Meet Kevin

"Advocacy isn’t just about bringing an issue to light," says Kevin Carrier, a CNIB volunteer from Fredericton, New Brunswick. "Advocacy is often more effective when we do our homework and are able to present a potential solution to a problem."

Diagnosed with Stargardt's disease when he was a teenager, Kevin’s passion for self-advocacy was sparked at university. While engaging with an assistive technologist on campus, he met a friend who was a disability advocate.

“Until then, I thought, ‘Oh, no one wants to hear your problems – everyone has their own stuff to deal with,” explains Kevin. “My new friend really opened my eyes to what advocacy was really about and pointed me to some academic resources that would further fuel my newfound passion for advocacy.”

Kevin's growing interest in self-advocacy and assistive technology led him to volunteering with CNIB. Today, he facilitates virtual programs, teaching Canadians with sight loss how to become better self-advocates. He also helps people become more proficient in using assistive technology for overcoming any barriers they may face. 

“Vision loss is such a huge spectrum, and there’s an infinite amount of lived experience within it," explains Kevin. I’m constantly learning new things from the people I meet. They often think I am teaching them something when in fact I am often learning so much more from them.”

Not only is Kevin an advocate, but he is an avid community supporter who is always encouraging people to get involved.

“The reality is that there are a lot of people living with vision loss,” says Kevin. "We don’t necessarily live on the same block, but the pandemic has presented us with a unique opportunity to connect virtually with others on a much greater scale than ever before, and CNIB has kept us connected with a wide range of online programs.”

Kevin says volunteering with CNIB has been a rewarding experience and it has provided him with an opportunity to see how passionate the staff team is – inside and outside of business hours. 

“Volunteering has also taught me that sight loss impacts a broad range of Canadians. There is an incredible amount of diversity in our community, says Kevin. "I think volunteering with an organization like CNIB is one of the best things you could do.”

If Kevin's story inspires you to volunteer with CNIB, apply today!