Seeing Beyond Vision Loss: A YEAR IN REVIEW 2014-2015

seeing beyond vision loss
A YEAR IN REVIEW 2014-2015
Established in 1918, CNIB provided
food, clothing, residences and library
services to blinded veterans and other
Canadians living with vision loss.
Our organization has evolved over the
last 97 years; in addition to charitable
programs – such as education,
advocacy, research and client support
– CNIB has become the primary
provider of vision rehabilitation in
Newfoundland and Labrador.
CNIB’s vision rehabilitation programs
and services reduce the personal,
social and economic costs of vision
loss, while improving the overall health
and well-being of individuals who are
blind or partially sighted.
CNIB helps individuals to see beyond
vision loss and lead full, active lives.
Whether that means learning to cook
again after a loss of sight, going back
to school, maintaining employment,
travelling safely and independently
with a white cane or getting support
to adjust to the emotional and social
impact of vision loss.
As we approach CNIB’s centenary in
2018, we look forward to continuing
to work in partnership with those
we serve, as well as with other
organizations, the medical community,
and government to create a future
in which every Newfoundlander and
Labradorian has the opportunity to fully
participate in life.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Collaboration with allied health professionals
and community organizations
CNIB is working in partnership with
allied health professionals and academic
communities to create an exceptional client
experience, while improving the quality of
life for individuals who are blind or partially
sighted.
In fact, more than half of the people who come
to CNIB in Newfoundland and Labrador are
referred by an ophthalmologist or a doctor of
optometry.
Working collaboratively and leveraging our
respective strengths:
• enables us to reach individuals before their
vision loss has a severe, lasting impact on
their health, independence and quality of life
• leads to better outcomes for individuals
with vision loss
• reduces pressures on hospitals and care
facilities
As part of CNIB’s Post-Secondary
Orientation Program, students had plenty
of time for socialization and recreation with
activities such as rock climbing, bowling,
and going to dinner and a movie.
Post-secondary
orientation drives
academic success and
independence
Building a brighter future
for children and youth
Thirty-one children received services through
CNIB’s Summer Intervention Program, which
allows families to hire one-on-one interveners
to work with their children to develop or
enhance skills in July and August.
Seven clients participated in CNIB’s 6th annual
Post-Secondary Orientation Program in St.
John’s from March 30 to April 2. Students
toured Memorial University and the College
of the North Atlantic, where they learned
about the supports available for students with
a disability.
Thanks to funding from the IceCaps Cares
Foundation, the students participated in
orientation and mobility activities (using
traffic lights and travelling throughout the city using public transportation), and practiced
independent living skills (grocery shopping,
cooking and cleaning).
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Longtime youth camper
becomes an inspiring camp coordinator
CNIB’s Annual Family Camp at Lion Max
Simms Memorial Camp in Bishop’s Falls has
been a special place for Holly Bennett since
she was a young child.
Holly’s mother, Andrea, credits much of Holly’s
success during her growing up years to the
expanded core curriculum that the camp has
taught her: orientation and mobility skills,
independent living techniques, assistive
technology, recreation and leisure, career and
employment.
Holly’s creative
and artistic abilities
prompted her to
design the camp
mascot last year;
she is now planning
to pursue her
post-secondary
education in graphic
design when she
graduates from high
school.
With the help of the camp’s expanded core
curriculum, Holly has flourished into a bright 16-year-old high school student. She is
now helping other families by giving back
to the people who have helped her gain
independence.
In the summer of 2014, Holly took on a new
role at the camp – as an assistant camp
coordinator – where she assisted with
planning meals, activities, transportation and
gathering prizes,and helped lead a camp of
almost 90 children, youth and their families.
Holly organized talent shows, Zumba classes,
archery matches, and other fun activities for
children who are blind or partially sighted.
The Annual Family Camp has certainly had a
positive impact on Holly’s well-being, helping
her to live a fuller and independent life.
What were once seen as struggles, have now
turned into strengths – Holly demonstrates
happiness and enthusiasm in everything she
does, from the goals she sets for herself to her
overall outlook on life.
Newfoundlanders test drive technology,
discover solutions
Thanks to a $17,500 donation from the TELUS
Community Board, individuals with
vision loss across Newfoundland and
Labrador received information and
demonstrations during CNIB’s Assistive
Technology Tour.
Launched at the College of the North Atlantic
in November 2014, the Assistive Technology
Tour visited communities throughout Western,
Eastern and Central Newfoundland as well as
Labrador in April and May 2015.
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TELUS’s Ken Power and Jacqui DupontAylward present a cheque to CNIB that
enabled individuals with vision loss to
learn about using technology to help them
perform tasks that many sighted people
take for granted – like reading and traveling
safely.
