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:

January 13, 2021 - Derek Lackey shares some of his favourite childhood activities. He also tells us about an upcoming virtual event on accessible sport in Manitoba. 
 

More details:

• The event "Disabled People Talking: A Virtual Discussion on Accessible Sport in Manitoba" is taking place on Saturday January 16, 3 p.m. Central time. 

  • If you are interested in attending this event, you need to register using this link and if you have any questions you can forward them to Cathy Derewianchuk at Manitoba BlindSports Association at 204-925-5694 or at blindsport@shawbiz.ca 

     

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:

Janaury 12, 2021 - Dorothy Macnaughton shares her experiences with reconnecting with distant relatives over the holidays. She also discusses the importance of advocating for disability rights on an ongoing basis. And, she tells us about the GTT’s upcoming tech session.  

More details: 

• The Northern Ontario and Rural Get Together with Technology group will be hosting a new meeting on January 19 at 7 p.m. Eastern/ 4 p.m. Pacific. 
• For information on how to connect via Zoom, contact Kim Kilpatrick with the CCB in Ottawa at gttprogram@gmail.com  

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:

January 6, 2021 - Guy Carriere shares his experiences with ice fishing this winter season. He also discusses the 8th annual Fishing For a Cure-Fishing fundraiser and describes the various winter activities available at Kivi Park in Sudbury.  

More details: 

• The 8th annual Fishing For a Cure-Fishing fundraiser takes place on February 15 at Lake Ramsey in Sudbury. More details will be shared on Facebook soon by the event's organizer, Local Jerky Plus
• Kivi Park offers rentals for bikes, cross country skis, and snow shoes 
  • For information or pricing and hours for rentals contact, email: info@kivipark.com 
  • Kivi is located at 4472 Long Lake Road in Sudbury 
  • For more information, visit here 

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:  December 17, 2020 - Elizabeth Mohler shares he list of stores for online Christmas shopping, tells us about the Crip Times Podcast and fills us in a "Let's Get Quizzical", an online trivia night organized by Balance for Blind Adults.

Elizabeth’s List of Apps and Websites for Christmas Online Shopping  

1. Amazon (app and www.amazon.ca) 

2. Ebay (app and www.ebay.ca) 

3. www.elegantinsightsjewelry.com  (ships from the states) 

4. https://cnibsmartlife.ca/  

5. www.scentsy.com

6. www.bathandbodyworks.com   

7. www.thebodyshop.ca  

8. Apple (app and www.apple.ca ) 

9. www.sephora.ca  

10. Walmart (app and www.walmart.ca ) 

11. Braille Superstore (www.braillebookstore.com ) 

12. Bradley Timepieces (https://www.eone-time.com/) 

13. Best Buy (www.bestbuy.ca) 

14. 2 blind brothers,clothing with braile https://twoblindbrothers.com/ USA 

15. Search for your local stores by using the, Near Me or adding the community name, as part as your Google search.  For example, near me. 

16. www.etsy.com  

17. The Shopping Channel www.tsc.ca  2088820 

18. Flipp App, https://flipp.com/en-ca 

19. www.Groupon.ca  – site for discount coupons 

20. www.Instacart.ca or download the app 

Crip Times Podcast
Disabled people have long been experts at staying at home, and getting creative with new ways to stay in community with one another. At the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown, many of us were wondering how we could maintain the sense of intimacy and connection that we get from gathering in crip arts spaces. Out of this desire, Crip Times was born. It’s a new interview podcast series produced and hosted by Yousef Kadoura, Kayla Besse, and Kristina McMullin. Crip Times is a project of Bodies in Translation and Tangled Art + Disability and hosted on Andrew Gurza’s Wheels on the Ground podcast network. 

"Let's Get Quizzical" by Balance for Blind Adults
[www.balancefba.org]Balance for Blind Adults is a non-profit in Toronto that provides individualized 1-to-1 training in the areas of Assistive Technology, Orientation & Mobility, Community Engagement Support and Occupational Therapy. In addition to these services, they also offer an array of social activities and events such as a Music Appreciation Course, Writing Workshops, and monthly Trivia night. 

[www.balancefba.org]"Let's get Quizzical" is hosted every third Thursday of the month, and is held over zoom. Participants gather online and by phone in small, assigned groups and have their random trivia knowledge put to the test. Groups compete for the top spot, and the winners are awarded a small prize that is mailed out. The event is hosted from Toronto, but participants from across the country are welcome to join. 

[www.balancefba.org]Date:  "Let's Get Quizzical" night is on Thursday December 17th from 6:00 to 7:30pm eastern.  

[www.balancefba.org]Contact: Balance office:  416-236-1796 extension 0. 

[www.balancefba.org]You can find the link to register under the "What's New Tab" and click on the "Groups and Events Calendar."  

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: 

December 22, 2020

Shaini provided an update on her follow-up visit to the eye doctor following her latest surgery.

Treat Boxes

Shaini wanted to give back to all her friends and family who were there for me during my surgeries with check ins and food drop offs and also to add some holiday cheer, so she made holiday treat boxes and dropped them off the day before her birthday!

Growing up Shaini's mom always got her to help out in the kitchen to bake stuff for her classmates on her birthday! This is has stuck with Shaini, so she thought, this year, she’d play Santa! 

"It was so fun to be back in the kitchen and challenge myself! I made cakesicles for the first time, I was so nervous! But they turned out pretty well and I made some Christmas tree shortbread cookies and some spiced cupcakes! And added some holiday candies and chocolates!"

Christmas Toffee Crack 

The holidays for me is my favourite season of the year! I know this year isn’t the same as we can’t get together with our loved ones, but the baking and Christmas movies really help set the mood! 

One of my favourite holiday snacks to make is the “Christmas toffee crack “it’s your dangerous mix of sweet and salty!  

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients: 

24 saltine crackers  

1 cup of butter  

1 cup brown sugar 

1 bag of white chocolate chips  

* holiday sprinkles / candies to sprinkle on top for decor  

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees! Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, place your crackers side by side but not overlapping.  

2. On medium heat, bring your butter and sugar to a pan and stir till you get a low boil. Remove from stovetop and let it cool for a minute and pour over the crackers and smooth out so it covers all crackers. 

3. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove pan and sprinkle over your chocolate chips and bake for about 4 mins till the chocolate melts. 

4. Remove pan out of the oven and turn oven off! Immediately decorate with your sprinkles and chocolates.  

5. Place in the fridge for about 30 mins and then cut into squares and serve!  

Super fun to make with kids and super easy! 

I hope everyone has the most amazing holiday season and stay safe!