CNIB desire for N11 mandate is short-sighted, critics allege

An Ottawa businesswoman says if the CRTC wants to ensure blind Canadians have access to competitive services, it should turn down a request by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind for its own N11 code. Sharlyn Ayotte, president/CEO of Ottawa’s T-Base Communications Inc, says the CNIB should stick to its traditional role of providing rehabilitation services instead seeking a monopoly on telephonic assistance. Ayotte has been battling the institute on a few fronts these days. She acknowledges that it can be difficult to get her message across when dealing with a well-recognized charity like the CNIB. "They’re motherhood and apple pie," she told Network Letter. "How do you take it on?" The CNIB is currently awaiting a final ruling from the CRTC on its application for a N11 code to be used for its Information Centre for the Blind service. As part of the proceeding, the commission is reviewing a related proposal by the United Way to make 211 the national dialing code for social services. The proceeding – PN 2000-151 – also looks at the larger policy issues associated with assigning Canada’s remaining unused three-digital access codes – 211, 311, 811 and 511 (NL, Jan. 15/01). The United Way plan seems to have more supporters than the CNIB application. Even the telecom industry is wary of its bid, particularly a recommendation that all LECs should shell out two cents each month per active telephone number to pay for the information centre service. Objections have been raised on many fronts. The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association says access to information can be achieved by dialing seven digits, and rejects the call for an N11 code. The CWTA and others also complain about the additional levy from consumers. The CNIB rebuts the CWTA, saying many who suffer from blindness and visual impairments are seniors who have difficulty with motor skills that makes dialing difficult. The Feb. 12 submission was filed before Toronto adopted 10-digit dialing, a scenario that could boost its case. Ayotte says the CNIB is overstepping its mandate and trying to assume too much power. "What they’re doing is setting up a monopoly not just to attract blind people but they’re saying ‘we also want to deal with learning disabilities.’ That’s 10 times the size of the blindness population in an area they can’t service." In its filing to the commission, T-Base accuses the CNIB of perpetuating the myth that the blind can’t act as functional human beings and must be treated with kid gloves. It says adoption of the CNIB’s approach could lead to two-tier democracy, "access via government institutions is there for regular Canadians, but for people with disabilities, access will be through the munificence of charity. This reinforces the concept that people with disabilities are not able to function within the mainstream and must therefore be taken care of separately. Permitting this type of service delivery approach, is simply supporting an outdated mode of custodianship." The CNIB’s outlook on things is less rosy. "It is an unfortunate truth that the needs of people with disabilities need to be specifically addressed," it writes to the CRTC. "However, ICB does not seek to keep blind, visually impaired and print-disabled individuals out of the mainstream. ICB seeks to place them at an equal position within the mainstream." Ayotte worries that putting so much power in the hands of a volunteer organization will have a harmful effect on people trying to earn a living on the outside. "If they can keep it in the voluntary sector, they can close down this business sector which is primarily businesses run by blind Canadians," she notes. She urges the CNIB to stay within its core services and allow others to provide the information. CNIB counters that its delivery of information is itself a service. It compares its N11 proposal to the 411 code, where directory information is presented as a service.

CNIB desire for N11 mandate is short-sighted, critics allege

News | 03/12/2001 5:00 am EST

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