Diverse Abilities Blog: Understanding Diverse Ways of Life

Accessibility Seating; Every chair tells a story.

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:54:15 GMT

Chairs are more than just somewhere to sit.

Next time you walk into a waiting room, clinic, school, or community space, take a moment to look at the chairs.

Are they all the same?

Many spaces have one style of chair, either all with arms or all without. It may seem fine at first glance, but not every body, age, or ability can use the same type of seating.

A chair that feels “standard” to one person can be too low for someone with hip or back pain, too narrow for a plus-size person, too deep for someone of smaller stature, or too soft for someone who needs stable support to stand. A parent with a baby might need a sturdy chair with arms. A senior or person using a mobility aid may need a taller seat to help them rise safely. A child might simply want to sit beside a sibling.

Accessibility isn’t only about ramps, elevators, or signage. It’s about choice. It’s about creating an environment where everyone can comfortably take a seat without having to ask, wait, or wonder if the chair will support them.

Imagine a space with a mix of options: a few wider chairs, some with arms and some without, a taller stool-style chair, and a sturdy spot for someone plus-size or a parent and child. Add a mixture of chairs and space for wheelchair users so every person feels welcome and can sit comfortably. That’s inclusion in action.

Every chair tells a story about who is welcome and who was forgotten. What story do the chairs in your space tell?

#workspaceAccessibility #WelcomingEnviorments #Inclusion #Accessibility4Everyone

Would of, Could of, Should have...

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:54:14 GMT

What I wish I had known when I was first diagnosed.

What I would tell my younger self…

I was diagnosed legally blind with Progressive Cone Dystrophy in 1992.

Back then, I did everything I could to blend in. I walked through a sighted world pretending I could see. I didn’t want to identify as someone with a disability because of all the stigmas, judgments and attitudes towards disability. I didn’t use a white cane, as I didn’t want people staring at me. I didn’t want them asking questions or accusing me of faking it because I still had some vision. I thought using a cane would single me out as less than.

All that hiding didn’t make life easier for me. It just made it lonelier, scarier, and more exhausting.

Everything changed in 2015, when I met two women who were both blind and completely confident. That was the beginning of my acceptance journey.

In 2016, I attended the Louisiana Center for the Blind, a full-time, nine-month rehab program where I trained under learning shades “blindfold” for 40 hours a week. That may sound extreme, but it changed my life in more ways than words could ever express.

I didn’t just learn non-visual techniques; I learned how to live fully, independently, and proudly.

Once I started using a cane, everything shifted. I wasn’t staring down at the sidewalk anymore, scanning every crack and curb. My cane did the work, detecting obstacles, reading the world around me, while I held my head up high.

You know what?

People started moving out of the way, so I wasn’t always playing the guessing game as to which way others would move, and travelling became easier, and I started going more places. The best part was that I stopped worrying about what others thought of me.

Why did I care so much that strangers were staring at me? When I can’t see them anyway.

If I could go back and speak to my younger self, I’d say this: Don’t worry about what others think. Do what makes your life easier. Try the tools available; they’re what give you freedom.

Learning blindness techniques gave me my life back. I cannot do things the way sighted people do things, but I can do them only differently.

To anyone who’s resisting the tools that could help: Please don’t wait as long as I did.

It’s not weakness.

It’s wisdom.

“Having a disability does not change who we are, it changes our interactions with the world,”

Being Seen For Who We Are As People

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:54:12 GMT

All we want is to be seen as a person, not just our disability.

People often assume the hardest part of living with a disability must be the physical pain, the mobility challenges, or the daily discomfort.

For some people, the deepest pain comes from something else:

The loneliness, the isolation, the way we’re overlooked, misunderstood, or treated as less-than human.

It’s the quiet ache of watching others form bonds, build friendships, and make plans, while we remain on the outside looking in.

Not because we don’t care.

Not because we don’t try, but because too often, people see our disability before they see us.

They assume our world is too different, too complicated, too far removed from theirs. So they back away, not out of cruelty, but out of uncertainty.

Many people simply don’t know what to say or do when meeting us. They’re afraid of saying the wrong thing, afraid of offending us, or worried they’ll look awkward.

For those raised with messages like “don’t look, don’t stare, don’t ask,” it feels safer to say nothing at all.

But here’s the truth:

Most of us don’t want pity; we want connection.

We want to laugh with friends, talk about everyday life, go on adventures, and try something new. We want to be included in moments that have nothing to do with our disability and everything to do with being human.

We crave the simple things:

A phone call just to check in.

An invite to hang out, even if it’s last-minute.

A friend who doesn’t tiptoe around us, but shows up with honesty and heart.

Having a disability doesn’t mean we’re not capable; it just means we may need to do things differently, use tools, technology, or alternative techniques that others don’t. We may need a bit more time or space, but we’re still living, still growing, still human.

So the next time you see us in the community, say “hello.”

Ask how our day is, not just how our condition is.

Because sometimes, the most powerful kind of healing doesn’t come from medicine or therapy.

It comes from knowing we truly belong.

Experiences Bring Us Closer To Understanding

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:54:05 GMT

Something really beautiful happened recently, and I’ve been sitting with it .

My friend Bernice went to a restaurant, where the entire meal, from entering the restaurant to leaving, was experienced in total darkness. The servers are all blind, which beautifully shows what’s possible when environments are truly inclusive.

Let me tell you, it meant a lot to me.

For one evening, my sighted friend stepped into my world.

No sight.
No visual cues.

Just trust and a whole lot of figuring things out in ways most people never have to think about.

Things like:

Where’s my fork?
Is there food on it?
Where’s my napkin?
Am I about to knock over my drink?
What’s on my plate, and how do I know when I’m done?

Now imagine sitting at a table and not knowing what’s in front of you or even if you have the right plate.

You hear voices, but you don’t know who’s around you.

You can’t tell what they’re wearing, if they’re smiling or if this experience is bringing tears to their eyes.

Multiple conversations are happening all around you.

Cutlery clinks against plates, background noise builds, and you’re still trying to focus on eating and listening.

Then something brushes up against you.

You don’t know who or what just touched you.

No one says anything.

You can’t see a face, a hand, or an intention.

Even though you know you’re in a safe space… it can feel unsettling, uncomfortable, and even scary for a moment.

For those of us with no or very limited vision, this isn’t just a dinner. It’s daily life.

Most people know I’m legally blind, but many don’t realize how limited my vision really is. I move through the world pretty confidently, so it’s easy to assume I see more than I do. But I’ve had to relearn almost everything from navigating the dinner table, picking out clothes, shopping, crossing streets and everyday activities and tasks. None of it “just happens.” It’s taken practice, patience, and a lot of adapting.

That’s why it moved me so much that Bernice was willing to step into our experience. She didn’t go to a show, she didn’t watch a documentary, she didn’t just say, “I support you.” She went into the dark. She felt the discomfort, and she embraced it.

That’s powerful.

When a friend or family member chooses to step outside their comfort zone to learn more about what life is like for someone with a disability, any disability, it shows so much.

It shows respect.

It shows care.

It builds bridges.

This isn’t about simulating someone’s condition or “trying it on.” It’s about empathy. It’s about being willing to feel even a fraction of what someone else might face daily, not to “get it,” but to honour it.

So if you’ve ever taken the time to learn, to listen, or to ask thoughtful questions, thank you. If you haven’t yet, maybe now’s the time.

Step into someone else’s shoes for a moment.

You might come away seeing the world a little differently.

“Having a disability hasn’t changed who I am, it has changed my interactions with the world” Gina Martin.

What is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard?

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:54:00 GMT

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower: For People Living With Hidden Disabilities

The Sunflower Lanyard is a green lanyard patterned with bright yellow sunflowers. It’s a simple but powerful way for people with non-apparent disabilities to communicate a need for patience, understanding, or extra support in public spaces.

Wearing the lanyard means, “I might need a little help, even though you can’t see why.”

Some people wear it for themselves. Others wear it as a caregiver or parent supporting someone with a non-apparent disability. It’s voluntary and free to wear.

The Sunflower Lanyard started in 2016 at Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom. Staff wanted an easy, respectful way to recognize travelers who might need assistance that isn’t always obvious. The idea took off and is now used globally.

Today, it’s recognized around the world. You’ll find it in airports, shopping centres, transit systems, and some schools and businesses. In Canada, many major airports now offer Sunflower Lanyards for free at their information desks. These include Toronto Pearson, Vancouver International, Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria and Montréal-Trudeau.

Staff in these locations are trained to recognize the lanyard and to offer help without requiring the person to explain their disability.

The lanyard is not a pass or a shortcut. It’s a quiet sign that says, “Please be kind. Please give me a bit of space or time.”

It reminds us that not all disabilities are visible and that kindness, patience, and awareness can change someone’s whole day.

Have you seen the sunflower lanyard before?

Would you wear one?

Learn more about the Sunflower Lanyard at http://www.hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/ca

Diverse Abilities supports learning around both apparent and non-apparent disabilities, promoting inclusion and accessibility for all. Check out our programs for classrooms, retirement communities and businesses.

We are committed to creating safe, inclusive environments for individuals with hidden disabilities.

Navigating With Cardinal Directions, the Sun, & Audible Crossings

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:53:52 GMT

Feel Confident Navigating & Travelling Around The City

Cardinal directions are a skill many have lost, but for those of us who are blind, they are an essential tool for independent navigation.

This is how I navigate using cardinal directions.

When I am walking, if my feet turn slightly to the Left or Right, it changes the direction I am traveling. My Left or Right is no longer where it was before, and without realizing it, I can become disoriented or lost. However, using Cardinal directions, I always have a fixed reference point. NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, and WEST never change.

Victoria’s Confusing Streets vs. Edmonton’s Grid

Living in Victoria, BC, my whole life, I learned to navigate using landmarks and memorized routes. The street names in Victoria have no rhyme or reason and are completely random. Our roads are named, not numbered, and a street may have the same name but be followed by ROAD, TERRACE, STREET, PLACE, CRESCENT, DRIVE, AVENUE, or WAY. Some roads even have five different names along the same stretch. It is confusing for sighted individuals, so imagine navigating it with low or no vision. For me mapping in Victoria was a challenge.

Now, I live in Edmonton, where the city is built like a grid.

Streets run NORTH-SOUTH.

Avenues run EAST-WEST.

I can now visualize where I need to go.

If I am traveling NORTH, the numbers on the avenues get higher. If I am traveling SOUTH, they get lower. Every road that intersects with a STREET increases or decreases by one, depending on the direction I am traveling. On the EAST side of the STREET, the building numbers are odd, and on the WEST side, the numbers are EVEN.

If I am traveling WEST, the numbers on the streets get higher. If I am traveling EAST, they get lower. Every road that intersects with an AVENUE increases or decreases by one, depending on the direction I am traveling. On the NORTH side of the AVENUE, the building numbers are EVEN, and on the SOUTH side, they are odd.

This grid system makes it easy for me to navigate the city and get around independently. Mastering Cardinal directions isn’t just useful, it’s an essential life skill.

Navigating with Audible Signals

For myself and those of us who cannot see the walk and don’t walk visual signal, we rely on audible pedestrian signals.

At intersections, the audible signals let us know when it is safe to cross and in which direction. The sound mimics chirping birds and has two distinct tones.

When you hear coo-coo, coo-coo, it is safe to travel NORTH-SOUTH and cross over the EAST-WEST running avenues.

When you hear cheep, cheep, cheep, it is safe to travel EAST-WEST and cross over the NORTH-SOUTH running streets.

Using The Sun To Navigate

The Sun’s position in the sky also helps me determine direction.

In NORTH AMERICA, the Sun is always slightly SOUTH, meaning it will never be directly overhead. This makes it easy to find SOUTH simply by noting the Sun’s position.

The Sun rises in the EAST and sets in the WEST.

By observing where the Sun is in the sky, I can determine both direction and time of day.

Mastering navigation through Cardinal directions, audible signals, and natural cues like the Sun is an invaluable skill.

“Having a disability has not changed who I am, it has changed my interactions with the world.” Gina Marin

ADHD Effects Everyone Differently

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:53:46 GMT

Discovering How ADHD Shaped My Experiences

For most of my life through school, into adulthood, and now into my 50s, I had no idea that my brain worked differently than others. Then, last year, I was diagnosed with ADHD.

That diagnosis brought me a deep sigh of relief. Suddenly, things began to make sense. I started learning what ADHD really is and how uniquely it shows up in each of us. For the first time, I realized that it's okay for my brain to work differently, It always has.

I didn’t know that most people don’t have to consciously think about every single step in their day. From the moment I wake up, my mind is in overdrive: “Stand up. Put on clothes. Go to the bathroom. Brush teeth. Brush hair. Take medication. Walk to the kitchen. Fill the kettle. Get a cup. Open the drawer for a spoon.” Every single action requires a mental prompt. It’s exhausting and I just thought this was normal, I didn’t know different.

I didn’t realize that most people don’t feel constant frustration trying to remember things, stay focused, or complete basic tasks. I’ve always had a million thoughts crowding my brain, making it difficult to filter, to organize, to retain. My intentions are good, I'm listening but with so much noise in my head, I don’t always hear the message. Not because I don’t care. Because I simply can’t.

For years, I beat myself up. I got angry and frustrated with myself. No matter how hard I tried, things didn’t click. Remembering names, sticking to a to-do list, it all felt impossible. In school, I would stay in during recess and lunch to study, or remain after class because home life was too distracting. I’d study hard, go to sleep, and wake up feeling like my brain had hit reset overnight. All that effort, gone. I carried shame and I told myself, “I’m not smart enough, I’m not good enough, I can’t.”

Growing up, learning differences weren’t recognized like they are now. So, I spent decades pushing myself to meet a standard that wasn’t made for me.

I know several people with ADHD, and we’re all so different. But being able to speak honestly about the chaos and overwhelm in my brain, that no one else can see has been freeing. It’s helped me let go of “I can’t,” and replace it with “I can just differently.” I have learned new strategies that support my brain in the ways it needs. Life is a forever learning journey and acceptance is part of that journey.

I’ve always extended grace and compassion to others but for most of my life, I didn’t give the same grace to myself.

Now, with a diagnosis and the right support, including medication, my world has shifted, not because I needed to be “fixed,” but because I finally understand myself. With understanding has comes self-compassion.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a learning disability or any disability, for that matter. Once I began identifying my strengths and stretches, I started building a toolbox of supports that work “with” my brain instead of against it. By connecting with others who truly understand what I experience has opened doors I never would’ve found on my own. I’ve learned new strategies, some work for me, some don’t but even the ones that don’t are valuable, because I can pass them along to someone else who might benefit from them.

My diagnosis has helped me accept that I may not do things the same way as most, but that’s okay. How someone gets from point A to point B shouldn't matter. What matters is that we’re supported in making the journey.

Talking openly about my challenges within all of my disabilities and expressing what helps me, has taken the guesswork out of my relationships. It’s allowed me to thrive in a world that isn’t always built for people like me.

The more we speak up and share, the more understanding we create and the more we prove that there is nothing wrong with different.

ADHD has absolutely been a struggle, but it’s also a gift. I’m the gal with a million ideas. I can plan a celebration that makes everyone feel welcome. I’m full of energy, think outside the box, connect easily with others, and try to find the good in most things.

My cup isn’t half empty or half full, it’s refillable. Because some days are harder than others. Every day, I learn a little more about how to support myself and that is something to celebrate.

Create an Inclusive Workspace

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:53:39 GMT

What if creating an inclusive workplace was easier than you thought?

Most businesses want to be inclusive, but without the right tools and guidance, accessibility can feel overwhelming. That’s where Diverse Abilities comes in.

We make inclusion practical, approachable, and actionable, giving your team the confidence to interact, communicate, and work seamlessly with people of all abilities.

I’m Gina Martin, founder of Diverse Abilities Programs Inc., and I’ve spent over 40 years living with multiple disabilities, including blindness. In 2016, I fully embraced my blindness through nine months of intensive training under blindfold, learning to navigate the world non-visually. That experience didn’t just change how I live, it transformed how I lead.

I know firsthand the difference that respectful, inclusive interactions can make. Through our aDAPT programs, Disability Awareness Practical Teachingwe deliver real-world training that removes the guesswork and empowers teams to confidently support clients, coworkers, and community members with disabilities.

Our strategies are easy to implement, cost little or nothing, and create lasting impact.

Industries like airlines and healthcare serve the highest number of people with disabilities, yet often face the most challenges. We welcome businesses from all sectors but specialize in supporting customer-facing, high-pressure teams where confidence, compassion, and communication matter most.

