Canadian Federation of the Blind (CFB) “Employment and Empowerment” 2019 Convention
With thanks to our official sponsors AMI Accessible Media INC.; Canadian Assistive Technologies; De Lestre Council Knights of Columbus; B and C List; and private donors.
The Canadian Federation of the Blind will hold its annual convention on May 3 – 5, 2019 at the HILTON VANCOUVER METROTOWN, 6083 McKay Ave., Burnaby, BC. Burnaby is in the Greater Vancouver area.
Join Us:
This year’s convention promises to be one of the best; it includes a full weekend of activities including a blindness resources, exhibits and skills fair; a philosophy session about the abilities of blind people; a welcome reception; live auction; a full-day conference with speakers discussing topics relevant to blind Canadians, such as employment, blindness skills training, advocacy, blind youth, peer mentoring, Braille literacy, adaptive technology and accessibility; talent night; and a closing banquet with keynote speaker.
Note: we realise hotel costs are high, there is limited funding but If you need some financial assistance, for registration or hotel etc., please email president@cfb.ca by April 20, and we will do our best to support you.
Convention Registration:
Convention registration is $75, which includes appetizers at the Friday evening reception, lunch on Saturday and the Saturday evening banquet meal.
If you can only attend Friday’s activities and seminars, the registration cost is $35.
There are a few ways to register.
You can pay via a bank email transfer to treasurer@cfb.ca
You can use PayPal with the email address treasurer@cfb.ca
Or you can send a cheque to: Canadian Federation of the Blind, P.O. Box 8007, Victoria, BC, V8W 3R7
Along with your registration, please include your name and contact information.
Transportation to and from Convention:
If you need help planning transportation to convention, please call Translink at 604-953,3333 and press 0 at the main menu.
If you require a taxi, please call Bonnie’s Taxi at +1 (604) 451-1111. As far as we know this is the only taxi company that does pick ups in the part of Burnaby where convention will be held.
If you need additional assistance with travel, please call or text Alex Jurgensen at +1 (778) 908-0521.
Hotel Information:
The convention will be held at the HILTON VANCOUVER METROTOWN, 6083 McKay Ave. You can stay at the hotel itself, or we can try to find other accommodations for you, if you would prefer to help save cost. We can also team you up with a roommate or two to reduce hotel cost. Just let us know how we can help to make this opportunity possible for you.
Hotel rooms are $209 plus 15% tax per night, which includes breakfast. If you get a room with two queen beds, you can have up to four people in one room. The hotel will charge an additional $20 for the third and fourth person.
Please note: parking and WIFI are complimentary.
Convention Schedule:
Friday, May 3, 2019
10 AM to 4 PM
Adaptive technology exhibit, blindness resources and blindness skills fair (concurrent).
10 AM to noon
“Employment, Empowerment” an exploration of potential: Employment Strategies Seminar, including panelists speaking about their employment experiences and lead by Internationally recognized job coach and career developer Buna Dahal.
Noon to 1 PMs
Break for lunch.
1 PM to 4 PM
Seminar: Blindness has No Boarders: a Positive Perspective on Blindness and the Abilities of Blind People.
(questions and answers, panel speakers and small group-focused topics).
6 PM to 8 PM
Welcome Reception (Appetizers included as part of registration.)
8 PM to 10 PM
Live and Loud Auction to benefit the Canadian Federation of the Blind
(Donations of auction items welcome.)
Saturday, May 4, 2019
9 AM to 5PM
Canadian Federation of the Blind Conference Including: a variety of speakers on a range of topics such as employment, Braille literacy, travel with the long white cane, training and rehabilitation, advocacy, guide dog issues, accessible websites and other accessibility concerns, blind children, blind people speaking in their own words about their lives, experiences and goals.
6 PM to 8 PM
Banquet with inspirational blind speaker Carla McQuillan, National Federation of the Blind Representative. (Banquet included as part of registration).
8 PM to 11 PM
Talent night and music. (We are looking for performers for this fun-filled evening).
Sunday, May 5, 2019
9 AM to 10:30 AM Canadian Federation of the Blind AGM (Breakfast served.)
About the CFB
The Canadian Federation of the Blind is a grassroots non-profit organization of blind people working together to raise awareness about blindness and the abilities of blind people.
If you would like more information about the event or our organization, please contact us at
phone: 250-598-7154, 1-800-619-8789 or convention@cfb.ca
You can also visit our website www.cfb.ca
