About Us

Our Members Enjoy

  • Annual residential camps which include Music Camp for Braille Users and VIEWS Camp Freedom (Independent Living Skills camp).  These are week long camps which teach children specific skills set in a fun, interactive camp environment.
  • Annual Family Weekend which includes all family members in an exciting opportunity to explore recreational skills which can be enjoyed by the entire family.
  • The VIEWS letter which highlights great places to explore, Orientation and Mobility concepts, ideas on ways to teach daily living skills, updates on policy and programming, upcoming events and various other features.
  • Meetings and workshops with guest speakers, information sharing, networking opportunities.
  • Annual General meeting featuring workshops and information sessions relating to the special needs of a child who is blind or has low vision and their families.

Current VIEWS Intiatives

  • Advocating to ensure that every child who is blind or has low vision in our province receives a Specialist Teacher for the blind and low vision, Orientation and Mobility Instructor, Transcriber and Educational Assistant support in their school, as mandated by P.P.M. 76C.
  • Promoting the necessity of the implementation of the Essential Skills for Accessibility, as identified by Dr. Phil Hatlen, taught to all children who are blind or have low vision in our province.  These skills include literacy, numeracy, assistive technology, orientation and mobility, independent living, recreation, personal management, leisure, social, career, life management, visual efficiency and self-determination skills.  These are written into the IEP as an Alternative Program.
  • Supporting Short Term Placements, in partnership with W. Ross Macdonald School, to work on specific skills for children who are blind or have low vision and their families.
  • Encouraging professional development and educational opportunities, especially math and science workshops, for professionals, paraprofessionals, parents and students.
  • Creating partnerships with organizations, educators and researchers to improve opportunities and standards for children who are blind or have low vision.
  • Hosting workshops for members and the community interested in learning more about the needs and abilities of children who are blind or have low vision.
  • Assessing and evaluating programs currently in place, for our children, to ensure that high quality standards are met and maintained.  Advocating for equality in services to our children in all areas of the Province of Ontario.
  • Advocating for increased access to reading materials in Braille (uncontracted and contracted), tactile and large print formats.

VIEWS Board of Directors

  • President – Dawn Clelland
  • Vice President – Janet Vanderwerf
  • Treasurer – Prem Bains
  • Secretary – Jody Lowrie
  • Information Coordinator for SEAC- Deb Barclay

Board Members

  • Paula Rankin
  • Tony Figueiredo
  • Nancy Pereira

Past President Julie Spry (2008-2009)

Board Meeting Schedule

The VIEWS Board of Directors meets the last Tuesday of the month throughout the school year via teleconferencing.