for free.  The lady who won it, took the balloons as well and was very happy with them.  We had a donations can, from which we received $21.00. I couldn’t have done it without the assistance of the Kelowna Lioness Club. – Submitted by Kathy Sanness

CCB Vancouver Arts and Culture Lovers Chapter-

On February 8 White Cane Week was celebrated for its 6th year in a row! Thanks to the help of Park Royal Shopping Centre, our vendors had a space to gather. This year we were offered a spot in the malls centre court area because our typical spot had a leak in the roof. This meant we had much more public exposure! We have been told by the mall administration that we will not be offered this location again, but you know me, I am going to gently push for it anyway…we will see what happens next year! We had great vendors and supporters again this year including:  The Canadian Council of the Blind, Get Together with Technology (CCB), Camp Bowen Society for the Visually Impaired (CCB), Canadian Assistive Technology, Accessible Media Inc., VocalEye Descriptive Arts Society, BC Blind Sports, BC and Alberta Guide Dogs, CNIB, Canadian Braille Services, Alliance for the Equality of Blind Canadians, Leash of Hope, The North Shore Advisory Committee on Disability Issues,  Local Library Services, Capilano K9 Collars, Blind Beginnings, The Blind Beader and the Alliance for the Equality of Blind Canadians.

Yup, that is a lot! We had some fantastic volunteers on hand all day! White Spot donated us wraps, salads, fries and sodas. Loblaw’s City market donated us muffins, Danish’s, cookies and strudels…there was no shortage of food! And Second Cup donated us tea and coffee for the day. A BIG THANK YOU to all who came out and made this day such a success!

Two guests stood out for me and I wanted to share with you their stories. One lady came by asking for information on behalf of her 101 year old husband, a man who has had a stroke and is losing his eyesight to macular degeneration but otherwise seems to be in great health and spirits. His major complaint was that he could no longer read the time on a bedside clock. Angela, the wife, had searched high and low for something in the regular marketplace that had large and bold print with high contrast…but to no avail! When she found me I asked her if it was important for her husband to “see” the clock of if he would be interested in a clock he could “hear”. Well, Angela had never entertained that thought before nor did she know that talking clocks were so available. I took her over to receive a demonstration…a clock with a large push button that, when activated, spoke out the date and time. Angela was thrilled!!! She was so thankful and expressed to me that this was such a simple solution that she would have never found on her own. That made my day. Secondly was a mother and daughter. The mother, a woman in her eighties, lives in Surrey and the daughter in West Vancouver. When Shelly, the daughter, read our ad in the North Shore News, she arranged to bus out to Surrey, meet up with her mother and bus back to experience the event. I had a lovely conversation with them both – the mother is having a hard time adjusting to her changing eyesight but found a lot of useful implements that can make daily living just a little easier…and we all know what a big deal that actually is when you find something that achieves a basic result, like a liquid leveler so you can pour your coffee in the morning. Shelly and her mother visited every table and came back to me to share all the valuable information they received and loved being able to interact with the guide and service dogs…a rare occasion when that happens but an opportunity to educate the public on service dog etiquette. Shelly actually won the draw for the $100 Park Royal Gift Card, and she was thrilled. She even asked if we would be back the following day because she would be interested in coming back…this is actually a comment I get every year from at least one person. So we make a difference, even if we just reach one person who needs the resources that we are offering, it is worth all the organization, the expense and effort. As

you all may know, I arrange WCW by myself and not part of a chapter. When I started with CCB I was a solo and the mission to get resources to my local community about sight loss services was very personal, and still is. So I reached out to my community connections and put things together- thus the tradition continues in this manner and the mission and goal is still very personal to me.

Thank you to CCB for the financial support, it would not be possible to host such a large event without that. I hope you all found a unique way to celebrate White Cane Week – Submitted by Amy Amantea

A reminder to all chapters to take advantage of the Division’s WCW Subsidy and submit receipts for up to $100 to help offset the costs of your events. The deadline for submission of receipts’ is March 31, 2018. If you have any questions please contact Pat Chicquen at 250-339-3904 or patchicquen@hotmail.com  or the Division office.

