Listen to Live from Studio 5 weekdays 9 to 11 a.m. Eastern to find out what’s happening in your community! Tune in weekly to hear from our community reporters across the country bringing you information on events and happenings in the blind and partially sighted community across Canada. Click here for more reports in other regions: Atlantic, West and Pacific 

Manitoba - Derek Lackey

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:

September 11, 2019 - Community reporter Derek Lackey tells us what the Manitoba Blind Sports Association has planned for the fall and winter seasons.

Sault Ste. Marie - Dorothy Macnaughton

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:

September 11, 2019 - Community reporter Dorothy Macnaughton calls in from Sault Ste. Marie to tell us about the Vulnerable Persons Registry, a service aimed at protecting people during emergencies.

Sudbury - Guy Carriere 

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:

September 17, 2019 - Community reporter Guy Carriere tells us about a self-advocacy workshop happening later this week in Sudbury. 

Toronto - Elizabeth Mohler

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 Reports:

September 9, 2019 - Our Toronto community reporter Elizabeth Mohler shares her experience with the smart assistant service Aira, which is now available for free in certain situations.