Seeing Beyond Vision Loss A Year in Review 2013-2014: New Brunswick Division
We’re here every step of the way Established in 1918, CNIB provided food, clothing, residences and library services to blinded veterans and other Canadians living with vision loss.
Our organization has evolved over the last 96 years: in addition to charitable programs – such as education, advocacy, research and client support – CNIB has become the primary provider of vision rehabilitation in New Brunswick.
CNIB’s vision rehabilitation programs and services reduce the personal, social and economic costs of vision loss, while improving the overall health and well being of individuals who are blind or partially sighted. CNIB helps individuals to see beyond vision loss and lead full, active lives.
Whether that means learning to cook again after a loss of sight, going back to school, maintaining employment, travelling safely and independently with a white cane or getting support to adjust to the emotional and social impact of vision loss.
As we approach CNIB’s centenary in 2018, we look forward to continuing to work in partnership with those we serve, as well as with other organizations, the medical community, and government to create a future in which every New Brunswicker with vision loss has the opportunity to fully participate in life.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Collaboration with health professionals improves quality of life CNIB is working in partnership with health professionals and community health organizations to create an exceptional client experience, while improving the quality of life for individuals who are blind or partially sighted.
In fact, more than half of the people who come to CNIB in New Brunswick are referred by an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. Working collaboratively and leveraging our respective strengths: enables us to reach individuals before their vision loss has a severe, lasting impact on their health, independence and quality of life leads to better outcomes for individuals with vision loss reduces pressures on hospitals and care facilities
Libraries meeting needs of patrons with vision loss Over the last year, CNIB has worked closely with the New Brunswick Public Library Service to ensure library patrons who are blind or partially sighted receive service that best meets their needs. This included making significant strides in 1 improving the accessibility of their website and online catalogue, and coordinating 16 education sessions for library staff on accommodating library users with vision loss.
In October 2013, the New Brunswick Public Library Service was awarded the national Dayton M. Forman Award for its work in removing barriers for people with print disabilities.
Building a brighter future for children and youth CNIB continues to work in close collaboration with the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority and educators working in the Francophone School Districts to provide vision rehabilitation services and youth programming for school-age children who are blind or partially sighted. As a result, the number of new CNIB clients between the ages of 0 and 18 has tripled in comparison to 2012-13.
Funding from the United Way GMSENB has allowed CNIB to hire a full-time, vision rehabilitation assistant to work with children, youth and their families in South-East New Brunswick. Over the past year, CNIB has introduced a number of services designed to increase confidence and independence in school-age children, including a mentorship program offered in collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Moncton.
Eye Safety Program marks major milestone CNIB’s Eye Safety program celebrated its 200th workshop in the Maritimes in November 2013. Over the last year, 710 workers in New Brunswick participated in CNIB’s Eye Safety Program, through 20 interactive workshops that focused on the importance of vision health and safety.
Developed and launched in 2011, CNIB’s Eye Safety Program educates organizations and their employees about eye protection.
CNIB’s Eye Safety Program is proudly supported by: McCain Foods, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, New Brunswick Construction Safety Association and WorkSafe NB.
Fostering inclusion in NB Through our membership in the New Brunswick Disability Executives Network (NBDEN), CNIB continues to provide input into key policies and provincial programs that impact individuals who are blind or partially sighted. Much of this work relates to recommendations outlined in the Disability Action Plan, Employment Action Plan and Inclusive Education Strategy which aim to improve employment opportunities for persons living with disabilities in our province.
In January 2014, CNIB became the lead agency in an NBDEN initiative called Champions for Inclusion, thanks to funding by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. This two-year project involves identifying
2 Champions from all NBDEN agencies who can speak to children from kindergarten to grade eight about the importance of acceptance and understanding in creating a school environment where diversity is the norm.
In 2013, CNIB was asked to participate in the Minister’s Advisory Committee on Inclusive Education. Through this committee, CNIB is able to share feedback from young adults and students who faced barriers to inclusion while in school. With meaningful dialogue and a change in policies and attitudes, the goal is for students with vision loss to have a more positive experience in the future.
VISION REHABILITATION
CNIB’s vision rehabilitation specialists deliver programs and services where New Brunswickers need them most: in their own homes and communities, over the phone, online and at CNIB centres in Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton and Bathurst.
Initial Interview Registration and Referral Coordinators assist new and returning clients to identify their needs and then connect them to services, programs and resources.
Client Support Services Staff provide clients with information about library services, CNIB ID cards and community concessions.