***MORE CHAPTER HAPPENINGS

CCB 100 Mile House & District chapter///

We are please to report that the Fall 2017 annual Diamond Raffle was yet another success. The South Cariboo is an extremely generous and supportive community and with the on-going leadership of our president Marilyn Vinson and the involvement of members, this chapter fundraiser has become rather iconic. The chapter also continues their fundraising partnership with the local Cedar Crest Society. For the past two and one half years, chapter members staff the local Thrift Store on Sundays and in return, the chapter receives all proceeds from Sunday sales. This has become a steady source of revenue; is social and fun; as well as a great platform to offer information and create awareness of vision loss to the general public on a regular basis. – Submitted by Lori Fry

CCB Camp Bowen Society for the Visually Impaired///

2018 is barely three months old and spring is just around the corner but there are already several announcements from the team here at Camp Bowen we hope you will enjoy. In this edition of Happenings At Camp Bowen, find out how to get some tasty treats while supporting our programs, get details on our work on the Canadian Blindness Services project, find out about what we’re doing to support literacy of blind, visually impaired, and deaf blind Canadians, learn about a new way to keep up with our news, discover where the team was during White Cane Week, and read about our time at Bowfest, Bowen Island’s local community fair. Also in this edition we have some sponsors to recognize.

WE’RE HOPPING WITH EXCITEMENT!

Easter will be here before you know it, bringing with it family get togethers, Easter egg hunts for the children, and, of course, lots and lots of chocolate. This year, it is also bringing an opportunity for you to get your fix of Purdy’s delicious chocolates while supporting programs benefiting blind, partially sighted, and deaf blind Canadians. Spring into Easter with both featured items for Easter and regular favourites such as: Easter baskets, Baby Bunnies, Bobbity Bunny – Milk Salted Toffees, Topsy Bunnies, Bunny Bags, Peanut Butter Eggs, Yolk Eggs, Caramel Eggs, Petit Pastels, Georgia Plushies, Jelly Beans, Sweet Georgia Browns, Hedgehogs, Easter Tins – and much more!

Purdy’s has been making chocolates in Vancouver since 1907, and it’s still where they craft all your favourites today. Purdy’s uses only the highest quality ingredients like Canadian dairy, crunchy nuts that are roasted in-house, and only 100% sustainable cocoa. On top of supporting the Camp Bowen Society for the Visually Impaired, every purchase you make helps improve the lives of cocoa farmers in rural communities. Easter is just around the corner and Purdy’s chocolates are great treats to offer your friends and family over supper, during an easter egg hunt, or just because. After all, who ever needed an excuse to eat chocolate?

Place your order online now! The link below will take you to our online campaign:  https://www.purdysgpp.com/775393

You pay the same as you’d pay in-store or online, and the Camp Bowen Society for the Visually Impaired gets 25% of sales.

You will need to register by entering your first name, last name, email address and creating a password. Once registered and logged in, you should be directed to the Camp Bowen Society for the Visually Impaired Easter Fundraiser Campaign page. From there you are able to: invite other members, shop online, and pay for your orders. Orders can be picked up at our three pickup locations: Vancouver, Surrey, and Bowen Island. Pickup will take place on the dates below. Please call +1 (604) 947-0021 before March 21, 2018 to arrange a pickup date, time, and location. You don’t pay for shipping!

Pickup Dates and locations:

Bowen Island:

Where: In front of the library

When: Thursday, March 22, 2018 from 3:15 to 6:45 PM (Call +1 (604) 947-0021 and press 2 to arrange a pickup time)

Surrey:

Where: 5737 180 St., Surrey, BC

When: Friday, March 23 to Thursday, March 29, 2018 (Call +1 (604) 947-0021 and press 2 to arrange a pickup time)

Vancouver:

Where: 1720 West 12th Ave., Vancouver, BC

When: Friday, March 23 to Thursday, March 29, 2018 (Call +1 (604) 947-0021 extension 105 to arrange a pickup time)

Don’t miss the order deadline:  March 12th

We thank you in advance for your support of programs benefiting blind, partially sighted, and deaf blind Canadians.

Please feel free to call us at +1 (604) 947-0021 with any questions you may have about this fundraiser or our program offerings.

