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
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