Tag: Social Distance

CCB-GTT Weekly Meetings, June 28 to July 04, 2020 via Zoom Conference

Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB)

Weekly Open Chat and GTT Youth Zoom Conference Calls

 

You’re invited to the CCB and GTT’s Zoom Conference call meetings for the week of June 21, where we will focus on the needs of Canadians who are blind or partially sighted as we all adjust to the “Social Distancing” that will keep us safe from COVID-19.  The calls will take place over the accessible Zoom Conference system, which will allow participants to dial in using their landline phones, smart phones or computers.  See below for the Zoom link and phone numbers.

Week of June 28 to July 4, 2020:

Monday, June 29, 2020, 1:00 PM Eastern/10:00 AM Pacific Time: Brian Bibeault and Elmer Thiesen: Albert Ruel’s Retirement Party.

Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 1:00 PM Eastern/10:00 AM Pacific Time: Gerry Chevalier:

Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 2:00 PM Eastern/11:00 AM Pacific Time: Kim Kilpatrick and  Elmer Thiesen:

Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 2:00 PM Eastern/11:00 AM Pacific: Rebecca Jackson, Nolin Jenakov and David Green

Friday, July 3, 2020, 1:00 PM Eastern/10:00 AM Pacific Time: David Green and Gerry Chevalier:

You can participate by phone or internet from wherever you are:

CCB is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

https://zoom.us/j/9839595688?pwd=N01yeERXQk4rWnhvNCtHTzZwdXcwQT09

Meeting ID: 983 959 5688

Password: 320119

Alberta One tap mobile for Smart Phones:

+15873281099,9839595688#

BC One tap mobile for Smart Phones:

+17789072071,9839595688#

Manitoba One tap mobile for Smart Phones:

+12045151268,9839595688#

Montreal One tap mobile for Smart Phones:

+14388097799,9839595688#

Toronto One tap mobile for Smart Phones:

+16473744685,9839595688#

Direct Dial:

Alberta: +1 587 328 1099

BC: +1 778 907 2071

Manitoba: +1 204 515 1268

Montreal: +1 438 809 7799

Toronto: +1 647 374 4685

 

For more information, contact:

Kim Kilpatrick, GTT East Coordinator

GTTProgram@Gmail.com

1-877-304-0968 Ext 513

Brian Bibeault, Volunteer Coordinator:

gtt.northbay@gmail.com

 

CCB Backgrounder:

 

The CCB was founded in 1944 by a coalition of blind war veterans, schools of the blind and local chapters to create a national self-governing organization. The CCB was incorporated by Letters Patent on May 10, 1950 and is a registered charity under the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

The purpose of the CCB is to give people with vision loss a distinctive and unique perspective before governments.  CCB deals with the ongoing effects of vision loss by encouraging active living and rehabilitation through peer support and social and recreational activities.

CCB promotes measures to conserve sight, create a close relationship with the sighted community and provide employment opportunities.

 

The CCB recognizes that vision loss has no boundaries with respect to gender, income, ethnicity, culture, other disabilities or age.

The CCB understands in many instances vision loss is preventable and sometimes is symptomatic of other health issues.  For the 21st century, the CCB is committed to an integrated proactive health approach for early detection to improve the quality of life for all Canadians.

As the largest membership organization of the blind and partially sighted in Canada the CCB is the “Voice of the Blind™”.

 

 

CCB National Office

100-20 James Street Ottawa ON  K2P 0T6

Toll Free: 1-877-304-0968 Email: info@ccbnational.net URL: http://www.ccbnational.net

 

CCB-GTT Weekly Meetings, June 21 to June 27, 2020 via Zoom Conference

Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB)

Weekly Open Chat, GTT Beginners and GTT Youth Zoom Conference Calls

 

You’re invited to the CCB and GTT’s Zoom Conference call meetings for the week of June 21, where we will focus on the needs of Canadians who are blind or partially sighted as we all adjust to the “Social Distancing” that will keep us safe from COVID-19.  The calls will take place over the accessible Zoom Conference system, which will allow participants to dial in using their landline phones, smart phones or computers.  See below for the Zoom link and phone numbers.