From all of us at Camp Bowen, have a happy Easter.

Introducing Canadian Blindness Services

The Camp Bowen Society for the Visually Impaired welcomes Canadian Blindness Services to our family of projects. Canadian Blindness Services is designed to be a central and collaborative information exchange and services hub for individuals, families, organizations, and businesses participating within the blind, visually impaired, and deaf blind community in Canada. We believe that collaboration between those involved in the blind, visually impaired, and deaf blind community is important because together, we are stronger. We also understand the need to connect those who are blind, visually impaired, and deaf blind, as well as their families, with information and resources, and we seek to meet this need. This project can be found at canadianblindnessservices.com

Canadian Blindness Services is still in the beginning stages. As always, your feedback is welcome. Feel free to contact Canadian Blindness Services via the contact us link on the project’s website.

Camp Bowen Books Project Launches on World Braille Day

“Access to communication in the widest sense is access to knowledge, and that is vitally important for us if we [the blind] are not to go on being despised or patronized by condescending sighted people. We do not need pity, nor do we need to be reminded we are vulnerable. We must be treated as equals – and communication is the way this can be brought about.”

Louis Braille

209 years ago, Louis Braille was born in Coupvray, France. He would later go on to develop Braille, the reading and writing system widely in use by blind people today. It is in his honour that World Braille Day is celebrated. It falls each year on January 4, commemorating his birthday.

We are very pleased to be announcing our contribution to the literacy of blind, partially sighted, and deaf blind readers. The project launched last month on World Braille Day and we’re very pleased to be able to share it with you now in this newsletter. So, without further ado, here it is, adapted from our original announcement.

It is with great excitement that we announce that the Camp Bowen Society for the Visually Impaired has now been made a publisher of accessible books by Library and Archives Canada as part of the new Camp Bowen Books Project. The project compliments our summer camps and training initiatives and will not be taking resources away from either. The Camp Bowen Books project aims to produce books in a variety of accessible formats including electronic text, audio, Braille, and others. We don’t plan to stop at the production of accessible books, though. We want to get them into the hands of as many people as possible. To that end we will be offering the books we produce to the public library system and through our website so that they can be enjoyed by readers everywhere, sighted or not. To find out more about the project, visit the “books” tab of the Camp Bowen website.

Like with most things we do at Camp Bowen, volunteers are central. If you would like to volunteer to become a book producer, audio narrator, proof reader, or have another idea on how you can help, please get in touch via the contact page on our website.

We look forward to making this world a more accessible place and doing our part to close the gap between inaccessible and accessible books. We sincerely hope you will join us on this exciting journey.

Introducing the Camp Bowen Newsline

We are pleased to introduce the Camp Bowen newsline, a new way to access Camp Bowen news via our telephone system. From now on, all articles on the website will also be available in an audio format by calling either +1 (604) 947-0021 or +1 (844) MYBOWEN (692-6936) and pressing 1. We hope you will find this feature useful. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us.

Camp Bowen at Bowfest 2017

The Camp Bowen Society for the Visually Impaired was at Bowfest on Bowen Island on Saturday, August 26. Peg, Jessica, Jocelyn, and Alex were on site to run our two booths and interact with the Bowen Island community. At one booth, the society sold Braille puzzle books that challenged sighted people to decode the Braille messages. We also sold customized Braille bookmarks. At our other booth, Bowfest attendees had a chance to try Showdown, a sport for the blind similar to air hockey and table tennis, that was developed right here in BC by two blind men. Thanks to the Bowfest committee and all the volunteers who helped make the day a success. We look forward to returning next year.

Supporter Spotlight

In this month’s Supporter Spotlight, we would like to recognize the following:

– The Royal Canadian Legion Cloverdale Branch #6 for their monetary contribution

– Digitally Hip Corporation, David McCullum, and Emily Erickson McCullum for their dedication and financial assistance in acquiring local Bowen Island phone numbers

– The Bowfest organizers for their continued generosity and support.

