Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians
Good day fellow AEBC members.
First of all I would like to thank you for this opportunity to speak to you about my intentions to stand for an AEBC Directors nomination position, and secondly to congratulate you on the 25 year celebration. AEBC has come a long way over the past 25 years, but the fight is not over yet and we have a lot of work ahead of us. I regret I am unable to attend this important AGM event, but I am with you in spirit and encouraged by your tenacity for progress.
briefly, a little about myself.
I graduated from the university of Western Ontario in 1978 in software engineering, and landed my first job with the microcomputer research and development at Air Canada. I moved on to the Gemini transportation company where I managed the mainframe host systems for Canada’s transportation sector. I retired from IBM in 2013, after performing roles like project management, diversity management, technical lead on service oriented architecture projects, and served as the IBM Canada accessibility subject matter expert on large client projects.
I believe we are at a critical turning point in the evolution of independence to blind Canadians. Over the past four years I have worked as an entrepreneur accessibility specialist, with many organizations to develop best practice inclusive workplace strategies to enhance employee productivity and consumer market growth; And I have worked with technology innovators around the world who are pushing the boundaries of independence for blind persons. There are two global economic trends shaping our world and having an impact on our lives. First, the social revolution shaping and shifting cultural expectations and human attitudes. Secondly, technology innovation expanding human abilities and creating new opportunities. These two trends have a push pull effect, but as they draw closer together we are approaching the intersection of merging man and machines.
What does this mean for AEBC?
We need a strong leadership team that understands the global trends that influence the decisions of government and business leaders, which have a direct positive or negative impact on the quality of our lives. Over the past two years I have supported the AEBC leadership efforts, and feel it is now time for me to take on a leadership role in helping to lead AEBC into the digital era. I will stand for a Directors position on the AEBC Board of Directors, and would appreciate your vote. However, the leadership team can only be as effective in guiding AEBC, as is the drive of AEBC members to motivate society in making real positive change. So, I encourage you to consider your role as an active participant in supporting the AEBC leadership team in driving change for a more inclusive Canada.
Thank you for your time, and enjoy this special 25 year celebration event.