A Year in Review

A Year in Review
2012-2013
Vision Rehabilitation
Programs and Services
CNIB is the primary provider of vision rehabilitation
services in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Our 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.
Through individual instruction and structured group
programs in communities throughout the division,
over the last year CNIB specialists taught skills and
provided opportunities to individuals to:
• overcome the emotional impact of their
vision loss through adjustment to vision loss
programs;
• learn how to use magnification, colour contrast
and lighting to maximize remaining vision;
• acquire skills to independently manage everyday
activities such as preparing meals, using the
telephone and identifying money;
• learn street crossing techniques, way finding
and cane skills to travel independently in their
homes and communities;
• acquire valuable life skills to successfully
transition from high school to post-secondary
education and employment; and
• learn how to use assistive technology to access
information, to enhance job readiness or to
maintain employment.
Rita Donahoe, Leon Keyes and Milena
Khazanavicius received the Queen Elizabeth II
Diamond Jubilee Medal for their outstanding
volunteer efforts with CNIB from the Honourable
Frank Lewis, Lieutenant Governor of Prince
Edward Island, and the Honourable J.J. Grant,
Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.
Ian receives a kiss from his
loving mother at CNIB’s monthly
playgroup for parents and
children with vision loss.
In September 2012, CNIB
launched its first Parenting
Children with Vision Loss peersupport program, in which moms
and dads who have blind or
partially sighted children connect
by phone to share practical tips,
ideas and resources. A new
parenting group at our centre
enables participants from the
Parenting with Vision Loss and
Parenting Children with Vision
Loss groups to connect face-toface, along with their children, on
the first Saturday of every month.
This year, 425 new clients utilized
CNIB’s vision rehabilitation
services in Nova Scotia and
Prince Edward Island.
Partnerships
Throughout Nova Scotia and
Prince Edward Island, CNIB
has focused on developing
partnerships with community
organizations, health care
providers, educators and
seniors groups to increase
referrals and better connect
people who are blind or
partially sighted to the
many supports and services
available in their region.
APSEA: CNIB and APSEA
have worked collaboratively
to more effectively meet the
needs of children with vision
loss, and their families. Over
the last year, children and
youth have come to CNIB for
low vision assessments – to
learn how to maximize their
remaining vision through
use of magnification, colour
contrast and lighting. In
addition, APSEA enlisted
CNIB specialists to provide
mobility instruction to
children and youth in NS
and PEI during the summer
months.
Young Adults Group:
Funding from the United
Way of Prince Edward Island
helped to connect youth and
young adults who are living
with vision loss, to expand
their horizons and break
the social isolation that is
often associated with vision
loss. In the past year, this
group has gone bowling, rock
climbing, swimming, curling
and snow-shoeing – as well
as participated in cooking
and golf lessons.
2012-2013 A Year in Review
The CNIB Ladies Auxiliary in PEI marked their
75th anniversary in 2012 with a celebration at the
residence of the Lieutenant Governor H.
Frank Lewis.
Eye Care Professionals: In
the fall of 2012, CNIB staff
attended the Atlantic Eye
Symposium and the Nova Scotia
Association of Optometrists
annual meeting, providing
information about CNIB’s
programs and services and the
benefits of early referral.
More than half
of the people
who come to
CNIB in NS-PEI are
referred by an
ophthalmologist
or an optometrist.
Metro Transit: CNIB was proud
to consult with Metro Transit on the accessibility
features of the new Dartmouth Bridge Terminal,
which officially opened in September 2012. The
design of this new terminal is a significant step
towards creating a more inclusive, barrier-free
society for individuals living with vision loss in HRM.
Charlottetown Technology Centre: In January
2013, CNIB officially launched its new Assistive
Technology Centre in Charlottetown – thanks to the
generosity of the Parkdale Sherwood Lions Club.
Canadian Council of the Blind: CNIB is working
in partnership with CCB’s Halifax Advocacy and
Awareness chapter to advocate for accessible design
in the built environment.