Our supporters are the only reason we are able to continue offering the kinds of programs we do. If you would like to make a contribution by cheque, money order, or online, please visit the below link for instructions.

https://campbowen.ca/donate/

As always, if you would like to know more information about Camp Bowen or our various projects, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. WE can be reached by phone at +1 (604) 947-0021 or +1 (844) MYBOWEN (692-6936). Alternately, we can be reached by any of the methods at: https://campbowen.ca/contact/

Submitted by The Camp Bowen Team

CCB Dogwood Coquitlam Chapter///

Just a short note about the success of one of our volunteers, Kiyo Breitting, in bringing blind tennis to the Lower Mainland. Blind tennis was first started in 1984 in Japan. It uses a regular tennis ball with a rattler core that makes a sound when it hits the ground. Although the size of the racquet remains constant the length of the handle is shorter and is based on your degree of vision loss. The ultimate goal is for a partially sighted person to hit the ball on two bounces while a totally blind person is allowed three bounces. Kiyo has been working with our Dogwood group the last year offering us blind tennis as another form of activity other than table bowling. She recently made contact with BC Blind Sports who in co operation with Parks and Rec for the City of Coquitlam has set up a weekly session on Monday from 4:30 to 6 at Pinetree Community Centre. This location is easily accessible by skytrain. Should this sound like something you would like to try please contact BC Blind Sports or our Dogwood Club at whitecane@shaw.ca . – Submitted by Pat Roy

CCB Kelowna Blind Curlers Chapter///

TEAM CANADA SWEEPS ITS WAY TO GOLD

Team Canada based out of Kelowna was successful in defending the Canadian vision Impaired championship that was won last February, 2017.  The team was made up of skip Donna Loewen, third Frank Costello, second Brian Lechelt, lead Bill Mah, sweeper Kent Stewart, on ice guide Dan Martell and coach Carol McAstocker.  Team Canada had a record of 4 and 2 after the round robin portion of the tournament.  Alberta also had a record of 4 and 2.  We got the bye to the finals based on the fact that we beat Alberta in the round robin portion of the spiel. We played team Ontario in the final and won 6 4.

The competition was keen as Alberta and BC tied with a record of 4 and 2 and no less then 4 other teams had records of 3 and 3 which required tie breakers to decide who would play in the semifinals.  Bill Mah of team Canada made the all-star team as lead.

The weather in our nation’s capital was cold but the hospitality was warm. Our thanks go out to the committee and volunteers for a very successful bonspiel. – submitted by Bill Mah

CCB Penticton Chapter///

The Chapter Christmas party was held in December 2017 with a gift exchange, everyone enjoyed themselves and the plentiful good food. The chapter will hold a volunteer lunch in April to celebrate volunteer month.  – Submitted by Irene Warlow

CCB Provincial Book Club Chapter///

The CCB, BC-Yukon Division Book Club is always seeking additional members, so if you’re interested in joining the Book Club please contact Kathy Sanness or Albert Ruel directly.  Contact info is found at the bottom of this article.

The following is a list of books the group decided to undertake over the coming months.

March 24th: Deadly safari, Author: McQuillan, Karin.;

April 28th: The Orenda, Author: Boyden, Joseph

May 26th: From This Moment On, Author: Twain, Shania.;

June 23rd: Mandala, Author: Buck, Pearl S.; (Pearl Sydenstricker);

Other books discussed were:

The Twelfth Mile, Author: Perrault, Ernest G.;

The Child Finder, Author: Denfeld, Rene.;

Wenjack, Born with a tooth, Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont, Through black spruce and Three day road, Author: Boyden, Joseph;

Elephants Graveyard, Author: McQuillan, Karin.;

A brief history of time: from the big bang to black holes, Author: Hawking, S. W.; (Stephen W.) Carl Sagan;

The Immortalists, Author: Benjamin, Chloe;

Wicked Intentions, Maiden Lane Series, Author: Hoyt, Elizabeth.

For those who RSVP to join the Book Club monthly conference call, Kathy will circulate the toll free number and call-in code.

The meeting takes place from 9:00 to 10:00 AM Pacific Time on the 4th Saturday of each month.

For further information contact:

Kathy Sanness, President at 778-484-2298 or ksanness@telus.net

Albert Ruel, Secretary at 250-240-2343 or  albert.GTT@CCBNational.net

VocalEye Descriptive Arts Society:///

As you may remember, VocalEye was a CCB chapter but last year we grew so large that we needed to apply for our own charitable status. We found ourselves writing so many tax receipts, many of them very small, but the paperwork was getting very complicated and so we started the application process.

