CNIB Service Scan Summary
November 2009
Scan was completed in August 2009 by Professional Practice Leaders in consultation with Divisional Staff. Service statistics included in this report are national, and are based on 2008-2009 year-end reports. Number of staff is based on full time equivalents.
Key Points And Highlights
Some of our services (including Orientation and Mobility, Independent Living and Low Vision services) are well-defined and consistently offered nation-wide, with a few challenges related to recruitment and service in remote geographical areas. Other services (including Child and Youth, Employment, and Assistive Technology) are less well-defined and consistent; pockets of excellence exist, as do service gaps. Further exploration is required to determine to what extent these services are offered by other community agencies, and what CNIB’s role should be.
Independent Living
Number of clients: 7, 810
Number of staff: 48
Staff hours: 54, 065
Program is well-defined and consistent. MohawkCollege is primary training source. Some challenges related to recruitment and service to remote locations. Alberta utilizes paid assistant positions, Ontario uses service support volunteers. Services provided to children and youth are inconsistent and lack definition; there is some reliance on school boards to meet the needs of school-age children.
Orientation and Mobility
Number of clients: 6, 421
Number of staff: 50
Staff hours: 48, 854
Program is well-defined and consistent. MohawkCollege is primary training source. Some challenges related to recruitment and service to remote locations. School boards may contract services from CNIB, or may hire their own instructors. Services offered to children vary.
Low Vision
Number of clients: 12, 839
Number of staff: 47
Staff hours: 43, 719
Program is well-defined and consistent. In-house training program; community options will be investigated and evaluated. Challenges related to recruitment and service to remote locations. Services to children vary. Increased presence of community Low Vision Clinics: we need to remain aware of opportunities for partnerships and also to remain high profile as these clinics develop.
Employment
Number of clients: 1, 788
Number of staff: 19
Staff hours: 11, 397
Program is not well-defined or consistent nationally; program models and services also vary within provinces. Community programs exist in many areas for “generic” employment services as well as employment services for individuals with special needs.
Assistive Technology
Number of clients: 10, 816
Number of staff: 31
Staff hours: 34, 794
Program is not well-defined or consistent nationally; program models and services also vary within provinces. Challenges with remaining current in this rapidly developing field; no training plan or professional development funding in place. Some regions have had good success with on-line/distance models, group work
Child and Youth
Number of clients: 1, 096
Number of staff: 25
Staff hours: 19, 988
Program models and worker qualifications vary nationally. Strong Early Intervention programs (0-6 years) exist in some provinces, delivered by either Occupational Therapists or Early Childhood Educators. Difficulties noted in recruiting and retaining OT’s due to low salaries. Some provinces have Child and Family Counselors to provide support to age 18. Our role with school age children is unclear and inconsistent; school boards are not meeting all needs.
DeafBlind Services
Number of clients: 307
Number of staff: 43
Staff hours: 61, 275
Intervention services offered in Alberta (only greater Edmonton and Calgary) and Ontario (except in the north.) Ontario has a DeafBlind Literacy program in four locations. Is primarily a “consumable” service meeting communication needs; may provide access to rehab services. Canadian Helen Keller Society does provide intensive rehab services; based in Toronto bringing in clients from across country. CNIB DB Service hours are primarily Monday to Friday, working hours. Other hours may be accommodated. Very limited emergency services (needs to be well-defined and carefully considered.)
Support Services
Number of clients: 17, 534
Number of staff: 30
Staff hours: 20, 132
Is a bit of a “catch all” category; includes registration, concessions information delivery, ID cards. Delivery of these items varies nationally; some provinces have specified Coordinator roles, others incorporate these duties into another primary role.
Counseling and Referral
Number of clients: 20, 382
Number of staff: 27
Staff hours: 34, 168
Counseling is not well-defined: it includes everything from individual counseling to group adjustment to vision loss programs to one-phone support. Qualifications vary
National Totals
Number of clients: 78, 993
Number of staff: 318
Staff hours: 328, 392