Optical Prism April 2014 | Page 37

CNIB offers to work with Canada Post to ensure accessible mail delivery I n Decmeber Canada Post announced a number of significant changes nationwide postal service.  Among the changes is the phase-out to door-to-door delivery in favour of community mailboxes. This of change has raised questions about how Canadians who are blind or partially sighted will receive their mail in a safe and accessible way. Since the announcement, CNIB has reached out to Canada Post with an offer to work with them on issues relating to mail delivery to our clients and other Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. With the right training and an accessible environment, it is possible for people who are blind or partially sighted to independently travel to and access community mailboxes. Orientation and mobility training and tools like white canes and guide dogs empower people who are blind or partially sighted to travel independently—whether they want to go to the mailbox on the corner or the farthest reaches of the globe.CNIB provides this type of training as an important and essential service in communities across the country. With that being said, some individuals may experience significant challenges that make getting to a community mailbox difficult – for example, seniors with vision loss who are physically frail and have significant mobility issues. CNIB is available to strategize with Canada Post about these special cases. Until Canada Post has phased out the door-to-door service, the CNIB Library clients will continue to receive audio and braille books as they have in the past. In preparation for the impending change, we’re exploring the opportunity to transition many of our library users to a digital download service which will remove the need for door-to-door delivery of audiobooks. We are currently working with government to help us make this service affordable to all our library users. CNIB is also urging Canada Post to make the community mailboxes they build as safe and accessible as possible including such measures as ensuring pedestrian crosswalks near the mailboxes are accessible, proper snow clearance is done in winter, and they’re designed with thought given to braille and other tactile features. The CNIB are aware that for some types of materials typically sent through the mail to people who are blind, such as oversized braille books, community mailbox delivery may pose challenges. The CNIB is working on a solution and will keep you informed of any future changes. If you have any further questions please contact the CNIB Helpline at 1-800-563-2642 or email, [email protected] OPTICAL PRISM | APRIL 2014 35