VocalEye has transitioned its members to a chapter by a new name, The Vancouver Arts and Culture Lovers Chapter. This means we can now focus on just social activities and our members get together to see accessible arts and cultural events throughout the metro Vancouver area and usually tag on a social lunch or dinner is possible. The good news is that VocalEye has now been approved as a charity and our new Registered Charity Number: 80166 6702 RR0001. We will send tax receipts for ANY amount that is donated so we hope that you will consider us when making your charitable contributions.

Coming up this spring, VocalEye will be describing the following shows. As always, you can visit their website for full show details and how to take advantage of the Theatre Buddy Program (sighted guide assistance from a transit meet up location to the theatre venue and back), as well as the Ticket Access Program. We were donated $1000 to help people with sight loss who may have financial barriers to going to the theatre. The TAP is a pilot project only available in Vancouver, at this time, and will help subsidize the cost of a ticket for one patron with sight loss and one companion ticket.  Sign up is easy and discrete and all the details are available at (www.vocaleye.ca)

UPCOMING SHOWS:

“Onegin”Described on Saturday March 3, 2018 at 4 pm at the Surrey Arts Centre, 13750 88 Avenue, Surrey | 604-501-5566 | https://www.google.ca/maps/place/13750+88+Ave,+Surrey,+BC+V3W+3L1/@49.1626,-122.841187,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x5485d9ec7129e19f:0xd64032af83d69f8bThe Arts Club on Tour comes to Surrey.  Tickets are $29 for VocalEye users, while they last. (eligable for TAP)Please call the Box Office to purchase at 604-501-5566. Described by Rick Waines

Pronounced “oh-Nyay-gun” and the winner of ten Jessie Richardson theatre awards, this lush, passionate and acclaimed new musical about trying not to fall in love is based on the famous Russian poem by Pushkin and the opera by Tchaikovsky. When Onegin, a dashing but jaded aristocrat from St. Petersburg, inherits his uncle’s estate in the country, his arrival sets hearts afire and stirs the embers of jealousy. Even the reclusive young Tatyana falls hopelessly under the spell of the aloof Onegin, and professes her love for him. Will playing with lonely Russian hearts reap heartbreak or romance?

“Sequence”

Described on Saturday March 17 at 8 pm and Saturday March 24 at 8 pm at Presentation House, 333 Chesterfield Avenue, North Vancouver Tickets are priced at $20 for VocalEye users with Promo Code SEQ2018. Please call 604-990-3474 to purchase. VocalEye’s new Ticket Access Program provides rebates for those in financial need. Please contact buddies@vocaleye.ca for details. Running time is 80 minutes, no intermission. Described by Eileen Barrett

We are always thrilled to partner with Realwheels, but especially so on this production, which stars our very own Amy Amantea playing the role of Dr. Guzman, a research professor who is legally blind. Congratulations, Amy! We can’t wait to describe your performance and this exciting production!

Sequence, an award-winning thriller written by Canadian playwright (and eye surgeon) Arun Larka, explores the interplay between logic and metaphysics, science and faith, luck and probability, determinism and free will through two narratives that intertwine like a fragment of DNA.

A professor confronts a student who has defied probability by taking a multiple-choice exam, only to get every answer – 150 of them – wrong (the probability of achieving this result is one in a pentillion). Meanwhile, the “Luckiest Man Alive” – his status cemented by his uncanny ability to predict the winner of the Super Bowl coin toss for 20 years running – is confronted by a young woman who claims to know his secret.

What’s up with Amy Amantea and The Blind Beader?///

I couldn’t miss the opportunity to share with you all what I have been up to. If you just read the VocalEye blurb, you will have noticed that I have been cast in a professional theatre production, yup I am now officially a PAID actor!

I have been in full time rehearsals since February 1st and they have been very intense!

