Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada: A Commitment to Vision Health Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada (VLRC) is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing rehabilitation services for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Our mission is to provide high quality, integrated and accessible rehabilitation and healthcare services that enable Canadians impacted by vision loss to live the life that they choose.

VLRC provides innovative and sustainable service delivery models that maximize mobility, function, and independence for individuals with all levels of vision loss, providing tools and training to enhance their quality of life. We serve individuals of all ages, from children and their caregivers to seniors coping with age-related vision loss. In addition to individualized care planning, we are focused on prevention through the work we do on the Eye Van in Northern Ontario and through our Eye Health Screening program which focuses on reducing barriers to access and creating culturally safe care.

VLRC operates in close collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, as well as healthcare providers, community organizations, and funding bodies. Our services are funded through public healthcare in all provinces and territories except for Quebec. We work in partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada and the Non-Insured Health Benefits program to serve veterans and Indigenous populations, respectively.

Our provincial and territorial partnerships ensure that our services are available from coast to coast, and our commitment to collaboration is reflected in our work with policymakers, health authorities, and community groups across the country. Bill 284, the National Vision Health Strategy, is a critical step toward ensuring a coordinated and comprehensive approach to vision health in Canada. With an aging population and increasing rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes, the need for national vision health policies has never been greater.

VLRC strongly supports Bill as it aligns with our mission of providing accessible, high-quality vision rehabilitation services to all Canadians. We believe a national strategy will improve care coordination, increase funding for essential services, and ensure that no one in Canada is left behind due to vision loss. We are grateful for the Senate’s attention to this important issue and stand ready to work in partnership to make Bill a reality. Contact Information Jennifer Urosevic President and CEO Jennifer.urosevic@vlrehab.ca 519-505-5949