Whether you’re in HR, Learning & Development, leadership, or operations, we’ll help your team:

Engage in respectful interactions with people of all abilities.
Use appropriate, inclusive language.
Recognize that disability is a spectrum—no one requires the same type of support.
Understand and accommodate non-apparent disabilities.
Apply best practices for communicating, interacting with, and assisting people with disabilities.

Our training is grounded in the IDEAL principles: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Language, the foundation for building inclusive cultures in schools, workplaces, and communities.

Sessions are available in person or virtually. Proceeds support our Youth aDAPT school programs, teaching the next generation how to build a more inclusive world with Universal design in mind.

Let’s talk about how Diverse Abilities can support your inclusion journey.

Axe Throwing with No Sight: A Personal Journey

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:53:33 GMT

In life, three barriers often prevent people with disabilities from fully participating in various activities:

Social stigmas, attitudes, and misconceptions about our abilities.
The built environment and the lack of accessibility.
Ourselves, which includes fear of the unknown, fear of failure, and lack of confidence.

While we may not always be able to change the first two, the third barrier—our mindset—is one that only we can break through.

In 1992, I was diagnosed as legally blind due to Progressive Cone Dystrophy. But it wasn’t until 2015 that I fully embraced my blindness. Rather than saying, "I’m losing my sight," I reframed it as, "I’m gaining my blindness." This shift in mindset allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and explore non-visual techniques to complete tasks I once relied on sight for. Patience, time, and yes, frustration, were all part of the process. But now, I’m living my best life—doing even more than I did with vision.

When friends asked me to go axe �� and dagger ��️ throwing, I immediately said yes. I love new experiences, and I wasn’t going to let my blindness be a barrier. We spent an hour learning how to hold, aim, and throw. I chose to wear a blindfold because the small amount of vision I have left can be more distracting than helpful. My focus wasn’t on whether I got a bullseye but on having fun, being included, and trying something new. After all, we never know if we’ll like something until we try.

For this experience, the target was about 15 feet away, with chain fences on either side. I could stretch my arms out and feel both fences, giving me a sense of space. There was also a tactile line under my feet, ensuring I knew where to stand.

To throw the axe, I gripped the bottom of the handle with my dominant hand (right) and placed my left hand over my right. I raised the axe over my head, letting it rest between my shoulder blades, squared my body to the target, relaxed my shoulders, and threw. I hit the target most times and even landed two bullseyes! It was exhilarating.

My husband and friends joined in by donning blindfolds and throwing axes, too. Even the staff took part in the experience, and we all had a blast.

The dagger ��️ proved more challenging. To throw it, I had to position the tip of the blade pointing toward me, over my shoulder, next to my ear—a nerve-wracking task without sight. I threw it four times and managed to hit the board once (the handle stuck, not the blade, but close enough for me to laugh about it). While I enjoyed trying it, I much preferred the axe and will definitely be doing that again.

This experience reinforced the idea that people with disabilities may not always meet others where they are—but that doesn’t stop others from meeting us where we are. It’s not about the perfect experience; it’s about trying and enjoying the process.

So, step out of your comfort zone. You may discover something new and, most importantly, have fun.

Universally Accessible: Debit & Credit Machines

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:53:25 GMT

Are they really accessible for everyone to use?

Here's a simple tip to make your business more accessible:

Manual Debit/Credit card machines feature tactile elements such as raised dots and symbols to assist individuals who are blind or legally blind.

For example, there's a raised dot on the #5 button that provides orientation for navigating the pin pad. Additionally, on most manual machines, the green 'OK' button is typically located in the bottom right-hand corner and has a raised circle, the yellow 'Back' button has a raised arrow, and the red 'Cancel' button has a raised 'X'. These features enable customers with limited vision or those who've forgotten their glasses to independently and privately complete their transactions.

Digital machines are NOT accessible to everyone.

By having at least one manual machine, you ensure that all customers, regardless of their level of vision, can comfortably and confidently make purchases at your establishment. Prioritizing accessibility not only enhances the customer experience but also fosters inclusivity and goodwill within your community.

I have recently learned that there is a tactile overlay for the flat screen terminals. If you are a business that has a pay terminal, you can simply ask the provider of the terminal for a tactile overlay to allow everyone independence while making their transactions and purchases. Apparently, most providers have them as a possibility, but don't give them by default. No harm in asking. If your provider is unable to make your terminal accessible, then maybe a different provider may be a better option.

Diverse Abilities provides staff training that supports hiring and serving people living with disabilities. Learn how to easily and inexpensively make small shifts in your business and provides maximum accommodation for individuals who navigate life differently.

Mobility: Low Vision & Blindness Canes

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:53:17 GMT

It is called a cane & there are many different types .

Let's explore what safety, consideration, & kindness looks like when interacting with those around us who use mobility canes.

1) A white cane signifies that the person using it has low to no vision. Only 15% of people who use a white cane or a guide dog are totally blind; the rest of us have varying degrees of vision, but our vision isn’t reliable.

2) Most of us call our cane what it is -- a cane. If someone using a white cane calls it a stick or a pole, then you know that’s their preferred name for it. Please avoid calling it a stick or pole unless you’re very familiar with the person. Our cane is our mobility device, and we use it as an extension of ourselves. A cane represents freedom and independence to those of us using it.

3) No need to avoid common language when speaking to people with disabilities. The words see, look, or watch are totally ok when speaking to those of us with low to no vision. These words do not make us uncomfortable because we do see, look, and watch -- only we do it differently than someone without vision loss. If someone tells you they do not like those words, then you know for that person.

4) If you feel we may be in danger, yelling “Look out!” or “Watch out!” is not helpful. We can’t see what to be looking out for or watching out for. Be specific to be helpful: “Hey, lady using the white cane, STOP, there is an electric car approaching quickly on your right!”

5) NEVER grab, touch, jump over, or move someone’s white cane. That presents a safety hazard to us.

6) NEVER grab, pull, or push someone who is blind or partially sighted. No one appreciates being grabbed or touched by strangers. As we cannot visually see your intention, it can be terrifying for us. Just use words.

7) Never wave your hand or hold up fingers in front of our face to test if we’re “really blind.” It is rude and disrespectful.

8) The terms low vision, partially sighted, legally blind, or blind are preferred. Avoid the term “visually impaired” as “impaired” implies a negative. Language is a powerful tool, and we can lift each other up or knock each other down with our choice of words. If you meet someone and they tell you that they prefer that term, then you know for that person.

9) Please be accurate and specific when giving us directions. Example: “Walk about 30 feet in the direction you are facing and turn right before crossing the street” rather than “Walk that way and turn right at the bank.” You may be surprised at how many well-intentioned people tell us to turn right when they meant to turn left.

10) Say “Hello.” We take your verbal hello as that nod, smile, or gestured acknowledgment that strangers give to each other frequently throughout the day. When you say hello, it alerts us to your presence and opens the opportunity for us to ask for help if we need it. Also, with that hello, you’ve treated us like everyone else, and that is all anyone ever wants.

11) Most of us have had mobility training and are capable of navigating life, only we need to do it differently because our eyeballs do not work or work very well. Just say hello, and if we need help, we will ask.

No two people experiencing sight loss or blindness experience it in the same way. Not all of us need or require help. We are all unique individuals, so if you are curious about someone, please just ask the person you are curious about, so you gain accurate information about that person.

Still have more questions about mobility canes for blindness or other diverse abilities?

Give Gina a call today for more information.

Audible Pedestrian Crossings in Canada

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:53:09 GMT

Do you know what the synthesized sound of chirping birds are for at some intersections?

Currently, at so me intersections, they are still in use to tell those of us who have low vision or who are blind to know when it is safe to cross the road.

Did you know that there are 2 different sounds?

One sounds like “cheep - cheep - cheep - cheep.” When you hear that sound, it means traffic has been directed to stop, and you are safe to walk East or West to cross over the North/South running street. When you hear “coo coo - coo coo - coo coo,” that sound means traffic has been directed to stop, and it is safe to walk North or South to cross over the East/West running streets.

Per the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation, Engineering Branch Traffic, Electrical, Highway Safety and Geometric Standards. Section Bulletin Number: TE-2011-01, effective 7 October 2011:

Audible pedestrian signals are used to indicate to the visually impaired when it is safe to enter a crosswalk. Currently, synthesized bird sounds are used to indicate the time and direction to cross, with a ‘chirp-chirp’ sound used to indicate east-west direction and a ‘cuckoo’ sound to indicate north-south direction. Testing has indicated the ‘Canadian Melody’ is superior to the emulation of bird sounds as it does not get mistaken for the sound of actual birds, and it is easier to discern in high-noise environments.

Policy:

Effective immediately, the Ministry shall use ‘Canadian Melody’ audible pedestrian signals at new signal installations and retrofit existing signals through the process of attrition. Procedure: All crosswalks using audible pedestrian signals shall be authorized to use equipment that signals crossing time and direction with the ‘Canadian Melody’.

Embracing Differences: Assisting Those Who Stutter

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:53:03 GMT

Supporting Individuals & Living With A Stutter in Canada

Supporting someone who stutters is important for emotional well-being and self-confidence. Stuttering can be challenging for each person experiencing it, and your support can make a significant difference in our lives.

Here are some tips on how to support someone who stutters:

Patience. One of the most important things you can do is to be patient when we are speaking. Without interrupting or finishing our sentences for us, please allow us the time we need to express ourselves. Completing sentences for us can be frustrating and feels disempowering.
Show that you are actively listening and engaged in the conversation by maintaining eye contact. This can help those of us who stutter feel more comfortable and understood.
We each experience our stutter differently, varying from mild to profound. Some variables affecting our stutter are stress, excitement, fatigue, and hunger.

Help us feel more comfortable expressing ourselves through listening actively. Calmly, gently providing a nod and verbal cues like "I understand" or "Continue when you’re ready" can be encouraging.

Do not pretend you understand if you do not. Ask us to repeat what we said. You can offer alternative formats, such as writing it down or texting. Some people may have communication boards that they use if their stutter is too intense.

Negative reactions to our stuttering, such as showing impatience, frustration, or making fun of us, can be both hurtful and counterproductive, making our symptoms worse.

We are not intentionally doing anything to annoy or bother you; our stutter can mean we need to communicate differently than someone without a stutter.

Create a relaxed and supportive atmosphere during our conversations by conveying calmness and patience. This reduces the stress and pressure some of us who stutter feel and makes us more comfortable.

Model effective communication by speaking clearly and at a moderate pace. This can help some of us who stutter feel less self-conscious about our speech.

Always speak to us and not the person we are with.

Educate yourself by taking the time to learn about stuttering. Understanding the condition and its challenges can help you provide better support.

We are a diverse community, and our communication style is what makes us different; that is all.

It is important to respect each individual's choices regarding how we want to manage our stutter. Some people may choose to address it more directly, while others may prefer to work with it privately.

Stuttering can be emotionally challenging. Be a source of emotional support and let us know you are there to listen and help us navigate any feelings of self-doubt or frustration.
Remember that each person who stutters is unique, and their needs and preferences may vary. Being empathetic, patient, and understanding is key to providing meaningful support to those of us who stutter.

Please note that eye contact can be difficult for some individuals, so please use your words and ask how you can best be a support.

More information about stuttering is available at https://westutter.org/

Different Canes For Different Terrains

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:52:57 GMT

The right mobility cane empowers independence & confidence!

A couple of years ago, my husband and I travelled to Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island. Our goal was to see the tide pools during low tide at Botanical Beach. I was told the trail/path down was inaccessible to me due to tree roots, rocks, low-hanging branches, steps, and many small plank walkways. Me being me, I was not going to let anything stop me from trying.

For everyday travel and navigation, I use a long white rigid cane with a metal tip. On this day, I found that this trusted mobility device, which gives me confidence, was not cooperating on that type of terrain. Because of its flexibility, it regularly caught roots, rocks, and sticks. They flicked and wobbled my cane in the air, rendering it not safe or effective. The journey to see the tide pools ended before we made it, as the layers of frustration got the better of me. I said I would never do that trail again.

Since then, I have been bothered and disappointed that I never finished the trail and saw the tide pools. Some of them are 20-30 feet deep with all kinds of sea life living in them! The sight I have is so minimal now that I would not see much of the sea life but the experience of being there, feeling the wind in my hair, hearing the waves crashing on the rocks, feeling the spray of the ocean on my face, and smelling the salty air are a few of the reasons I just knew I had to try one more time.

We went back to Port Renfrew for our anniversary earlier this month. This time, I brought a few different types of canes and tips. I knew my trusty straight cane wasn’t up for this task, so I thought I would explore and find out if a different mobility cane made a difference. I started with a heavy folding cane that allows for some weight bearing -- perfect for some of the bigger steps up or down, or for stepping over the occasional fallen log on the trail. This cane is shoulder height to me in length and has a rolling ball for a tip, but I changed it to a pencil tip to help with stabilizing and support.

After a very short time, I put that cane away -- helpful for balance, but it was too heavy for my wrist. I then tried a telescopic cane. It was an immediate “no” for me. I then took out my folding Ambutech cane with the marshmallow tip. This cane measures to my chest height. I noticed right away that the shorter cane was much easier to navigate the trail. I was getting information about my surroundings much more quickly, boosting my confidence and sense of safety. I successfully navigated the trail and arrived at the tide pools during low tide. Unfortunately, the tide was not low enough to see the tide pools, but I did get the satisfaction of arriving safely and not stressed. It felt so empowering!

So, this time I did not get to see the tide pools, but I did get to have the experience of being there and feeling the wind in my hair, hearing the waves crashing on the rocks, feeling the spray of the ocean on my face, and smelling the salty air. Gratitude for another perfect moment in this journey called life.

What a difference the type of mobility cane I used made! It improved my experience, confidence, and abilities. I went from feeling frustrated and giving up with my trusted everyday cane to regaining my confidence and conquering a challenge. I am definitely going back another time when it is optimal for tide pool exploration.

“Losing my sight has not changed who I am, it has changed my interactions with the world.” Gina Martin

Blindness & Different Types Of Eye Conditions

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:52:50 GMT

What is legally blind?

1) When a fully sighted person is looking at something that is 200 fe et away and sees it clearly, that is 20/20 vision. When someone is diagnosed as legally blind, that means that the person with the diagnosis needs to be 20 feet or closer to it to see it or to kind of see it.

2) Never assume someone’s level of vision; just know that it is far worse than yours.

3) Not everyone who identifies as blind is totally blind. According to the American Foundation for the Blind,15% of our blind community sees nothing at all. The rest of us have varying degrees of vision remaining, with the vision we have being limited and often unreliable.

4) Vision loss is a non-apparent disability. You cannot always tell if someone is blind. If someone tells you they are blind or legally blind, believe us and take it as a compliment that we trusted you to share it with. For some of us experiencing vision loss, this is a very big deal.

5) Not everyone who is blind uses a mobility device to navigate. Some of us may use a white cane, and there are many different types of canes available to choose from. Some of us choose to have a guide dog, while others prefer to rely on their remaining vision. Some of us want to travel by sighted guide, and others just prefer to follow. We all have different preferences because we are all different from each other.

No two people diagnosed as legally blind sees exactly the same. There are many different eye conditions affecting different parts of the eye(s). None of our experiences with vision loss is the same because we do not all have the same support system at home, in school or the community. We do not all have the financial resources to purchase the tools and devices that make life easier. We do not all have the opportunity to receive rehabilitation training, and we are all at a different stage of acceptance in our journey.

If you want to know about a person and what they can or cannot see, if you have questions or are curious, please ask the person you are curious about. This way, you gain accurate information about that person and what they’re experiencing.

If you would like to learn about what kinds of eye conditions there are, here is a link for more information on the different types of eye conditions, as explained by the USA National Eye Institute.

Disabilities & Learning Differently

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:52:42 GMT

Learning Disabilities: Helpful Support Starts With Understanding

According to Easter Seals of Canada, approximately 22% of our population in Canada lives with a learning disability. Dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and dyspraxia are some examples. Learning disabilities have nothing to do with intelligence or psychiatric conditions. Many people with learning disabilities are bright and successful professionals. A learning disability can affect a person’s concentration, sequencing, memory, the ability to read, write, count, take notes, or follow directions. Many learning disabilities go undiagnosed for years.

Helpful Tips:

Avoid trying to cure the disability. That cannot be done, but there are techniques for helping people with learning disabilities to learn, work, and function effectively in their lives and in society.

The more you learn about the disability, the easier it will be to be patient and to understand what is going on for that individual.

