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 Newfoundland and Labrador. Our programs
and services reduce the personal, social and economic
costs of vision loss, while improving the overall health
and well being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians
who are blind or partially sighted.
Through individual instruction and structured group
programs in communities throughout the province,
over the last year, CNIB specialists taught skills and
provided opportunities to 3,431 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 and prepare for
independence, employment and post-secondary
education after high-school graduation; and
• learn how to use assistive technology to access
information, to enhance job readiness or to
maintain employment.
Over the last year, CNIB saw a revitalized
volunteer program in Newfoundland and
Labrador. With dedicated staff support, the
contribution of volunteers increased our capacity
in many areas. The Vision Mate program was
launched in St. John’s and volunteers are
working in their communities providing one-onone sighted assistance to people with vision loss.
In October 2012, CNIB
celebrated the grand
opening of our firstever office in Labrador.
The office is located at
the Friendship Centre in
Happy Valley-Goose Bay,
and is operated by a fulltime Independent Living
Specialist. This office
also acts as a base for
service delivery by CNIB
Specialists who visit the
area.
This year, 176 new clients
accessed CNIB’s vision
rehabilitation services
in Newfoundland and
Labrador.
Partnerships
In 2012-2013, CNIB continued
working on strengthening our
relationships with government
departments, community
agencies, and optometrists and
ophthalmologists. In February
2013, we entered into a formal
partnership with the Memorial
University School of Social Work,
which will give students the option
of choosing CNIB for their field
placement.
Post-Secondary
Orientation
CNIB delivered its fourth annual
Post-Secondary Orientation
Program to ease the transition
from high school to postsecondary school for students
who are blind or partially sighted.
Eight students toured university
and college campuses, and took
part in orientation and mobility as
well as independent living skills
activities throughout St. John’s.
Summer Intervention
& Family Summer Camp
In August 2012, 27 children
participated in CNIB’s summer
intervention program that
helps maintain and build vision
rehabilitation skills. In addition, 82
campers attended CNIB’s summer
family camp, including children,
their families and interveners.
The McKesson Canada Foundation
donated $20,000 to upgrade
the Snoezelen Room in St. John’s
allowing CNIB to accommodate
the growing demand among clients
and others in the community.
2012-2013 A Year in Review
Nursing students at the College of the
North Atlantic learned about eye safety.
Eye Safety Program
CNIB educates organizations and their
employees about eye protection, building
a culture of safety and reducing the
associated costs of workplace eye injuries.
In 2012-13, CNIB facilitated 40 eye safety
workshops to a total of 1,200 participants
across the province thanks to the support
of WHSCC, Rio Tinto-IOC, Vale, 3M, Nalcor
Energy, NL Association of Optometrists, NL
Construction Safety Association and The
Telegram. In January 2013, CNIB formed
a new alliance with the College of the
North Atlantic to educate trades students
at 17 campuses across the province of the
importance of practicing eye safety.
Post-Secondary
Peer Support Group
In our ongoing efforts to ensure that people
who are blind or partially sighted have every
opportunity to complete training and become
more employable, CNIB introduced its firstever Post-Secondary Peer Support Group in
the fall of 2012. The group acts as an avenue
for students to share experiences and assist
each other in overcoming challenges and
barriers that may exist in the pursuit of a
post-secondary degree or diploma.
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 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. 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.
In May 2012, Vision Health Month was once again
launched at Government House, which provided
an opportunity to celebrate the success of CNIB’s
Everyday Hero Campaign. Since its inception in
2009, this campaign has been led by CNIB volunteer
Jim Hynes and has raised over $430,000 through
the generous support of many Everyday Heroes
through their networks of colleagues, friends and
family. In 2012, Jim Hynes committed to raising a
million dollars by 2020 with a goal of reducing the
incidence of vision loss in the province.
SNAP St. John’s
Our 4th annual Visions Gala – Luna Luau,
presented by Technip Canada, was held in
September and raised $175,000. The theme
successfully provided a memorable evening including
a live auction and signature martinis. We are
thankful to Dr. Edna Turpin, Event Chair, who has
raised more than $400,000 over the last four years.
The Telus Community
Board donated $18,500
to support the PostSecondary Youth
Orientation Program.
This year, eight students
from across the province
learned about community
supports that are
available, how to safely
use public transportation,
assistive technology
resources that will
help them pursue their
education, and had the
opportunity to perfect
everyday living skills such
as grocery shopping and
cooking.
In February 2013, Browning Harvey Ltd. presented
our second exclusive Dining in the Dark event
at Raymond’s Restaurant. Guests were once again
treated to an exquisite five-course meal with wine
pairings while wearing blindfolds. Event Chair
Anna Patten of Browning Harvey was delighted to
announce that the event raised $25,000.
Event Chair Dr. Edna Turpin
and donor Terri Clarke at
CNIB’s Luna Luau.
Newfoundland and Labrador Division
Goverment Funding
CNIB would like to recognize Eastern
Health and the Department of Health and
Community Services for funding essential
vision rehabilitation services. Our partnership
with Eastern Health, positioning CNIB within
the continuum of vision health care, has
resulted in increased referrals and enabled
CNIB to open a Centre in Happy Valley-Goose
Bay to provide services to individuals in
Labrador.
CNIB would also like to acknowledge the
Department of Advanced Education and
Skills; through this partnership, CNIB delivers
an employment and assistive technology
program, ensuring working-age adults have
the skills and opportunities to find or maintain
employment.
Finance
Revenues
17%
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2013
29%
54%
7%
14%
Patricia Suvak, Chair
Jim Hynes, Vice-Chair
James Maher, Vice-Chair
Danny Barrett
Jason Blair
Shane Budgell
Deanna Cheeke
Terry Gardner
Trevor Giles
Dr. Sarah Hutchens
Dr. Trudy Metcalfe
Philip Strong
Government Funding
CNIB Centres
Fees for Service & Misc
Income
70 The Boulevard
St. John’s
(709) 754-1180
Expenditures
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2013
Fund Development
and Gaming
Administration
1-800-563-2642
CNIB recognizes the
Newfoundland and
Labrador Division Board
members’ commitment
to vision health and
thanks them for their
contributions in 2012-13:
Support from the Public
Services, Public Education
and Research
79%
Heartfelt
Thanks
3 Herald Ave., 1st Floor
Corner Brook
(709) 639-9167
1A O’Neill Ave.
P.O. Box 442
Grand Falls-Windsor
(709) 489-6515
49 Grenfell St.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay
(709) 896-8302
cnib.ca/nl