On June 9, 2026, CNIB Quebec visited Trois-Rivières in collaboration with the Association éducative et récréative des aveugles (AÉRA) to meet with city councillors and raise awareness about barriers in public transit and the built environment for people who are blind or have low vision.
Annie Provencher, Councillor for the Carmel district, and Pierre-Luc Fortin, Councillor for the Estacades district, took part. Discussions focused on the importance of creating safe and accessible journeys, as well as barriers that can affect accessibility on sidewalks, at crosswalks, and in construction zones.
“There are really so many small things that we can implement or do differently, without necessarily incurring additional costs, that can make a huge difference for people and give them the freedom to get around,” said Councillor Provencher.
The councillors then navigated downtown while blindfolded to gain a better understanding of the barriers people who are blind or have low vision may encounter in the built environment, as well as the importance of keeping walkways clear.
"I want to be an active participant. I want to encourage the city to develop this mindset, so that the city is more accessible for everyone,” said Councillor Fortin.
“I’m going to try to raise awareness among the people around me and, above all, to adopt that perspective on what can be done differently. And the most important thing is to consult with people in the community,” said Councillor Provencher, who was pleased to have met with the local association.”
This meeting is part of the “Get on Board!” awareness campaign, made possible thanks to the support of the Notarial Studies Fund of the Chambre des notaires du Québec. With this support, CNIB can raise awareness among municipal officials and transit agency representatives about the transportation challenges faced by people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision across Quebec.
Before arriving in Trois-Rivières, the campaign stopped in Montreal, Quebec City, Sainte-Thérèse, Gatineau, and Sherbrooke, generating interest from regional media, helping to raise awareness:
View the Facebook photo album from the campaign in Trois-Rivières