Spring 2015
30th Edition
THE BEAGLE
BALANCE for Blind Adults
416-236-1796
From the Executive Director
Sue Archibald
Surviving another harsh winter,
all creatures great and small
are beginning to surface from
their winter hibernation. That includes
the first spring robin I saw the other day
hopping around my front lawn. All I can
say, it is about time!!
In a previous BEAGLE I reported on our
dreams to create a BALANCE Healthy
Living and Training Centre for people
living with vision loss. This is still in the
forefront of our minds. The first step
was to stabilize our core funding;
negotiating a budget transfer from the
Mississauga LHIN who held our dollars,
to the Toronto LHIN. (BALANCE was
funded through Mississauga because our
Etobicoke location landed us in their
jurisdiction.) We are in the final stages
of achieving that goal, just waiting for a
written acceptance from the Ministry of
Health. Next step will be submitting a
fully developed expansion proposal to
our new Toronto funders and then
finding a location that would be both
suitable and affordable. Renovations
and development of the centre itself
would be over $50,000.
In the meantime, with minimal
interruption to classes, we have moved
our Spadina training space down the hall
to suite 220A. It is double the size
giving students significantly more
elbowroom, which I know will be
appreciated!
www.balancefba.org
While we plan our growth behind the
scenes, in the foreground remain our
wonderful instructors who continue to
offer excellent services. They make a
difference in the quality of peoples’ lives
with their wise counsel and
comprehensive teaching experiences.
Our programming continues to grow as
we increase the number of remote
teaching sessions and a variety of
supportive topics. Many developments
are coming in the future with a variety of
projects underway.
For updates please ‘LIKE’ the BALANCE
Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/balanceforbli
ndadults
Greetings from the Board of Directors!
Michelle McQuigge, Communications
Officer
On the face of it, the winter's frigid
temperatures may seem to have frozen
us in our tracks as we try to move
BALANCE forward. This, however, is far
from the case. We've been busy plotting
the course for our future direction, which
unfortunately is a longer process than
anyone would like.
Nonetheless, taking steps like approving
BALANCE's move to the Toronto Local
Health Integration Network and scouting
real estate in search of BALANCE's new
training facility are essential, and they've
been consuming much of our time over
the past several months.
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We're also determined not to allow these
concerns to distract us too far from our
main purpose, which is to ensure
BALANCE's adhering to its strategic goals
(see below) both in the short and long
term. To that end, we've devised
documents to keep us on track to meet
our strategic objectives and established a
separate committee focused on getting
the Dialogue in the Dark project off the
ground.
That initiative, along with every other
one we undertake, has one major
stumbling block before it - money.
Fundraising is critical to BALANCE's
future growth, and the board is
constantly on the watch for opportunities
to bring much-needed cash into our
coffers. An event we've organized in late
May will give all BALANCE community
members a chance to help out while
reconnecting with one another and
enjoying more than a few laughs in the
process. Details on our 2015 Comedy
Night fundraiser are in the next article
below. I know I speak for the entire
board when I say we hope to see you
there!
Focus Group Invitation
The BALANCE Board is largely governed
by a set of strategic goals designed to
keep the organization both productive
and relevant for years to come. The key
points of our strategy are below for your
reference. To ensure that we’re meeting
our objectives, however, we need to hear
from you: Is our strategy a sound one?
Are there any service or growth areas
that we’ve failed to take into account?
Now’s your chance to let us know. Please
come to a focus group to discuss these
on Monday May 11, 2015.
When: 6:30 P.M.
Where: 720 Spadina, Suite 206
Contact Laura Antal to sign up.
Key guiding statements for the
BALANCE Board
Mission:
To generate opportunities for those living
with vision loss through innovative,
inclusive, community-oriented
programming and partnerships. Our
strong community focus keeps us
grounded and our spirit open to change
Our overall, long-term Vision: All
people are living a quality, enriching life,
and engaged with communities free of
social barriers.
Our 2-3 Year Goal: BALANCE will have
succeeded in establishing a flagship
program in partnership with both private
and public agencies which serves its
rebranding as a leader in community
integration.
Our 3-5 Year Goal: BALANCE will have
succeeded in developing an innovative
model that actively engages clients,
agencies and partners to create a more
inclusive, holistic community that
optimizes/draws on available resources
more efficiently.
