Consumer Groups

  • Since 1998, Access for Sight-Impaired Consumers (ASIC) has been promoting independent and equitable access for residents of British Columbia who are blind, sight-impaired or deaf-blind. While most of our successes lay within a municipal or Provincial jurisdiction, we have also found ourselves on the national stage with several initiatives. Details regarding our various successes, including the installation of descriptive narration within Cineplex Entertainment theatres or municipalities increasing the features provided by accessible pedestrian signals can be found by following the successful initiatives link. Or you can read about our current initiatives. Should you require assistance with a blindness-related advocacy issue, feel free to contact Access for Sight-Impaired Consumers.
     
  • The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) exists to increase awareness of rights and responsibilities, so blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted individuals can have equal access to the benefits and opportunities of society.
     
  • American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for the more than 25 million people with vision loss in the U.S. AFB's priorities include broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and promoting independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources.
     
  • For over 30 years, the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD) has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. Their mission is to raise awareness around issues that affect the lives of people who live with a disability. They also work to secure the necessary income supports for people with disabilities to live with dignity, and increase their ability to participate and contribute in their communities.
     
  • In the fall of 2009, the BC Personal Supports Network (BCPSN) was officially launched. Their goal was to make it easier for people with disabilities to find the personal supports (or disability supports) they need. BC has a complex array of programs and services for people with disabilities and they're here to help people navigate through the process.
     
    Their Network consists of groups and community organizations, across BC, who have come together to help people access personal supports, including equipment and assistive devices, as well as sign-language interpreters or attendants. Their vision put the needs and desires of the client first. You can read more about this client-centered approach in their summary of the Participation Model.
     
  • The Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) is a national self-help consumer organization of persons who are blind, deaf-blind or visually impaired.
     
  • With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence.
     
  • Guide Dog Users of Canada (GDUC) helps guide dog users maximize the benefits of mobility with a guide dog so that they may participate more fully in Canadian society. Open to guide dog users and all those interested in furthering their cause, GDUC is becoming a voice for Canadian guide dog users and a centre of excellence on the activities, needs and accomplishments of persons who are blind or deaf-blind, and assisted by guide dogs.
     
  • MD Support offers free information and personal assistance for people dealing with macular degeneration and similar retinal diseases.
     
  • Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee is a voluntary coalition of individuals and community organizations in Ontario working for a barrier-free society for persons with disabilities.
     
  • Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, The Vision Impaired Resource Network (VIRN) Inc. is a non-profit organization that delivers programs and activities that focus on providing positive experiences and information to build the confidence of people who are vision impaired to lead fully inclusive and productive lives.
     
  • World Blind Union (WBU) is the international voice of over 50 million blind and visually impaired people.

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