BALANCE for Blind Adults
Your Weekly "FYI" of events and happenings in our community.
Sent February 21, 2020
|
|
|
Message from Opera Atelier: Register for Making of an Opera Workshop on March 3rd
Free evening workshop for Blind, Partially-Sighted, and Sighted Persons
On Tuesday March 3rd, please join Opera Atelier for a free evening workshop about Handel's beautiful opera The Resurrection. Right now, the company is putting the finishing touches on their spectacular Easter premiere. Come learn the behind-the-scenes secrets of this powerful art form; there will also be an opportunity to touch props, costumes and a small model of the stage design. All are welcome, and presentations are designed for Blind/Partially-Sighted persons.
www.operaatelier.com
DATE AND TIME: Tuesday March 3rd, 2020. From 6:30pm to 8:00pm
COST: Free
LOCATION: 5th Floor rehearsal hall, Elgin Theatre. Please come to the Stage Door at 158 Victoria Street. There will be volunteers to greet you. Please note that this is NOT the Elgin's Yonge Street entrance; there will be no access from Yonge Street.
By TTC: Take Line 1 to Queen Station, walk 1 block East to Victoria Street and turn north. There will be a set of glass doors on the west side of the street, just before you reach a construction site. We will have volunteers to greet you. Please enter through the Stage Door at 158 Victoria Street, and take the elevator to the 5th floor. There will be volunteers to greet you.
CONTACT AND REGISTRATION: Heather Dale, Opera Atelier outreach coordinator. Phone: 416-580-5258. Email: heather.dale@operaatelier.com
|
|
|
|
Anxiety and Stress Management Group starting March 6
Do you feel overwhelmed and worried about life’s challenges? Need some practical strategies to deal with anxiety, worry, and stress? BALANCE for Blind Adults presents the Anxiety and Stress Management Group, a 6-week program facilitated by Naomi Hazlett, registered Occupational Therapist and Brandon Goldberg Psychology/Rehabilitation Services student with BALANCE.
The group will meet once a week, for 6 weeks, for two hours. Group members will learn about a variety of topics on the subject of anxiety and relaxation, including:
• What are the connections between my mind, body, and actions?
• How can I cope when things go wrong or when I feel bad?
• Mindfulness: what is it all about?
• How do I deal with loss, pain, and other challenges?
• How do I reframe and move forward?
Group members are to work together to learn how to lead a more balanced, centered life.
The group will run Fridays at 10 am starting March 6 and ending on April 17, 2020 at the BALANCE office.
Registrar: Radka Gajdosova, 416-236-1796 ext. 0, or email: b.goldberg@balancefba.org
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Last Chance to Register: 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).
|
|
|
|
Last Chance to 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.
|
|
|
|
Message from Government of Canada: Communicate, Collaborate, Celebrate with Accessibility Standards Canada
Monday, April 6, 2020
1:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre
525 Bay Street
Toronto ON M5G 2L2
Registration
Admission is free but registration is mandatory. Space is limited, register HERE today.
For more information
Contact us by e-mail.
Accessibility Standards Canada will host its first ever annual public meeting where the Board of Directors will meet the Canadian public for the first time. The event will also act as the official launch of the organization.
Join us (online or in person) for an open discussion on how we can work with persons with disabilities towards a Canada free of barriers.
Please visit the WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO: https://www.canada.ca/en/accessibility-standards-canada/campaigns/annual-public-meeting.html
|
|
|
|
Line 1: Bloor-Yonge to Osgoode single day closure February 22
There will be no subway service on Line 1 between Bloor-Yonge and Osgoode stations on Saturday, February 22, 2020 to accommodate Automatic Train Control signaling system installation.
Shuttle buses will operate. Customers requiring Wheel-Trans should see any TTC customer service employee to request the service.
All stations will remain open for fare sales and access to surface routes and Line 2.
Line 1: Sheppard-Yonge to St Clair single day closure February 23
There will be no subway service on Line 1 between Sheppard-Yonge and St Clair stations on Sunday, February 23, 2020 for track work.
Shuttle buses will operate. Customers requiring Wheel-Trans should see any TTC customer service employee to request the service.
All stations will remain open for fare sales and access to surface routes and Line 4.
At York Mills Station, the Old York Mills Road 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 automated 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