Be prepared to provide information in an alternative format, for example, writing directions down versus giving directions verbally.

If the individual is a child, be very encouraging and supportive. This is an uphill battle, but in most cases, it can be won.

Ask the person with the learning disability how to best accommodate their needs. (Remember, they are experts on their condition.)

Become accustomed to providing information in the format and structure that is most effective and appropriate for the individual to use.

Because learning disabilities are non-apparent, they can be difficult to recognize. Having patience, optimism, and a willingness to find creative solutions are your best tools.

There are many tools, devices, and techniques that help people function better in life. It may take time to figure out what works best, and getting connected with others in similar situations can be a huge benefit to finding new ways to make life easier.

What is a disability?

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:52:35 GMT

Disabilities can be apparent or not apparent, episodic or chronic, temporary or permanent.

Being mindful of non-apparent disabilities (the ones that you cannot see) is important. It is easy to subconsciously judge a person’s abilities and behaviours without understanding or knowing a person’s story.

There are many different types of disabilities, such as physical, visual, hearing, neurological, intellectual, developmental, learning disabilities, speech, mental health, chemical, facial or body differences, medical illness, and others.

No two people, even if they have the exact same diagnosis, will have the same experience, abilities, support, or finances to acquire the medical equipment needed to maximize independence.

Every person who has a disability is a person first; their body or brain just works differently from most.

A person’s disability is often not the biggest barrier. Most of the time, the barriers are attitudinal (social stigma) and the built environment.

Treat everyone as you want to be treated.

If you are curious about a person, please ask the person directly that you want to know about. It is best to gain accurate information about a person before judging or assuming.

What does disability look like?

A disability is something that prevents someone from participating fully in life. Anyone at any time could develop a disability.

You can be born with a disability, or acquire one later in life through accident, illness, stress, genetics, the natural process of aging, or for no known reason.

Disabilities can impact a person’s mobility, mental processing, any or all of one’s senses, neurological processes, and more.

Gina’s Sight Loss Experience Over Three Decades

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:52:29 GMT

My Journey of Self Discovery & Acceptance

My vision loss journey. It is a journey that is mine, one that only I can experience from the inside. It is a journey that is unique to me, just as everyone else is on journeys that are unique to them. I am blessed to have the love, support, and encouragement of my husband, family, and many close friends.

Trying to explain to sighted people what I can or cannot see is harder to do than one may realize. Both for myself and for any persons out there that this may help, I am going to give my best effort to explain this and other experiences of living with vision loss or blindness.

Over 30 years ago, I was diagnosed with the eye disease Progressive Cone Dystrophy and was diagnosed as legally blind at that time. Today, I have no central vision remaining. My current vision is limited to 10% peripheral vision, with blind spots and floaters interrupting it. My vision loss journey will one day leave me without vision, completely blind.

There are many factors that can alter my ability to identify what I am looking at with my remaining peripheral vision. Colour, contrast, object borders, lighting, eye fatigue, distance, size, and other factors all impact and change my ability to see things, and how I see them.

The Beginning and The Middle

As a teen, I wore glasses. At the time of my diagnosis, my vision was 20/200 while wearing these corrective lenses. 20/200 vision meant I needed to be 20 feet away to see something that a person without vision loss can see from 200 feet away. I was no longer allowed to operate a vehicle, and that was the beginning of my life adjustments. Oh, how I wish I still had that amount of vision!

From 1992 until 2015, I navigated life in this sighted world by pretending that I was sighted. I wasn’t ready to accept that blindness was my path in life. I wouldn’t use a cane to help me find my way, as I didn’t want to draw attention to myself, didn’t want people staring at me, and I didn’t want to be accused of faking having low vision or blindness, because I did still have some usable vision. So, I continued struggling with almost every step, every single day, while raising my daughter as a single Mom and working as a waitress. I didn’t know any other people with blindness or low vision, nor did I feel the need to seek them out and make a connection. It’s been a gradual deterioration of my vision over the last 30 + years, accompanied by a gradual development of acceptance. In 2014, I had a rather large jump in the diminishment of my vision, which suddenly became 20/800. That meant that what other people without vision loss could see from 800 feet away, I had to be within 20 feet to see. At this time, I experienced overwhelming depression. I met with my doctor and decided to take a course of anti-depressant medication and talk with a counsellor to help myself through this period.

My acceptance journey began in earnest the following year, in 2015. I attended a “Getting Together with Technology” meeting through the Canadian Council of the Blind. There, I met two women who were both blind and who both exuded confidence. Danielle and Elizabeth were both kind and inspirational to me. They told me their stories of the training that they received at the Louisiana Centre for the Blind (LCB) in the United States, bringing to my awareness that such a place existed and could help me. Unfortunately, a similar or equal program was and is not available in Canada. Full of hope tempered with anxiety and fear of the unknown, I took the initiative to contact and seek admission to, and then arrange to pay for, travel to, and live at the LCB for nine months of intensive rehabilitation and training. In 2016, with that same mixture of hope, fear, and anxiety and a long day of air travel, my LCB experience began. With the phenomenal support and teaching I found at LCB, I began to shed the mental cocoon I had constructed around my vision loss, change my life for the better, and develop the confidence to live my best life. LCB’s comprehensive training prohibited the use of any vision, no matter how limited it was. This rule was inflexible. Students who were not totally blind, who had even the slightest bit of light perception, wore blindfolds (learning shades) throughout their training. Therefore, we accomplished every task, learned every skill, in complete darkness. To say it was challenging would be an understatement. Learning to confidently navigate city streets with my white cane while wearing the blindfold that kept me in complete darkness was just one of the countless instrumental, life-changing skills that I learned at LCB to help me live fully and independently as I prepared for a future with complete vision loss.

Needless to say, for myself and for others with low vision or blindness, ordinary tasks are more difficult to navigate and accomplish than for someone who has full vision. People with low vision or blindness must adapt and find alternative ways to accomplish these tasks, which is where what I learned at LCB was again instrumental for me. Independently cooking, cleaning, shopping, and minor household repairs (I can remove, clean, and replace a P-trap under my sink!), laundry, catching a bus or taxi, navigating city streets, going for a nature walk at the beach, putting on matching socks…… all things that the sighted world does with the benefit of sight, LCB taught me to do without the benefit of sight. There was much, much to be learned.

If Canada were to provide just one full-time training centre like LCB, we wouldn’t have to leave our country for this vital training that is necessary to allow us to live our lives independently, without sight. Additionally, the exchange rate of the dollar increases the cost for Canadians to travel to the United States and pay for room, board, and tuition. This speaks to another aspect of the accessibility problem that we face. Having this training allows people with blindness and vision loss to function not only in their private lives, but also as employable citizens contributing to the Canadian economy instead of being forced to rely on the social safety net to survive.

A few years ago, my vision further decreased, requiring my fingers to be held three feet away in order to see and count them. Today, I see best at eight inches from my nose. No closer and no further, it’s that exact.

Thanks to these learned skills, today I am free as a butterfly, and you can read about my journey through that training here:

The Present

When looking at my husband up close, like looking into each other’s eyes after a tender moment, if he is closer than eight inches, he has a “Cyclops” eye – just one big eye that occupies his whole face. If we are sitting next to each other further than 8 inches apart, I cannot recognize him by his features.

Sometimes I see things, and then in the next breath, they are gone.

I choose to live my life optimistically and try to find the good in everything. Despite this positive attitude and confidence in navigating life with little to no vision, I also have moments of feeling intense grief, sadness, and despair. Every little morsel of sight that I lose now is a significant drop, and it hits me hard. When you lose just 1%, it is not much when it is out of 100%, but that same 1% out of 10% is proportionally significant and very noticeable. I sometimes feel sorry for myself, feel anger and frustration, and think “Why me??” It’s natural to have all of these feelings that accompany change that we didn’t choose and don’t want. It’s not dissimilar to the stages of grief involving the loss of a loved one.

My right eye is my dominant eye, so over the years, I got used to closing my left eye when trying to see something. My right eye has now deteriorated to the point that mostly what I see is what one would see when opening the dishwasher or oven, and your glasses steam up. Though it is not constant, it is now a regular occurrence that I cannot see my hand in front of my face if only using my right eye. Where I had been managing to read large print using a high magnification lens and was getting by, I can no longer do that. Doing tasks - especially work-related as I operate my own company, Diverse Abilities Programs and Training - is taking longer, and as I make more mistakes in my writing, I find myself feeling discouraged. It takes me a long time to read and write things, certainly longer than I’d prefer. I do use the voice-over accessibility features on my smartphone to assist me. These features have the ability to read to me most things that are in accessible formats. I am able to dictate my texts, emails, or anything I want to take notes on. Smartphones have come a long way in the last decade when it comes to accessibility for people with disabilities, and no doubt that trend will continue. For now, talk – to – text is helpful, but imperfect. There are other programs available that I’m not currently familiar with using, and more are always being developed.

I know myself, and I know I will bounce back from this, but just now I am finding it hard. Some people see their cups as half empty, some as half full. I prefer to see my cup as refillable. Sometimes it’s empty, like now.

As someone who has been experiencing sight loss for over three decades of slow deterioration, I generally go about my daily routines not thinking about what I see or don’t see, because what I see is my normal. There are times that frustration sets in as I look at something, because I just want to see/know what it is, and then move on. I can be looking at an object one moment, and the next moment it is no longer there. This happened to me the other day. I was lying on the couch with my legs on my husband’s knees as he was sitting, rubbing my feet. We were just talking, having a conversation. The next thing I know, my low vision decided that he had no head at all! I could not focus on seeing my headless husband, so I burst out laughing.

It can be quite comical sometimes what my brain interprets what I may be looking at or not.

We can be driving, and I know there are cars in front of us or going past us, and at times and in a split instant, there are no cars to be seen. Sometimes, out of the corner of my eye, something will quickly appear. I need more time to focus on what it could be, so often I can’t tell what something is, and it startles me, so I jump or shriek.

I wear sunglasses a lot of the time as my eyes are light-sensitive. The way I explain that light sensitivity is “Have you ever got up in the night and turned on the bathroom light only to find it super bright?” That is the energy I feel if I do not wear my sunglasses. Overhead fluorescent lighting is terrible for me. Blinking lights also bother my eyes, as well as not being good for my epilepsy, either. So, sunglasses are a frequent tool that I use to limit exposure to those things. Another way that I’ve described my vision is:

“You know when you first wake up and look at your alarm clock or your phone to see what time it is, and it’s quite blurry and takes a few seconds for your eyes to adjust?” It’s like that, but all the time.

Over the years, out of necessity, I’ve found alternative ways of navigating life. New ways of doing things, as the way one does things using vision can’t be done the same when there is low to no vision. When you are transitioning from having full vision to no vision, every step of the journey presents new learning curves.

Just today, I had a new experience with vision change. There is a flashing light in my right eye. It happened about 6 hours ago. Seemed like a flashlight shining in my eye. As I put these words down, the flashing light is happening more often. Went from a flash every 30 minutes to every 5-15 blinks. It is super distracting. As I concentrate on it now, it looks skinny like a lightning bolt in the top right of my right eye. It flashes in a crescent moon shape like a backwards letter C. I would be lying if I didn’t say I feel scared. I feel as it is happening that I am losing the last usable vision in my right eye.

I know I will be fine. I have learned the skills I need to move forward, but nevertheless, grief is part of this process. My belief is that we are never given anything we cannot handle, and that God chose me for this journey. Though emotions are high for me right now, I do try to live my life to the fullest. I just do it differently than when I had sight.

My vision loss journey is a journey only I am on. One which I am blessed to have the love, support, and encouragement of my husband, family, and many close friends. I use this knowledge to temper my feelings of grief and frustration, and to remind myself to be mindful and grateful for what I still have.

My story - Gina Martin

Guide Dogs & Service Animals: Etiquette in Canada

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:52:22 GMT

How to behave and interact around service animals & guide dogs:

Guide dogs and service animals are more readily acknowledged today and are often seen with their handlers in every setting around town or in daily life activities.

These highly trained animals are essential to their owner’s quality of life, safety, and ability to live independently. They have undergone specialty training and certification in assisting their human. It is important that we know how to interact with them and their owners in a way that is respectful of the important job that they have. The preferred way to do that is to completely ignore the service dog and allow it to do its job without the distraction of another person wanting to pet it.

To help you navigate your encounters with guide dogs and service animals, I’ve put together a short list:

1. Do not judge anyone you see with a service animal. They may have a non-apparent disability - that is, a disability that is not obvious to you, or they may have an apparent disability.

2. Always approach the handler, never the guide dog or service animal.

3. Never touch a guide dog or service animal. It is best if you just do not acknowledge them at all. This means no eye contact, no talking to, no making noises to try to get the dogs attention. Just no interaction at all, please. If you are that person who just cannot resist because you love dogs, you must have the handler’s permission first before touching, and accept a “no” answer if given. The handler isn’t trying to be rude to you, they are trying to ensure that their service dog is focused on their job.)

4. Never offer food or treats to a guide dog or other service animal. Service dogs can be on specific diets and eating schedules.

5. Always give service animals the right of way. Guide dogs have been trained to go around you, though it is nice if you move out of the way.

6. Keep your animals and children away from guide dogs or service animals, so as not to distract them from their job.

7. As you approach, please advise the handler of a guide dog that you have a dog with you. We cannot always see that you have a dog with you. Please leash your dog in these situations and do not allow it to interact with the working service dog.

8. Do not assume that a guide dog or service animal that appears to be sleeping or resting is off duty. They are still on the job.

9. You can tell a guide dog by the rigid harness their person holds onto. This harness allows the handler to feel their dogs movement.

10. Support dogs are not service dogs. Here in Canada Guide dogs and service animals come with certification, which means they have been trained and are legally allowed in all public spaces. Please note all countries have different rules or guidelines. Support dogs or animals – while amazing and tremendously helpful to their owners - are not certified and therefore do not have the legal protections of certified service dogs or animals.

Guide and service dogs play a vital role in the health and well-being of a person with a disability. When they are on the job, it’s essential that aren’t interrupted or distracted – the handler’s safety and life depend on the service dog doing the job that it has been trained to do! It may be trained to alert its owner to an impending seizure, panic attack, low blood sugar, or heart irregularity. Or perhaps it’s been trained to safely guide its owner who is blind. These responsibilities require the dog to be focused solely on its owner, not on getting belly rubs, head pats, or treats from strangers.

A unattended or barking service animal or guide dog could be a sign that it’s owner needs help.

Senior Safety for Phones & Internet

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:52:16 GMT

Protect Our Aging Loved Ones From Scammers & Criminals

Hello, my name is Gina Martin. I own and operate Diverse Abilities Programs and Training in Edmonton and on the lower Vancouver Island. Through interactions with attendees of my presentations on low vision, blindness, and disability at retirement and senior communities, I have come to realize how trusting our senior population can be of people who contact them by phone or email. They are often unaware of the latest techniques used by criminals to electronically obtain their private information via phone, text messages, and emails. I would like to spread awareness of security services available to people here on Vancouver Island and the Edmonton areas through Telus and Shaw. Security services are meant to help keep people safe from telemarketers, scammers, phishing, and other unwanted calls.

Phishing is a form of fraud in which thieves use fake emails, text messages and/or phone calls to trick users into sharing sensitive information such as credit card or banking information and/or downloading harmful software, or sending money. They use convincing fake identities to perpetrate this fraud.

Due to a lack of exposure to and experience with the most current electronic gadgets and systems and the ways in which criminals use them, seniors can be an especially vulnerable community. They may also be unaware of services that are available to protect them. We feel it is important to inform our senior community and their families of available safety features, some of which may require an additional fee, and some of which only need to be activated.

TELUS

Caller Control

This is a free optional service that prompts anyone calling your home phone to enter a code. This eliminates any recorded tele messages, scare/ intimidation calls from CRA, credit card scams, or calls from strangers from getting through. You choose a code and share it only with trusted family and friends.

Eligible TELUS Home Phone customers can opt in to activate Call Control.

Caller Screening

Call Screen intercepts pre-selected numbers and plays a recording that says: "The party you are trying to reach is not accepting calls at this time." Call Screen allows you to add or delete numbers to the call screen list whenever you choose.

Caller Reveal

Easily identify calls marked “Private” and “Unknown” number With Caller Reveal service on your line. Callers with “Private” or “Unknown” numbers will be instructed to identify their number to complete their call.

For more information on these and other security features available to TELUS customers, contact them at 1-866-558-2273, or via their website at www.telus.com .