VISION REHABILITATION
CNIB programs and services
delivered where our clients need them most
CNIB’s Vision Rehabilitation Specialists
deliver programs and services where
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians need them
most: in their own homes and communities,
over the phone, online and at CNIB centres in
St. John’s, Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor
and Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Assessment and Referral
CNIB’s Service Coordinator assists new
and returning clients to identify their needs
and then connects them to CNIB’s vision
rehabilitation programs and services, as well
as community programs and concessions.
Low Vision Assessments
Low Vision Specialists provide explanation and
information about eye conditions and vision
health, as well as instruction in the use of low
vision aids such as magnifiers, and how to use lighting and colour contrast to maximize
residual vision.
Last year, CNIB spent more than
10,900 hours delivering vital services to
individuals who are blind or partially
sighted in Newfoundland and
Labrador.
Client Support Services
Staff provide clients with information about
library services, CNIB ID cards and community
concessions.
Employment Services
Career and Employment Specialists provide
career exploration services, workplace
accommodation assessment, post-secondary
transition planning, and support to employers
and employment agencies.
Orientation and Mobility
Orientation and Mobility Specialists teach
people how to travel safely, independently
and confidently in their home, community and workplace. Instruction includes the sightedguide technique (a safe way to walk with a
sighted person), way-finding skills, long cane techniques and street crossings.
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VISION REHABILITATION
CNIB programs and services continued...
Early Intervention
Our Early Intervention Specialist helps children
and youth reach developmental milestones
and build social skills through one-on-one
instruction and peer programs. Families
discover resources, receive counselling and
participate in workshops on raising – and
advocating for – a child who is blind or partially
sighted.
Independent Living Skills
Independent Living Specialists provide training
in skills, techniques and adaptive aids to
carry out everyday activities, like preparing
meals safely, identifying money and using
the telephone. Instruction also includes
organizational and labelling techniques for
both household and personal items.
Assistive Technology and Products
Assistive Technology Specialists provide
information, demonstration and training
enabling people to use screen magnification, screen-reader programs, cell phones with
accessible features and other technologies.
Adjustment to Vision Loss Counselling
CNIB’s Counsellor provides one-on-one
counselling and facilitates structured peersupport programs to help individuals come to
terms with their vision loss, understand their
emotions, and accept the support and training
that will allow them to continue to live
independently.
Reducing the incidence of vision loss
In October 2014, CNIB launched a new
initiative to address the recent increase in eye
injuries among young workers aged 15 to 24.
CNIB delivered 53 eye safety workshops to
high school and college students, and industry
representatives, reaching 2,322 participants
over the last year.
These workshops were made possible thanks
to our platinum sponsors, Husky Energy and
Workplace Health, Safety & Compensation
Commission (WHSCC) and our silver
sponsors Doctors of Optometry NL, Novartis
Pharmaceuticals and NL Construction
Safety Association.
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PHILANTHROPY
We simply couldn’t do it without you!
Every year, we are humbled by the incredible
generosity of our donors and supporters.
From sponsoring and participating in our
fundraising events to donating in memory
of a loved one, however you chose to help,
you made it possible for Newfoundlanders
and Labradorians with vision loss to live full,
independent lives.
As part of CNIB’s Early Intervention
Program, children and youth received
literacy kits thanks to a $2,000 donation
from the Newfoundland and Labrador
Retired Teachers’ Association.
We simply can’t thank you enough!
Over the last year, 275 guests ignited their
senses while raising more than $35,000 at
Dining in the Dark events at Raymond’s
and Gypsy Tea Room in St. John’s – both
presented by Browning Harvey Ltd.; 48
High in Grand Falls-Windsor; and Gitanos’
Supper Club and Tapas Bar in Corner
Brook.
Technip Canada Ltd. proudly presented
Hindsight is 20/20 in September, which raised
$77,000 in support of CNIB. More than 180
people enjoyed a great meal accompanied by
live entertainment, raffles and auction at the Jack Byrne Arena in Torbay.
United Way donated over $16,000 to support
our Summer Intervention Programs, which
enables children and youth to develop or
enhance their mobility and independent living
skills in July and August.
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PHILANTHROPY
In November 2014, IceCaps Care Foundation donated $5,000 in support of our Post-Secondary
Orientation Program, which helps students with vision loss transition from high school to college or
university.
On behalf of CNIB’s Newfoundland and
Labrador Division Board, I would like
to extend a very special thank you to
everyone who has contributed to CNIB’s
successes this past year. Your support says
a lot about who you are as individuals
and as organizations – and how much you
care about your community.
~ Jim Hynes
Chair
Cynthia Crosbie receives a piece of tactile art
created by an eight-year old CNIB client as a
thank you for the generosity of Crosbie Group
of Companies, which made an outstanding
multi-year commitment to support CNIB.
