Blog

October 14, 2020October 14, 2020

MIDO 2021 Set for June to Ensure Peak International Business Opportunities

MIDO 2021 drops its traditional February dates to schedule a June show to ensure an exhibition offering peak international traffic potential and profitable business transactions to exhibitors and visitors. The new dates are June 5 to June 7, 2021 at Fiera Milano.

The hope is that the arrival of summer will make for safer travel between countries, confirming MIDO as a pivotal force behind the industry’s business activities.

“Considering that more than half of the exhibitors and visitors typically come from 160 countries around the world – stated Mido president, Giovanni Vitaloni – it seems fairly clear that an international trade show scheduled prior to June could put their participation at risk. Therefore, MIDO 2021 in June is the best choice to get us back to our mission – to organize and maximize the opportunities for international trade, bringing new luster and vitality to this key sector.

We have no doubt – concluded Vitaloni – that our Italian and international visitors will appreciate the opportunity to visit Milan while the weather is fine and we reaffirm our intention to celebrate MIDO’s 50th anniversary in an atmosphere of regained peace of mind.”

Click HERE for the full press release.

October 14, 2020October 14, 2020

Canadian Tire Makes Long-Term Donation of Smartphones

The CNIB Foundation has announced a new ongoing commitment from Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC) to support Canadians with sight loss through its Phone It Forward program.

The Phone It Forward program takes modern, gently used smartphones, refurbishes them, outfits them with accessible apps, and puts them directly into the hands of Canadians who are living with sight loss. Recipients are also provided with training on how to use their refurbished phones with confidence.

“From being able to recognize the faces of loved ones, to accessing emergency assistance from sighted volunteers, to being able to travel safely and independently using accessible navigation apps, modern smartphones can be truly life-changing for people with sight loss,” said John M. Rafferty, President and CEO of the CNIB Foundation.

CTC, which has supported a wide variety of CNIB Foundation programs and initiatives since the early 2000s, has pledged to provide an ongoing donation of corporate smartphones.

Despite how life-changing smartphones can be for people with sight loss, 46% of Canadians who are blind don’t own a smartphone – at least not one that’s advanced enough to help them in their daily lives. The Phone It Forward program helps get an all-in-one communications and accessibility solution into the hands of Canadians with sight loss, helping to reduce barriers and drive independence.

Click HERE for the full press release.

October 14, 2020October 14, 2020

Landmark Cost of Vision Loss Associated with Inherited Retinal Diseases

A new study released by Fighting Blindness Canada and Retina International places the total cost of illness from vision loss associated with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) in Canada at $1.6 billion– significantly higher than previously estimated. The study’s proponents say these costs, which are expected to increase dramatically in the years ahead, underscore the urgent need for Canada to support research and new treatments for IRDs.

The $566 million price tag for vision loss includes $38 million in direct health-related costs and $538 million in indirect costs, such as lost productivity and earnings, rehabilitation, and assistive devices. Persons with an IRD in Canada were 24.4% less likely to be in paid employment than the general population.

The study is also the first to attribute a value to the human toll of vision loss on Canadians with IRD’s. This burden of disease adds a further $1.1 billion to the overall cost of IRDs.

“This landmark study provides clear evidence on how living with an inherited retinal disease causes significant impacts on daily life, well-being, mental health, quality of life, and employment status.” says Doug Earle, President & CEO, Fighting Blindness Canada.

This study demonstrates that the impact of having an IRD is primarily borne by the affected individuals and their families. However, the societal effects and costs of IRDs that are borne outside of the healthcare system are not captured in most drug reviews or health technology assessments, making it difficult to assess the true cost of these diseases. This report goes some way towards filling this gap but it is clear that more work is needed to both understand and account for the burden of vision loss on Canadians as well as the importance of investment in critical genetic testing services and research to drive the development of treatments for this unmet need.

Click HERE for the full press release.

October 14, 2020October 14, 2020

Mentoring Essilor’s Talent in the Digital Era

At Essilor, one example of an effective and enjoyable way to nurture one’s skills is through mentoring – and there is an increasingly varied range of possibilities available to employees, particularly in this digital era. Discover how virtual mentoring has been powering our digital talents – mentors and mentees alike.

Often when it comes to training, who better to train and pass on expertise to colleagues than some of our own Essilor domain experts? The idea behind Essilor’s reverse mentoring program is to allow colleagues from different generations to grow together. In a series of mentoring pairs, Adam Healey, Europe Digital Manager mentors Pascale Lacan, Director Light and Life Sciences R&D, on digital skills.

Watch the video to hear the duo’s feedback on the experience:

Click HERE for the full press release.

October 14, 2020October 14, 2020

Fighting Blindness Canada Brings Laughter with New Comedy from the Couch Virtual Experience

On Saturday October 17, Canadians are invited to join from the comfort of their couch in a few good laughs, all in support of sight-saving research.

With COVID-19 continuing to impact in-person events, Fighting Blindness Canada’s longstanding Comic Vision and Last Call fundraising events from across Canada have joined forces to offer a NEW virtual Comedy from the Couch experience, complete with fun snacks delivered to your door, auction, prizes, and interactive activities.

“COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our fundraising this year, creating a $1,000,000 gap in critical funding for vision research and programs that allow us to serve the vision loss community,” said Doug Earle, President and CEO of Fighting Blindness Canada. “With Comedy from the Couch, we aim to touch the hearts of all Canadians, providing some much-needed humour during a time that has been challenging for all of us, while ensuring that finding new treatments and cures for blinding eye diseases keep moving forward.”

Comedy from the Couch will feature clips and conversations with comedian favourites from Comic Vision’s 21 year history, and will be hosted by Steve Patterson from CBC’s The Debaters and Vancouver’s Fred Lee, with a special conversation with Mark Critch from ‘This Hour Has 22 Minutes’. The virtual comedy experience will also feature live chats with select comedians, an online auction, contest, and highlights of Fighting Blindness Canada’s mission to fund vision research.