Introduction

There are over 110 000 individuals living with visual impairment (total to partial blindness). Statistics indicate that the vast majority lives below the poverty line and that 75 % of these individuals spend more than half of their income on housing. The Quebec Foundation for the Blind supports them directly or indirectly through charity organizations it supports.

In our society, image is omnipresent and prevalent. "To appear", "to be seen" are considered necessities. In our everyday activities, 80% of the information we receive is visual. Even at this very moment, you are discovering this figure by reading it with your own eyes. It is despite its intentions that our society isolates people who have a visual impairment. But the fact remains. The Quebec Foundation for the Blind has adopted the objective of combating this reality. It has developed a number of programmes aimed at overcoming the isolation and solitude that all too often are present in the lives of those who are blind. It offers an elaborate range of recreational activities. In other words, it does everything possible to further the autonomy and security of individuals who have a visual impairment. IN 2006, THE FOUNDATION TURNED 15 The Quebec Foundation for the Blind was created out of the devotion of a group of committed and concerned individuals. Together through their dynamic partnership, they set up five organizations with various vocations. All these experiences and organizational expertise developed over a period of 25 years. It was fifteen years ago, however, in 1991, that these five service organizations were merged to become the Quebec Foundation for the Blind, a non-profit organization that is duly incorporated and registered as a charity.

THE FOUNDATION’S MISSION: AUTONOMY AND A RICHER SOCIAL LIFE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED The primary role of the Quebec Foundation for the Blind is to break down the social determinism to which blind individuals are subjected. Our non-profit organization supports the visually impaired, provides advice and counselling, and helps them live the most autonomous and active lives they can. Its mission is to improve the quality of life of people with visual impairments, in the areas of housing, recreational activities and community life. As well as promoting an autonomous lifestyle for non-sighted people, the Foundation supports them in their daily lives and combats isolation on all fronts. THE FOUNDATION’S ACHIEVEMENTS
Projects to integrate non-sighted children through recreational activities help reduce their isolation; housing cooperatives for the blind and visually impaired offer affordable adapted housing. In a similar vein, the Foundation’s services and programmes support low-income people who are visually impaired, and help them overcome poverty.
For 15 years, the Foundation has been active in pursuing its mission and has had numerous successes in achieving the four main objectives set by its leaders

ADAPTED AND LOW-INCOME HOUSING – 45 HOUSING UNITS
The Résidence Habitœil Montréal (also known as the Complexe Armand-Houle) is a building with 17 adapted housing units that has been run by the Foundation since 1994. The Foundation also acquired the Les Habitations Habitœil Rosemont complex in 1999, with 28 housing units adapted to the needs of visually-impaired residents.
RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES – FOR CHILDREN AGED 6 TO 18
A whole range of activities have been developed to pique the interest of visually-impaired young people in group activities: vacation camps, downhill skiing, tourist excursions, tandem bicycling, kayaking, participating in the Tour de l’Ïle and many others. Through these successful experiences, young people develop new social skills and continue to flourish.
PREVENTION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS ACTIVITIES DIRECTED AT SENIORS
The Quebec population is getting older. It is estimated that one out of eleven people will suffer from a visual impairment. Currently, 50% of the visually-impaired are over 65, and needs associated with health and prevention will inevitably be appearing on the horizon, given this high percentage. In prevention and public awareness, the Foundation’s priorities are to develop support programmes for elderly individuals who have lost their sight or have reduced vision. It is crucial to safeguard the autonomy of aging citizens, and information is an important tool to ensure this.
AID TO INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS
The Foundation has come to the aid of the visually impaired who are in need, providing financial, family, community or recreational services. It offers a broad range of support to help strengthen their autonomy … and day-to-day activities, from helping them get to their appointments, buy medication or purchase specialized equipment to providing non-medical emergency assistance. Indirectly, the foundation’s assistance is given in the form of financial contributions to community organizations operating in the sector for the visually impaired.

The Foundation has been providing services to the blind and visually impaired for 25 years, under different names. In 1991, the services were grouped to become:
Quebec Foundation for the Blind