Our 5-10 Year Goal: To see BALANCE
recognized internationally for:
a) its design of innovative,
transformational approaches;
b) its leadership in shifting societal
views; and
c) its creation and support of Model
Communities that remove social barriers
Board Profile
Amish Lakhani
The common perception about
accountants is that we are
number-crunchers, who spend
our days seated behind a desk,
navigating between spreadsheets.
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Please allow me to … confirm that
statement fully!
While my profession may have made me
bilingual (English and MS Excel), it is
only one aspect of me. I am a big sports
fan, particularly tennis, football and
basketball, and attend as many Raptors
games as possible. Going to all 4 tennis
grand slams is on my bucket list, and I’m
planning on knocking off the 3rd
checkpoint of that goal at the U.S. Open
this summer. As a vegetarian, I try to
take advantage of the vast selection of
veggie-friendly restaurants Toronto has
to offer.
When I joined the BALANCE board in
November 2013, I sought to leverage my
accounting and financial background to
contribute to an important not-for-profit
organization. BALANCE’s vision and
mandate aligned perfectly with my
intentions. In working with the
tremendous, talented and passionate
Board and staff over the past year and a
half, I am more convinced than ever. I
am really excited about BALANCE’s
present and future, and look forward to
being a small part of its continued
success.
Recruitment to the Board –
Sandra Derencinovic
The BALANCE Board of Directors is
currently seeking applications from
interested candidates. We are seeking
individuals with skills in the following
areas:
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Accounting
Human Resources
IT/computer skills
Fundraising and Outreach
Please send your resume to Chelsea
Mohler at: mohlerc@gmail.com or
Sandra Derencinovic at
sandraderencinovic@hotmail.com no
later than May 15, 2015.
Thank you for your interest!
Participant Profile
Jeremy
Hi, my name is Jeremy. This is my
second time using BALANCE’s services, I
initially signed up for services in the
1990’s when I was new to the city.
I started using BALANCE services again
in May or June last year when I made a
huge move from my previous place to
where I am now. I spent some time with
Community Access Facilitation working
with Tricia. She helped set me up with a
new doctor and dentist who are both
located in the same building and close to
where I live!
We also spent time talking through
things. I didn’t always agree with
everything we discussed, but that’s okay,
still something to learn and get different
perspectives on things.
I have also been working with Paula both
on mobility routes and during the winter
on cooking. As for mobility, I’ve been
taught how to get to the grocery store
(walking distance from here), how to get
to the nearest bus, and from there how
to get to the nearest subway station.
Once there, we also did some indoor
work in the station. All is good with
these things. Once the weather is
actually warm again, hoping to get more
outdoor mobility work going.
Additionally, I am working with a
university placement student at
BALANCE, whose name is Christina. She
kind of picked up where Tricia left off.
For the most part, Christina has been
helping me out with investigating the
possibility of returning to school. My
interest is doing behind the scenes work
in radio, in particular in productions.
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Recently, I spent a day in a couple of
first year classes of the broadcasting
program – This experience was amazing!
But I still have questions that came up in
that experience that still need answers
before taking the next steps.
Through all this, Christina (and Doug in
the background) have been very
supportive every step of the way and I’m
thankful for this. From the time I first
met Christina, even now, I believe more
people like her need to be in the
business of helping the blind & other
disability groups get to where they want
to be.
Christina has a vibrant personality; I
could tell right away she’s a people
person and is loving what she is doing.
And at least around me, she has always
been cheerful with a lot of energy!
So, that’s me in a nut shell!
two weeks. That said, there are times it
gets updated sooner or a little later
depending on timely events that need
broadcasting. The BALANCE Newsline
consists mainly of events related to the
blind community at large such as
upcoming meetings by the AEBC or The
TRAILBLAZERS Tandem Cycling Club. Of
course, all BALANCE activities are
mentioned first and foremost.
I have had a few technical glitches along
the way. I get “locked out” of the loop
so to speak when the password for the
Newsline and comment line expires.
Then I contact Doug Poirier and he fixes
it for me from the office. Otherwise, I
would do this myself. For security
reasons it must be done at the BALANCE
Office. This is a good thing.
You may call the Newsline at (416) 236
1796 X233. To leave your feedback on
the comment line simply call the abovementioned number and dial Ext 234.
A Message from BALANCE’s
Newsline Volunteer
Interested in WEN-DO?
My name is Jennifer Griffiths. I am
privileged to be a BALANCE participant.
