Summer 2005 Canadian Corner

Canadian Corner
By Wendy Nichols, AER Canadian Representative

As I return to Canada from another successful Board meeting and AER-Lift, I am re-energized and eager to share my experiences and expertise with the membership in Canada and Internationally.

As a membership organization, AER has done more for me as a professional than any other organization I could have joined. Is there another ‘place’ that independent Orientation and Mobility Specialists in Canada can go for support in the form of professional development, networking, international conferences, journals, newsletters, leadership training, and personal growth, not to mention friendship and laughter? I don’t think so.

This is a complicated world we live in, with challenges to our environment, our safety, and to the programs and services available to the blind and visually impaired people with whom we work. I listen to the challenges across both of our nations (Canada and the U.S.) and wonder why we are constantly addressing personnel shortages, personnel preparation program issues, education and rehabilitation services funding cutbacks for our consumers and professionals, and through it all, we have AER staff and volunteers working constantly to improve our lot as professionals in this oh-so-silent field.

We have a membership challenge just starting in Canada, appearing in our newsletter (which is currently being printed). John Martin, Canadian AER Consultant, and I are planning to increase our membership by 20%, and give all of us a stronger base (financial and vocal) as we continue to advocate for the many professionals in our field who are NOT alone, especially when they join AER. We need more people who can speak to our issues, which have not changed drastically in the decades that I have been listening. As CNIB closes offices and lays off staff, I look at the opportunities and the challenges that this poses for professionals losing their jobs, and for the clients losing services. I hear about a new client who is told that he must wait more than 6 months for an O&M assessment, and in the course of living his life, is hit by a car crossing the street! The lack of funding and staff cutbacks are intolerable, and almost fatal!

As I look forward to the Canadian Vision Teachers Conference in Halifax just a few short weeks away, I urge all members, Canadian and International, to take up the torch as I have. Talk to people you work with, live with, see on the streets, in classrooms, on airplanes, and tell them what you do. Educate them about the work we do every day on behalf of people with visual impairments. Educating our government is my goal and I would really like to do this with more Canadian members in AER behind me! We CAN and DO make a difference, although it is hard to remember that when we are always fighting as the underdog. Come along with me and John, we need and want you with us! Get a new member, get involved, get on the AER bandwagon. It is journey that might make you tired at times, but it is one I recommend whole-heartedly, and look forward to seeing you on board.