Know Your Rights: A CNIB advocacy project.

• Author: Persaud, Jenna

Providing resources about discrimination for partially-sighted, blind and Deafblind individuals in Ontario, the project is now growing nationally.

About CNIB

CNIB is a non-profit organization driven to change what it is to be blind today. We deliver innovative programs and powerful advocacy that empower people impacted by blindness to live their dreams and tear down barriers to inclusion.

Our work as a blind foundation is powered by a network of volunteers, donors and partners from coast to coast to coast. To learn more or get involved, visit cnib.ca.

About the Know Your Rights Project

Through the Know Your Rights Project, CNIB developed plain language legal information and resources (fact sheets, videos, training, etc.) to empower Ontarians who are blind, partially sighted or Deafblind to better understand their rights, navigate the Ontario legal system and self-advocate to challenge discrimination. The development of these important resources was graciously funded by the Law Foundation of Ontario.

The project began in the fall of 2018 with CNIB convening focus groups across Ontario. The focus groups identified patterns of discrimination in the following contexts:

1. Education

2. Employment

3. Housing

4. Healthcare

5. Transportation

6. Built Environment

7. Government and Consumer Services

   Resources

   Legal Information Handbooks

   CNIB created seven legal information handbooks for each category, as well as one on the topic of Self-Advocacy and Essential Legal Information. The handbooks are available in English and French and in a range of accessible formats on the Know Your Rights website.

   Public Education Videos

   The team also produced a four-part educational video series. Each video re-enacts a true incident of discrimination and shows how a person can self-advocate to challenge the discrimination.

   You can view the public education videos on the Know Your Rights website.

   Legal Information Training

   The Know Your Rights team created a legal information training program delivered to CNIB staff and volunteers across Ontario. Training workshops identified the legal issues behind many real-life discriminatory scenarios that people who are blind or partially sighted may encounter.

   The goal of the training was to help educate CNIB staff and volunteers so they can provide participants appropriate legal information and connect them with legal services.

   Continuing Professional Development for Ontario Legal Professionals

   In September 2019, the Know Your Rights...