Editor’s Note: What follows is volume 8 of Blind News Victoria. For convenience, headings have been added to this archived version. The timestamp on this archived copy reflects the time the original word document was last edited and does not reflect the time at which the newsletter went out via email.
Blind News Victoria
A publication of the Pacific Training Centre for the Blind
Vol. 8: Summer 2018
Well here we are almost half way through 2018 and the end of another Pacific Training Centre for the Blind (PTCB) school year. Here are some of the highlights of the winter-spring term.
- PTCB celebrated the graduation of 4 students, TJ in January and Ann, Anna and Delores in June. They have all worked very hard to complete graduation requirements which include cooking a meal for 8, learning Braille and screen reader technology and becoming as independently mobile as their physical limitations would allow. Congratulations to TJ, Ann, Anna and Delores. We’re all very proud of your accomplishments.
- Our first Home Stay student, after six months of intensive training, has now returned to Chilliwack and is living on her own and planning to attend school this summer and fall. Please consider becoming a Home Stay host. It is a very rewarding experience knowing that you have really made a difference in a young blind person’s life. Contact us if you would like to know more about the Home Stay host’s role.
- AMI (Accessible Media Inc.) spent two days filming PTC training sessions and doing interviews with both staff and students for a 23 minute documentary which will air on AMI’s Our Community. We do not know yet when it will be scheduled but will let you know.
- PTCB has received several awards and grants in the past year including the top ABC Life Literacy Innovation Award which included a grant of $20,000. Elizabeth travelled to Ontario to accept this award and give a power point presentation about PTCB.
Please consider becoming a member of the Pacific Training Centre for the Blind Society. Membership is only $5 per year. The larger the membership, the more successful the Society will be in acquiring grants from the government which are essential to us carrying on the vital work of the PTCB.
To join call Elizabeth at 250-580-4910 or email
info@pacifictrainingcentre.ca
You can also join on-line through our website which can be found at
DID YOU KNOW?
The Butchart Gardens has Nightly live entertainment at 8:00 and fireworks set to music Saturdays at nightfall during the summer.
Highlight: July 27 Victoria Symphony
Go to
https://www.butchartgardens.com/summer-entertainment-calendar/
for a list of dates and performers.
There is free admission to those with a CNIB card and free admission for your attendant with your Leisure Pass.
The #75 bus takes you right into the grounds
You can find out what’s happening in Victoria between Blind News Victoria newsletters by listening to the live Victoria Community Report on AMI Audio at 7:00 a.m. (repeated at 9:00 a.m.) every fourth Thursday. The next report will be on Thursday June 28.
AMI Audio can be found at 889 on your television or on line at
If you miss the live report, you can listen on-line to the most recent report.
The Victoria Society for Blind Arts and Culture offers an Arts and Cultural Bursary to its blind members, reimbursing 50% of the cost of an arts or cultural activity up to $50.
For information or to apply, contact Linda Bartram
250-595-5888
Email: lbartram@telus.net
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Theatre SKAM Summer Festival Sunday July 15, 2018
360 Harbour Road, Victoria
Free described event at 2:00 and 4:30
Walk along the Galloping Goose Trail and stop at several venues to take in a short theatrical performance described by Rick Waines, VocalEye live describer.
Note: This event involves 15 – 20 minutes of walking along a level trail and standing at four, 5 to 7 minute performances.
To register for this free described event contact Sierra
sierra@skam.ca
Or by phone 250-386-7526
For those booking the 2:00 walk and coming on the bus, a Victoria Society for Blind Arts and Culture member will meet folks at 1:15 at the bus stop on the north side of Esquimalt Road at Harbour Road.
For those using HandyDart, book your ride to 354 Harbour Road, to arrive by 1:30 and you will be met there and escorted to the event.
Let Sierra know if you wish to be met at either the Esquimalt bus stop or 354 Harbour Road when you book your place
or contact Linda at 250-595-5888
lbartram@telus.net
Described tour at the Royal BC Museum (organized by the Victoria Society for Blind Arts and Culture)
Egypt –The Time of Pharaohs
Monday July 23 at 3:30
Admission: Adult (19+) $17.00
Senior (65+) $11.00
Youth (6-18) $11.00
Student (19+ w/ ID) $11.00
Attendant is free if you have a Leisure Pass
For more information about the museum call 250-356-7226 or 1-888-447-7977
reception@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
For more information about the described tour contact Linda at 250-595-5888
lbartram@telus.net
The VIP Singers will be performing in the library courtyard at noon on Tuesday July 24. Come and enjoy this free lunchtime concert.
The PTCB hopes to organize Kayaking and a picnic in August with Power to BE at Prospect Lake. If you would like to receive more information as it becomes available, call Linda to register your interest at 250-595-5888.
The PTCB AGM will be held in September on either the afternoon of September 11 or 18so please set aside these dates until we have finalized the date.
ABOUT THE PACIFIC TRAINING CENTRE FOR THE BLIND
The Pacific Training Centre for the Blind (PTCB) is a Canadian grassroots nonprofit charitable service organization founded and run by blind people. Its training fosters independence, where blind people empower blind people to be employed, independent and free.
The Blind People in Charge Program, provided by the Pacific Training Centre for the Blind, is the only program of its kind in Western Canada that offers regular, intensive rehabilitation to people who are blind or who are losing their vision; it is also the only program that uses an empowering, problem-solving model of instruction, where blind people are the teachers, planners, directors and administrators.
The program involves a collaborative, positive, and empowering approach to blindness, where blind people learn from and teach each other in a supportive, can-do atmosphere. Instructors and mentors teach the skills of independence such as Braille, adaptive technology, cane travel, cooking and other life skills, and develop strategies for coping with blindness and vision loss in a sighted world.
The Blind People in Charge Program held at the Victoria Disability Resource Centre 817a Fort St., runs two days a week from 10:00 – 4:00 and participants are encouraged to attend as full time students (12 hours a week). Drop in students are also considered. Teaching takes place in group and one-on-one sessions and participants progress at their own pace. Past participants have ranged in age from 24 – 88. Anyone over 18 who is blind or is experiencing significant vision loss may apply including those who are experiencing other challenges. There is no charge to students; however donations are always welcome. For more information, or to participate in our program, please contact us.
Phone: 250-580-4910
Email: info@pacifictrainingcentre.ca
