BALANCE for Blind Adults
Your Weekly "FYI" of events and happenings in our community.
Sent February 7, 2020
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Congratulations to the Youth the Future Graduates!
This Wednesday BALANCE proudly attended the graduation event held for Youth the Future (Scarborough) and celebrated the graduation of 5 BALANCE participants who were supported in the program by a United Way Youth Success Strategy Development Grant. The specialized supports have been provided through partnership between CCRW and BALANCE!
Congratulations to all the graduates!
Check out our posts on Facebook or Instagram for pictures from the ceremony and more information.
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Come meet us at 2020 White Cane Week Experience Expo Tomorrow, Saturday February 8!
We are pleased to announce that BALANCE will be very well represented at the CCB White Cane Week Expo Forum on Employment, to be held on February 8, 2020 at 4:00 PM at the Al Green Theatre in the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre at 750 Spadina Avenue, Toronto.
Dr. Deborah Gold, our Executive Director, will be on the panel to speak about our partnered project to support 5 blind youth in an employment program with the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work. Dr. Keith Gordon, BALANCE Board member will be the Keynote Speaker at this event. And former BALANCE employee, Elizabeth Mohler will also be a panelist.
Here is the information from CCB, please do NOT call the BALANCE office about this, you must RSVP to CCB only: info@ccbtorontovisionaries.ca or call the Voice Mail Line at 416-760-2163
BALANCE will also have a table in the exhibitors section during the day - more info below.
About the Program during the day: 10:00 - 4 PM
In a single space with over 6000 square feet of room for more than 50 exhibitors, we’ll be bringing together community groups, agencies, product and service providers serving the vision loss community here in Toronto.
The Expo is open from 10am to 4pm, and will be followed by the Visionaries Forum, a panel discussion focused on independence through gainful employment from 4pm to 6pm, and a ‘Community Social’ dinner from 6pm to 8pm, featuring music, food, and a cash bar!
Free guest wi-fi provided by BELL Canada
Cost:
Admission to the Expo, the Visionaries Forum, and the Community Social is absolutely free! If you’d like to attend the Forum or join us for the Dinner/Social, please RSVP to info@ccbtorontovisionaries.ca or call the Voice Mail Line at 416-760-2163. Please note: seating at the Forum is limited, so please reserve your place as soon as possible.
Visit our website at http://www.ccbtorontovisionaries.ca/WCW.php for more information.
Bring your ‘Experience’ to the Expo! And celebrate with us on February 8th!
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Coronavirus Updates and Useful Information
About 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak in Wuhan, China reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, indicating person-to-person spread is occurring. At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people. The latest situation summary updates are available on the Ministry of Health website at the following link: https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov
How to protect yourself
To reduce exposure to and transmission of a range of illnesses, including coronaviruses, you should follow usual health precautions such as:
- washing your hands often
- avoiding contact with people who are sick
- practicing proper cough and sneeze etiquette
If you are travelling to an area known to have cases of coronavirus, be sure to avoid:
- high-risk areas such as farms, live animal markets and areas where animals may be slaughtered
- contact with animals (alive or dead), including pigs, chickens, ducks and wild birds
- surfaces with animal droppings or secretions on them
In terms of your service with BALANCE, and effective immediately, when one of our providers calls you to book an appointment, they will ask you a question about whether you have experienced certain symptoms in the past 5 days. In addition, they will remind you that if you are coughing, sneezing, experiencing a fever or having other symptoms of illness on the day before or the day of your appointment, you are asked to call them and cancel or postpone the visit. Our providers have also been asked to cancel the appointments they have with clients if they are symptomatic.
Thank-you for understanding. If you should have any questions about this policy and procedure, please call the BALANCE office.
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Soundscape Workshop is back in March/April - Unlock the Power of Apple Maps with Microsoft Soundscape at BALANCE - Spaces are limited!
BALANCE for Blind Adults presents unlocking the power of Apple Maps together with Microsoft Soundscape, the new navigation system from Microsoft. Designed specifically for persons who are vision impaired Soundscape uses true 3d sound providing the means to easily realize the whereabouts of both residential and business locations.
