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 8, 2021 - Community reporter Derek lackey shares details on the City of Winnipeg's weekend giveaway, an event for locals to give their unwanted items a new home.  

More details: 

• The City of Winnipeg's Giveaway Weekend is happening September 11 and 12
• 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:

September 21, 2021 - Community reporter Dorothy McNaughton discussed the soon to open, new train station in Sudbury, Ontario.  She also told us about the upcoming CCB Yard sale.  And she promoted the next Get Together With Technology Zoom meeting.

More details: 

• Article on the new train station:  https://www.sootoday.com/local-business/ribbon-cutting-welcomes-new-train-station-to-canal-district-7-photos-4211064

• CCB Yard Sale details:  
  

  Date & Time: Saturday, September 25 

  Location: The parking lot at Pinehill Church of Christ, 132 Cunningham Street 

  Contact: (Name, phone number, email): Call Dorothy at 705-759-0733 

• Get Together With Technology Meeting details:

         Topic:  Tips on buying a new computer

         Date & Time: Tuesday, September 21 at 7 p.m 

         Location: Zoom 

         Contact : (Name, phone number, email): Contact Kim Kilpatrick at the CCB in Ottawa 

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:

August 19, 2021 - Community reporter Guy Carriere describes a local farmers market to visit in Sudbury. He also describes the recent surprise graduation party his family threw for him to celebrate his completion of school. 

More details: 

• The farmers' market runs 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Thursdays, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays 
• The market is located in the parking lot on the corner of York Street and Paris Street, just across from Bell Park, in Sudbury 
• For more information, visit their website 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: 

August 31, 2021 - Elizabeth Mohler describes Living Hyphen, a community platform that explores what it means to live in between cultures. She also tells us about a couple of upcoming sessions hosted by Toronto Accessibility Design Guidelines. 

More details

• Living Hyphen will be hosting single workshops that cost between $25 to 50 dollars. They will also have four-week courses that range from $120 to 200 dollars 
• For more information, visit here 
• Toronto Accessibility Design Guidelines will be hosting a couple of sessions next month on Sept. 9, at10 a.m. ET  and on Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. ET 
• To access the TADG feedback form, visit here 
• Accommodations for the survey can be requested at tadg@toronto.ca or by calling 416-338-2632 

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