Week of June 21 to June 27, 2020:

Monday, June 22, 2020, 1:00 PM Eastern/10:00 AM Pacific Time: Albert Ruel and Brian Bibeault:

Tuesday, June 23, 2020, 2:00 PM Eastern/11:00 AM Pacific: Kim Kilpatrick and Brian Bibeault:

Wednesday, June 24, 2020, 1:00 PM Eastern/10:00 AM Pacific Time: Gerry Chevalier:

Wednesday, June 24, 2020, 2:00 PM Eastern/11:00 AM Pacific Time: Kim Kilpatrick and :

Wednesday, June 24, 2020, 2:00 PM Eastern/11:00 AM Pacific: Rebecca Jackson, Nolin Jenakov and David Green

Friday, June 26, 2020, 1:00 PM Eastern/10:00 AM Pacific Time: David Green and Gerry Chevalier:

You can participate by phone or internet from wherever you are:

CCB is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

https://zoom.us/j/9839595688?pwd=N01yeERXQk4rWnhvNCtHTzZwdXcwQT09

Meeting ID: 983 959 5688

Password: 320119

Alberta One tap mobile for Smart Phones:

+15873281099,9839595688#

BC One tap mobile for Smart Phones:

+17789072071,9839595688#

Manitoba One tap mobile for Smart Phones:

+12045151268,9839595688#

Montreal One tap mobile for Smart Phones:

+14388097799,9839595688#

Toronto One tap mobile for Smart Phones:

+16473744685,9839595688#

Direct Dial:

Alberta: +1 587 328 1099

BC: +1 778 907 2071

Manitoba: +1 204 515 1268

Montreal: +1 438 809 7799

Toronto: +1 647 374 4685

 

For more information, contact:

Kim Kilpatrick, GTT East Coordinator

GTTProgram@Gmail.com

1-877-304-0968 Ext 513

 

Albert Ruel, GTT West Coordinator

albert.GTT@CCBNational.net

1-877-304-0968 Ext 550

 

Brian Bibeault, Volunteer Coordinator:

gtt.northbay@gmail.com

 

CCB Backgrounder:

 

The CCB was founded in 1944 by a coalition of blind war veterans, schools of the blind and local chapters to create a national self-governing organization. The CCB was incorporated by Letters Patent on May 10, 1950 and is a registered charity under the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

The purpose of the CCB is to give people with vision loss a distinctive and unique perspective before governments.  CCB deals with the ongoing effects of vision loss by encouraging active living and rehabilitation through peer support and social and recreational activities.

CCB promotes measures to conserve sight, create a close relationship with the sighted community and provide employment opportunities.

 

The CCB recognizes that vision loss has no boundaries with respect to gender, income, ethnicity, culture, other disabilities or age.

The CCB understands in many instances vision loss is preventable and sometimes is symptomatic of other health issues.  For the 21st century, the CCB is committed to an integrated proactive health approach for early detection to improve the quality of life for all Canadians.

As the largest membership organization of the blind and partially sighted in Canada the CCB is the “Voice of the Blind™”.

 

 

CCB National Office

100-20 James Street Ottawa ON  K2P 0T6

Toll Free: 1-877-304-0968 Email: info@ccbnational.net URL: http://www.ccbnational.net

 

Survey: Canadian Human Rights Commission, Monitoring the CRPD: Your feedback matters / Surveillance du respect de la CDPH : votre opinion compte

 

Trouble viewing this email? Read it online

(Le français suit l’anglais)

Dear colleagues, friends, and fellow human rights advocates,

We hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy during this time.

In recent months, the COVID-19 crisis has forced all of us to navigate our way through unprecedented circumstances. We now know that the pandemic, and the measures put in place around it, continue to have disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, on people living in vulnerable circumstances, and on many people with disabilities in Canada. In many cases, the pandemic is exposing and amplifying pre-existing inequalities and barriers that have long existed in our society.

This is why it is imperative that human rights not be forgotten or ignored during this challenging time. As our country begins to reset, this is the time to press forward together for human rights and innovate for equality. We must continue to be vigilant, and to stay connected and attentive to the voices of people with disabilities across the country.

One way we hope to do this is by inviting you to help shape how the Canadian Human Rights Commission will monitor the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

As you know, the Commission is an independent body separate from the Government of Canada. As Canada’s human rights watchdog, we have a responsibility to both promote and protect human rights.

