This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Canadian Council of the Blind and the Alberni Valley Chapter is engaged in the community as “the voice of the blind,” says Jenn Collette, chapter president.
The CCB was founded in 1944 by war veterans and schools of the blind. Its 65 chapters across the country provide local support and services to the low vision and blind community.
In Port Alberni, the CCB meets on the first Wednesday of each month. A variety of topics are covered and guest speakers are invited from many sources, including CNIB, Vision Loss Rehabilitation, the Vancouver Island Regional Library as well as local low vision specialists and opthalmologists to name a few.
Heather Zenner from the ACRD was a guest speaker at the March 5 meeting. Members of the Alberni Valley Lions Club also attended to donate $200 to the chapter for ongoing support of low vision community members.
This year, the chapter is liaising with the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) and the City of Port Alberni to provide input to the joint accessibility committee as well as toward transportation both within and outside of the City of Port Alberni.
“While we are a group that focuses more on our abilities, it is important that we continue to remove barriers to living a full, functioning, and independent lifestyle with the invisible disability of blindness and low vision,” said Collette.
The Canadian Council of the Blind thanks the City of Port Alberni for declaring Feb. 3-10 as White Cane Week. While plans to celebrate then were cancelled due to snowfall, they set up an information table to share and liaise with residents of Abbeyfield on March 5 after their regular monthly meeting.
The group meets the first Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. at Abbeyfield (3839 Eighth Avenue at Redford Street) in the downstairs meeting room, at the back of the building. Members discuss various topics surrounding vision loss and its associated challenges, listen to a variety of guest speakers and share information, education and support.
"If you have experienced vision loss, blindness, or are supporting someone else who struggles with low vision, please join us," said Collette. For more information on the local chapter call Collette at 250-240-1738.
