Avery J.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Other

Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)

CNIB stands for the “Canadian National Institute for the Blind”. I chose this topic because my older sister is blind and has been a part of the CNIB for most of her life. The CNIB has been helping those who are blind since 1918 after the Halifax Explosion and they have been changing Canadian’s lives ever since. The CNIB teaches the visually impaired to become more independent and they provide them with many opportunities to grow.

 

 

What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?

I thought it was very interesting that the cause of the Halifax Explosion was caused by a mistake made by the Canadians themselves. You would think that an eruption like the would be caused by the enemy, especially because it happened during World War 1. It was actually two Canadian ships that crashed into each other.

What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?

Throughout my project, I learned about many of the unique difficulties of be being blind for thousands of Canadians and also the many successes. Of course I knew some of this already from living with my blind sister, but this assignment let me see all the extra things they need to learn, which CNIB provides. So many people are visually impaired and need to take these extra steps to learn and grow and work.

How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?

My life would be much easier to live, as I am not blind. Back when CNIB was founded in 1918, it would have been even more difficult to live blind because they didn't have as much technology and sources to help them through their difficulties.