Since losing his eyesight in 2013, Derek has been passionate about advocating for, and educating others about the blind community. Derek has been dedicated to trying to break down the walls of misconception and myth around the lives of blind people.

Recent Reports:

November 30, 2021:  Derek told us about the CNIB Vision Mate Program, the CNIB's Cozy Christmas Virtual Chat, the CNIB Bringing in the New Year Virtual Chat and a free pass giveaway to the Assiniboine Park and Zoo.

Topic 1:  CNIB Vision Mate Program

Topic 2:  CNIB Cozy Christmas Chat-virtual

Details:
Date: December 24, at 2pm central time
Contact:  register with Ashley Nemeth at the CNIB: Ashley.nemeth@cnib.ca

Topic 3:  CNIB Bringing in the New Year Chat-virtual

Details: 
Date: December 31, at 2pm central time
Contact: register with Ashley Nemeth at the CNIB: Ashley.nemeth@cnib.ca

Topic 4:  Assiniboine Park and Zoo

Details:
Contact:  reach out to Joanne Fabian at our CNIB office here in Winnipeg: phone 204-774-5421.
 

Dorothy has been an advocate for people with vision loss and for meaningful legislation to protect the rights of everyone with disabilities in Ontario and Canada for many years. She currently volunteers for the CNIB in northern Ontario and in Ontario, the CCB (Canadian Council of the Blind) group in the Sault and the Northern Ontario and Rural GTT (Get Together with Technology) group which meets monthly by teleconference. Dorothy has a long association with Friends of the Library groups in Prince Township and for many years in Sault Ste. Marie, and with the Friends of Canadian Libraries group, which will now become a Committee under the auspices of the Ontario Library Association.

Recent Reports:

November 16, 2021 - Community reporter Dorothy Macnaughton shares details on this year’s Christmas festivities in Sault Ste. Marie. She also tells us about some Christmas festivities in Sault Ste. Marie including Moonlight Magic and the Santa Claus Parade.

More details: 

• Moonlight Magic takes place on Thursday November 18 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET  across Queen Street in Downtown Sault Ste. Marie 
  • For more info, visit their website here 
• The Santa Claus Parade takes place on Saturday November 20 
  • Sault Ste. Marie residents can drive by stationary floats parked on Queen Street East between Churchill Boulevard and Church Street 
  • Floats can be viewed from 5 p.m. To 8 p.m. ET. Floats will be based in the southern lane of Queen Street East 
  • Volunteers will distribute more than 1,000 gift bags to children in cars in line to see Santa 

Guy was born and raised in Sudbury. He was born with retinitis pigmentosa and with having limited sight he relies on his guide dog Dixon. Guy is currently attending Laurentian University working towards a degree in social work. He is married to a beautiful loving woman and he has an eight-year-old son who he describes as his "whole world". 

Recent Reports:

October 13, 2021 - Community reporter Guy Carriere describes the CNIB’s upcoming conference, Connecting the Dots. He also tells us about a series of Halloween events at Science North’s Dynamic Earth! 

More details: 

• The CNIB will have a Connecting the Dots conference in French and English 
  • October 15 and 16 will be the French conference and October 22 and 23 is for the English conference   
  • The cost is $20 for clients, $40 for volunteers and staff of CNIB and other not for profit agencies, and $60 for general public 
  • For more information, visit their website here 
• Science North’s Dynamic Earth will be hosting a series of Halloween events every Friday to Sunday in October 
  • Tickets must be purchased online to schedule properly to minimize crowds. Masks and proof of vaccination are required for entry 
  • Tickets for members is $11 and $13 for the general public only available online here 
  • Dynamic Earth is located at 122 Big Nickel Road in Sudbury 

Elizabeth holds a master’s degree from the University of Western Ontario in Occupational Science. She presently works as an assistive technology educator and community engagement specialist at BALANCE for Blind Adults. Elizabeth is passionate about assisting clients gain independence using assistive and mainstream technology, and using technology to connect clients to both their digital and actual communities. She co-authored Creating a Culture of Accessibility in the Sciences and has worked for several years mentoring post-secondary students with disabilities, helping them to find and implement new learning strategies. Elizabeth sits as an active member on the Ontario government Education Standards committee where she provides consultation and helps develop strategies to inform a more inclusive education landscape.

Recent Report: 

October 26, 2021 - Community reporter Elizabeth Mohler shares details on this year’s “Because of BALANCE” fundraising campaign. She also tells us about an upcoming event hosted by Seneca College called “Artists with Disability: The Final Avant-garde.” 

More details

• The “Because of BALANCE” fundraising campaign runs now until November 9. For more info visit BalanceFBA.org 

• “Artists with Disability: The Final Avant-garde" is a presentation by Andy Slater and is part of the Seneca School of Creative Arts and Animation Diversity & Inclusion Speaking Series. It takes place on Wednesday October 27, 7 to 8 p.m. ET via Zoom 
  • To register, visit here 
     

Shaini Saravanamuthu is a 30-year-old living in Montreal, Quebec. Though Shaini has a rare eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa, she doesn't let it define who she is or stop her from living her best life. Shaini is a full-time accountant and creativity junkie who loves baking, cake decorating and event planning and decor. She loves exploring new places and trying new things! 

Recent report: 

September 15, 2021 - Shaini Saravanamuthu introduces her new lifestyle column! She tells us how to prep for the fall season and shares tips on home décor, activities and home baking. 

More Details:

For Shaini's recipe for Apple Crisp, read below: 

Apple Filling: 

• 8 apples of any kind, sliced, peeled 

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar 

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (I add a it more because I love cinnamon) 

For the Crisp Topping: 

• ¾ cup flour of your choice. (I use almond as I don’t have gluten) 

• ¾ cup old fashioned rolled oats  

• ½ cup sugar of your choice (I use coconut sugar) 

• ¼ cup brown sugar 

• 2 tablespoon cinnamon 

• ½ teaspoon salt 

• 8 tablespoons melted and cooled unsalted butter 

Instructions: 

• Preheat oven to 30 degrees F. and spray an 8 x 8 baking dish with baking spray or greased with melted butte 

• In a large bowl mix all the ingredients for the apple filling, and make sure everything is evenly coated 

• Pour the apple mixture into your baking dish 

• Now time to make the crisp, mix all the dry ingredients for the crisp together, once they’re mixed well together, pour in the melted butter 

• Mix the mixture together with a spoon or your hands, until its mixed well and clumps start to form 

• Crumble the topping on top of your apple filling in your baking dish 

• Bake for about 55 mins, until the topping is brown and crispy. 

• Let it cool for an hr, so the juices thicken and serve with some ice cream! 

• ENJOY