News release

Join @BlindCanadians on Saturday December 5th 1-4 pm ET for #InternationalDayofPersonswithDisabilities Conference.

Join the #Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians for #International Day of Persons with Disabilities Conference to learn about how to participate in programs and services designed for persons with disabilities. This year's theme is #"Together One Voice, More Choices - Don't Leave Us Behind". If you have been frustrated or frightened at the way the disability community has been disproportionately left behind during the pandemic, then this event is for you! We have an inspiring group of leaders sharing their perspectives on inclusion and an exciting panel session with leaders sharing best practices, getting youth engaged, sharing lived experiences during the pandemic and getting government leaders to recognize and address systemic change for people with disabilities in a time of crisis. Do not miss out and count yourself in!

Registration required: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-event-tickets-127616884537

Speakers

Welcome-Minette Samaroo, Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians, President, Toronto Chapter, Vice President, National https://ca.linkedin.com/in/minette-samaroo-1aa365107

Opening Remarks-Dr. Michael J. Prince, Professor, University of Victoria, COVID-19 Disability Advisory Group, Federal Government, Minister Carla Qualtrough https://www.uvic.ca/hsd/faculty-staff/lansdowne/index.php

Keynote Speaker-Louise Gillis, National President, Canadian Council of the Blind, https://ccbnational.net/shaggy/about-ccb

Speaker-Ramya Amuthan, Producer and Presenter, Accessible Media Inc, How the Pandemic is impacting Youth-in Society. https://www.ami.ca/News-Hosts

Panel Session

Moderator, Christine Zannier, Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians, Secretary, Toronto Chapter, Diversity, and Inclusion Leader, Advocate for People with Disabilities, LinkedIn

Rex Banks, Au. D,, Doctor of Audiology, Director, Hearing Health, Quality and Knowledge Enterprise, Infection Control Officer, Canadian Hearing Services https://www.chs.ca/contact-our-director-audiology

Alicia Grace Chenier, Public Speaker, Advocate for People with Disabilities https://www.facebook.com/AliciaGraceOfficial/  

Samantha Moore, Co Chair 2019 National Young Leaders Program, Fighting Blindness Canada, Coordinator, Public Relations & Youth Programs, Canadian Council of the Blind https://www.fightingblindness.ca/news/meet-samantha-moore-adventure-artist-and-co-chair-of-the-2019-national-young-leaders-program/

John Rae, Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians, Human Rights Advocate for People with Disabilities, Public Speaker and Writer http://envisionmagazine.ca/john-rae-a-powerful-advocate-for-canadians-with-disabilities/

Partners

Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians Toronto Chapter (www.blindcanadians.ca), (Baker McKenzie (http://www.bakermckenzie.com Balance for Blind Adults (https://www.balancefba.org/), Canadian Council of the Blind Toronto Visionaries (http://www.ccbtorontovisionaries.ca/), Canadian National Institute for the Blind  (cnib.ca), Jobstart (https://www.jobstart.org/), Ontario Chamber of Commerce (https://occ.ca/) Ontario Federation of Cerebral Palsy (https://www.ofcp.ca/)and Trailblazers Tandem Cycling Club (www.trailblazerstandem.org)

Sponsors

Gold Sponsors-Baker McKenzie (www.bakermckenzie.com),Canadian Council of the Blind https://ccbnational.net/

Silver Sponsor-Trailblazers Tandem Cycling Club https://www.trailblazerstandem.org/

This is a Zoom event, and all registered attendees will be emailed meeting

details 24 hours before the event. If you require ASL or Closed Captioning, please email AEBCToronto@gmail.com and we will be happy to accommodate you. Do you have questions for our speakers or panelists please email AEBCToronto@gmail.com and we can ask them live during the conference. We look forward to meeting you virtually!