By: Vivi Dabee
In November 2022, CNIB and Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada staff met with deputy ministers from the Ministry of Families to discuss the need for an assistive devices program in Manitoba.
The meeting was a welcome opportunity to speak with government officials and share the perspectives of participants in Manitoba who have expressed the need for an assistive devices program in the province for many years.
CNIB and Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada staff are eager to collaborate on a project that could benefit the estimated 57,000 Manitobans who are blind or partially sighted.
As a Program Lead for Advocacy and Community Outreach at CNIB, I also shared my experiences as a person who is blind and emphasized the importance of having affordable technology, both as a student and as a person seeking employment.
While the deputy ministers were receptive to the proposal put forth and appreciated learning about all the devices and technology available to enhance the lives of people who are blind or partially sighted, they did not agree to commit provincial funding to an assistive devices program at this time.
As we all know, advocacy can be a lengthy process, and change doesn’t happen overnight. CNIB Community Engagement Volunteers in Manitoba will take the next step in this advocacy journey by writing to their MLAs and asking them to urge the province to implement an assistive devices program.
Get Involved
If you live in Manitoba and are interested in writing to your MLA to request that the government introduces an assistive devices program, email vivi.dabee@cnib.ca for further resources and support.