I began obtaining services from the
BALANCE Staff in the spring of 2003.
With the weather becoming more
agreeable we hope you are looking
forward to getting out and active as
much as we are. This year we hope to
run another women’s self defense course
called WEN-DO. The last time we ran
this program in partnership with
University of Toronto it was a huge
success. Ten women with vision
impairment and ten of their friends
successfully completed the course with
tons of positive feedback on how helpful
it had been for them.
We are looking for women interested in
learning more about the reality of
assault, bullying, abuse and how they
can do something about it regardless of
their disability. We are currently
Jennifer Griffiths
I am a great believer in giving back to a
community who delivers outstanding
service to those in need. I first started
volunteering in the office at 4920 Dundas
Street West. I still do this on an asneeded basis.
Next, I volunteered to take over the
BALANCE Newsline. I told Doug Poirier,
BALANCE’s Program Co-ordinator that I
had more time than money so why not
voluntarily take on this endeavor?
I try on an average to update the
BALANCE Newsline approximately every
Tricia Morley, Community Access
Facilitator
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planning to make this happen by seeking
out partners to assist with a location and
funding support. Call Tricia at 647-4041796 if you have something to offer,
want more info or to let us know you are
interested. It is the season to spring into
action.
Bahamas Outreach
Tricia Morley, Community Access
Facilitator
While on my sojourn south this winter
the Director of DSOB (Disability Services
of the Bahamas), William Lightbourne,
approached Raj (BALANCE Access
Technology Instructor) for assistance
from his foundation. As I was in the
vicinity Raj asked me to check them out.
With over 600 islands in the country of
the Bahamas we were on different
islands so a phone contact had to do.
With a population of less than 400,000,
revolving around boat and plane
schedules, it creates unique challenges
to providing services. Some people still
depend on working the land and sea to
get by. Economically dependent on
tourism, beaconing to escapees of
unearthly cold winters to their virgin
islands, balmy beaches and enrapturing
turquoise seas. Millions of tourists flock
to this wonderland of resort paradises or
to live in their winter homes.
Focusing on the needs and services for
those who have does not always leave
resources for those with less. Progress is
being made in this young country
(became constitutionally independent in
1967). A disability accessibility bill was
passed in 2014 through the efforts of the
DSOB and others. In this micro world
there is not the variety of specialized
services we have in our metropolis of 2.5
million. We are talking about making a
difference for a few individuals, not
dozens or hundreds.
DSOB is a cross disability organization
providing services for persons of many
differing abilities. Some of their
members are vision impaired ergo the
request for assistance sent to Raj. I
have asked the Director to send
individual requests to Raj in more detail.
There is no use in shipping things not
needed.
I am sowing seeds of possibilities here to
anyone interested in international
outreach. Who knows, you just might
make a new friend. William was asking
for things like a working laptop, software
like JAWS and musical instruments such
as a guitar or recorder.
In the disposable material world of big
city living we regularly have a surplus or
disregard the value of these things. To a
person with no resources they could be a
life changer. Pass it on to anyone you
know who would be interested. To
connect to the DSOB or for further
information contact Tricia at (647) 4041796.
Tech Talk
Rylan Vroom, Access Technology
Instructor
The Future of Program Accessibility
in Windows
If you have ever worked in a call centre,
music studio, or any other industry that
uses non-standard software, chances are
you have run into programs that just
don’t work with a screen reader. The
main reason for this is that the
programmers who create software are
not always aware of how to make it
accessible. For example, if an edit box is
not labeled properly, a screen reader will
simply say “edit”, instead of “phone
5
number: edit”. Even worse, a
programmer may create a button, but
not tell windows it’s a button; sighted
users will click on it and make it work,
but those with screen readers won’t
know it exists at all.
An increasing number of accessibility
related organizations are popping up,
attempting to teach the principles of
programming accessible applications to
anyone who will listen. But, it will take
years for the problem of inaccessible
software to disappear entirely unless we
can make such software more screen
reader friendly.
Two companies; Bosma Enterprises in
the states, and Vict Consultancy in the
united kingdom say they have figured
out how to do just that. They are
offering cloud based solutions that will
work behind the scenes, analyzing your
software and providing you the ability to
label any unlabeled elements with the aid
of a sighted person. Vict’s offering will
even allow you to tab to every element
in a software package, thus requiring
less screen reader knowledge than you
would ordinarily need to use a program.