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VOLUNTEERS
The heart and soul of our organization
CNIB’s volunteers are the heart and soul of
our organization. They offer their support
throughout the year working one-on-one with
people with vision loss and assisting with peersupport groups.
They play a vital role in strengthening
communication and engagement through client
experience surveys, writing and distributing
a client newsletter, and calling clients to give
them updates on CNIB events, services, and
programs.
CNIB ambassadors interact with the public to
break down misconceptions about individuals
with vision loss and raise awareness of CNIB
services. Our volunteers are also engaged in
leadership roles, assisting with administrative
tasks, and raising funds for CNIB to provide
services to individuals who are blind or partially
sighted throughout the province.
Seven youth with vision loss volunteered
throughout the summer of 2014 at CNIB’s
St. John’s centre and at the CNIB Family
Camp to strengthen their skills under the
expanded core curriculum for youth who
are blind or partially sighted.
We are forever grateful to our amazing
volunteer team in Newfoundland and Labrador.
CNIB increases awareness of Vision Mate Program
across Newfoundland and Labrador
CNIB’s Vision Mate Program matches
individuals living with vision loss with
specially-trained volunteers who offer friendly
companionship and help with day-to-day tasks
and errands.
Vision mate volunteers assist individuals
with a variety of activities, including reading
mail, grocery shopping, errands, labeling
and organizing household items, as well as
enjoying leisure and recreational activities
together – like playing cards and going for
walks.
Since the program was launched in
Newfoundland and Labrador in January 2013,
19 vision mates have been matched with
clients in St. John’s.
CNIB continues to increase awareness of the
availability of the Vision Mate Program, as
well as recruit for volunteers, particularly in
rural areas such as Grand Falls-Windsor, Bay
Roberts and Corner Brook.
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Meet Taylor Bolt and Maureen Worthman
Two years ago, when Taylor Bolt and Maureen
Worthman decided to get involved with CNIB’s
Vision Mate Program, both women were elated
about the invaluable friendship they gained
from the experience.
For 56-year-old Maureen, who was born with
hereditary cataracts and has been legally
blind since birth, this opportunity has brought
so much happiness into her life and has truly
made a difference in her world.
“I used to have to go shopping by myself and
I’d have to tell the people in the store that I
needed help. But when Taylor is with me, I
don’t need that help,” says Maureen.
Often times, you can find the duo at the movies or the mall, bowling or visiting the library –
adding that there is never a shortage of things
to do!
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Maureen’s positive attitude is certainly one to
be admired.
“You can’t miss what you never had,” she says,
talking about her vision loss. “Besides, the way
I have it figured is it’s only a nuisance until you adjust to it, then it becomes a normal part of
your life.”
Maureen credits CNIB for their support and her
ability to maintain an independent life.
Having Taylor come by every week has
changed Maureen’s life for the better and she
says she no longer has to rely on strangers for
help.
“We look forward to seeing each other every
week,” says Taylor. “This is not just about
volunteering. It’s about friendship.”
GOVERNMENT FUNDING
Towards a
common goal
In September 2014, CNIB launched a bold new
strategic plan – The Path to Change – because
we believe that no one in Canada should have
to rely on charitable dollars to access services
required to achieve basic independence and to
live a full and productive life.
Newfoundland and Labrador is leading the
way as the first province in Canada to take responsibility for this rehabilitation therapy by
integrating it into the public health care system.
In January 2015, the Department of Health
and Community Services agreed to provide
sustainable funding for vision rehabilitation
therapy through Eastern Health, a regional
health authority with provincial responsibility for
delivery of health care services.
This change took place April 1, 2015 with the
creation of a new service delivery agreement.
CNIB would also like to acknowledge the
Department of Advanced Education and
Skills for providing funding so that CNIB can
continue providing employment assistance
services to working-age Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians who are blind or partially sighted.
Heartfelt Thanks
CNIB couldn’t do the work we do without
the incredible support of our volunteers,
community partners and donors. We recognize
the Newfoundland and Labrador Division
Board members’ commitment to vision health
and thank them for their contributions in 20142015.
CHAIR
Jim Hynes
VICE CHAIR
Trevor Giles
PAST CHAIR
Patricia Suvak
Cindy Antle
Danny Barrett
Jason Blair
Bonnie Cochrane
Dr. Sarah Hutchens
Philip Strong
Kim Thistle-Murphy
9
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St. John’s
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Corner Brook
(709) 639-9167
1A O’Neill Ave.
49 Grenfell St.
Grand Falls-Windsor Happy Valley-Goose Bay
(709) 489-6515
(709) 896-8302
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