SHAW / ROGERS

Spam Call Blocking

This prevents inbound calls from 1-855, 1-866, 1-877, 1-888 numbers.

Anonymous Call Blocking

This prevents calls from blocked or private numbers from getting through.

Select Call Blocking

You can manually block numbers if they are within North America.

These are free services that Shaw offers if you are a Shaw customer.

For more information on these and other security services available through Shaw Telecommunications, contact them at 1 (888) 472-2222 or (250)-475-1059 or via their website at www.shaw.ca .

Ideally, you never reveal your banking or credit information, date of birth, address, or any personal information to anyone via phone or email without verifying their identity through the institution they claim to represent. Anyone who pressures you for this information is very likely someone who shouldn’t have it. Always err on the side of caution. A legitimate representative of your bank or credit card company is not going to pressure you to divulge your private information, and will not discourage you from verifying their identity.

Check with your phone provider to find out the features they offer that helps keep you and your loved ones safe from fraud.

Coping with PTSD / CPTSD

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:52:09 GMT

Coping with PTSD/CPTSD: Understanding & living with Post-Traumatic Stress

The information in this post is not meant to be comprehensive, only to give basic information on this disabling illness and to provide resources to seek more information or help.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) are mental health conditions that can develop in individuals who have experienced a traumatic event or events. Traumas can encompass a wide range of experiences such as combat, natural disasters, childhood neglect, childhood or adult physical or sexual assault, accidents, or witnessing a disturbing event. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops (C)PTSD, but for those of us who do, it significantly impacts our daily life and well-being, both asleep and awake.

Symptoms of (C)PTSD can be grouped into several categories and can vary in intensity and duration from person to person as no two peoples’ experiences are the same, nor are our responses. The symptoms typically persist for months or years prior to diagnosis and can be divided into groups.

Intrusive Thoughts

Intrusive thoughts are unwelcome, involuntary thoughts, images, or unpleasant ideas that range from annoying to terrifying. They cause much distress and are difficult to impossible to manage or eliminate. Catastrophizing often accompanies intrusive thoughts.

Avoidance & Numbing

Some of us living with (C)PTSD may go to great lengths to avoid reminders of the traumatic event, including places, people, conversations, foods, or activities that trigger distressing memories. We also often avoid crowds of people, bright lights, and noise as they are overwhelming stimuli. This can lead to emotional numbness, detachment, and a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.

Negative Changes in Thinking & Mood

(C)PTSD can lead to persistent negative thoughts about oneself or the world, as well as distorted beliefs, guilt, and a sense of isolation. This group of symptoms may also include difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and an overall negative emotional state.

Arousal & Reactivity

Those living with (C)PTSD may become easily startled, experience heightened anxiety, irritability, have trouble sleeping, and engage in self-destructive behaviors like reckless driving, or self-medicate through substance abuse. Every person who has had or who lives with (C)PTSD, experiences it differently.

Insomnia / Sleep disturbance / Nightmares

People with (C)PTSD experience varying severities of insomnia and nightmares – sleep rarely is restorative or restful for us as our symptoms don’t rest. We have vivid, terrifying, and disturbing nightmares and often lash out physically in our sleep to defend ourselves from what we are experiencing in these nightmares. Unlike people without (C)PTSD, waking up and “shaking off” these nightmares can be virtually impossible and they will continue to haunt our waking hours, often making us fearful to fall asleep again, no matter how exhausted we are.

Suicidal Thoughts

Suicidal thoughts / ideation / impulses are a sad hallmark of (C)PTSD. It can seem like the only way to escape the unrelenting symptoms, the only solution. Fortunately, societal and medical knowledge of this has grown and there are crisis resources available. Links to some of these are provided at the end of this post.

Dissociation / Depersonalization / Derealization

Depersonalization is where you have the feeling of being outside yourself and observing your actions, feelings or thoughts from a distance. Derealization is where you feel the world is unreal – almost like you’re watching a movie. People and things around you may seem "lifeless" or "foggy". These things are not readily apparent to observers such as family, friends, medical providers, or the general public. Observers may think the person is being standoffish, rude, disrespectful, withdrawn, or overly quiet. The person experiencing the symptoms may feel too ashamed to verbalize what they’re experiencing for fear of rejection or shaming, and instead isolate themselves.

(C)PTSD causes physical changes to our brains, further complicating our ability to “overcome” the symptoms. For this reason, (C)PTSD is now known to be a brain injury, verified through research, and scanning of the brain by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). Scholarly articles about this can be readily found on the internet.

Coping strategies for some of us living with (C)PTSD:

Seek Professional Help

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of (C)PTSD, it is essential to reach out to a mental health professional who is trauma informed. Trauma counseling is a specialty field and not every counselor, therapist, or psychologist has this specialized education.

Psychotherapeutic treatment options are evolving and may include talk therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and in some cases, medication.

Social Support could be spending time with friends and family for emotional support. Sharing your feelings and experiences with people you trust might help alleviate the isolation that often accompanies (C)PTSD.

Prioritize self-care activities. Regular exercise (getting up and moving) doesn’t mean you have to run a marathon. Being mindful of eating healthy food choices can make a difference in mood and energy. Making sure you get adequate sleep - easier said than done as sleep disturbance and insomnia are key features of (C)PTSD - to help manage some of the symptoms. These can have a positive impact on your overall well-being.

Practice relaxation and stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or progressive muscle relaxation to help manage anxiety and arousal symptoms.

Avoid using alcohol, caffeine, or drugs to cope with (C)PTSD as they can lead to further problems. It's important to seek healthier coping methods.

Maintaining a regular daily routine can provide structure and predictability for some, which can help reduce anxiety and provide a sense of stability.

Educate yourself so you have a better understanding of (C)PTSD and its symptoms. Knowledge can be empowering. Knowing what to expect and how to manage it can make the condition feel less overwhelming.

Joining support groups for those of us living with (C)PTSD can offer a sense of community and understanding. Connecting with others who have experienced similar trauma can be comforting and helpful. This can be accomplished online if you aren’t comfortable being in a group setting or if a group setting isn’t available to you.

It's essential to remember that recovery from (C)PTSD is a journey and it is different for all of us. It takes time to heal and sometimes we never completely recover, but we learn to better manage the symptoms.

It can be extremely difficult for some of us to talk about how we are feeling or if we are coping or not. If someone shares with you that they have (C)PTSD, believe them. Most people do not go around pretending to have mental health disorders if they do not. Take it as a compliment that we trusted you by sharing.

Different strategies work for different people, so it's crucial to find what works best for you with the guidance of a mental health professional. If you or someone you know is struggling with (C)PTSD, don't hesitate to seek help.

(C)PTSD Learning Resources:

(Click the links below to explore the resources)

Book Recommendation:

“The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma" - By Bessel Van der Kolk

Website Resources:

Canadian Support Resources:

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or need urgent medical support, call 9-1-1.

Canada Mental Health Support Website

Click Here
Provides detailed information that Canadians looking for mental health support services by province and territories.

Suicide Crisis Helpline

Call or Text: 9-8-8
Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Health Link Services

Dial: 8-1-1
This number only works in some provinces, and in some cases must be called from a landline.
It's a free, 24/7 confidential provincial health line available across Canada to connect residents with registered nurses for non-emergency medical advice, mental health support, and dietetic services. It helps navigate care and provides symptom assessment, acting as a bridge between self-care and emergency services.

USA (United States) Support Resources:

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or need urgent medical support, call 9-1-1.

Suicide Crisis Hotline

Call or Text: 9-8-8
Visit the 988 Lifeline website: Click Here

A Guide To Supporting Those of Us Living With (C)PTSD:

Being a support to someone living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) can make a significant difference in our recovery and overall well-being. Here are some ways you can provide support to us who are living with (C)PTSD:

Learn about (C)PTSD, its symptoms, and treatment options. Understanding the condition will help you empathize with us, be less confused or upset by our behaviours, and you will be able to offer more effective support.

We really do appreciate your patience and understanding, even if we don’t always verbalize it. (C)PTSD is be a long and challenging journey. Be patient, non-judgmental, and empathetic. Avoid pushing us to talk about our trauma if we are not ready and consider that you may not be ready to hear about it, despite your best intentions. Someone with (C)PTSD will be reliving the experience you are asking them to tell you about. To their brain and body, it is not just a memory.

If someone with (C)PTSD wants to talk, be a good listener. Let us share our thoughts and feelings at our own pace. Avoid offering unsolicited advice or solutions. The trauma(s) that caused (C)PTSD were harsh, ugly, and brutal events for us to experience and will not be easy for anyone to hear.

Help us to feel safe and supported. This may involve creating a calm and predictable environment, avoiding triggers, and the verbal reassurance “You are safe here and now.”

Encourage us to seek professional treatment if we have not or are not currently. Offering to help us find a suitable trauma informed therapist or psychiatrist if needed can be extremely helpful as at times when we are not motivated or in the right space, that can be an impossible task.

If you are comfortable, you could offer to accompany us to therapy or medical appointments. This can provide emotional support and make the process less daunting for us.

Most of us have triggers. These can be specific situations, places, or sounds that remind us of the traumatic event(s). Being mindful of these triggers and try to minimize exposure when possible.

Respect our boundaries and personal space. Don't pressure us to participate in activities or social events if we are not ready.

Offer us practical support such as helping with tasks like cooking, cleaning, or running errands when needed. Practical assistance can alleviate stress and allow us to focus on our recovery.

Be aware of signs of crisis or suicidal thoughts. If you believe we are in immediate danger, seek professional help or contact a crisis hotline.

Something you could do that could be really helpful for some of us is to find local or online support groups for individuals with (C)PTSD, that we can join. Sharing experiences with others who understand can be incredibly beneficial.

Check in on us and our well-being but respect our need for space if we don't want to talk. Simply knowing that someone cares can be comforting.

Please be flexible and prepared for our needs to change. What is helpful today may not be the same in the future, so be flexible in your support.

Remember that supporting those of us with (C)PTSD can be emotionally challenging, so it's essential to take care of your own well-being. Encourage us to build a support network, including mental health professionals, friends, and family members. By offering your understanding and support, you can play a crucial role in our healing process.

Rolling Towards Inclusion: Universal Design

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:52:01 GMT

Unveiling The Hidden Barriers That People Who Use Wheelchairs or Other Mobility Devices Encounter

Imagine a world designed for everyone. A world where mobility isn't determined by physical ability. This vision is at the heart of the concept of universal design. “Universal design is design that’s usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” (Ron Mace, an architect who had polio.) While we've made significant progress in making spaces more inclusive, there are still countless barriers encountered every day by people using mobility devices such as wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers. These barriers often emerge when universal design principles aren't applied in the construction of buildings, public spaces, and transportation systems. To truly appreciate the magnitude of these challenges, let's delve into some of the most common obstacles that we encounter:

Inaccessible Entrances

The first challenge begins at the very entrance of a building. Many structures lack ramps or elevator access, making it nearly impossible for us to enter. This lack of accessible entry points restricts our ability to participate fully in society, be it attending a business meeting, going to a doctor's appointment, or simply enjoying a meal at a restaurant. This issue isn't just about physical access; it's also about dignity and independence. Imagine having to wait for someone to help you enter a building every time you want to go somewhere. It's a daily struggle faced by many of us who use wheels.

Narrow Doorways and Tight Spaces

Once inside a building, the challenges continue. Narrow doorways and cramped spaces can make it difficult to move around, even for those of us with motorized wheelchairs. This means some areas, like restrooms or certain sections of a store, remain off-limits and limit our overall experience.

These constraints aren't just inconvenient; they can also be degrading. We are people who cannot walk. We use a wheelchair or other mobility devices to get from point A to point B. We deserve the same comfort and accessibility as anyone else, but these physical barriers often create a stark divide.

Lack of Adequate Restrooms

Public restrooms are a common challenge. Some wheelchair-accessible restrooms lack necessary features like grab bars or sufficient space for maneuvering. This can turn a simple trip to the restroom into a daunting task.

Properly designed restrooms are not only a matter of convenience, but also of safety. Inaccessible facilities can lead to accidents and discomfort for us. When you have to go, you have to go. Imagine if you had to leave a meeting, or leave the merchandise in your cart, or even the restaurant you’re eating at and travel to five different businesses in the area to locate a restroom you could use. Would you feel inconvenienced or frustrated?

Inadequate Transportation

Transportation is another significant hurdle. Public transportation systems, such as buses, subways, and trains, often lack accessibility features like ramps or designated spaces for wheelchairs. This can leave those of us who use mobility devices feeling isolated and dependent on others for transportation.

The freedom to move around independently is a fundamental right, and the absence of accessible public transportation infringes upon this right. Though transportation is getting better, there still is room for improvement.

The Importance of Universal Design

The above challenges are just the tip of the iceberg, highlighting the barriers that wheelchair and other mobility device users encounter when universal design principles are not applied. Universal design goes beyond accessibility; it promotes independence, inclusivity, and respect for everyone. We never know what tomorrow brings. Anyone at any time may need the aid of wheels to maneuver through life. One could be in an accident, diagnosed with an illness or medical condition, leaving one unable to walk or to walk well. Abilities also change with the natural process of aging.

Implementing universal design principles in the built environment is essential. These principles aim to create spaces and structures that accommodate all individuals, regardless of their abilities. By doing so, we not only remove physical barriers but also foster a more inclusive and compassionate society, one we can all age into gracefully.

The Way Forward

As a society, it is our responsibility to acknowledge these challenges and work towards a world where everyone can move freely and independently. Here are a few steps we can take:

Advocate for universal design in architectural and infrastructure projects.

Raise awareness about the daily challenges faced by those of us who use wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, and other mobility devices.

Encourage businesses and institutions to improve their accessibility and recognize that accessibility is more than a ramp, parking spot, or restroom.

Support organizations and initiatives that promote inclusivity and accessibility.

By taking these steps, we can gradually break down the b arriers that mobility device users encounter in the built environment and create a world where mobility is truly accessible to all.

In addition to the physical challenges those of us who use mobility devices encounter, there are also societal barriers. Stares, misconceptions, and sometimes even well-intentioned but misguided assistance can make us feel uncomfortable or out of place. Building a more inclusive society means not only addressing physical barriers but also raising awareness and fostering a culture of understanding and respect. Exactly what Diverse Abilities Programs and Training is doing!

Say Hello: It's Our Smile, Wave, & Nod

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:51:54 GMT

Saying “Hello” To Someone Who Is Blind or Partially Sighted:

When you say "Hi", a few AWESOME and helpful things happen!

When you know our name, it is helpful when you use it to greet or address us. Saying “Hi, Gina” lets me know for sure that you are talking to me. Often, many of us who have low to no vision don’t always know it is us that you are talking too.

When you introduce yourself to us and tell us your name, it allows us to make a connection with you that we cannot do visually. Example: “Hello, I am Shelly, the store manager.” or “Hello, I am Brian, we met a couple of times at the bus stop.” This helps us identify who you are.

When you say, “Hi Gina, this is Cory from the flower shop on Maple street,” you get my attention, I know for sure you are talking to me, and I know who I am talking with. We then have a normal interaction with each other.

It can often be difficult to identify someone by voice alone - even if we know you well. Surrounding sounds can interfere with our ability to recognize a voice -- even ones that are familiar to us. The sounds of daily life, like traffic, kids playing, coffee brewing, photocopiers printing, people talking, or music playing in the background, are distractions that can take away from identifying you by your voice.

Being quiet and not announcing your presence to those of us who are blind or partially sighted can feel very unsettling - even scary for some of us because we cannot visually see your intentions. Please use your voice and just say “Hello.” We take your Hello as that nod, smile, or acknowledgement people with sight give each other throughout the day. When you do this, you are treating us like everyone else, and that is all we really want.

If you want to shake our hand, it is appreciated when you let us know, as many of us may not see your gesture. Saying something like "I'm extending my hand to shake yours" or "May I shake your hand" works just fine.

Please do say goodbye, see you later, or "I’ve got to go" when you leave, so we don’t continue talking to someone who is no longer there.

So, please, when you notice us, say “Hello,” introduce yourself, and learn our name so the next time we meet, we will know who you are, and we can share a friendly acknowledgment together.

“Losing my sight has not changed who I am; it has changed my interactions with the world.”

Breaking Through Barriers

Gina Martin

Zip Lining: Enjoy Your Life!

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:51:47 GMT

Ways To Navigate Zip Lining With Low To No Vision:

The first time I zip-lined was in 2016 while I was attending The Louisiana Centre for the Blind, receivi ng training to navigate life with sight loss. What was unique about this adventure was that we all wore learning shades (a blindfold)! It was another exhilarating experience in learning how to enjoy adventures, only differently than when I had sight.

