For the more than 600,000 blind and visually impaired persons across the country, White Cane Week provides an opportunity to celebrate our successes and raise awareness about the challenges which still face many blind Canadians. As White Cane Week approaches for 2008, we are ready to showcase across Canada our numerous and varied abilities.

Unfortunately, negative and often unconscious stereotypical attitudes remain among the sighted community about blind and visually impaired persons. As a result -- and the facts are -- the blind and visually impaired community in Canada is the most marginalized disabled group in Canada, both socially and economically.

Without access to the services or support systems necessary to learn independence and integrate with their sighted counterparts, many people from this disabled group are isolated and barred from active and vibrant participation in their communities and, indeed, the marketplace as well.

In a recent CNIB study, one of the major voids within the blind community was acquiring and training in adaptive computer equipment. Knowledge in this area can transform an environment of isolation and desparation into a productive, meaningful and fulfilled life.

Some of the demographics of the blind and visually impaired community are startling, yet not commonly known: 19% of all adult blind Canadians (aged 21–91) reported gross annual incomes of $10,000 – this is the lowest per capita income of any disabled group; 75% of all adult blind and visually impaired Canadians are unemployed, compared with 49% with other disabled persons.

These statistics are more applicable to third world countries, but regretably, they pertain to Canada.

The CCB is addressing this issue with our Computer Literacy Training program and our TechCane program. Both programs are designed to enable blind individuals to gain access to information and communication through computers and adaptive technology. Acquisition of computers skills with the associated hardware means empowerment and opportunity.

In addition to computer skills and hardware, the CCB has embarked to confront these gargantuan deficiencies with our Peer Mentor program. Unemployed members are encouraged to link with their peers who are employed. The CCB has just completed a certified program to disperse mentors throughout the country to offer counseling and advice on networking for employment and on the psychological effects in dealing with visual impairment.

Through these programs and others and along with a strong volunteer base, the CCB is committed to work with all governments and virtually every sector of society to ensure that blind and visually impaired persons share and participate equally in the bounty which Canada offers. It is in the interest of everyone that all Canadians are able to contribute positively to their community and country.

So, I encourage you to be involved in the many activities during White Cane Week, show your capability and spread the word about what CCB is trying to accomplish. It is only with your help that the CCB can really change what it means to be blind!

Mike Potvin, Editor,

2008 White Cane Week Magazine