Despite continued appeals, rallies, requests and discussions, blind
people in British Columbia and in the rest of the country continue to
receive apathy and indifference in response to their need for proper
blindness skills training and rehabilitation.

The Canadian Federation of the Blind (CFB), a grassroots advocacy
organization made up of and led by blind people, is calling for
immediate action on this matter at the 2012 BC budget consultation
hearing to be held tonight, September 19, at the Coast Capri Hotel at
6:20 . The organization is asking government to take responsibility
and provide funding for blind people to receive the training they need
and deserve.

“It is atrocious that blind people are not receiving such basic public
services as proper training in using the white cane, Braille, adaptive
technology and other independent living skills,” says Mary Ellen
Gabias, CFB President.

no publicly accountable funding exists for blindness rehabilitation
in this province. Persons with mental and physical disabilities
receive funding in the public system for rehabilitation, but this
public funding does not exist for persons who are blind.

The unemployment rate of blind people is near 80 percent.
Approximately 13,000 legally blind people live in BC; among these,
approximately 3,000 to 4,000 are working-age.

“The public does not realize blind citizens are not receiving the
services they need and deserve. Government takes no responsibility for
the situation and chooses to leave the lives and futures of blind
citizens in the hands of charity,” says Gabias.

For further information, please contact:
In Kelowna, (250) 491-7226
In Victoria: (250) 598-7154