Special thanks to the United Way of Cape
Breton, the United Way of Colchester County,
and the United Way of Prince Edward Island for
supporting CNIB programs and services.
Fund Development
People of all ages who are blind or partially sighted
enjoy a better quality of life and are empowered to
succeed because of the generosity of Nova Scotians
and Prince Edward Islanders. Individuals, service clubs,
businesses, foundations and organizations continue to
make our work possible. The generosity of our friends is
received in many ways ranging from event sponsorships,
attending or hosting an event, to giving a donation,
providing a project grant, or making a planned gift.
Vision Health Month: In May 2012, CNIB reminded
Canadians of the importance of getting their eyes
checked and to raise funds for CNIB programs and
services. Thirty-five optometrists from across Nova
Scotia and Prince Edward Island participated in the
Toonie Campaign by donating $2 to CNIB for every
eye exam conducted during the month of May. The
CNIB “Visionaries” team of volunteers, clients and staff
participated in the Blue Nose Marathon Scotiabank
Group Charity Challenge.
Philip Bower Memorial Golf Tournament: In August
2012, more than 120 golfers and volunteers hit the links
at Belvedere Golf Club to raise funds for programs and
services to benefit Islanders with vision loss.
Dining in the Dark: CNIB’s signature fundraising event
in Atlantic Canada expanded to three communities in
Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island over the last year.
Truro hosted its first-ever Dining in the Dark in November
2012; a group of Dalhousie University pharmacy students
organized Halifax’s first-ever event; while Charlottetown
hosted its third annual Dining in the Dark in March 2013.
In May 2012, CNIB received
the NS Construction Safety
Association’s Leadership in
Safety award for our role in
reducing workplace accidents.
CNIB’s Eye Safety
Program educates
organizations about eye
protection, building a
culture of safety and
reducing the associated
costs of workplace
eye injuries. In 201213, CNIB delivered 54
workshops to 2,400
participants thanks to
the support of Nova
Scotia Department
of Labour, Workers’
Compensation Board of
Nova Scotia, Novartis
Pharmaceuticals, the
Nova Scotia Construction
Safety Association, the
Construction Association
of PEI and Irving
Shipbuilding.
Over the last year,
CNIB provided over
9,677 hours of vision
rehabilitation services
to Nova Scotians and
Islanders with vision loss.
Nova Scotia-Prince Edward Island Division
Government Funding
CNIB would like to recognize the Government
of Prince Edward Island’s Department of
Community Services and Seniors and
the Province of Nova Scotia’s Department
of Community Services and Department
of Health and Wellness for funding vision
rehabilitation.
With their continued support, CNIB is able to
deliver life-changing programs and services;
ensuring Islanders and Nova Scotians who are
blind or partially sighted are able to learn skills and
techniques to live independently and remain active
in their communities – to see beyond vision loss.
CNIB Financial Report
Revenue
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2013
7%
Support from the Public
35%
58%
Government Funding
Fees for Service & Misc Income
Expenditures
7%
27%
66%
CNIB recognizes the
Nova Scotia-Prince
Edward Island Division
Board members’
commitment to vision
health and thanks them
for their contributions in
2012-13:
Dr. Rhett MacDonald, Chair
William Blight,
Vice-Chair
Colleen Henderson,
Past Chair
Allen Fownes
David Hilchey
Sheila Jamieson
Ron Jones
Robert MacLeod
Jennifer MacNeil
Glenda Parsons
Kevin Riles
Kevin Walsh
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2013
CNIB Centres
Services, Public Education
and Research
201-342 Grafton St.
Charlottetown PE
(902) 566-2580
Fund Development
and Gaming
Administration
Note: Government funding includes NS Department of Health and
Wellness deficit assistance for fiscal years 2011-12 ($195,000)
and 2012-13 ($175,000)
1-800-563-2642
Heartfelt
Thanks
6136 Almon St.
Halifax NS
(902) 453-1480
45 Weatherbee Rd.
Sydney NS
(902) 564-5711
cnib.ca/ns