When used with a 3rd party turn-by-turn navigation app such as Apple maps, the end-user is provided with a complete GPS navigation system that is both accurate and easy to use.
Those wishing to participate may be asked to take part in a short assessment to determine appropriate skill level and must:
- Be an efficient user of iPhone, iOS and the VoiceOver screen reader
- Have installed on their device the latest version of Microsoft Soundscape and Apple Maps available for download from the Apple App Store.
The purpose for this class is to enhance the ability of independent travel for persons who are blind or have low vision and will take place at the BALANCE Office, 2340 Dundas St. W, Unit G-06.
It consists of two sessions beginning March 27 from 1:30 - 4:00 and concludes April 3 from either 9:30 - 12:00 or 1:30 - 4:00.
Session 1 is a comprehensive discussion and demonstration of how to use both Soundscape and Apple Maps. All those participating are expected to take part in this session.
Session 2 includes a one-on-one walk-about and orientation to outdoor GPS navigation with one of our certified Orientation and Mobility instructors and while available, participants have their choice whether to take part in the morning or afternoon class.
After completing both sessions, participants will have gained the following skills and knowledge:
- Understand the strengths and weaknesses of both GPS technology and Soundscape itself
- Understand the difference between tracking and turn-by-turn navigation
- Understand how to use the items found on the Soundscape main screen
- Understand how to use the items located in the Soundscape menu system
- Know how to search for and make use of specific Marker and call-out information (points of interest)
- Know how to add and remove markers
- Be able to create a complete route that makes use of Apple Maps as a third party turn-by-turn navigation app
- Understand how to use Apple Maps for both step-by-step directions and live spoken directions
- Be able to use Soundscape together with bone conducting headphones to take advantage of true 3D sound for hands-free operation when navigating on the street
In all, participants take part in five hours of total instruction.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Bill Phung b.phung@balancefba.org (647-407-1796), or Doug Poirier d.poirier@balancefba.org 416-576-6509.
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Register for BALANCE Transit Apps Teleconference - March 11 at 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Do you already make use of GPS to guide you on your journey throughout the city?
Are you a frequent user of public transit in Toronto?
What if you could make travelling on the system timely and more efficient?
Why not learn how to enhance your independence even more with the use of GPS enabled transit applications providing easy to use and up-to-date transit information all in the palm of your hand via your smart phone.
Furthermore, most of these apps are free of charge and are yours to use by simply downloading them via the app store.
On March 11 from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM BALANCE is hosting a teleconference that discusses many of these apps.
We will attempt to answer your questions regarding the usefulness of such apps, highlighting some of the pros and cons of each and providing recommendations of some of the better ones.
facilitating this event are from BALANCE for Blind Adults Doug Poirier Assistive Technology Instructor and Bill Phung certified Orientation and Mobility instructor.
If you are interested in calling in and joining the discussion, please contact Doug Poirier d.poirier@balancefba.org 416-576-6509 or Bill Phung b.phung@bbalancefba.org 647-407-1796.
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Yoga is Back at BALANCE – in the East End! (Starts March 6)
Are you interested in learning more about the practice of Yoga but have difficulty following the directions of an instructor? Well, BALANCE has just the course for you.
When: Starting March 6 from 12:30 until 2:00 PM. The course runs for 12 weeks and ends on Friday, May 29, long weekends not included.
Where: The Healing Collective (2005 Danforth Avenue) - near Woodbine Subway Station
Participants will relax and de-stress with mild stretches thereby gaining relief from aches and pains associated with muscular tension. You will reinforce their independence and mobility through balance practices and increase energy and confidence through body resistance strength training. You are encouraged to wear comfortable, stretchy clothing and running shoes for ease of movement. Taught by Fazia Ackbarali, a professional therapeutic yoga and certified fitness instructor who has been teaching for BALANCE for almost 3 years.
IMPORTANT: there will be no class on Friday, April 10 due to Good Friday Holiday. If you have any questions about the location, or may need assistance with orientation and mobility routes, please contact our front desk.