As a part of that role, the Commission was recently given a new responsibility to monitor the implementation of the CRPD here in Canada.

In order to do this, we would like to engage with diverse rights holders across Canada to hear your lived experiences and opinions on this important topic.

Your feedback matters. In fact, it will be invaluable to helping Canada better protect the rights of people with disabilities.

We therefore invite you to spend 15-30 minutes completing our online survey. In doing so, you will be able to provide us with your input, as well as learn more about the CRPD and the Commission’s role in monitoring it.

Understanding that many of you are balancing multiple priorities and responsibilities at this time, we will keep the survey open for an extended period of time. We want to ensure that participants have an opportunity to participate in this initiative in a manner that is most appropriate and convenient to you, so that we are able to hear from as many individuals as possible.

If you have any questions or comments specifically about this engagement, or wish to obtain a paper copy of the online survey, please reach out to: survey@chrc2020-ccdp2020.ca.

If you have other questions about this initiative or the Canadian Human Rights Commission itself, please do not hesitate to contact Tabatha Tranquilla, our Director of Policy, Research and International, at tabatha.tranquilla@chrc-ccdp.gc.ca.

We invite you to share this initiative with your networks and/or with anyone you think may be interested.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the survey. Your input will help protect the rights of people with disabilities across Canada.

Take care, stay safe, and remember — we are all in this together.

Best regards,

Marie-Claude Landry
Chief Commissioner
Canadian Human Rights Commission

**********************************

Collègues, amis et défenseurs des droits de la personne,

Nous espérons que vous et vos proches êtes en sécurité et que vous vous portez bien dans les circonstances.

Depuis quelques mois, la crise de la COVID-19 nous force à trouver des moyens de poursuivre notre vie malgré les circonstances sans précédent. Nous savons que la pandémie et les mesures mises en place pour la combattre ont des répercussions disproportionnées pour les communautés marginalisées, pour les personnes en situation de vulnérabilité et pour de nombreuses personnes handicapées au Canada. Pour beaucoup, la pandémie met en évidence et accentue les inégalités et les obstacles auxquels ces personnes étaient déjà confrontées, et qui sont présents dans la société depuis longtemps.

Les temps difficiles que nous vivons met en lumière l’importance capitale des droits de la personne et le fait qu’il est impératif qu’ils ne soient pas être oubliés ou ignorés. Alors que le Canada redémarre, et que nous devons nous réinventer à plusieurs égards, nous devons saisir l’occasion et poursuivre, ensemble, nos efforts afin de faire avancer les droits de la personne et faire preuve d’innovation et de créativité afin d’atteindre l’égalité. Nous devons demeurer vigilants et rester en contact et attentifs aux voix des personnes handicapées de partout au Canada.

Nous espérons y parvenir notamment en vous invitant à nous aider à concevoir la façon dont la Commission canadienne des droits de la personne surveillera la mise en œuvre et l’application de la Convention des Nations Unies relative aux droits de personnes handicapées (CDPH).

Comme vous le savez, la Commission mène ses activités indépendamment du gouvernement. À titre d’organisme national de surveillance des droits de la personne au Canada, elle est responsable à la fois de promouvoir et de protéger les droits de la personne.

C’est dans ce rôle que la Commission s’est récemment vu confier de nouvelles responsabilités dont celle d’assurer le suivi de la mise en œuvre de la CDPH au Canada.

Pour ce faire, nous tenons à ouvrir la conversation avec vous de partout au Canada qui êtes titulaires de ces droits, et ce, afin de connaître vos expériences et vos opinions sur cet important sujet.

Votre participation est importante. En effet, votre contribution est essentielle pour aider à faire progresser les droits des personnes handicapées au Canada.

Nous vous invitons donc à prendre de 15 à 30 minutes pour remplir notre sondage en ligne. Ce sondage vous permettra de nous fournir vos commentaires et votre point de vue. Il vous permettra également d’en apprendre davantage à propos de la CDPH et du rôle que jouera la Commission dans le suivi de sa mise en œuvre.

Puisque nous comprenons que beaucoup d’entre vous doivent actuellement jongler avec de multiples priorités et de multiples responsabilités, nous allons prolonger la période de sondage. Nous tenons à nous assurer que tous aient l’occasion de participer à cette initiative de la façon qui vous convient le mieux et au moment qui vous est le plus opportun afin de recevoir les réponses d’autant de personnes que possible.

