CNIB would like to send a huge congratulations to our friends at ASIC (Access for Sight-Impaired Consumers) for returning to operations after a five-year hiatus.
Following 20 years of providing advocacy services for British Columbians and other Canadians with sight loss, the ASIC board elected to step back and take a much-needed break in 2017. Now, after a brief hiatus to recharge and regroup, ASIC has returned as a non-profit society with a revitalized commitment to promoting awareness and advocacy for the removal of systemic barriers affecting B.C. residents with sight loss.
“ASIC is a fantastic organization that has done incredible work to remove barriers for the sight loss community in B.C. and all over Canada,” says John M. Rafferty, CNIB President and CEO. “We’re thrilled to see them back in operations and are proud to champion their work.”
The organization’s return was catalyzed in early 2020 when ASIC President Rob Sleath learned about an increase in the number of patients experiencing severe deterioration of their sight after receiving anti-VEGF (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor) injections from retinal specialists. Anxious to assist, Rob contacted a handful of former members of the retired ASIC Board to gauge their interest and commitment to resurrecting the non-profit, but, this time, as a provincially registered society with a focus primarily on awareness and systemic issues.
The team at ASIC say they look forward to delivering positive and impactful change by removing systemic barriers that will improve access and independence for persons living with sight loss. To learn more about ASIC, visit asicbc.ca.