Please note, we are asking all participants to pay a $25 deposit fee to secure their spot. If you attend 10 or more classes, your $25 deposit will be returned to you.
To register: contact Radka at info@balancefba.org or (416) 236-1796 X 0 (limited spaces, contact us now to secure your spot).
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Register for Sharing Space Support Groups - to start in MARCH 2020 - Two locations confirmed! Registrations till February 20
For the past few years, BALANCE has contracted with counselor Lisa Derencinovic to provide a psycho-social support group for people trying to deal with the emotional and social challenges that often come with sight loss. Our participants in this program have told us they find it invaluable to be able to speak to their peers about a negative incident on the subway, or a challenge with a family member, as just two common experiences. Indeed, the challenges often have less to do with being somebody with a visual disability, and more often are related to negative attitudes, and ignorance of sighted society. Being able to share with others going through similar experiences, and having that discussion facilitated by a professional social worker with strong group facilitation background and her own lived experience, we are told makes a world of difference.
If you have never tried a BALANCE Sharing Space Support Group, we urge you to call the office and register by February 20, because after that date we are going open these groups up to folks who have participated before. This is a 12 week program that you will not regret.
Please note: you must be a BALANCE client to participate; if you are not a BALANCE client, you can call the office to register as a client.
Note: this program is funded through the generous donations and sponsorships raised during our Because of BALANCE fundraising campaign.
West-End Group:
- When: Wednesday Afternoons from 1:00-3:00 PM starting March 4, 2020 and ending on May 20, 2020.
- Where: West Toronto Support Services, located at 1709 Bloor Street West, side entrance off Indian Grove (please tell WheelTrans the side entrance off Indian Grove). Nearest Subway station: Keele Station
East-End Group:
- When: Tuesday Afternoons from 1:30-3:30 PM March 3, 2020 and ending on May 19, 2020.
- Where: at The Healing Collective at 2005 Danforth Avenue, on the south side of the street, less than a block from Woodbine Subway Station.
Registration and more information: contact Radka at info@balancefba.org or (416) 236-1796 X 0.
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Message from NNELS: Take a survey about books accessibility and win an Android tablet
NNELS (the National Network for Equitable Library Service) wants to learn more about the different ways people read and listen to books.
If you have difficulties reading books, we want to hear from you. These difficulties may be due to visual disabilities, physical
disabilities, or learning disabilities.
Tell us what would make reading more accessible for you. Plus, you could win an Android tablet!
When you take this 15-30 minute survey, you will be asked things like:
* Do you read with your ears, eyes, or fingers?
* Do you read ebooks, audiobooks, braille, or large print?
* What devices do you use to read? Computer, tablet, phone, DAISY, magnifier?
There is also space for you to tell us what you most want or need,
given your unique circumstances.
If you are a parent of a child with print disabilities, please answer
the survey questions about your child.
Please click <http://trk.cp20.com/click/cftj-1q87ez-lypuf5-5h16ven4/>
here to start the survey and for your chance to win an Android tablet.
Click <http://trk.cp20.com/click/cftj-1q87ez-lypuf6-5h16ven5/> here
to download a poster.
Survey closes at midnight PST on Friday, February 21.
Your input will help the Canadian library community and publishing
industry better serve the diversity of readers in Canada.
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Line 1: Sheppard-Yonge to St Clair weekend closure February 8 and 9 - REVISED
There will be no subway service on Line 1 between Sheppard-Yonge and St Clair stations on Saturday, February 8 and Sunday, February 9, 2020 for maintenance work.
Shuttle buses will operate. Customers requiring Wheel-Trans may request the service from any TTC employee.
At York Mills Station, the Old York Mills Road automatic entrance will be closed. Customers are advised to use the other station entrances located in the York Mills Centre, Yonge Corporate Centre, and at the corner of Yonge Street and Wilson Avenue.
At Lawrence Station, the automatic entrances at Ranleigh Avenue and Bedford Park Avenue will also be closed. Customers are advised to use the entrances at Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue.
Full details: https://www.ttc.ca/Service_Advisories/index.jsp
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