I have been on a few different kinds of zip lines now, and I love the rush and the sensation of flying! I want to share some strategies that may be helpful for people who are partially sighted or blind and want to try zip-lining.

Strategy 1:

If you want to do the ropes course, it is fun, but I strongly recommend going with 2 friends or family members that you trust and start out on a straight zip.

It is important to use your voice and ask for what you need. Once, I went to a ropes course alone. That was not manageable for me. I learned that day to ask for help. A Father and his teenage son kindly helped me along the course. The Dad went down first, and the son waited with me, alerting me when the coast was clear and telling me when to go, and the Dad yelled to me when to start braking. We managed to get through it, but I found it more challenging than I was comfortable with. I would not recommend doing a ropes course with a zip line to start. Start with a straight zip for a successful experience.

Strategy 2:

Advocate for yourself by pointing out workable, safe alternatives.

The next zip line I went on was not going to allow me to go because I would not be able to see the orange flag markers on the ground that are the indicators of when to start slowing down. I did have 15% or so of my vision remaining at that time. I advocated for myself and said, “You are right. I cannot see your markers, but there are other landmarks I could use to know when to start slowing down, such as groupings of trees, buildings, bodies of water, and roads.” I was able to successfully manage. I did have a difficult time with my eyes adjusting from the sun when transitioning to shade, and I will always wear my sunglasses from now on. For me, it is safer.

Strategy 3:

Choose a side-by-side zip line and go with a trusted friend to act as a guide as you zip along!

My next zip line experience, I was able to share with my best friend. There were 2 zip lines side by side, about 10 feet apart. We could go at the same time, so I kept her in my peripheral vision and slowed when she started slowing. That was fun -- but I wanted to go faster, ha ha!

Strategy 4:

Find a method that allows you to hear and follow verbal directions. Maybe this would be a Bluetooth earpiece to overcome ambient noise that prevents normal hearing.

Recently, my husband and I went. Again, it was the side-by-side zip line. This time, a walkie-talkie was fastened to my harness, and the guide at the bottom spoke when it was time for me to start slowing down. Unfortunately, on the first of 4 zip lines, I did not hear him telling me to slow down. I was going full speed, adrenaline pumping fast, and the sound of the zip line buzzing overpowered the walkie-talkie!

Strategy 5:

Choose a zip line that allows easier speed management. You don’t have to go on the highest and fastest one.

The next 3 zip lines I went slower. On the Eagle Flight, I controlled the speed. Going slower did help me hear when to slow down.

One lady on our tour was a very loud whistler, and she tried to alert me to slow down, but I did not hear her at all, so that was not an option on that course. An air horn could be a good indicator. Next time I go, I will take an air horn to see if I can hear it over the sound of the buzzing from the zip line.

Do you have other techniques or methods to help you navigate the adventure of zip-lining with low to no sight? It would be great if you could share your way so others can be inspired to step out of their comfort zone.

Neurological Disabilities: Not All Disabilities Can Be Seen

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:51:41 GMT

You may be familiar with the most well-known of the many neurological disabilities:

Epilepsy

Abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes seizures.

Parkinson’s Disease

A brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.

Tourette's Syndrome

It causes uncontrollable, sudden twitches, movements, sounds, or vocalizations that people do repeatedly (tics).

What are some common symptoms that some people experience?

Symptoms can range from mild to profound. No two people’s experiences are going to be the same. Most people living with a neurological disability have periods of time where they appear not to have a disability at all. That’s why a neurological disability is often non-apparent, and you may never know unless the person informs you of their diagnosis, or their uncontrollable symptoms present in the moment that you are present.

Some disabilities, such as Tourette's Syndrome or forms of Autism, may cause people to say or do things that others find annoying or offensive, such as a sudden outburst of profanity or yelling, including racial slurs. These outbursts are a manifestation of neurological disease, and the person has no control over the content, volume, or duration of the outbursts. These shouted words and phrases are ones that they would not voluntarily use. Don’t take anything personal that is said at such times; recognize it for the involuntary neurological response that it is. If the symptoms are ignored, they will subside sooner than if a commotion is created.

Epilepsy may cause seizures, where some people appear dazed but will not necessarily fall, and others will lose consciousness and muscle control, and will experience spasms. Ask people to move away and create a calm space for the individual. Do not put anything in their mouth. Do not attempt to restrain their limbs or body. If possible, roll them onto their side (recovery position) and remove items from around the person that could get knocked over and fall onto the person or someone else, or that the person may injure themselves on during the seizure.

People living with Parkinson’s experience many different symptoms, some physical that you can see, and some that you cannot see. Every person’s experience will be different. If you are curious about a person, please ask the individual you are curious about to gain accurate information about that person.

Please remember that individuals living with a neurological disability, or any other disability, are not doing anything deliberately to upset anyone. Their behaviours and level of functionality are not within their control.

In trying to control your own fears and misconceptions, you’ll behave in a way that will extend courtesy and maximize dignity for everyone, especially if the involuntary actions and behaviours cause you to feel uncomfortable.

If other people are uncomfortable in the presence of the person, you can ask the uncomfortable person if they would like to move to a different area. Only under very rare circumstances should you ask the individual with a disability to move or leave the premises.

Always ask the person how you can be a support to them and what you can do to help.

Hot Air Balloons: Living Your Best Life

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:51:32 GMT

Vision loss is not only about losing your sight. It is also about gaining your blindness.

Why would someone who can barely see want to go in a hot air balloon? Because the experience is more than just a visual.

The energy of the crowd was electrifying. People are buzzing around, all happy and excited. Listening to the sound of balloons inflating all around me was so cool to hear. We lifted off at sunrise, and the sky’s colours were spectacular.

I personally have less than 10% useful peripheral vision. One of my most used devices for accessibility is my trusted iPad. With my iPad, I am able to watch the screen and easily zoom in, take pictures and video, which I then can look at under a magnifying glass or on a big screen later.

I loved how slow-moving the balloons were; this allowed me to take in visually as much as possible. When the fire was not burning, and as we floated among hundreds of hot air balloons, the peaceful sound of silence was an experience one must have to fully understand. The closest sound I can compare it to is the sound after a big snowfall, and the world is just still. Breathtaking!

This is one of the best experiences in my life. If you have a bucket list, just do it. Life is short, and we do not know what tomorrow brings.

Losing your vision does not change who you are. It changes your interactions with the world.

Free As a Butterfly: My Blindness Rehabilitation Journey

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:51:22 GMT

Free As a Butterfly: My Blindness Rehabilitation Journey

Editor’s note: On January 25, 2017, friends, family and members of CFB gathered at Paul’s Restaurant in Victoria, B.C., to celebrate Gina’s successful completion of the nine-month training program at the Louisiana Center for the Blind. Gina gave an interesting and inspiring presentation about her experiences there and also showed us a beautiful set of nesting boxes that she handcrafted in the woodshop while there. Chocolate cake was added to the celebration, the icing on top, cheering, “Congratulations, Gina!” Here is her journey:

Like the butterfly, I started life in a cocoon. Like that butterfly, I was able to physically leave that cocoon when conditions were perfect. But in reality, it was a mental cocoon that I needed to break out of. I was stretching, struggling, and knew that there was a bigger world out there waiting for me to discover and experience. It took strength, determination, and the willingness to risk being vulnerable within myself and with others to start the journey.

My name is Gina, and in 1992, I was diagnosed with Progressive Cone Dystrophy. This is a gradual deterioration of my central vision, and I have blind spots throughout my peripheral vision. Despite my declining sight, I have been working in the restaurant industry for the last 27 years and managed as a single parent to raise a smart, capable, and beautiful daughter. In 2015, I accepted the fact that I was losing my vision, and that was the moment I took the initiative to break out of my mental cocoon.

I had made acquaintances with two independent, confident, and self-motivated blind women whose skills for managing life with blindness were inspiring. It was these women who encouraged me to gain my own non-visual techniques so that I could not only change my destiny but also embrace it with joy and wonder.

Elizabeth Lalonde is one of those women. She started and is the director of the Pacific Training Centre for the Blind, a part-time blindness training program here in Victoria, B.C., which I signed up for. Danielle Frampton (Fernandez) was an instructor at the same centre, and she introduced me to sleepshades (a blindfold) and the techniques for holding my white cane.

The latter was a bit of a struggle with pride for me, as I did not want to draw attention to myself. As I used the cane more, I felt confident, and for the first time in a long time, I was walking with ease. I stopped looking down all the time and let the cane be my guide through curbs or any other obstacles in my path.

I also started to study Braille and became familiar with screen reader applications for computers that dictate text aloud. I had definitely gained skills and built up my confidence; however, due to each of the classes having a short duration and only being biweekly, I feared that I would not be able to learn enough to be prepared for my life without vision.

Much to my shock and dismay, I found out that there were, in fact, no full-time training programs in this field available in Canada. The only option available, if I wanted to learn these very important life skills in a timely manner, was to look to the United States, where there are 3 training centres of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). I chose the Louisiana Center for the Blind (LCB) as it is very reputable, and it was also where Danielle and Elizabeth -- who had both inspired me so much -- had received their training.

LCB is a privately operated residential facility that is staffed primarily by highly qualified professionals who also happen to be blind. This centre provides a very innovative orientation and rehabilitation training program, with a positive philosophy around blindness being an integral part. This centre has been recognized not only on a national level, but internationally as well. Its positive philosophy plus its mandate is to provide its students with the confidence to experience life to its fullest via five main areas of instructional focus: independent cane travel, computer skills, home economics, reading and writing Braille, home maintenance and woodshop.

Right from the beginning, I was confronted with huge challenges in making arrangements to go, as there were numerous obstacles that needed to be overcome. This program is not covered by any of our country’s numerous healthcare or social programs, so I had to provide the funds to achieve this training on my own. I live in subsidized housing that has very stringent rules regarding tenants not being allowed to leave their suites vacant longer than a six-month duration, and the training I needed was 9 months. In addition to this, I was told by the B.C. Ministry of Social Services that if I left the province for more than 30 days, I would forfeit any benefits that I would receive from them.

Thankfully, with the assistance of an advocate, I was able to fight for this, which I feel should be a right to all Canadians confronted with this situation, as it allows one to live independently, care for, and provide for oneself. It was a battle well worth fighting, as in the end, I was eventually given the green light by the government and my housing management to go and not lose everything in the process.

The training program carried a hefty price tag of $3,500 per month. Thankfully, being an international student, the centre only required me to pay $1,000 US per month for training. On top of the tuition, I was responsible for travel costs, medical insurance, day-to-day living expenses, as well as my rent and other expenses back home in Victoria, which totalled approximately $28,000.

On April 4, 2016, I started attending the Louisiana Center for the Blind. I had asked for more intensive training, and that’s definitely what they were providing, to the point where initially I found it almost overwhelming. But I was determined.

The housing we were provided was an ordinary two-bedroom apartment about 3/4 of a mile from the training centre, and we were paired with a fellow student as a roommate. At first, we were shuttled back and forth to the centre by bus until the instructor was satisfied with our abilities, and then we were kicked off the bus and required to travel by foot regardless of weather conditions. I was required to wear sleep shades for the duration of my training in order for me to truly experience how to do things as a blind person. I admit, it was quite scary at first.

It’s kind of funny – we all think of America as being the source of so much of our popular culture and a lot of the products we use on a daily basis; however, there was some culture shock involved in my moving to Ruston, Louisiana, by myself. Leaving behind my daughter, boyfriend, family, friends, as well as the job that I had worked at for 27 years, was definitely breaking out of my comfort zone and a little frightening. I’ll admit, there were some tears and overwhelming emotions on an almost daily basis for the first few months.

Training was very hard work, physically and mentally, while still being 100% worth it. I felt the only way to develop as a person was to go through a metamorphosis: breaking free from our cocoons and facing the challenges that we are confronted with. Luckily, in addition to my own personal strength, I was provided with a top-notch support system. My new team and I pushed ourselves constantly as we passed both small and large milestones – and with time and practice, practice, practice, the tears and frustration faded.

Now I would like to share in detail what each of the centre’s five areas of focus entailed.

Cane Travel

Cane travel consisted of learning how to correctly hold and manipulate a white cane to maximize awareness of obstacles and other things that can be used to direct oneself. I did have a bit of an advantage in this area as I had previously received some training from the Pacific Training Centre for the Blind. I was able to quickly adapt to the new cane techniques I was learning, such as “the pencil grip” and “open palm”. Once I felt satisfied with my abilities indoors, I ventured outdoors, where I went from simply walking back and forth in front of the centre to actually crossing streets and finding addresses. We crossed the massive Interstate highway and service roads, which were scary propositions – even for people with full sight. Feeling the direction in which the sun’s warmth hits us is a means to position ourselves to use cardinal directions (North, South, East and West). In addition to that method, we collect information from other stimuli to use as landmarks, such as smells, sounds and ground textures that we detect with our canes.

Once you have fully familiarized yourself with the city, you are given your first of four drop routes. On your first drop, you are accompanied by your instructor. After that, you’re on your own. The location you’re dropped at is completely unknown to you, and it is your task to return to the centre without the help of any technology or help from people, such as asking for directions. This is all in preparation for two final major assignments, which are a 10-kilometer solo journey in Ruston, and a trip to another foreign city – planned completely independently and unescorted. For the out-of-town trip, you are required to use public transit and visit two different destinations while there. You are provided with $150 for transportation and the same amount for accommodations. I chose Shreveport, Louisiana, for my adventure and while there, visited a restaurant that had been recommended to me and a visit to a spa. At the beginning, I was terrified, but then referred to my training and all was well. The sounds and the traffic then became friendly guides helping me to walk straight and safely cross roads while on route to my destinations.

Computer Technology

Computer technology is where they teach you to utilize a PC without a screen or mouse. We learned to navigate a computer using only keyboard commands and a screen reader. I found this to be particularly difficult as I had to rely on my listening skills and really concentrate because the computer voice was somewhat difficult to understand. I found that I was jumping the gun a lot and making my keystrokes before listening to everything being said. After time and, yes, practice, things clicked for me and the next thing I knew I was writing in Microsoft Word, copying, pasting, creating files, surfing the web and corresponding with people via email. Prior to this training, I was using a text magnification program called ZoomText for a limited number of things and relied heavily on desktop shortcuts that a friend had set up for me. I am now able to navigate a computer more independently.

Home Economics

Home economics was where my cooking skills took a gigantic leap forward. I had, of course, always prepared basic meals for my daughter and myself, but nothing so elaborate or on a scale this large. Within no time, I was preparing entire meals from scratch. There was a huge list of prerequisite dishes to prepare before heading into our final assignments. These dishes were: roasted chicken, casseroles, stews, soups, cakes, cookies, waffles, bread, pizza and even ice cream. The equipment we were taught to use included: gas stoves, deep fryers, clamshell grills (like the one George Foreman made famous) and rice cookers. We used a talking thermometer to check our temperatures. We used completely unmodified equipment while cooking. That’s right, real fire from hot coals or gas in our barbeques.

After mastering a myriad of recipes, it was then time for our first big assignment, which was to prepare a multi-course meal for 8 people. This was to be all my doing, completely from start to finish – meaning, I had to shop for all the ingredients, prepare the multi-course meal and beverage, then serve it. In addition, I had to do all the cleanup afterwards. For this assignment, I served crackers with cream cheese and peppered jelly, spinach salad, beef stroganoff with egg noodles, and warm garlic and herb whole wheat buns. For dessert, I served warm chocolate brownies topped with vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberries. My drink was a Shirley Temple, Canadian style.

My final assignment was to do the same thing again, but this time for 40 guests. Once again, I was solely responsible for this project. The only difference is that it was served buffet style, with the students and staff serving themselves. For this meal, I served chicken and vegetable Thai curry on rice, spinach, strawberry and almond salad with raspberry vinaigrette, and five loaves of focaccia bread (one of them gluten-free). I made two pans of brownies, plus one more pan of diabetic-friendly brownies–and strawberry lemonade to wash it all down.

Other helpful things we learned in home economics included how to write and sign one’s name, how to iron and fold laundry, thread a needle, sew on a button, do a hemming stitch, tie a tie, tie and polish shoes, light a candle and write out a budget. When we weren’t at the centre, we were also responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of our apartments, which were inspected for grading every 2 weeks.

Oriano Belusic, Doris Belusic (centre), and Thelma Fayle admiring Gina’s woodwork.

