“The Blind Leading The Blind” CONVENTION 2008
President’s Report
Dear Federationists:
Those of you who attended the Canadian Federation of the Blind convention this year felt the Federation fever. The Federation spirit filled the conference room, followed us through the halls of the hotel and onto the streets of Victoria, and set fire to our hearts.
Members moved with confidence, spoke with eloquence and provided each other with a strong network of support, encouragement and hope.
Several new people joined us this year and many long-time members returned to celebrate and share in the family of the Canadian Federation of the Blind.
We were honoured to welcome our guest speaker, Carla McQuillan and her husband Lucas, to our convention this year. Carla is past president of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon and past NFB board member. Carla and Lucas infused the convention with their positive energy, and devoted themselves to help make the convention a success.
The convention started with an informative and positive workshop for parents of blind children and other interested attendees, facilitated by Carla McQuillan.
Participants had the opportunity to discuss issues related to parenting and education of blind children in an informal and relaxed environment. Carla discussed her experience teaching Montessori, and the importance of allowing our children, blind and sighted, to explore their world and learn by doing.
Another new activity on our convention agenda this year was the adaptive technology and blindness resource exhibit. Many Federationists and other guests joined us at this event to try out some of the latest adaptive equipment, such as the Olympus digital recorder and the Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind reader.
We also released the third volume of the Blind Canadian, the CFB publication and provided other CFB and NFB literature.
Many people tried out a Federation cane for the first time; they moved energetically holding their long white canes with confidence.
That afternoon, a number of us enjoyed the sunshine on the cane walk. As always, the CFB white cane walk provided a fun and lively chance to practice travel skills, get some exercise and enjoy one another’s company.
In the evening, members relaxed and socialized at the welcome reception and then took part in the first annual ‘Rowdy and Raucous’ Canadian Federation of the Blind auction. This auction was a rousing success. We raised over $800.
The following day began with a one-hundred-dollar door prize as members settled into the conference room for a day of exciting and inspiring speakers. Following is a snapshot of the day’s topics. Some of these speeches will be available soon in audio on our website www.cfb.ca
“The Blind Leading The Blind,” introductory speech, by Elizabeth Lalonde, CFB President.
“Self-Advocacy: Making One’s Way in the World with Confidence and a Positive Approach” by Mary Ellen Gabias, CFB Vice-President
Presentation by Guest Speaker, Carla McQuillan and her husband Lucas, National Federation of the Blind Representatives
“Overcoming the Struggles and Enjoying the Successes of Becoming Empowered” by Shane Baker, CFB Member
“Finding the Microphone: Moving Freely as a Blind Person” by Elizabeth Lalonde
“Out of the Closet – With My White Cane” by Doris Belusic, CFB Secretary
“Imagining the Blind: Work Place Attitudes and Perceptions” by Dr. Fikru Gebrekidan, Associate Professor of History at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick
“The Psychological Aspects of Advocacy: Discussion of A University of British Columbia Course Based on the Renowned NFB Publication, “Walking Alone and Marching Together” by Dr. Paul Gabias, Professor UBC Okanagan and longtime Federation leader and CFB treasurer
“The Blind Leading The Sighted” by Frederick Driver, Long-time CFB supporting member
“Update on the National Federation of the Blind” by Carla McQuillan
We were honoured to welcome David Cubberley, MLA, New Democratic Party, to our convention. David shared lunch with us and delivered greetings.
“Disability and the Political Perspective” by Dr Abebe Teklu, who received his PhD in 2007 at the University of Victoria, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
“The Road to Excellence in Sport is Bumpy” by Shawn Marsolais, Para-Olympic athlete, and advocate for blind children and their families
A fun and interactive skit about a job interview. CFB actors demonstrated their acting talents in this lively and humorous improv performance.
“Overview of Triumph Vocational Services” by Michelle Underdown, Vocational Coach, Triumph Vocational Services, Victoria BC.
“Canadian Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP): Planning for an Improved Quality of Life” by Oriano Belusic, Past CFB President
“The Importance of Braille in My Life” by Erin Lacharity, Undergraduate Student at the University of Victoria and CFB Member
Presentation by David Boyce from Penetanguishene, Ontario
“The Unheard Problem of Quiet Cars” by Mary Ellen Gabias (This included a sing-along of the Hybrid Car Song, written by Mary Ellen)
The conference ended with a beautiful and moving performance from Augie Thomas – Esquimalt Youth Singers and Dancers, (Coast Salish, local First Nations, traditional dancing).
Later that evening, the banquet provided a perfect windup to an excellent convention. Dinner, song and Carla’s inspiring banquet address, “Sincere Ignorance and Conscientious Stupidity,” completed this successful event.
It was hard to say goodbye, and no-one wanted to leave; everyone wanted to savor the aftermath of the convention.
I want to thank all of the CFB members for their participation in the convention. Many of you travelled a long way to be there.
I particularly want to thank the executive for their hard work and perseverance during the exciting, yet stressful pre-convention time and for the incredible job they did throughout the event.
I thank:
Doris Belusic for her diligence and perseverance in putting out the third volume of our publication “The Blind Canadian.” And for her handling of so many of the details involved in planning such an important event. Most of all I thank Doris for her warmth and kindness.
Oriano Belusic for his organization of the technology exhibit, and for his on-going support and mentorship.
Mary Ellen Gabias, for her kindness, wisdom and patience, and for her ability to know the right thing to do and the right time to do it.
Paul Gabias for his handling of all the financial affairs, and for his excellent job as MC and auctioneer. Paul is a man of many talents. I thank him for his belief in me and for his belief in the Federation.
Larry Scharschmidt for recording the convention and for helping to organize the technology exhibit, and for his quiet diligence and support.
Frederick Driver – though Rick is sighted and is not on the executive, he is an executive member in spirit. Rick, I thank you for your tremendous research and speech-writing ability, for respecting us, for treating us as equals and for being one of us.
I also want to thank Shane Baker for organizing the great banquet mugs and our first CFB t-shirts.
And a Special Thank You to Our Sponsors who helped make the Convention a success; these included:
National Federation of the Blind, United States of America
Victoria Imperial Lions Club, Victoria BC
First Nations Training & Consulting Services, Victoria BC
Traveller’s Inn, City Centre, Douglas Street, Victoria BC
Team Sales, Victoria BC
CFUV, University of Victoria Radio
Also, thank you to the businesses and individuals who donated door prizes and auction items, including:
Country Grocer, Victoria BC
Serious Coffee, Esquimalt
Executive House Hotel, Victoria BC
Helga Beer, Yoga Practitioner
COSMETIQUE a La Carte Skin Care Center, Victoria BC
Rogers Chocolates
Personal Communications Systems Inc, Victoria BC
Gabias Wellness Centre
And many more…