Si vous avez des questions ou des commentaires à propos des responsabilités qui nous ont été attribuées, ou si vous voulez obtenir une copie papier du sondage, veuillez envoyer votre demande à l’adresse suivante : survey@chrc2020-ccdp2020.ca.

Si vous avez des questions à propos de cette initiative ou à propos de la Commission canadienne des droits de la personne, n’hésitez pas à contacter Tabatha Tranquilla, directrice de la Division des politiques, de la recherche et des affaires internationales : tabatha.tranquilla@chrc-ccdp.gc.ca.

Nous vous invitons à partager cette invitation aux personnes de votre réseau et à l’envoyer à toutes autres personnes que ça pourrait intéresser.

Nous vous remercions de prendre le temps de compléter le sondage. Votre participation contribuera à protéger les droits des personnes handicapées partout au Canada.

Portez-vous bien, restez en sécurité et n’oubliez pas — nous vivons cette épreuve ensemble.

Marie-Claude Landry
Présidente
Commission canadienne des droits de la personne

CHRC – CCDP
344 Slater S.1001
Ottawa Ontario K1A1E1
Canada

 

 

GTT Youth Weekly Meeting Announcement, May 26, 2020 via Zoom Conference

Get Together with Technology (GTT)

Sponsored by

Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB)

Invites all Blind and visually impaired  youth from ages 16 – 25 ish  to a weekly social drop-in Zoom gathering

 

Theme: To strengthen community through socialization and interaction

Date: Every Wednesday at 2:00 PM eastern time

  • Where: Zoom conference room. These gatherings will be moderated

CCB and GTT are inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5593858367?pwd=ckxOQzRhWTdTNzR0bDZWTm40NFJMdz09

Meeting ID: 559 385 8367

Password: 0880

CCB Backgrounder:

The CCB was founded in 1944 by a coalition of blind war veterans, schools of the blind and local chapters to create a national self-governing organization. The CCB was incorporated by Letters Patent on May 10, 1950 and is a registered charity under the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

The purpose of the CCB is to give people with vision loss a distinctive and unique perspective before governments.  CCB deals with the ongoing effects of vision loss by encouraging active living and rehabilitation through peer support and social and recreational activities.

CCB promotes measures to conserve sight, create a close relationship with the sighted community and provide employment opportunities.

The CCB recognizes that vision loss has no boundaries with respect to gender, income, ethnicity, culture, other disabilities or age.

The CCB understands in many instances vision loss is preventable and sometimes is symptomatic of other health issues.  For the 21st century, the CCB is committed to an integrated proactive health approach for early detection to improve the quality of life for all Canadians.

As the largest membership organization of the blind and partially sighted in Canada the CCB is the “Voice of the Blind™”.

CCB National Office

100-20 James Street Ottawa ON  K2P 0T6

Toll Free: 1-877-304-0968 Email: info@ccbnational.net URL: www.ccbnational.net

 

The Recent Canadian Council of the Blind Study Reveals the Stark Reality of COVID-19’s Disturbing Impact on Those Canadians Who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Partially-Sighted

The Recent Canadian Council of the Blind Study Reveals the Stark Reality of COVID-19’s Disturbing Impact on Those Canadians Who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Partially-Sighted

 

BY KEITH D. GORDON PH.D. AND MICHAEL BAILLARGEON

 

It goes without saying that at this time of crisis for the world, we are all feeling more stress than usual. Now imagine how much more stress you might be feeling if you were facing the dreaded COVID-19 with the additional challenges associated with those living with blindness or vision loss. We, at the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) became aware very early on in the pandemic (late February to early March) that many Canadians who are blind, deaf-blind or partially sighted were being heavily impacted by COVID-19. At the same time it was acutely apparent to the CCB that the many government initiatives and programs being announced in response to pandemic-related challenges were, for the most part, not taking into account what we see as the fundamental needs of not only our community, but all people with disabilities. We perceived the need for all levels of government to provide support and solutions to help those living with disabilities and by extension vision loss, get through these stressful times.