Photo Credit: Daryl Jones

Braille

Braille starts with an excellent introductory book called McDuffie Reader. It goes through letters, numbers, punctuation, and the system of contractions. Once you progress past this primer, it’s time to pick your own selections to read, which allow you to improve your speed. I must admit, out of all the training I received at the centre, this one posed the biggest challenge. I found the dots difficult to feel with my fingers. I can recite their placement, but perhaps after 27 years of slinging hot plates, my fingertip sensitivity may not be that acute. I am able to write with the standard slate and stylus method. I flip the paper over, inserting it into the slate, and make indents on the back of it from right to left with the stylus. After completion, the paper is taken out of the slate and reversed so that the dots may be read from the front of the page, left to right. I can now label my spices, write out recipes or take notes. Reading and writing definitely are not my favourite pastimes anymore, but I’m grateful to have this ability for practical purposes.

Home Maintenance and Wood Shop

Out of all the training I received at the centre, this was my favourite. I really enjoyed the woodwork portion of class. It felt really rewarding to be able to make something with my own hands. Starting right at the basics, we learned how to use a click ruler, which is the equivalent to a measuring tape. Then we learned how to safely operate a variety of power tools that are not modified for blindness in any way. Tools like radial arm saws, table and band saws, routers, sanders, planers and joiners. After being introduced to all the tools, we started a small woodwork project just to further acquaint ourselves with the tools and machinery.

Then, studies took a turn into the area of actual household maintenance and repairs for a while. The scope of this class was amazing, and as a result, I feel better equipped to take care of things in my home. We were shown how to change a deadbolt and door handle lock, label an electrical box, hook up a clothes washer and dryer, plus how to turn off a gas valve at the meter. The next thing I knew, I was a lady plumber. I can unclog a sink or toilet, remove the elbow joint in a drain to retrieve lost jewelry. I can even change the parts inside my toilet tank should it start acting up!

Once we feel at home with the woodworking tools, we do a timed project similar to the previous project, but with different measurements. For our final assignment, we were given free choice. I wanted something that I could bring home with ease, so I chose to make a set of nesting boxes, each having 1/8 of an inch clearance between them. I loved this class so much that I did not want to leave. My set of four nesting boxes turned into a pair. In the end, I made 13 boxes. My instructor said that I have sawdust in my veins!

In addition to all the classroom lessons, the centre also took us on a number of field trips that one would better describe as real-life adventures, which demonstrated to each student that we are just as capable out in the world as people with vision are. Of course, this had a very positive effect on our self-esteem, and we flourished within our support system. During the month of August, we visited Tennessee, where we played paintball, ran a ropes obstacle course, went whitewater rafting in class-four rapids, plus hiked to the top of Lookout Mountain. We ventured to Arkansas in October, where we hiked up a mountain, climbed a rock face near the top, then rappelled down it, rode a 2,300-ft zip line and went horseback riding while staying at the Horseshoe Canyon Ranch. All of these adventures were reality lessons teaching us that despite not being able to see, we are strong, smart and independent people who are capable of doing almost anything if we don’t allow fear to set limits for us.

On December 16, 2016, my dear friend, Patrina, and I graduated together. The graduation ceremony is a huge affair. We sat at the front of the library with the Director of LCB, Pam Allen, while she spoke of our journey to the centre, our training and future plans. Next, all the instructors spoke about our presence in their classes, our struggles and joys. After that, fellow students had the opportunity to share stories, comments, and memories. Then it was my turn to speak and share with everyone.

The ceremony is our personal affirmation of all we accomplished. I cried with pride for each grad. I knew what they had to go through to get to that stage – a lot of hard work mentally, physically and emotionally. We all received an engraved freedom bell with our name and graduation date. Afterwards, we trooped outside to ring the centre’s big brass bell 31 times (one ring for every year open). Then the graduates chose a restaurant, and everyone was welcome to go.

I’m grateful that The Blind Canadian magazine has allowed me to share my experiences at the Louisiana Center for the Blind. My wish is to stimulate discussion amongst the powers that be in Canada, and that they will, in turn, encourage every blind citizen to live the life they want and can, with independence and pride. I want to effect change for future generations, giving them what they need to create and fulfill their own dreams. We need to use our voices now to educate the government, teachers and the general public about the state of vision impairment in Canada. Our Canadian society has such low expectations of our blind citizens. We have been enabling many of our blind by sheltering them or placing them into group homes. Let’s better prepare them for life and direct them toward universities and colleges and into well-paying jobs. There is no reason why we cannot have training centres in Canada staffed with the same caring, competent professionals that I have encountered in the United States. Prior to meeting Elizabeth and Danielle, I was unaware I had options – and now I feel like the sky is the limit and that I’m as free as a butterfly.

I want to thank everyone who has helped make this training possible for me. Thank you to the Canadian Federation of the Blind, Thelma, Daryl and to everyone who donated to my GoFundMe campaign. Thank you to my family and friends and to my Louisiana Center for the Blind family. Thank you for your support. I’m truly blessed! If I can inspire and encourage even one caterpillar to make a leap of faith, breaking free from their cocoon, then I will feel all my hard work was worth it!

Gina Martin speaking at Paul’s
Restaurant, January 25, 2017.

Photo Credit: Daryl Jones

Gina Martin speaking at Paul’s
Restaurant, January 25, 2017.

Photo Credit: Daryl Jones

Helpful Tips: How to interact with blind & low vision individuals

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:51:09 GMT

Helpful tips for the sighted when interacting with people who have no to low vision :

I have no central vision, and I experience blind spots and floaters in my peripheral vision. I can see shapes and most colours, but cannot make out details. I wear dark sunglasses as my eyes are light-sensitive, so I prefer low lighting. No two people’s experience with vision loss or blindness is the same, even if they have the same diagnosis.

Throughout my daily life, I have had the opportunity to meet a large number of wonderful people who prior to our interaction, were complete strangers to me. On the other side, just as frequently, I have the misfortune of being treated as less than human. This wide range of experiences is thanks solely to my travelling companion: my long white cane.

Living near the city means that most people travel through their day in their own thought bubble, moving quickly from one appointment to the next. Most hardly remember anyone they pass on the street -- that is, until the white cane is noticed. The white cane is meant to help those of us who are blind or partially sighted feel our way through the world. The white cane also serves as a signal to others that the person using it has low to no vision. Most people recognize the cane as a symbol, but unfortunately, the education stops there. Many people don’t understand how to interact with us, or even worse, sometimes do things that put us in harm’s way.

I realize this might sound a bit strange to a sighted reader, especially someone who is kind enough to want to help when you see a person who is blind, but there are helpful and unhelpful ways of interacting with us. We hope this list will take the mystery out of interacting with your friendly new neighbour who happens to be blind. While we may seem like mysterious people at first, I promise that once you have some of these tools in your belt, it will take away a lot of the guesswork.

Blindness is diverse and complex. Many sighted people believe that blindness means complete darkness with no usable vision. While there are some who experience this, they are in the minority. Only around 15% of people considered blind have zero vision left. The rest of us have varying degrees of vision remaining, and often that vision is unpredictable or unreliable. It can vary based on the time of day, lighting, tiredness, or type of object, to name a few variables. Don’t be surprised if you see someone with a white cane reading his iPhone or ordering off a menu, but unfolding the cane to travel. Also, not everyone with severe vision loss uses a cane. Some people choose to have a guide dog, while others may choose not to use a cane at all or only in certain environments. Some individuals may prefer to have a sighted guide.

It’s best not to assume the level of vision that someone with a white cane has, beyond understanding that it’s far more limited than someone with “normal” vision. Most of us can navigate our lives without always bumping into things or getting lost. Many of us use regular technology with some adaptations, such as voiceover and magnification. I know it might be confusing seeing someone check their phone and then continue walking using a cane, but humans are amazingly adaptive creatures, and there is a lot of great technology, training, and peer support available.

We don’t always need help. If I am travelling alone, I will inevitably be stopped and asked if I need help. When I’m travelling with friends, it’s not uncommon for a stranger to stop my friends and ask if I need help. While we appreciate your kindness and concern, we also understand that some people imagine what it’s like to be blind and think of things they think they would need help with. Please don’t assume that if we are blind, we must need help.

Most of the time, we do not need help. I’ll let you in on a secret as well; we sometimes get annoyed at this because the offering of help can slow us down when we are in a hurry, and honestly, it can get a bit tiring. I’ve been known on occasion to wear my earbuds as a “do you need help” repellent.

Most of us have received mobility training. We were taught safe ways of navigating the world. Some of us use our cardinal directions and the sun’s positioning in the sky to know which direction we are travelling. We have learned how to cross streets, navigate paths, and move safely and independently with a cane or guide dog. Our daily routes are familiar, and when we go to new places, many of us use apps to help guide our journey.

If you do feel the need to ask if the person walking past you using a white cane needs help, or if you see a person using a white cane who looks like they do need help, here is how to do it:

As you look at the person who is blind, ask yourself, “Does this person look like they are lost, confused, or unsure? Or do they look like they are busily getting on with their day?” If the answer is no to the first question and yes to the second, then resist the urge to offer help. If the answer is yes to the first question, continue to the next step.
Quickly introduce yourself and ask if help is needed. Here is an example: “Hi, my name is Tammy, do you need some assistance?” Using your name creates a connection and humanizes the experience. Offering help in this way is friendlier, and even if we are in a hurry, you’ll more likely garner a friendly response, even if the answer is no. Something to make note of is that just because I said no to your help this time does not mean I won’t need some assistance next time. If the answer is no, please respect that. If the answer is yes, your next question is how can I best help? No two people or their abilities are the same. We may need help crossing a street, but just because we are stopped at a corner doesn’t make that so. We may need help with directions or just a quick question answered.

Finally, many of us are assertive and will ask someone for help before we are asked. We do appreciate friendly offers and sometimes will accept them, but please do not be offended when we do not want or need help. It may take some of us a bit longer, or we may need to use adaptive devices or different techniques to accomplish the task, and if we are able to do something ourselves, usually we want to do it.

Please do not grab us . If you are unfamiliar with this scenario, allow me to elaborate. Someone who is blind is waiting to cross a street when she is approached by a sighted person who may or may not have asked if help is needed. That sighted person next proceeds to grab onto the woman’s upper arm and pull or push her across the street. Most sighted people believe this is the best way to guide a person who is blind; it is not.

On a practical level, this is very dangerous. By pulling us along, you take away our ability to effectively use our canes to feel uneven pavements, steps, and other obstacles. While it might seem safer to you, it is more dangerous for us. We can fall, walk into objects, or be pushed into other people. Even the grabbing itself can cause injury.

Let’s think about this for a moment. If a stranger grabbed an able-bodied person without permission, that would be assault. What is it about blindness that causes the sighted world to forget we are deserving of the same respect?

Finally, it can be emotionally trying for us. As a woman travelling alone, being grabbed is terrifying. I find myself needing to prepare myself for the grabbing that may take place as I travel throughout my day.

So now that I’ve given the doom and gloom part of this, how do you guide someone? It’s very easy -- first, ask!

If you are aiding someone, please ask them if they would like to be guided. If they say yes, then still do not grab them. When you approach to offer your assistance to someone who is partially sighted or blind, position yourself on the side where there is no cane or guide dog. If they say yes, then you are already in a position for them to hold your upper arm or elbow. In this way, we get a wealth of information about the landscape, obstacles, and oncoming people by feeling their movements. If you step on or off the curb, we can feel your arm/body going up or down as you are one step ahead of us.

Be specific. Like everyone else, sometimes we need directions. If a person who is blind asks for directions, please tell them specifically where to go and do not rely on visual markers. For example, tell the person, “Walk 3 blocks in the direction you are facing and turn right before crossing the street.” This is more helpful than “Go that way until you see the bank and turn right.” The more specific you can be about distance and direction, the more helpful the directions will be. One of the biggest pet peeves is when the person who gives us directions does not know their left from right.

Example: When two people face each other, their left and right sides are opposite to each other. Now, when we are walking towards one another, and you are passing me on my left, it is also your left. Shoulder to shoulder is the same. Approx 75% of the time, the general public mistakenly gives wrong directions. Please be sure of your left and right before speaking.

It’s all right; you can speak to us. Some people seem afraid to ask us questions, as if they will somehow remind us that we are blind or offend us in some way. I promise, it is always better to ask me questions related to me than to assume. Please do not ask my friends if you are curious about me. This happens less frequently, but when it does, it’s usually in restaurants. For example, the host sees the white cane and asks my friends what he should do with my menu instead of me. Sometimes the wait staff will ask my friends what I will have to eat, as if I am unable to speak for myself. Or on occasion, someone will approach the group and ask them if I need help. Most often, when I pay the bill, my change is handed to my friend, even though I provided the payment.

These situations are some of the most frustrating for individuals who are blind. The only way to describe the feeling is that it is like being a child or an outsider who doesn’t belong in the adult social setting. Please know that if you ask us as opposed to defaulting to those around us, you are not embarrassing us. In fact, you’re helping to make us feel like everyone else.

Beyond these tips, the best way to interact with a person who is blind is to recognize we are all human. The cane is a sign that we need more space when walking; we might walk into you if you don’t move, and we may not react quickly in certain circumstances. See it as a symbol of how we navigate the world differently, but then let go of the cane and see us as unique individuals. And if you are ever unsure, you can always ask.

Being someone who used to have full vision, I miss that nod, smile, distance wave…. the little gestures of acknowledgment. When someone says “Hello, good morning,” “I am passing you on your left,” or “There are stairs going down ahead of you,” I take the words as a friendly hello or that smile I miss out on. By just saying hello, you have opened yourself up to me asking you for help if I need it because I know you are there. I have a disability, and I am used to asking for help when I need it. Being quiet around people who do not see is NOT helpful . Just say “hi”.

Braille: The History & How To Read Lower-Case

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:51:01 GMT

What is Braille?

The Braille alphabet is used by people who are blind or partially sighted as a basis of the larger Braille code for reading and writing. Kids and adults who are blind read Braille by gliding their fingertips over the lines of embossed Braille dots. They write braille using a variety of tools, such as the Perkins Brailler .

I do not own a Perkins Brailler, so I use a slate and stylus to write my labels.

People who are sighted can learn Braille as well, either by touch or using their vision. People who have dyslexia or other disabilities that affect what they are looking at and what their brain is interpreting can also benefit from reading by touch.

A proficient Braille reader a person can read between 170 and 220 words a minute. A great place for everyone to begin learning Braille is with the Braille alphabet.

Learn How To Read Braille

The first thing to know is that Braille is a code and not a language itself. There are different “grades” and versions of Braille. The most basic is “grade one Braille”. Every letter is transcribed. For every letter in the English alphabet, there is a Braille character. And each Braille letter is made of a combination of raised dots in the Braille cell. A Braille cell is the basic component of Braille.

A Braille Cell

A Braille cell is comprised of raised dots arranged in two columns and 3 rows. Each dot has a number from 1 to 6. The top left corner of the cell is dot 1. Moving down the column to the middle row is dot 2, and in the bottom left corner is dot 3. In the top right corner is dot 4, the middle dot in theright column is dot 5. The bottom right corner is dot 6. A full Braille cell is all 6 dots.

This symbol is used on Canadian dollar bills.

Lower-Case Vs. Upper-Case

These are all of the lower-case Braille letters in the English alphabet. To form a capital letter, you must place a dot 6 before the letter. There are also Braille characters for other punctuation and symbols. If all letters are capitalized, then two dot 6 will be before the word.

Braille Lower-Case Letters K-T

The second set of letters follows the pattern, only adding a dot 3 to each character in the first set of Braille letters.

Here are the dot configurations for each letter written out:

Braille Lower-Case Letters U-Z

The last set of letters continues the pattern by adding a dot 6 to the second set of letters. However, there is one exception that interrupts the pattern here. At the time Louis Braille invented the first version of the Braille alphabet, the French language did not use the letter “w” so it was skipped. The Braille letter “w” is instead created by dots 2, 4, 5, 6.

Here are the dot configurations for each letter written out:

Braille Lower-Case Letters A-J

The Braille alphabet uses a pattern throughout the alphabet. The easiest letter to learn is “a”, which is dot 1. Next, the letter “b” is dot 1 and dot 2, and “c” is dot 1 and dot 4.

Here are the dot configurations for each letter written out:

Here is a photo of the dot configurations:

Other Ways To Use Braille

Now, you’re probably wondering about Braille numbers, Braille music and even other languages in Braille. Braille numbers are like letters but have a special number sign character in front to tell readers that the characters that follow are intended to be numbers. There are also special codes for math and Braille music notation.