What is so great about the Realwheels Theatre Production is that they have hired a blind actor to play a blind character. Realwheels has a mandate to deepen the audience’s experience of the lived experience of disability – they do this through community productions, which are volunteer (I just did Comedy on Wheels in May 2017 – a fantastic production with 3 sold out performances on Granville Island)

Now I am back in this science thriller playing a genetics professor that is losing her eyesight to RP (retinitis pigmentosa). It is a four character play and my direct scene partner is a person who lives with Autism.

Here’s the funny thing. The 80  minute show has a 70 page script…since I had to blow mine up to ARIEL font, BOLD, SIZE 38 – my script is contained in a 4 inch binder and has 300+ pages.

So, the show runs from March 14-24 and VocalEye is describing 2 performances (see above for dates) and a meet up location from Lonsdale Quay Sea Bus station, the theatre is a 10 min. walk or a short bus ride and you can travel in a group.

Tickets are extra discounted for those with sight loss as a courtesy to me and my fellow community members!

I really hope you will come out and be entertained! Here is a link to the website for more details, you may have to copy/paste into your browser:  https://www.phtheatre.org/show/sequence/

And YES!!I will be attending this year’s CCB AGM in April – and I will be bringing BIG RED (as requested) with all The Blind Beader’s creations. I am looking forward to seeing many familiar faces and meeting some new ones! – Submitted by Amy Amantea

CCB Get Together with Technology (GTT) Corner///

Apple Accessibility Support, Google Disability Email Address and the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk

We all need a little help from time to time, and with our modern devices it’s even more frequent some days.  So, when you get into trouble, or you just can’t figure something out with your iPhone/iPad/iPod/Mac computer, and if you’re an assistive software user below is the number to call.

Secondly, for those who use Android phones, or any other Google product with assistive software you can reach out to their Google Disability Support Desk by email only at the address provided below.

Thirdly, if you use a PC computer with assistive software you can call the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for expert help and guidance.

Apple Accessibility Support

1-877-204-3930

Microsoft Disability Answer Desk

1-800-936-5900

Google Disability Support, no phone number available:

disability-support-external@google.com

Get Together with Technology Contacts:

For more information please contact your GTT Coordinators:

Albert Ruel

1-877-304-0968,550

albert.GTT@CCBNational.net

OR

Kim Kilpatrick

1-877-304-0968,513

GTTProgram@Gmail.com    

Donna’s Low Tech Tips

Submitted to CCB’s Get Together with Technology Blog

No need to be afraid of technology

I am Donna Jodhan, and through the CCB’s Get Together with Technology initiative I will circulate weekly into your inbox tips on how you might overcome some of your technology fears.  This is my first blog submission and I thank the GTT Team for giving me this opportunity.

Many of us did not grow up in the era of technology and it is probably why some of us are so hesitant when it comes to interacting with it.  For me, I am somewhere in between and it never ceases to amaze me how much technology can change our lives.  From the most basic of technology to the most sophisticated; it does not really matter.

I want to talk about some of the most basic technology in my blogs and I’ll start with a handy little gadget called:

“Talk to the Wilson” version 6.

This state-of-the-art digital voice recorder is simple to use. Record up to 12 hours of voice messages.

Note: Not Available with Quota Funds

Features:- NEW for Version 6:

• Check Message
• Message Management System
• LP/SP switch for Long Play or Standard Play (shorter recording time, better sound quality).
• When memory is full, the oldest recorded message is automatically deleted
• Will store multiple messages
• Easy to add or delete messages
• Clips to your belt, visor, or purse
• Ear piece (mono)
• Use to Record:  Phone numbers, Addresses, Shopping Lists, Reminders, To-do lists, Notes, Appointments, Messages, Lectures, Directions, Audio instructions and much more!
• Measures 2 x 3 x 0.5 inches.
• Requires 2 AAA batteries (not included).
• Note: Not compatible with Windows 8.
• The Wilson digital recorder is not related to the Wilson Reading System product.
• Downloadable Manual: The Wilson instructions are available free-of-charge as a text file on our downloadable manuals page. We do not sell the manual separately. Please visit :http://www.aph.org/manuals/index.html

The Wilson Digital Voice Recorder, Version 6

Catalogue Number: 1-03993-04

Price:    $39.95

Ordering page:

https://shop.aph.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_The%20Wilson%20Digital%20Voice%20Recorder,%20Version%206_36594896P_10001_11051

So have fun now with the Talk to the Wilson recorder and see you next week.