 

We saw it as being necessary to provide the factual support required by governments to act. Working in cooperation with Louise Gillis, CCB National President, we determined that our best course of action would be to survey the vision loss community and report our findings. The survey was designed to specifically identify what impact COVID-19 was having on those living with blindness or vision loss. We wanted to know their current circumstance and daily experiences due to the pandemic, and what their specific concerns and needs were.

 

The survey, conducted electronically during the week of April 7th to April 14th, attained a robust sample of 572 responses with respondents representing all provinces. We promised to let their voices be heard so that they would not be left behind, or forgotten.  Our goal, then and now, was to make sure that the members of the vision loss community would be provided with the support needed, both socially and economically, to weather the COVID-19 pandemic. The results are a call to action and paint a disturbing picture of the experiences Canada’s vision loss community are confronted with, on a daily basis, during this COVID-19 crisis.

Key results of the study showed high levels of stress in the vision loss community. Respondents are very concerned about social distancing – they’re unable to see how far they are from others and are concerned that others don’t realize that they have vision loss and tend to come too close. Respondents feel unsafe when going out.

Those living with vision loss are particularly concerned that the effect of the added stress from the pandemic on their mental health may cause them to become overwhelmed.

 

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada

 

Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall © OSGG-BSGG, 2017

 

This was re-enforced Thursday May 7, during a virtual conversation live streamed on YouTube, between Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada and Dr. Mona Nemer. Canada’s Chief Science Officer, discussing the importance of research and science in the times of global pandemic. When the conversation turned to a discussion on our vulnerable population and people with disabilities, the Governor General remarked as to having received a communication from the Canadian Council of the Blind; “that was alert particularly to the fact that people who are vision impaired are quite anxious in the time of the pandemic and that it was affecting them in many different ways.”

Survey respondents are stressed about their inability to access a doctor or health care practitioner and to meet their financial obligations, and about their ability to maintain their present standard of living. They’re further stressed due to their already-fragile economic status.

Respondents also expressed concern about having transportation and finding someone to accompany them should they have to go to the doctor or hospital.

Shopping is a concern as plexiglass shields make it difficult to negotiate payment and those with seeing disabilities are uncomfortable interacting with staff. About half of the respondents indicated that they had a personal care worker entering their home, about half of whom weren’t wearing proper personal protective equipment.

Respondents are concerned that when the COVID-19 pandemic is over, they’ll discover that their job no longer exists. Many who were asked to work from home have discovered that they don’t have the proper accessible devices and technology necessary to do their jobs from home, and that their employers have refused to provide or fund them.

The survey succeeded at identifying the challenges confronting those living with vision loss during the COVID-19 crisis. As Respondent 211 commented, “What’s affecting my mental health is this prolonged and extreme isolation. As a blind person, I already live a fairly limited life when referring to freedom of movement and independence and now even that small wedge of my active life has been completely eradicated.”

It’s clear that the vision loss community is being heavily impacted by the pandemic. It’s further evident that there’s a need for immediate action from all levels of government to provide support and solutions to help those living with vision loss get through these stressful times. The CCB’s resulting report includes detailed recommendations for all levels of government to consider.

In open-ended questions we discovered that there were a number of respondents who were concerned about their ability to see their eye doctor and that they might lose vision as a result. They also expressed a concern about not having an accompanying person with them when they went for their eye appointment and concern over maintaining social distancing in the doctor’s waiting room. The following are typical responses we received:

Respondent No.444: “I’m worried how long the pandemic and restrictions will last, and the impact on my appointments with doctor and optometrist.”

Respondent No. 441: “I am not able to get my monthly shots in my eyes, vision is going down.”

 

Respondent No. 547: “Can’t see my eye doctor. I need a new prescription and would like glasses instead of contacts.”

Respondent No. 465: “…my fear is having to do things like my eye appointment by myself when I am used to having my daughter with me to guide me and point out hazards in my way.”

Respondent No. 462: “Concerned about maintaining social distance in eye doctor’s waiting room.”

 

The Survey Report on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Canadians Who Are Blind, Deaf-Blind, and Partially-Sighted is fully accessible and available on the link above and on the CCB website at http://www.ccbnational.net.