Low Vision Assessments Low Vision Specialists provide explanation and information about eye conditions and vision health, as well as instruction in the use of low vision aids such as magnifiers, and how to use lighting and colour contrast to maximize residual vision.
Adjustment to Vision Loss Counselling CNIB’s Counsellors provide one-on-one counselling and facilitate structured peer- support programs to help individuals come to terms with their vision loss, understand their emotions, and accept the support and training that will allow them to continue to live independently.
Independent Living Skills Independent Living Specialists provide training in skills, techniques and adaptive aids to carry out everyday activities, like preparing meals safely, identifying money and using the telephone. Instruction also includes organizational and labelling techniques for both household and personal items.
3 Orientation and Mobility Orientation and Mobility Specialists teach people how to travel safely, independently and confidently in their home, community and workplace. Instruction includes the sighted- guide technique (a safe way to walk with a sighted person), way-finding skills, long cane techniques and street crossings.
Assistive Technology and Products Assistive Technology Specialists provide information, demonstration and training enabling people to use screen magnification, screen-reader programs, cell phones with accessible features and other technologies.
Career and Employment Services Career and Employment Specialists provide career explorations services, workplace accommodation assessment, post-secondary transition planning, and support to employers and employment agencies.
Children, Youth and Family Services Opportunities for children and youth with vision loss, along with their families, to connect with others who share similar experiences. Individuals gain independence and self- confidence, while learning pre-employment and social skills.
Meet VOLUNTEERS
Meet Tim Doucette Tim Doucette’s favourite view is the one he sees through an observatory dome he built in his backyard. An avid astronomer since he was a young child, Tim’s view is a little different than what most people would see through a telescope.
Tim was born with cataracts in both eyes, leading surgeons to remove the lenses when he was just an infant. The procedure left him legally blind, but also gave him superior night vision.
“I learned that with the help of some magnification by a telescope, I could see comets, planets and deep sky objects – something I thought was impossible for someone with only 10 per cent vision,” says Tim.
The discovery inspired a lifelong passion for the Moncton resident.
Tim offers tours of his DeepSkyEye observatory to groups looking to learn about and see the rings of Saturn, iridium flares and other objects in the night sky. A longtime volunteer for CNIB, Tim donates a portion of proceeds from all tours to support vision rehabilitation programs in New Brunswick.
In December 2013, Tim had an opportunity to give back to CNIB again in an
4 experience he describes as “out of this world.”
A number of clients from CNIB visited DeepSkyEye to learn about Tim’s story and attempt to gaze upon the cosmos. The group huddled inside the dome, taking turns looking through the telescope and saw the moon and stars – some of them for the very first time in their lives.
Canadian and Ghanaian youth participate in international exchange with CNIB As part of the Youth Leaders in Action program, a team of 18 youth from Canada and Ghana spent six months living, learning, and volunteering in two communities: Moncton and Otuam, Ghana.
In partnership with Canada World Youth, CNIB hosted two youth leader volunteers for a three-month work placement at our Moncton Centre. During the course of their placement, our volunteers did everything from providing administrative support and surveying clients to assisting with fundraising initiatives and increasing awareness of vision loss through community outreach events.
PHILANTHROPY
Blindfolded guests raise funds It’s not unusual to close your eyes to savour a bite of a favourite dish. But have you ever consumed an entire meal that way – replacing sight with touch, taste and texture?
That’s precisely what 385 guests did at CNIB’s Dining in the Dark fundraisers in 2013-14. In the last year, Dining in the Dark events were held at the Ramada Plaza in Moncton, Kingswood Lodge in Fredericton and Newcastle Lions Club in Miramichi.
Based on a restaurant concept popularized in Paris and New York, blindfolded guests took part in a unique culinary experience where they explored flavours, textures and aromas in a whole new way.
Community giving More than 50 individuals took part in our annual EyeBowl fundraisers in Moncton and Bathurst. Participants bowled three strings while wearing goggles that simulate glaucoma, macular degeneration and other eye conditions. Lions Clubs throughout New Brunswick demonstrated their commitment to helping individuals see beyond vision loss and lead full, active lives through their ongoing generosity and gracious support.
5 Local artists see beyond vision loss In October 2013, The Honourable Graydon Nicholas, Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, hosted the Seeing Beyond Vision Loss art exhibit at Government House in Fredericton. The exhibit celebrated the talents of local artists who are blind or partially sighted and featured a collection of works by 15 artists in various mediums, including paint, sculpture, pottery and stained glass.
This unique show allowed artists the opportunity to display their work while demonstrating to others that it is possible to follow your passion after a loss of sight.