Donna’s CCB Mysteries Chapter:

If you would like to become a member of my CCB Mysteries chapter you can do so for the price of $10 annually and in return you will receive unlimited access to either of the following libraries.

Recipes –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-recipes.html

Audio mysteries for all ages –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-audio-mysteries.html

Or you can subscribe to both for the price of $20 annually.

***OTHER NEWS

Credit Card Scam in a Hotel:///

This is a smart scam; beware! You arrive at your hotel and check in at the front desk. Typically when checking in, you give the front desk your credit card (for any charges to your room) and they do not retain your card. You go to your room and settle in. All is good. The hotel receives a call and the caller asks for (as an example) room 120 – which happens to be your room. The phone rings in your room. You answer and the person on the other end says the following “This is the front desk. When checking in, we came across a problem with your credit card information. Please re-read me your credit card numbers and verify the 3 digit numbers on the reverse side of your card.

Not thinking anything wrong, since the call seems to come from the front desk you oblige. But actually, it is a scam by someone calling from outside the hotel. They have asked for a random room number, then ask you for your credit card and sometimes other information. They sound so professional, that you think you are talking to the front desk. If you ever encounter this scenario on your travels, tell the caller that you will be down to the front desk to clear up any problems. Then, go to the front desk or call the front desk directly and ask if there was a problem. If there was none, inform the hotel manager that someone tried to scam you of your credit card information, acting like a front desk employee. Always protect your private information.

Capilano K9 Collars:///

My friend Jean Chambers has been with her service dog, Annie, for about four years. Annie has changed Jeans life. Jean has a genetic disorder that is degenerative – similar to ALS but it affects the lower half of her body. As jean started to walk slower and the movement of her lower limbs became more argues, she decided to apply for a dog.  It wasn’t long after that that Jean decided to pull out her old sewing machine and create some festive collars for Annie…She had a Canucks one, as they love to watch the game together, cupcakes, musical notes, Christmas bulbs…you name it! Then one Christmas she made on for a friend who had a guide dog and learned that guide gods utilize a special correction style collar called a martingale. Instead of a plastic buckle attachment, the martingale is attached with a length of chain that is used for correction but doesn’t choke the dog. So, Jean created a special collar for guide dog handlers. Jean has discovered a passion for creating dog collars of all sizes and patterns.

What a great custom gift! So the next time you are in the market for a unique gift for your pooch or friend of a pooch, contact Jean!

Jean Chambers – 604-281-1987 or jeanchambers@shaw.ca

– Submitted by Amy Amantea

***NEW IN THIS ISSUE

Letter to the Editor///

An opportunity for readers to provide feedback on newsletter articles or express concerns or opinions pertaining to current barriers and related issues encountered on a daily basis.

As you will see, the following advocacy efforts created a positive outcome.

Delta Airlines proposed new policy – Submitted by Bill Conway

Deltas proposed new policy in a nut shell:

……all Guide & Service Dog users must seek permission 48 hours prior to flight departure.

…all Guide & Service Dogs users will no longer be permitted to use curb check-in convenience

…all Guide & Service Dog users must fill out a form 48 hours prior to flight departure

…Delta indicates this is due to fake dog teams.

My Opinion:  On January 29, 1929, Morris Franks opened the doors of The Seeing Eye Inc., now located in Morristown New Jersey, and started the pathway of independence for the visually impaired citizens of the United States.  The first Canadian Seeing Eye Guide Dog team was in 1932 and they lived in Thunder Bay Ontario.

Morris advocated and broke down barriers so all Guide Dog teams can travel on trains, boats and airplanes, independently and without permission.  He ensured that the ground breaking work was done at the beginning, so the future can follow a simple path of direction. Never once since that time and even up to now, has a Guide Dog user ever had to ask permission to travel on any mode of transportation.

Delta is indicating that the new proposed policy is due to the increase of ‘FAKE GUIDE & SERVICE DOGS’ and some of these dog teams become unruly on their airline.