 

Editor’s Note: Both Keith D. Gordon, Senior Research Officer and Michael Baillargeon, Senior Advisor Government Affairs and Special Projects are colleagues at the Canadian Council of the Blind, advocating on a daily basis, for Canadians who are living with blindness or vision loss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COVID-19: Canadian Council of the Blind Public Posts Regarding COVID-19

The CCB has made available to its members and the general public some important facts and resources that can be accessed from the following link:

 

COVID-19

 

Thx, Albert

 

COVID-19: INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 AND YOUR EYE HEALTH, Fighting Blindness Canada

Fighting Blindness Canada has put together a website containing up to date information about COVID-19 as it pertains to people living with vision loss.

 

Quoted text:

We understand this time of uncertainty may be confusing. We have prepared answers to some questions you may have about your eye health during these times.
Please note, different levels of government and professional associations have made recommendations regarding healthcare practices in response to COVID-19.
There may be different recommendations depending on your personal eye health, health care provider, or where you live.

 

Check it out right here:

Information about COVID-19 and Your Eye Health

 

Resource: CCB 3-Times Weekly Open House Chat Zoom Calls Expanding to 3-Days Per Week

Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB)

 

CCB Weekly Open House Chat Zoom Calls Expanding!

 

The COVID-19 pandemic means that we all must observe ‘social distancing’ in order to ‘flatten the curve’ and stem the spread of the Coronavirus.  Whether you are distancing or in isolation, there is no need to feel isolated.  Now more than ever, technology allows us to be more ‘connected’ even when we have to spend time apart.

 

CCB 3-Times Weekly Open House Chat :

Building Community among Canada’s blind and low vision population

Starting on March 27, 2020 for 90 minutes each Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM (Eastern), CCB staff and/or volunteers will host a vision loss and blindness related Zoom call to discuss all manner of adjustment to blindness issues that are on your mind.  All calls will be facilitated.

 

These Open Chat format calls are free of charge and will address a variety of needs.  Connect with us through your landline telephone, iDevice, Android device or computer as best suits your interests and abilities.  Here’s how to get connected:

Join the CCB Weekly Open House Chat Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/9839595688

Meeting ID: 983 959 5688

Toronto One tap mobile for Smart Phones:

+15873281099,,9839595688#

Toronto: +16473744685

Alberta: +1 587 328 1099

BC: +1 778 907 2071 Canada

Manitoba: +1 204 515 1268

Montreal: +1 438 809 7799

 

Contact CCB Staff:

Toll Free: +1-877-304-0968

Kim Kilpatrick, GTT Coordinator, Extension 513 GTTProgram@Gmail.com

Albert Ruel, GTT Coordinator, Extension 550, Albert.GTT@CCBNational.net

David Greene, GTT Trainer, Extension 509 AccessibilityTraining7@Gmail.com

Brian Bibeault, Volunteer Trainer:

GTT.NorthBay@Gmail.com

 

CCB and GTT on Social Media:

GTT Blog: https://GTTProgram.Blog/

CCB National Office: http://CCBNational.net/fresco/

CCB Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/CCBNational

GTT Facebook Group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/414313508657159?refid=27

GTT Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GTTatCCB/

Twitter: @GTTWest @GTTProgram @CCBNational

 

 

Resource: CCB’s GTT “Zooming” Forward through the current Social Distancing Situation

Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB)

Get Together with Technology (GTT)

 

  GTT Zooming Forward through the current Social Distancing Situation

 

The COVID-19 pandemic means that we all must observe ‘social distancing’ in order to ‘flatten the curve’ and stem the spread of the Coronavirus.  Whether you are distancing or in isolation, there is no need to feel isolated.  Now more than ever, technology allows us to be more ‘connected’ even when we have to spend time apart.

Blindness and low vision sometimes causes the need for additional supports like sighted guides and visual assistance in our homes and communities, which is greatly impacted by the need to “Socially Distance” ourselves.  In such instances it isn’t just the virus that is isolating us, it’s blindness or low vision that is intensifying the situation.

The CCB’s GTT program is making plans to support Canadians who are blind and partially sighted. We will help you to learn how to stay connected while you ensure your personal safety.  If you need assistance with your technology, this will now be provided through one-on-one telephone training sessions and with weekly 90-minute open chat calls, and through the already-available GTTSupport email distribution list, WhatsApp Group, GTTProgram.Blog site and on Facebook. One-on-one telephone coaching sessions can also be facilitated should people need to learn how to download audiobooks from Canada’s accessible Libraries, or to learn how to get sighted assistance through BeMyEyes and Aira services using smart phones and tablets.  See below for booking information.