Louis Braille invented the Braille system in 1824 at the age of 15 and continued to improve upon it throughout his lifetime. We continue to make updates to Braille today. In 2016, the United States switched to the Unified English Braille code (UEB) from the American version of Braille.

Louis Braille’s birthday is on January 4th, and on that day, we celebrate World Braille Day. This is to raise awareness of the importance of Braille literacy.

A Brief History Of Braille

Just imagine if everyone learned about Braille and used it wherever there is print! There’d be more access to the world for the people who read Braille and more opportunities for others to learn. Books, museums, stores, offices… Braille is yet to be included everywhere we need it.

Together, we can make the world more inclusive for Braille readers.

Want to learn more about how people living with disabilities do the things they do, and the tools and devices they use to live their most confident lives? Learn more about our Disability Awareness Programs & Training (aDAPT) program.

Blindness: Tricks, Tips, & Easy Life Hacks

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:50:53 GMT

25 Tips, Tricks, & Life Hacks For Living With Blindness

Tip #1

There are many different types of canes and cane tips for people who are partially sighted or blind to choose from. Every cane gives different information, and each person can explore what type of cane will work best for them. A cane represents freedom to those who use them.

Tip #2

A white cane identifies to the general public that the person using it has low to no vision. Only 15% of people who use a cane or have a guide dog are totally blind. The rest of us have various degrees of vision remaining, but the vision we have is unreliable.

Tip #3

A white cane is a mobility device for people who are blind or partially sighted. Our cane is a source of freedom for us, allowing us to travel and navigate independently. A cane makes life easier when you know how to use it.

Tip #4

It is called a cane, not a stick or pole. If someone using it tells you it is a stick, then for that person, call it a stick. Most people prefer to call it what it is -either a white cane, rigid cane, straight cane, ID cane, folding cane, cane or mobility cane.

Tip #5

Do not pet, feed or talk to a working guide dog or service dog. Distracting a working dog could put the handler in danger. Allow the dog to do what it has been trained to do.

Please do say hello and speak to the handler.

Tip #6

You know that nod, smile, or gesture of acknowledgment? Being quiet around people who are blind is not helpful. For the blind or partially sighted person, saying hello or letting us know you are there can be the smile that we miss visually. By just saying hello, you open up the opportunity for us to ask for help if we need it, but most of all, your simple hello just treated me like a regular human being, and that is all anyone really wants.

Tip #7

Braille is a tactile method that people who are blind use to read and write.

A Braille cell consists of 6 dots. On the left, numbers 1, 2 and 3 go down. On the right, numbers 4, 5 and 6 go down.

Our Canadian money has Braille on it. Here is how you read the Braille. On a $5.00 bill, there is 1 full cell in the top right corner. On a $10 bill, there are 2 full cells. On a $20.00 bill, there are 3 full cells. On a $50 bill, there are four full cells. On a $100 bill, they are in the 1 and 4 p osition.

Tip #8

The words see, look, and watch are not uncomfortable for most people who are partially sighted or blind. We do see, look, and watch, only differently. We watch the same movies, only we turn on something called audio description. (Audio description is narration that provides information for key visual elements. It is also referred to as video description or described video. It’s used to provide information for people who are blind or visually impaired.)

Tip #9

Letting someone who is blind know which direction a door opens is helpful.

Examples:

“The door opens towards you from the right.”
“The door opens away from you to the right.”
“The door handle is on the left and pulls toward you.”
“The door handle is on the right, and the door pushes away from you.”

Tip #10

If you are kindly holding a door open for someone who is blind, please use words and let us know you are holding the door open for us.

Tip #11

When providing information to someone who has low to no vision, it’s ideal to use directional information in the sentence. The information that you give will allow us to navigate successfully.

Examples:

“I am passing you on your left.”
“There are stairs about 20 feet directly in front of you.”
"There is an intersection in front of you at the 11 o’clock position.”
“The up escalator is about 10 feet in front of you.”
“There is a seating area to your right. May I show you to the empty seat?”

Tip #12

Yelling “watch out” or “look out” is not helpful to those of us with low to no vision. Instead, identify the hazard and where it is.

Examples:

“There is a tree with low branches in front of you.”
“There are some cables laying on the floor in a few steps.”
“Someone is coming up quickly, riding a bike on your right.”

Advising the person with partial or no vision exactly what you are referring to when wanting to alert them to a situation will be information that they can use and will be grateful for.

Tip #13

Make sure you know the left and right of the person you are giving directions to. Providing incorrect information can be very dangerous for the person with partial or no vision. Take an extra moment to make sure you are correct with their left and right, and not your own left and right.

Tip #14

It is not helpful to be quiet around someone who has low to no vision. We need to hear you, so we know that you are there. Our hearing is an important tool to be able to “see” what is around us.

Tip #15

When talking to someone who is blind, please do not speak louder or slower. Our eyeballs do not work, but our ears do.

Tip #16

Never pull or grab anyone, especially if they are blind. Someone who does not see will be frightened by this. Always speak to let the person know you are there and what your intentions are. Otherwise, you may inadvertently put someone in harm’s way with your good intentions. Always ask before touching or trying to help anyone, and get permission before touching someone’s mobility device or equipment.

Tip #17

When I started saying “I am partially sighted” or “I have low vision” instead of saying “I am visually impaired,” I began feeling better about myself. I was no longer using a negative word like “impaired” to describe my disability 5-20 times a day. Not only did I feel better about myself, but my interactions with others became friendlier.

Tip #18

By taking away your weakest sense, it teaches you how to maximize your other senses. In turn, your weakest sense then becomes an asset to you instead of a hindrance.

Tip #19

No, I do not believe my hearing gets better because I have sight loss. I do believe we learn to use our other senses differently and put more focus on how to maximize using them.

Tip #20

You look at a flower using your eyes and enjoy its beauty.

I gently hold the flower, touching the petals and feeling the leaves and stem. As I breathe in through my nose, I smell the scent of the flower while at the same time I hear the bees buzzing as they skip from flower to flower. I also see the beautiful flower, only I see it differently from most.

Tip #21

Tip #22

When you have low to no vision, using cardinal directions is helpful for many of us. Cardinal directions are always the same. If my feet turn slightly left or right, then my left or right is no longer correct. Using the sun's placement in the sky also helps us know which direction we are facing.

Tip #23

Technology has come a long way in helping people to navigate their environment. From GPS to descriptive apps or apps that connect to live agents who can assist, technology has taken an incredible step forward in maximizing independence. Unfortunately, when devices are not designed with accessibility in mind, some people are left out of being able to use or buy the product or service. Without a voice option, new digital appliances, both large and small, are not accessible to people who are blind or who have low vision. Knobs and buttons allow for independence.

Tip #24

There are many ways to label items that you need to identify. You can use bump dots, raised paint for writing, Brailling labels, elastic bands, beads and many other objects that can help identify something that you are trying to identify.

Tip #25

There are many different tools, devices, and techniques one might use to make life easier. What works for one person may not work for another. Know that there is always more than one way to do something. It is important that you find what works best for you.

Interested in learning more about adapting to vision loss? Check out our aDAPTing to Vision Loss program with Gina Martin.

Identifying Currency

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:50:44 GMT

Money is only good if you know what it is!

In Canada, if you are someone who has limited vision or is totally Blind, our Canadian currency is easy to figure out the denomination. Every bill is identifiable.

We can tell from the font size, different colours, and the tactile markings of Braille. It makes it easy for the blind community to independently navigate and know what denomination we have or are giving and receiving.

Our bills are made of plastic and are all the same size and rectangular shape. The bills are 3 inches high by 6 inches long. The printed numbers on each bill are 1 inch by 1 inch in diameter, making it more visible for someone with low vision to read.

Having coloured bills is an easy way to identify which bill it is. Each denomination has its own specific colour. Our $5 Canadian bill is blue, our $10 is purple, our $20 is green, our $50 is red, and our $100 bill is brown.

If someone is colour-blind, then the large print or the tactile markings may be helpful.

A lot of Canadians do not know that there is Braille on our money. It is not what the Braille says but where it is placed that we identify what it is.

Braille is a tactile method of reading. Raised bumps allow people to read with their fingertips. A full Braille cell consists of six dots. Dots 1,2,3 go down on the left side, and dots 4,5,6 go down on the right. We use these to read and write. Within the six dots, using different configurations, you have all the letters of the alphabet, numbers, and contractions.

All Braille is found and felt on the top left-hand corner of our Canadian bill.

The blue $5 bill there is 1 full Braille cell (6 dots in a up and down rectangle).
On the purple $10 bill, there are 2 full Braille cells spaced 1 cm apart.
The green $20 bill there are 3 full Braille cells, spaced 1cm apart.
With the red $50 bill, there are 4 full Braille cells, spaced 1cm apart.
Finally, on the brown $100 bill, there is a full Braille cell in the first position and another in the fourth position. Meaning there is a full Braille cell, then a space of 3cm, then another full Braille cell.

Bottom line, without using any vision, everyone can identify what bill(s) they have.

Below is a photo example of Canadian currency and the Braille cells on each bill.

I do not go into the bank often, but when I do, I always ask the teller if they know how to read the Braille on our money. So far, everyone I have asked has said "no”. Hmm... they know now (smile).

We no longer have $1 or $2 bills; we have coins instead. Our $1 coin is bronze in colour and is called a loonie. Our $2 coin is silver in colour, with the centre of the coin being bronze with different images. We call the $2 coin a toonie.

I can decipher the difference by running my fingers around the edge of the coins. A toonie has ridges all around the edge, while the loonie has flat edges along its side, like an octagon.

All our coins are slightly different in size. The toonie is the largest, with the loonie being just slightly smaller. Our 25-cent coin (quarter) is the next size down, followed by our 5-cent (nickel), and our smallest coin is the 10-cent (dime). We do not have a 1-cent coin (penny) anymore. All amounts are rounded up if 3 cents or above and rounded down if under 3 cents when paying with cash.

Our debit cards and credit cards are also another form of currency. Pin pads with buttons are accessible because there is a Braille dot on every #5 pin pad, which allows us to navigate the pin pad. There is also a tactile marking on the "ok" button.

Touch screens are not accessible to me and take away my independence. Most people do not realize that change is not always best for everyone.

What I have done to help me identify my card is to put a piece of tape on the front of the card, opposite the end of the chip where my thumb holds the card when I insert it. I also put a piece of tape on the back side of the card opposite the swipe strip. The tape is placed where my thumb holds the card. That way, I know I have the strip facing the right way.

I also use this method when given hotel keys (tape under where my thumb holds the card to unlock the door).

I enjoy travelling, but have only dealt with a couple of different currencies. When I was in Europe, there was the Euro and every bill and coin are different in size, allowing me to identify their money well.

In the United States, American money is all the same size, colour and has no tactile markings. I fold my bills differently to identify what denomination they are, and I am hopeful that people are honest in telling me the correct bill they give me in change.

For a one-dollar bill, I fold it width-wise and then width-wise again. For a five-dollar bill, I fold it width-wise and then length-wise. For a ten, I fold length-wise and then width-wise. For a twenty, I fold length-wise, then I fold both sides in and meet in the centre. For a fifty, I fold length-wise, then width-wise, then width-wise again, making a square. For a hundred, I fold both sides width-wise into the centre, then I fold the bill width-wise again. My friend also uses this method, only she folds her bills in a manner that works for her to remember.

There are money readers that some people use, or apps on smartphones that tell you what money you want to know. Unfortunately, technology is not always available, so having a manual method to fall back on is very important. There are many ways to do things, so find what works most efficiently for you.

These hacks may take us a little longer than others, but it does give us our independence.

Look, See, & Watch

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:50:35 GMT

Blind Doesn't Mean I Can't Look, See, & Watch Too: I Just Do It Differently!

It is totally okay to use the words see, look, and watch when talking to someone who is blind. These are not uncomfortable words for the majority of us who are blind. We do see, look, and watch only differently.

You look at a garden and see a beautiful orange rose. You smile as you admire how pretty it looks.

Please let me share with you how I see that same rose using no vision.

I go right up to the flower and gently feel the soft, many velvet-like petals. At the same time, I breathe in and smell the sweet floral scent. While I am there smelling, I continue to gently feel the stem and thorns while listening to the bumblebees buzzing from flower to flower around me.

I do not see the pretty orange flower the same way as you, but I see it as equally beautiful, but different.

I use touch to identify objects instead of my eyesight. When I know what something is, as I touch it, I in turn am seeing that object. If I touch something and do not know what it is. I learn what it is, what it does, and I feel it and understand it better. The next time I see (touch) that item, I will know exactly what it is.

When I am looking for my lipstick in my purse, I move my hand around inside my purse until I feel the lipstick. When I apply my lipstick, I do not look in the mirror as I can not see my image clearly. I roll up the lipstick and gently feel it with my fingers, so I know I have not rolled it too high to break. I then hold the lipstick, and with my index finger, I guide the lipstick to my lip, feeling my lip first. I then apply the lipstick and can feel it is even by pressing my lips together and moving my jaw to feel an even glide of gloss over my lips.

I watch T.V. shows and movies just like you, only I turn on a feature called audio description built into the settings already on Telus Optik TV and Netflix. What is audio description? It is a feature that you can turn on in settings, and a narrator describes what is visually happening on the screen. This way, I watch the same shows and movies as you, only I watch it a bit differently.

I still see, look, and watch like everyone else, just in a manner that works for me.

Sensory Processing Disorder

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:50:28 GMT

What is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a neurological condition that affects how someone’s brain processes sensory information (sensory integration), causing extreme sensitivity to stimuli. From 5% to 16.5% of the population lives with SPD, according to ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Occupational therapist, psychologist, and neuroscientist A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D., likened SPD to a neurological “traffic jam” that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly. For some with SPD, outside stimuli are dulled, muting sights, sounds, and touch. These individuals crave extra stimulation to arouse themselves, like needing the jolt of a wake-up shower after a sleepless night. These are the people who love to spin and swing upside down; their stimulation-seeking behaviour may be easily mistaken for ADHD hyperactivity and poor impulse control.

SPD can affect all or any number of our senses:

Visual – Sight
Auditory - Hearing
Olfactory - Smell
Gustatory - Taste
Tactile – Sensation from touch
Vestibular - Sense of head movement in space
Proprioceptive - Sensations from muscles and joints of the body
Interoceptive – Perception of sensations from within the body

Everyone is affected by sensory input. Have you ever felt a twinge of pain during a loud movie or become a little overwhelmed while shopping in a bright, busy store? The average human can have some degree of sensory sensitivity even if they don’t realize it.

Sensory processing disabilities occur when there is a breakdown in how the brain translates the sensory information provided from the central nervous system. The brain may fail to recognize, connect, misinterpret, or respond appropriately to the input. Sensory processing issues can be displayed differently from person to person. A person may have different responses, depending on the sensation.

Helpful Tips

When booking an appointment, you can ask if they need any accommodation. This will let you know if someone requires any accessibility while meeting with you.

Try to avoid flashing or blinking lights. They can be a trigger for people with Epilepsy, Autism, brain injury, SPD, and others.

Ask what you can do to be a support.

Don’t judge someone without knowing their story. Maybe the little girl having a temper tantrum or is not getting her way is, in fact, overstimulated by the sounds of the sirens on the next street that she cannot process, and the noise is so loud that it physically hurts her.

We never know someone’s story. If you are curious about a person, please ask the individual so you can gain accurate info on that person. Please be kind!

Hearing Disabilities & Life

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:50:21 GMT

Living with Hearing Loss: Deaf, Hard of Hearing, & Deaf Blind

There are a few main terms used to describe people experiencing hearing loss. Deaf, Hard of Hearing, someone experiencing hearing loss, and deaf blind. The majority of people in the Deaf community prefer not to use the term “hearing impaired,” so avoid it unless the person specifies that they prefer it.

Like all other disabilities, hearing disabilities have a wide variety of causes and degrees. It is important to remember that a person may require or use assistive devices when communicating, such as hearing aids, technology, pen and paper, or other devices.

Some ways to communicate are through lip reading, American Sign Language (ASL), texting, writing, or through an interpreter.

Hearing disabilities may rest rict language development because it’s difficult to reproduce sounds you can only partially hear, or not at all.