To me, whenever traveling, to a provincial, national, or international destination, I travel with my personal identification along with my Guide Dog’s identification. My Dog’s identification consist of, my school’s student identification card…that has schools name and has the IGDF certification logo stamp.  I also have a letter from my vet indicating up-to-date medical information.

This is what all Guide Dog teams should carry and should not be require in filling out a permission slip.  This way when checking through the system, at the airport, you can easily produce information that can be checked via a computer.  The computer could only confirm that the school identification you hold is a credit and certified school.

To stop all these fake dogs we can start with the following;

…protest all of the Webb sites that sell dog equipment and accessories that make fake dogs possible.  ….Let Amazon and EBay know of your displeasure of these Webb sites and the damage it is given to certified Guide & Service Dog teams.

I am still left with some questions;

…Why does Delta Airlines wish to travel backwards instead of just asking some simple questions at any of passengers check in points?

…When have you heard of anyone seeking permission to ride on a plane?

…Did the terrorist seek permission before they boarded the planes in 2001

Outcome to the above Advocacy efforts

Dear fellow Seeing Eye graduate, As many of you already know, Delta Air Lines announced changes to their policy for service and emotional support animals to go into effect on March 1st. They received a lot of criticism and based on that feedback, have changed some parts of the new policy.

Under the revised policy, still scheduled to go into effect on March 1st, passengers with service animals will no longer be required to complete the check-in process at a Delta ticket counter. Instead, passengers will once again have the option of checking in electronically, at a kiosk or at curb side. Also, advance notice is no longer mandatory so you will be able to travel on short notice or transfer from another airline to Delta without restriction. However, Delta’s new policy for service animals still requires you to “travel with the animal’s Veterinary Health Form and/or an immunization record or other proof of vaccination.”

One way to help the process go more smoothly is to immediately identify your dog as a service animal that has been specially bred and trained to mitigate your disability. Also, be sure that you understand your rights, and if you are prohibited from checking in online, at a kiosk, or at curb side, immediately ask to speak with a CRO (Complaint Resolution Official). You can read more about your rights at:

http://www.seeingeye.org/knowledge-center/rights–legal-information/airlines-and-cruise-ships.html

Please call The Seeing Eye at 973-539-4425 or email

advocacy@seeingeye.org if you experience problems on your Delta flight. This will help us track any ongoing issues.

In closing, many thanks to those of you who responded to the call for action against Delta’s initial policy. For much of his life, Seeing Eye co-founder Morris Frank tirelessly advocated for the rights of people who are blind to travel by air without the need for special permission, but simply as he put it, “as blessedly ordinary passengers.” Everyone here at The Seeing Eye salutes you for

personifying the pioneering spirit and determination of Morris Frank and other early advocates of the guide dog movement.

Here are some helpful resources for your next Delta flight.

Delta’s accessibility assistance line: 404-209-3434

Delta – Service and Support Animals:

https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/special-travel- needs/service-animals.html

Sincerely,

Ginger Bennett Kutsch

Advocacy Specialist

The Seeing Eye, Inc.

Morristown, New Jersey

(973) 539-4425

http://www.seeingeye.org

FOR SALE///

Humanware, Explore 5 Electronic Magnifier

Description

–  Size 6.5”x4”

– Automatic light

– Up to 22x magnification adjustments

– Has rechargeable battery and power chord-

– Variety of colour adjustments-

– Stands on it own or hand held

–  Freeze frame capabilities

– 7 months old

– Reason for sale – can no longer use it

– Brand new $800

– Asking Price $500.

– Call Monica 604 701 9869

Your CCB BC-Yukon Division Board of Directors///

Ann McNabb, President – 604-795-7230 – ann4council@telus.net

Lori Fry, National Representative – 250-395-2452 – ODIFRY@shaw.ca

Gerry Braak, 1st Vice President – 604-485-5028 -gbraak@shaw.ca

Pat Chicquen, 2nd Vice President – 250-339-3904 – patchicquen@hotmail.com

Bill Conway, Director – 604-740-5896 – 5122wac@telus.net

Linda Hall, Director – 250-376-4900 – lhall12@shaw.ca

Kathy Sanness, Director – 778-484-2298 – ksanness@telus.net