[Nfbmo] new book on blindness issues in Canada!

[DanFlasar at aol.com]

Fred,
       I'd be very interested in reading this  book.  I've always thought 
of Canada's social and governmental organization  as rationally compassionate 
- particularly as evidenced in  it's successfully implemented universal 
health care system.  Finding  out that Canada has an even higher unemployment 
among the bilnd than the US and  that it's blind social policy is based on a 
charity model certainly seems  at odds with what I admire about the Canadian 
system.
     Of course, no system is going to get it right all  the time.  It's 
always good to have our assumptions shaken  about.   Thanks for the forward.
Dan
 
 
 
In a message dated 2/8/2011 8:23:27 A.M. Central Standard Time,  
goodfolks at charter.net writes:

NEWS  RELEASE

Victoria author examines the status of blind people in Canada  

and calls for replacement of the current charity-based system  



Vancouver B.C. - (January 29, 2011) -The author of a book  just
released says an 80 per cent unemployment rate among  blind
Canadians is an unnecessary violation of human rights. In his
book  The Politics of Blindness, Victoria resident Graeme
McCreath, who is blind  himself, calls for a complete overhaul of
services for blind Canadians  stating the Canadian National
Institute for the Blind (CNIB) is an  unsuitable vehicle to serve
the best interests of blind Canadians.  

McCreath, a physiotherapist and blind rights advocate, argues
that  the majority of working aged blind Canadians must be given
the opportunity  to participate in the workforce alongside their
fellow citizens.  The  Politics of Blindness offers a whole
different approach from the  traditional custodial view of
blindness and calls for more workplace  training opportunities.

"I wrote this book to help change what it means  to be a blind
person in Canada," says Graeme McCreath. "For too long,  blind
people have been subjected to inequality and  misrepresentation.
This book tells the Canadian public the stark reality  about the
status of blind people in this country."

In his book,  McCreath recommends that the Canadian government
dismantle blind charities  in favour of setting up skills-based
training facilities, government  incentive programs to encourage
businesses to hire blind workers and a new  universal federal
living allowance based solely on the characteristics  of
blindness. This would end the current system which penalizes
people  who want to utilize their intelligence and creativity
while engaging in  meaningful work.

"I concentrated on identifying past and present  mistakes in the
treatment of disadvantaged blind Canadians and I feel that  my
constructive solutions offer a way to radically improve the lives
of  blind citizens," says McCreath.

The Politics of Blindness is an  evidence based account of the
history, present day situation and future  possibilities of blind
peoples' experience.

For more information go  to,  www.thepoliticsofblindness.com
<http://www.thepoliticsofblindness.com/>  

Media contact: Jenn Currie | Peak Communicators | 604.689.5559  |
jcurrie at peakco.com
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