Rilind Dragoshi is a founding member of the CNIB National Youth Council and has been a passionate fixture at every meeting since the council was created nearly ten years ago.
Born in Kosovo, Rilind came to Canada with his family when he was five. Blind from birth, Rilind says he started from scratch as a new Canadian. Not knowing English, Braille, or anything about white canes, he had a lot of support from people who saw his potential. In time he learned how to use JAWS, read Braille and could read in his native Albanian – something he is very proud of.
In 2011, Rilind joined youth from across Canada at a “Weekend in the Woods” event in Alberta. The goal of the event was to bring together young leaders to talk about forming a council at CNIB for youth. A mere two years later, the young participants then formed what is now known as the CNIB National Youth Council.
The first project the National Youth Council took on was to develop a database of resources for youth with sight loss relating to education, employment, and technology.
As the National Youth Council has grown and matured, much of their national work is focused on developing and expanding on what youth are doing locally. Council members drive innovation – not just with their youth-related projects, but also within CNIB.
Rilind, now 30, is stepping away from the National Youth Council ready to take on new leadership challenges.
“Because of my time on the National Youth Council, I have a greater hope of what I still want to accomplish,” Rilind says. “I know I’ll be able to accomplish my goals because I’ve seen others do it. My peers on the council have achieved many things, and I’m always learning from them.”
For more information about the National Youth Council and how to get involved, visit cnib.ca/nyc or email nationalyouthcouncil@cnib.ca.