 Zoom Conferencing One-On-One Tutorial Sessions:

Starting on March 18, 2020 GTT staff and volunteers will be available for one-on-one telephone sessions aimed at assisting those who want to learn how to install and use the very accessible Zoom Conferencing system on iOS devices, Android devices, or PC and Mac computers.  For one-on-one training sessions contact GTT staff and volunteers as per below.

In the meantime, download the app for your device by following the below links to download the Zoom Cloud Meeting app for:

Zoom For Windows Computers;

Zoom for Mac Computers;

Zoom for iOS from the AppStore;

Zoom for Android from the Google Play Store.

 GTT Weekly Open Chat:  Building Community among Canada’s blind and low vision population

Starting on March 18, 2020 for 90 minutes each Wednesday from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM (Eastern), GTT staff and/or volunteers will host a GTT Zoom call to discuss all manner of assistive technology and adjustment to blindness issues that are on your mind.  These calls are free of charge, and the topics are open, and will address a variety of needs.  Connect with us through your landline telephone, iDevice, Android device or computer as best suits your interests and abilities.  Here’s how to get connected:

Join the GTT Weekly Open Chat Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/9839595688

Meeting ID: 983 959 5688

Toronto One tap mobile for Smart Phones:

+15873281099,,9839595688#

Toronto: +16473744685

Alberta: +1 587 328 1099

BC: +1 778 907 2071 Canada

Manitoba: +1 204 515 1268

Montreal: +1 438 809 7799

 

 GTT Audiobook Download Tutorial Sessions:

While in-person book clubs may have been cancelled and libraries may have closed, staying at home means that you have more time to catch up on your reading.  Are you struggling to download audiobooks from your favourite Library; has the volunteer who usually does this for you had to self-isolate?  GTT staff and volunteers can help you learn how to download the audiobooks you need into the listening device you own.

 BeMyEyes and Aira for Sighted Assistance:

If you can’t have visits with people in your community and/or your family supports you count on to get those important things done around home or beyond on a daily basis, and if you have a smart phone or tablet, let GTT show you how to connect with sighted volunteers and staff of these two services so they can help.  Contact GTT staff and volunteers for your one-on-one session to learn how to utilize the free BeMyEyes and subscription based Aira services.

Online Shopping:

If you need to do more online grocery and other types of shopping, and your access to such apps and websites is a struggle, contact GTT staff and volunteers and book a time for someone to coach you to learn the app or website that best meets your shopping needs.  Please be sure to let us know the specific store(s) where you want to shop so the right person can be assigned to coach you.

 Podcasts and Streaming:

Are you finding yourself with more time on your hands these days?  Would you like to learn how to stream movies, podcasts and other forms of entertainment?  GTT may be able to help, so contact us and book a time for a telephone or Zoom coaching session.

 

GTTProgram.Blog Site, for all GTT Events and Activities:

On the GTT Program Blog site you will find postings of all the upcoming events and activities we have planned, as well as some useful resources that might help you to stay connected.  Register your email address on this site and all that gets posted there will land seamlessly in your Inbox in an easy to read format.  If you’re not successful at the below steps, ask Albert Ruel to add you by email at:

Albert.GTT@CCBNational.net

To get started, go to:

https://gttprogram.wordpress.com/

Near the bottom of the page find and click on the Follow Link, type your email address and click on the Submit Button.  That will prompt the system to send you a Confirmation email message, and once you have clicked on the Confirm Button within that message you’ll be registered.  Welcome aboard. 

 Book Your One-On-One GTT Training Session Today:

Toll Free: +1-877-304-0968

Kim Kilpatrick, GTT Coordinator, Extension 513 GTTProgram@Gmail.com

Albert Ruel, GTT Coordinator, Extension 550, Albert.GTT@CCBNational.net

David Greene, GTT Trainer, Extension 509 AccessibilityTraining7@Gmail.com

 CCB and GTT on Social Media:

GTT Blog: https://GTTProgram.Blog/

URL: http://CCBNational.net/fresco/

CCB Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/CCBNational

GTT Facebook Group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/414313508657159?refid=27

GTT Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GTTatCCB/

Twitter: @GTTWest @GTTProgram @CCBNational