Meet Stephen Simon As a Private serving on the front line in the Korean War, Stephen Simon from the Big Cove Reserve had seen his share of devastation. Fast-forward 50 years and Stephen was in a battle of a different sort – one that eventually stole his eyesight.
Diagnosed with diabetes in 1984, Stephen knew there was a high rate of diabetes among aboriginal people. He had witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of the disease among the Mi’kmaq people in his community through his role as a social worker.
But it wasn’t until 2002 that his own diabetes affected him in a way that changed his life forever.
“It started attacking my vision about 10 years ago,” says Stephen. “The sight in my right eye became spotty and soon I couldn’t see anything at all through my left.”
Stephen is one of half-a-million Canadians who have some form of diabetic retinopathy, a condition in which elevated glucose levels cause blood vessels in the retina to swell and leak. Without treatment, the eye disease can advance to uncorrectable sight loss or even blindness, usually in both eyes.
Stephen is doing well managing his diabetes – and vision loss – these days, but he is concerned about the rate of the disease among Canada’s First Nations.
“Diabetes is an epidemic, but this is especially so in First Nations communities,” says Stephen. “Given the majority of diabetes cases lead to significant vision loss, we need to be more proactive in protecting our sight.”
As the only provider of vision rehabilitation and support services for individuals living with blindness or partial sight in our province, CNIB plays a key role in helping those living with diabetes maintain an optimal quality of life.
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of new cases of legal blindness in working-age adults in New Brunswick. Without vision rehabilitation
6 interventions, retinopathy can lead to dependence, isolation and a sedentary lifestyle.
GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
Towards a common goal CNIB would like to recognize the New Brunswick Department of Social Development for funding essential vision rehabilitation services and the Department of Health for providing a one-time Diabetes Innovation Fund grant to implement an adjustment to vision loss peer-support program for people who have vision loss as a result of diabetes.
As well, CNIB would like to acknowledge the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour for its continued partnership in providing funding for CNIB to deliver employment assistance services to working-age New Brunswickers who are blind or partially sighted – and for providing financial support and collaboration opportunities to advance the CNIB Library Partners Program.
Fostering inclusive workplaces CNIB’s Provincial Director joined members of NBDEN at the New Brunswick Legislature for the unveiling of the new Federal-Provincial Labour Market Agreement. The Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (pictured here with NBDEN and the Ministers’ of Education, Social Development and Healthy and Inclusive Communities) recognized the work of NBDEN during his announcement.
Impact of vision loss Compared to people who are sighted, people who are blind or partially sighted experience: Three times as much clinical depression A greater number of medication errors Twice the risk of falls Four times the risk of serious hip fractures Premature admission to nursing homes – three times earlier on average Two to five times more difficulty with daily living Twice as much social dependence
Access to vision rehabilitation services significantly reduces the incidence of falls, fractures, medication errors and depression – and enables people to live safely and independently in their homes.
Testimonial: “CNIB taught me techniques for doing my own housekeeping and laundry, and identifying my medications and money. Their services were
7 incredibly helpful in allowing me to live in an independent- care facility. At 94, I am still self-sufficient and can do many things on my own.” – Bentley M., who enjoys listening to hockey games and is proud to live independently in a seniors’ care facility.
CNIB FINANCIAL REPORT
Revenue Fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 Support from Public: 37 per cent Government Funding: 57 per cent Fees for Service and Misc. Income: 6 per cent
Support from the Public includes community investment from the United Way serving Saint John, Kings and Charlotte, United Way Central NB Inc., and United Way of Greater Moncton & Southeastern NB Region Inc.
Expenditures Fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 Services and Public Education: 90 per cent Philanthropy: 7 per cent Administration: 3 per cent
HEARTFELT THANKS
CNIB recognizes the New Brunswick Division Board members’ commitment to vision health and thanks them for their contributions in 2013-2014:
CHAIR Arline Hachey
PAST CHAIR Marian Zaichkowski
Jennifer Allaby Shilo Bellis Aloke Chatterjee Rilind Dragoshi Cynthia Goodwin Robert Lockhart Hélène Martin Josée Martin Dr. Jeff Palk
8 CNIB Centres 130-77 Westmorland St. Fredericton, NB (506) 458-0060
T120-22 Church St. Moncton, NB (506) 857-4240
A150-40 Charlotte St. Saint John, NB (506) 634-7277
270 Douglas Ave. Bathurst, NB (506) 546-9922
Visit us online at cnib.ca/nb.
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