Helpful Tips

Be sure to have the person’s attention before speaking to them.
Face the person whom you are speaking to.
Do not put anything in front of your mouth or turn your head when you’re speaking to them.
Speak to the person and not to the interpreter or person they are with.
Never yell, slow your speech down, or exaggerate your speech unless you are asked to.
You can ask the person, including in writing, what method of communication is preferred.
Be prepared to offer information in an alternative format. Writing it down, texting, taking the person directly where they need to go, etc.
Please repeat or rephrase if you are not sure the person understands you.
If there is a hearing ear dog or other service animal, do not pet, make eye contact with, feed, speak to, or distract the animal.
Do not show your impatience; communication for many people with auditory disabilities is difficult because often their first language is not English, it’s sign language.
Learning the alphabet in American Sign Language allows you to finger spell the words and communicate with anyone who uses ASL.
Bell Relay Services provides interpreters for phone calls, translating speech to text and vice versa. 1-800-855-0511(voice to TTY)

No two people experiencing hearing loss hear at the exact same tone or frequency. If you are curious about what they hear, please ask the person you are curious about so that you gain accurate information about that person. During the natural aging process, hearing loss is very common and can happen to anyone.

What Is Epilepsy?

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:49:58 GMT

Learning About & Living With Seizures

Ep ilepsy is a disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures. Epilepsy may occur as a result of a genetic disorder or an acquired brain injury, such as trauma or stroke. During a seizure, a person experiences abnormal behaviour, symptoms, and sensations, sometimes including loss of consciousness. There are a few symptoms between seizures. Epilepsy is usually treated by medications and in some cases by surgery, devices, or dietary changes[1].

Major Types of Seizures [2]

Seizures are classified into two groups. Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain.

Absence seizures , sometimes called petit mal seizures, can cause rapid blinking or a few seconds of staring into space.

Tonic-clonic seizures, also called grand mal seizures, can make a person:

Cry out.
Lose consciousness.
Fall to the ground.
Have muscle jerks or spasms.

Focal seizures are located in just one area of the brain. These seizures are also called partial seizures.

Simple focal seizures affect a small part of the brain. These seizures can cause twitching or a change in sensation, such as a strange taste or smell.

Complex focal seizures can make a person with epilepsy confused or dazed. The person will be unable to respond to questions or directions for up to a few minutes.

Secondary generalized seizures begin in one part of the brain, but then spread to both sides of the brain. In other words, the person first has a focal seizure, followed by a generalized seizure.

My Journey With Epilepsy

Hi, Gina Martin here. I want to share with you my lived experience with epilepsy. When I was 9 years old, I was diagnosed after having a couple of Grand mal seizures [3] . It took years to find the right medication and the right dosage that works for me. Seems all the meds I tried came with side effects that I found worse than the diagnosis.

Currently, on average, I have seizure activity 2-4 times a month and notice it mostly around ovulation and cycle times when my hormones change. My non – grand mal seizure activity experience is: my left arm becomes paralyzed. I cannot move my left arm, hand, or fingers. This usually lasts about 1-2 minutes. I am conscious and aware of what’s happening during it. I can talk, but the ability to concentrate or focus is difficult or not possible at that moment. Once I’ve recovered, I go on as I did just prior to having it. I am not affected afterwards at all.

For me, Gran mal seizures have decreased as I have aged, and I have only experienced three in the past 12 years.

People ask what they should do if I have a Gran mal seizure. I always tell people, for me, this is how you can help:

Call an ambulance
Do not stick anything in my mouth
Roll me on my side if possible (so I do not choke on my tongue or vomit if I get sick). This is called the recovery position[4].
Move items out of the way that I could knock over or injure myself or others during the seizure.
Ask people to stay back. When I come to after a Grand mal seizure, I do not understand right away what happened or even where I am at times. This is known as a postictal state[5].
If I am injured, choking, or stop breathing. Keep me in recovery position and immediately call Emergency Services (9-1-1).
Stay calm. A seizure should only last 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
I often want a drink of water. Do not give me anything to eat, even if I ask. (In case I have another seizure back-to-back, I could choke).

My experience at the onset of a Grand mal seizure

I can recall that my blood feels like it’s boiling hot throughout my whole body. My brain feels like it is shaking at intense speeds in my skull, and I see a bright white light. This is known as a seizure aura [6] . Often, I feel tired and discombobulated for a couple of hours (postictal state) when I regain consciousness. Life then continues on for me like normal.

Every person who has epilepsy experiences it differently. If you are curious about someone and their experience or how to best help them, please ask the person directly so you can gain accurate information about that person, their needs, and their experience.

References & Supporting Resources

[1] MayoClinic.org

[2] CDC.gov

[3] Source: MayoClinic.org

Grand mal seizures: A type of seizure that involves a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions. Also called a tonic-clonic seizure.

A grand mal seizure is usually caused by epilepsy, but may have other triggers, such as very low blood sugar, high fever, or a stroke.

The seizure has two stages. Loss of consciousness occurs first and lasts about 10 to 20 seconds, followed by muscle convulsions that usually last for less than two minutes.

Many people will have only one such seizure in their lifetime. Others may need daily anti-seizure medications to prevent recurrence.

[4] Source: EpilepsySociety.org.uk

Gently pull their knee towards you so that they roll over onto their side, facing you. Their body weight should help them to roll over quite easily. Move the bent leg that is nearest to you in front of their body, so that it is resting on the floor. This position will help to balance them.

[5] Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The postictal state is a period that begins when a seizure subsides and ends when the patient returns to baseline. It typically lasts between 5 and 30 minutes and is characterized by disorienting symptoms such as confusion, drowsiness, hypertension, headache, nausea, etc.

[6] Source: EpilepsySociety.org.uk

An 'aura' is the term that some people use to describe the warning they feel before they have a tonic-clonic seizure. An epilepsy 'aura' is in fact a focal aware seizure. Focal aware seizures (FAS) are sometimes called 'warnings' or 'auras' because, for some people, a FAS develops into another type of seizure.

Challenges with Technology

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:49:36 GMT

Challenges with Changing Technology as a Blind Person: Touchscreens Take Away Independence

As a woman who is almost blind, technology has helped our community of people who are blind or partially sighted gain a huge amount of independence back. Smartphones and other inventions have allowed many of us to participate and enjoy life more fully. Voice over, Siri and magnification (all built into the device), along with many helpful apps. These phones and apps help us to read and respond to text, navigate our environment, and accomplish many tasks independently, where prior to this technology, we relied more on others to assist us.

I know since I got my first smartphone in 2015, it has helped me with my confidence in doing things and going places on my own. We have evolved as a community due to the awesome technology available to those of us who can afford it. Not all of us can, and I hope that changes in the future, as this is one of the greatest assistive tools available to help people living with vision loss and many other disabilities.

But the current advances in technology are not always helpful or positive.

As we keep advancing with technology, a barrier those of us with vision loss are experiencing is that more consumer devices are being made with touch screens. The old tried and true knobs and buttons that we people with disabilities need to navigate the product are becoming extinct. These touch screens are a major step backwards in our independence. I am finding it difficult to find kitchen appliances that I can use. Stoves, microwaves, washers, dryers, and so much more are all being made button and knob-less. I know that the blind community is not something on the radar of product developers’ minds, but it should be.

This is not only something that affects persons with partial sight or blindness, but also the aging. We are all aging, and due to the natural aging process, people’s eyesight weakens, and they need things to be accessible and easy to operate for them to keep their independence. It is hard enough to lose your vision, but when everything around you becomes unusable due to a touch screen, it can be overwhelming. As technology and the advancement of flat display screens continue to be our future, it would be beneficial if it were built with a voice option so everyone can use and buy the product.

I am sure there are many of us experiencing setbacks at times due to new technology. I am grateful for all the awesome advancements with technology, but for some people with diverse abilities, simple is best. Let’s keep options open so everyone can participate as fully in life as possible.

Cheers Gina

My Cane & How I Navigate

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:49:26 GMT

Mobility Devices: My Cane & How I Navigate

I used to fear the idea of using a white cane and drawing attention to myself. Today, this white cane represents my freedom.

Navigating with no sight is possible if you have these tools in your belt!

My cane is an extension of me! I use it to detect objects that I can’t see or have difficulties seeing. The tapping of my cane against objects alerts me before I bump into them or trip over something. Tapping against different objects creates different sounds. When I am out for a walk, my cane taps a garbage can, then a couple of steps further, a bus shelter, then a metal pole. Each is made of metal, yet they each sound differently.

There are certain techniques I use when I hold my cane. One is called “ open palm ”. This is when my palm faces up, the cane gently rests in my palm, and my thumb and pinky gently push my cane from side to side. My hand holding the cane is positioned in front of my belly button. My elbow is close to my side. My arm and wrist are relaxed and only move when I am reaching out to explore my environment, or when I am looking for something specific. By holding my cane at bellybutton level and swinging my cane evenly, I can walk straight! I swing my cane shoulder-width from side to side.

I use either the tap-and-slide method or constant contact. The timing I use is when my left foot is forward, my cane is to my right. When I step right, my cane crosses my body to my left. Being able to transition quickly and smoothly between open palm and my other grip, called the “ pencil grip ” took some practice. When in tighter places or in crowds, I slide my hand about 1/4 the way down my cane, pulling the tip closer to my toes so that I don’t trip anyone. I hold my cane like a pencil, between my index and middle finger. I always use this grip when I am following behind someone, in a line, or when walking where there are lots of people. I lift my cane slightly off the ground (1-2 inches) and swing it like a pendulum in front of my feet to ensure a clear space to step. I also use this grip when walking upstairs.

I like options. I personally love the straight white cane known as the Bob Riley or Commander! The straight canes are longer and lighter than the traditional Ambutech canes that the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) provides. The extra length allows me to explore more of my surroundings. It also gives me two full steps to stop or to move around an obstacle in my path, before I run into it.

These styles of long white canes have flexibility and are easier for me to maneuver. This is because they do not have the additional weight of extra metal between each break and joining part with accessories that folding canes have.

I tend to walk quickly. When my cane catches something, it has the flexibility to bend so that I don’t walk into the end of my cane and jab myself in the stomach. The straight cane has a metal tip. This metal tip helps me to detect the different textures under it, which I can feel and hear. The material of the carbon fiber cane with the metal tip creates a vibration through the cane, which tells me the texture of what it is contacting.

If I am walking on a sidewalk and approaching an intersection, I can tell when it transitions from the sidewalk to the road when there is no curb. (Roads are travelled on more, so they are smoother.) The folding Ambutech cane tip is usually a ball that rolls over surfaces, and I find it makes it harder to detect seams and to distinguish the difference between surfaces. There are also ceramic tips. I have only tried them once and found that I did get very good information from them.

Having good mental mapping skills makes it easier to navigate independently. Will you try this for me, please? Close your eyes and picture your home. Now, picture walking up to your front door. Open it. Which direction does your door swing? Go inside, close the door, and take off your shoes. Next, picture yourself walking to your kitchen. You grab a glass from the cupboard and go to the sink for some water. Next, you walk down the hall to the living room and have a seat on your couch. Ok, could you picture yourself doing this in your mind? If you could, then you can mentally map! If you couldn’t, then I will teach you how to do this.

Familiarize yourself with your surroundings.

Whether inside or outside, it helps to know where you are. It is necessary to know your cardinal directions ( North, East, South, and West ). It is very important to know how to use the sun’s positioning in the sky to help me figure out the direction I need to be going. The sun rises in the East and sets in the West. In Victoria, the sun is positioned slightly south. If it is mid-afternoon and I needed to be going North, the sun would be on my back left shoulder and upper left forearm. If I wanted to go East, then the sun will be on my back.

When you understand how the address system works, it makes it easier to find your destination . For example, in downtown Victoria, mile zero starts at Dallas Rd. Paul’s Restaurant (where I worked) was on the 1900 block of Douglas Street. So, it was 19 blocks from Dallas Rd! Store Street starts at the 400 block and gets higher as you go East. On the North and West sides of the street, the numbers are even. On the South and East sides, they are numbered odd.

People who have never driven or who are blind need to understand how traffic moves and flows . Learning how to really pay attention by listening to what the traffic is doing is key! The next time you find yourself at an intersection, and you are not in a hurry, please try closing your eyes and just listening. Listen to everything going on around you. At first, it will be a lot of loud noises, and it does sound scary. There are noisy trucks and motorcycles, cars honking, construction, and other surrounding noises. Try focusing and paying attention to the direction traffic is flowing. Listen to the cars slow in front of you and hear the idling engines. Notice the cars in front of you start to accelerate. Then notice your parallel traffic idling. Sometimes I need to stand at an unfamiliar intersection for 2-3 sets of lights to figure out for sure when it is safe to cross.

There are many types of intersections ! You may come across 3, 4, or sometimes 5-way lighted intersections. There are 4-way stops, T crossings, roads with left turn signals, one-way streets, and bike lanes. Some intersections have a “chirping bird” audible signal. They chirp a certain way to differentiate when it is safe to cross either East/ West or North/South. When you hear cheep cheep, it is safe to cross over the North/South running streets. If you hear coo coo, it is safe to cross over East/West running streets.

Knowing and really understanding traffic, road crossings, your body position for placement and alignment, good cane technique, and paying attention to your surroundings, is how to be a confident traveller. This is how I travel safely and have an understanding of where I am and where I am going!

I hope that this will explain some of the things that my students will learn from me!

When a caterpillar begins its transformation, it will be scared and at times it will be difficult. It prepares itself for a new life, and the next thing it realizes is that it’s soaring and finding its own way!

Diverse Abilities Blog: Understanding Diverse Ways of Life

Accessibility Seating; Every chair tells a story.

Chairs are more than just somewhere to sit.

Would of, Could of, Should have...

What I wish I had known when I was first diagnosed.

Being Seen For Who We Are As People

All we want is to be seen as a person, not just our disability. ﻿

Experiences Bring Us Closer To Understanding

Something really beautiful happened recently, and I’ve been sitting with it .

What is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard?

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower: For People Living With Hidden Disabilities

Navigating With Cardinal Directions, the Sun, & Audible Crossings

Feel Confident Navigating & Travelling Around The City

Victoria’s Confusing Streets vs. Edmonton’s Grid

Navigating with Audible Signals

Using The Sun To Navigate

ADHD Effects Everyone Differently

Discovering How ADHD Shaped My Experiences

Create an Inclusive Workspace

What if creating an inclusive workplace was easier than you thought?

Axe Throwing with No Sight: A Personal Journey

Universally Accessible: Debit & Credit Machines

Are they really accessible for everyone to use?

Here's a simple tip to make your business more accessible:

Mobility: Low Vision & Blindness Canes

It is called a cane & there are many different types .

Let's explore what safety, consideration, & kindness looks like when interacting with those around us who use mobility canes.

Audible Pedestrian Crossings in Canada

Do you know what the synthesized sound of chirping birds are for at some intersections?

Embracing Differences: Assisting Those Who Stutter

Supporting Individuals & Living With A Stutter in Canada

Here are some tips on how to support someone who stutters:

Different Canes For Different Terrains

The right mobility cane empowers independence & confidence!

Blindness & Different Types Of Eye Conditions

What is legally blind?

Disabilities & Learning Differently

Learning Disabilities: Helpful Support Starts With Understanding

Helpful Tips:

What is a disability?

What does disability look like?

Gina’s Sight Loss Experience Over Three Decades

My Journey of Self Discovery & Acceptance

The Beginning and The Middle

The Present

Guide Dogs & Service Animals: Etiquette in Canada

How to behave and interact around service animals & guide dogs:

Senior Safety for Phones & Internet

Protect Our Aging Loved Ones From Scammers & Criminals

TELUS

Caller Control

Caller Screening

Caller Reveal

SHAW / ROGERS

Spam Call Blocking

Anonymous Call Blocking

Select Call Blocking

Coping with PTSD / CPTSD

Coping with PTSD/CPTSD: Understanding & living with Post-Traumatic Stress

Intrusive Thoughts

Avoidance & Numbing

Negative Changes in Thinking & Mood

Arousal & Reactivity

Insomnia / Sleep disturbance / Nightmares

Suicidal Thoughts

Dissociation / Depersonalization / Derealization

Coping strategies for some of us living with (C)PTSD:

(C)PTSD Learning Resources:

Book Recommendation:

Website Resources:

Canadian Support Resources:

Canada Mental Health Support Website

Suicide Crisis Helpline

Health Link Services

USA (United States) Support Resources:

Suicide Crisis Hotline

A Guide To Supporting Those of Us Living With (C)PTSD:

Rolling Towards Inclusion: Universal Design

Unveiling The Hidden Barriers That People Who Use Wheelchairs or Other Mobility Devices Encounter

Inaccessible Entrances

All we want is to be seen as a person, not just our disability.