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:

March 23, 2022 - Community reporter Derek Lackey shares details about an upcoming comedy night hosted by comedian Big Daddy Tazz in Winnipeg.

More information:

•  
• The show will be in-person but is also available online. It takes place on On April 1 at 7 p.m. Central Time at Metropolitan Entertainment Centre located at 281 Donald St. 
• Tickets cost: $30. For more information, contact Cathy at the Manitoba Blind Sports Association at: blindsport@shawbiz.ca or call 204-925-5694 
• For more information, visit here

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:

May 31, 2022 – Community reporter Dorothy Macnaughton told us about Gathering at the Rapids, 
an upcoming pow wow in Sault Ste. Marie. 

More details:
Date: The GATR Pow Wow will be held on Saturday, June 4th and Sunday, June 5th, 2022. 

Location:  the George Leach Centre on the campus of Algoma University, 1520 Queen St E, Sault Ste. Marie. 

Contact: Melissa Agawa at 705-949-2301, ext. 4816, or at email: melissa.agawa@algomau.ca 

Dorothy also told us about the upcoming Northern Ontario and Rural GTT meeting, where the topic will be learning about File Explorer.

More details: 
Northern Ontario and Rural GTT Program Zoom Meeting

Date:  Tuesday, April 19 at 7 p.m. Eastern and 4 p.m. Pacific time. 
Contact: Kim Kilpatrick with the CCB in Ottawa: gtt@ccbnational.net 

She also discusses the return of train service between Timmins and Toronto, offered by Ontario Northland Northeastern Passenger Rail.

More details:
Article: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/sudbury-northlander-investment-announcement-1.6415144 

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:

May 25, 2022 - Community reporter Guy Carriere in Sudbury, Ontario shares details about this year’s Northern Lights Festival Boréal which runs July 7 to 10 
He also shares a fishing season update and describes the pros and cons of cooking food with his new smoker. 

More details: 

• The Northern Lights Festival Boréal Runs July 7-10 in Sudbury 
  • It is located at Bell Park, on the shores of Lake Ramsey in the heart of Sudbury
  • For more information, visit NLFB.ca or call 705-674-5512 
  • Tickets can also be purchased at Sudbury outlets: The Refinery, Jett Landry Music,The Townehouse Tavern, A&J Home Hardware, Walden Home Hardware 

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: 

Tuesday, June 7, 2022:

Elizabeth talked about her personal experiences of her involvement in the Ontario provincial election process, not just with the election on election day, but my overall experience engaging in canvassing, phone bank work, and outreach for my local MPP, sharing some accessibility challenges and solutions.  

She also spoke about the pre-election experience of canvassing and its attendant access challenges and her experience with accessibility on voting day.  

Finally, Elizabeth share her thoughts on ways to facilitate inclusive participation for folks who want to engage in civic volunteering.

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: 

June 14, 2022 - Shaini Saravanamuthu shares a recap of the Retina International World Congress that took place in Reykjavik, Iceland. 

More Details:

• The 21st annual Retina International World Congress wrapped up on June 11 and featured discussions and panels on eye research, advocacy and peer support. To learn more about the conference, visit here