Bosma’s offering will be called Vision
Force and has no projected release date
at this time. Vict Consultancy’s software
is called AT Prime and will be released in
October of this year. Neither company
has decided on pricing yet, but AT Prime
will be “affordable to individual
consumers”.
For those who are not aware of our MVL
class, it is a self-support group that is
facilitated by a staff person at BALANCE
who provides topics of interest designed
to provoke discussion amongst persons
experiencing vision loss.
Classes consist of 6 - 8 participants that
meet together for 3 hours once a week
to discuss these topics and share their
experiences with the group.
The program has been very successful in
the past with participants making
friendships that carry on long after the
program has completed.
If you are interested, contact either Doug
Poirier at Ext 224 or Tricia Morley at Ext
229.
Featured Recipe
Pizza Casserole
Sue Archibald, Executive Director
Ingredients:
1 (16 oz) package Rotini pasta
1 lb ground Italian sausage or ground
pork
1 (24 oz) jar pasta sauce
1 cup baby spinach
1 (16 oz) container cottage cheese
1 (2 1/4 oz) can sliced black olives,
drained (optional)
1 (4 oz) can mushrooms, drained (or
fresh)
12 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
2 (3 oz) packages sliced pepperoni or
cut-up turkey bacon (less fat)
Upcoming Managing Vision Loss
(MVL) Class
Directions:
Have you recently become blind or
experienced a significant decline in your
vision? BALANCE is looking at running
another Managing Vision Loss (MVL)
group class this summer – date to be
determined.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly
grease a 9x13 casserole dish.
Bring large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook pasta for 8 -10 minutes, drain.
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the
ground meat, drain any grease. Mix in
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the cooked pasta, spinach and pasta
sauce. Pour into greased casserole dish.
In a bowl, mix the cottage cheese,
olives, mushrooms and mozzarella
cheese.
Spoon the cheese mixture over the meat
and pasta mixture. Top with pepperoni
or turkey bacon slices. Bake 25 minutes
in a preheated oven until bubbly. Enjoy!
Announcements
 Listen to the BALANCE
Newsline for the latest news
from BALANCE Recorded biweekly 416-236-1796 x233
Feedback for the Info Line, dial
X234
 Upcoming Computer classes –
stay tuned to the Info Line for
more Information X 233
 On April 29th: Call-in Focus
Group Discussion on 1)Finding
Volunteers 2) Encountering
barriers in public buildings
Call Laura to sign up.
 Sign up for Yoga Classes every
Tuesday (Near Lansdowne
Subway Station) Contact Laura
x0
 Note – some articles that appear
in the BEAGLE do not necessarily
reflect the expressed opinions of
BALANCE.
BALANCE for Blind Adults
Funny Fundraiser
Please join in the laughs
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Wednesday May 27, 2015
Silent Auction: 7 – 7:30 PM
Seating: 7:30 PM, Showtime: 8 PM
Yuk Yuk’s Toronto: 224 Richmond St. W. (West of University Ave.)
Tickets: $20. (Contact Laura @ BALANCE)
Please contact Laura for more info or to purchase your tickets:
P: 416-236-1796 x 0, E: l.antal@balancefba.org
http://www.balancefba.org/
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Donation Form
Yes! I would like to contribute to the BALANCE for Blind Adults experience
Donations can be made securely through our website www.balancefba.org. It’s easy! Click Donate,
scroll to ‘How you can help’ to first bullet point, then click on Canada Helps.
Or send credit card donations by fax 416-236-4280 or by mail… Many, many thanks!
Enclosed is my donation of:

$35.00  $50.00  $100.00 $200.00 Other _____________
 Cheque enclosed (payable to BALANCE for Blind Adults) or

Credit card (indicate one): Visa ____
MasterCard ____
Card number ___________________ Expiry Date __________________
Signature
________________________________________________
Name ______________________________
Street ______________________________
City & province________________________
Postal code___________________________
Phone ____________________Email________________________
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------BALANCE: Fax # 416-236-4280
E-mail: l.antal@balancefba.org
Mail to:
BALANCE for Blind Adults
4920 Dundas St. W., Suite 302
Etobicoke, Ontario M9A 1B7
Thank you for supporting BALANCE in helping
people who are blind and vision-impaired reach
their goals.
Tax receipts will be provided for donations of $20
or more.
Charitable # BN13278 4851 RR0001
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