Join the Northern Alberta Section on May 21 for a lunch & learn + walking tour focused on universal accessibility. At the lunch & learn, Linnie Tse, Barrier Free Administrator with the Government of Alberta, and Janice Gurlitz, a certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist with Vision Loss Rehabilitation Alberta, will share their perspectives on universal accessibility.

Following the lunch & learn, Linnie and Janice will lead a walking tour to a few different sites in Downtown Edmonton to discuss universal accessibility in the build environment. Note that all sites are located within 500 metres of Commerce Place.

When:      Noon til 2pm on May 21
Where:    Commerce Place, Boardroom 1603
Cost:         No cost but registration is required, bring your own lunch

For the lunch & learn, you are welcome to bring your lunch and eat during the presentations. Note that there are no microwaves for use as part of this event.

About the Speakers

Linnie Tse currently serves as the Barrier Free Administrator in the Community and Technical Services Branch of Municipal Affairs of the Government of Alberta and a Director at the World Disability Union. In addition, LInnie is also currently acting as the Accessibility Advisor for the Disability Advisory and Engagement Branch and serves on the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities. Linnie earned a Masters Degree in Environmental Design and a Bachelors Degree in Community Rehabilitation and Sociology with a minor in Communication Studies.

Janice Gurlitz is a certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) with Vision Loss Rehabilitation Alberta (a CNIB organization). She has been teaching orientation and mobility skills to those with vision loss in Northern Alberta and NWT for over 17 years. Janice’s expertise of the built environment comes from a more practical side of seeing how it positively or negatively affects her clients on a daily basis. She is involved with various accessibility committees including the Barrier Free Committee at the Edmonton International Airport.  Janice consults with City of Edmonton regarding Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) and other projects and concerns that affect blind and visually impaired travelers.