SUDBURY – After conducting several in depth risk assessments and carefully reviewing information from the Ontario Government and Ontario Health, the CNIB Foundation and Vision Loss Rehabilitation Ontario (VLRO) have announced the cancellation of the 2020 Eye Van Tour in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Medical Mobile Care Unit, known more commonly as the Eye Van, is operated by Vision Loss Rehabilitation, The CNIB Foundation’s affiliate organization. The Eye Van, which was established in 1972, is a fully equipped, medical mobile eye-care clinic on wheels that travels more than 6,000 kilometers annually to provide service to 4,500 patients in Northern Ontario.
“During this unprecedented time, we will continue work with local health care partners and offer telepractice care to ensure patients continue to have access to eye care,” Lisa O’Bonsawin, General Manager of the Eye Van says. “The telepractice patient care program ensures that patients of the Eye Van are connected with the appropriate services to best support their individual needs.”
Patients can also access Vision Loss Rehabilitation Ontario’s virtual care services from the comfort and safety of home, or in an urgent situation, they are able to access VLRO’s emergency essential services, which provides urgent response to people with vision loss.
“We are confident that this decision, which was made with the full support of the Medical Advisory Committee, is in the best interests of our patients, staff, and doctors,” Jennifer Urosevic, Vice President of Healthcare Operations for Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada says. “The Eye Van provides essential support and care for our northern communities in Ontario and we look forward to resuming the Eye Van’s tour in 2021.”
About Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada
Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada is a provincially funded, accredited health care organization staffed by a passionate team of certified professionals. The organization provides professional, high-quality and sustainable rehabilitation to Canadians with vision loss now and into the future.
About the CNIB Foundation
The CNIB Foundation is a non-profit organization driven to change what it is to be blind today. We deliver innovative programs and powerful advocacy that empower people impacted by blindness to live their dreams and tear down barriers to inclusion. Our work as a blind foundation is powered by a network of volunteers, donors and partners from coast to coast to coast. To learn more or get involved, visit cnib.ca.
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For more information, please contact:
Alison Byczok, Director, Marketing and Communications
416-272-0464 | alison.byczok@cnib.ca