The Government of British Columbia announces new funding for Deafblind services across the province
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CNIB Deafblind Community Services is thrilled to share that in honour of National Deafblind Awareness Month, the Government of British Columbia has announced that they will be providing dedicated funding for intervenor services to support British Columbians who are Deafblind.
Sherry Grabowski, Vice President of CNIB Deafblind Community services poses with Dan Coulter, MLA for Chilliwack and Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility, Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast and Theresa Tancock, Family Services Coordinator, British Columbia Chapter of the Canadian Deafblind Association.
The landmark decision makes British Columbia the third province outside of Ontario and Saskatchewan to provide funding for CNIB Deafblind Community Services (DBCS), representing a monumental step for Canada’s Deafblind community.
This funding for intervenor services will help address communication challenges and provide critical supports for individuals who are deafblind so they can stay connected in their communities.
The Canada Disability Benefit Act became law in 2023 and seeks to create a new federal benefit program that will strengthen the financial security and independence of Canadians with disabilities from coast to coast to coast. Now, the Government of Canada is seeking feedback from the disability community on its proposed Canada Disability Benefit Regulations, which will set out the design and technical details of the program, scheduled to launch in July 2025. CNIB is seeking the perspectives of our community members to inform our submission to the Government’s consultation, and we’re asking you to get involved by completing our survey.
After months of extensive training, CNIB Guide Dogs is excited to announce the graduation of its inaugural guide dog class. In total, six dogs have been paired with handlers from across Canada and are ready to embark on a lifelong journey in helping their human counterpart live a fully independent life.
CNIB is pleased to announce that Angela Bonfanti, a 13-year veteran of the CNIB team, today became the organization’s first female president and CEO. After holding several leadership positions at CNIB – including, most recently, the position of Chief Operating Officer – Angela succeeds John M. Rafferty, who has been CNIB’s president since 2009.
In May, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control announced new rules for all dogs entering the United States as part of their efforts to prevent dog-variant rabies from entering the country. The changes, which were set to take effect Aug. 1, would have required people entering the U.S. with a dog to complete two new forms, including one signed by a veterinarian to be verified upon arrival by U.S. border agents. CNIB Guide Dogs publicly voiced its concerns about how the changes and cumbersome administrative paperwork would negatively affect guide dog handlers crossing the border.
CNIB Lake Joe, in collaboration with Canadian Blind Hockey, wrapped up an inspiring Camp Abilities Blind Hockey program. From July 1-6, 2024, youth ages 8-18 who are blind or have vision loss gathered at the camp to learn and play the sport of Blind Hockey, focusing on skill development and cultivating a love for the game.