The Canadian National Institute of the Blind (CNIB)

I received the following from Muriel Aboul-Atta, a former volunteer in the Winnipeg branch of The Canadian National Institute of the Blind. The Winnipeg CNIB recording studio was closed last October due to lack of funds.


Reading is a right, not a privilege.

We read to learn, work and connect to the world. Everyone has the right to read. But if you are blind or partially sighted, that right could disappear.


Library services for blind and partially sighted Canadians are in jeopardy.


For more than 90 years, CNIB has struggled to fund these services with charitable dollars. But CNIB can't afford to go it alone any longer.

Government funding is needed now, or the consequences will be dire. Isolation and an unequal playing field for Canadians who deserve better.


Help protect their right to read. Visit http://www.cnib.ca/righttoread


Every day, Canadians who can’t read print because of vision loss must get by with just 5% of the written material they need to learn, work and participate in society.

The rest? Missing.

If we as Canadians do not address this injustice, only those who can read print will have access to publicly funded libraries that can fully meet their needs.

And the other Canadians – 800,000 people who are blind or partially sighted – will continue to be denied the right to read.


CNIB provides community-based support and knowledge and a national voice to ensure Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life.

With 900 employees and 10,000 volunteers working across the country, CNIB delivers programs and services that help people of all ages overcome the challenges of vision loss, increasing their independence and ability to achieve their goals.

Their advocacy efforts strive for equal access and a society inclusive of people who are blind or partially sighted. They also promote the effective prevention, diagnosis and treatment of eye disease.


For more information, please contact
Anna Bahlieda
Coordinator Volunteer Services and Development
CNIB
229 Camelot Street
Thunder Bay, ON P7A 4B2

T: (807) 345-3341 Ext. 5460
F: (807) 345-0786

Toll Free 1-888-675-2468

Email anna.bahlieda@cnib.ca


Have a great weekend. How can you miss - you're in Winnipeg!