Our Mission
Gateway Navigation CCC Ltd., a community contribution company (CCC), is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals of all abilities. Our core focus lies in facilitating accessibility for people with disabilities, particularly through the optimization of websites and physical spaces. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as sound, touch, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, we strive to create environments that are user-friendly for everyone, irrespective of their capabilities.
Our commitment extends beyond mere accessibility; we are driven to empower individuals with disabilities by fostering learning opportunities and facilitating their integration into the technology sector. Our aspiration is to enable equal participation for those who perceive the world differently.
Our Activities
In our pursuit of inclusivity, we actively engage with a diverse range of professionals, including architects, designers, researchers, and app developers. Notably, our leadership comprises individuals with visual impairments who bring a unique perspective to our decision-making processes. Their firsthand experiences of overcoming challenges have inspired the creation of our company and movement, positioning those most affected by decisions in leadership roles.
Our initiatives span various domains, from collaborating with researchers to enhance the online experiences of individuals with visual impairments to partnering with venues to promote accessibility, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability. Our overarching philosophy is the removal of barriers—be they physical, technical, or financial—to ensure that technology is accessible to everyone.
Collaborating with a network of intelligent and talented individuals, we believe in the power of communal efforts to discover and implement solutions. Embracing the adage that while it is essential to walk alone at times, true power lies in collective progress, we are dedicated to fostering a community where innovation and accessibility converge for the benefit of all.
Ask questions, send feedback, or subscribe to receive articles and updates on: Gateway Navigation, by emailing: partners@gnc3.com
Our Team
We apply a human centered approach in designing inclusive audio-based (digital) augmented reality network solutions for people with disabilities. Living the principle nothing about us, without us.
David Brun, Founder / Director
Founder Gateway Navigation CCC Ltd. Specialist designing indoor and outdoor audio based navigation networks.
David and his community partners founded Gateway Navigation CCC Ltd in 2017 to build awareness, expertise, and capacity for implementing digital indoor navigation solutions for people who are blind or partially sighted.
Over time, David’s and Gateway’s, focus has broadened to include the evolving digital augmented reality technology and the importance for the blind community to be active partners in this field, both economically and culturally.
David, drawing on his past experience as a small business owner, twenty-years with TD Canada Trust in the Branch Network and Pacific Regional Office and his authentic experience as a blind person both as an advocate and not-for-profit board member. Provides David with the perspective, passion, and resources to work with a dynamic team of like-minded colleagues and partners to enhance mobility, employment, and social independence for blind and disabled persons.
Jim Taggart, CoFounder / Director
Editor Sustainable Architecture and Building Magazine www.sabmagazine.com; instructor of the Bachelor of Architectural Science Program at British Columbia Institute of Technology, BCIT; award winning author of several books on architecture; and international speaker leading professional development seminars for architects and designers.
Tammy Berry, Director
Director, Compliance & Training Armour Group Inc // Premium Services Group Ontario, Canada. Senior Leader with a wealth of experience in Financial Services Compliance and Risk Management. Including 10-years with JP Morgan Chase as Vice President Operational Risk Management in Canada and 21-years with Sears Canada Financial as Manager Call Centre Operations across Canada. Tammy has a long history of working with the blind including her brother-in-law, David Brun Founder Gateway Navigation.
Colette Parras, Advisor
Colette Parras is a dynamic professional situated at the intersection of Architecture and Communications, showcasing her talents in creative direction, Environmental Graphic Design (EGD), Wayfinding, Signage, Exhibition, and Graphics. With a strong commitment to empathic design, Colette has established herself as a key figure in the field, blending her educational background, practical experiences, and a passion for inclusive design.
Colette's dedication to inclusive design is further emphasized by her participation in directed studies on Inclusive Design at BCIT. Her involvement in the Inclusive Design Webinar Series and as a member of the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) Technical Subcommittee solidifies her commitment to creating spaces that prioritize accessibility for everyone.
To learn more about Colette Parras and her innovative approach to design, visit narrativistdesign.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.
Albert Ruel, Advisor
Albert, facilitates and educates, organizations, groups and individuals. Regarding the independence tools available to people who are blind, deaf-blind or visually impaired.
In past roles, Albert has worked as Coordinator Canadian Council of the Blind CCB, Get Together with Technology GTT Program, District Manager with CNIB and served as National Equality Director with the Alliance for the Equality of Blind Canadians.
David LePage, Advisor
Co-founder, Director and Managing Partner of Buy Social Canada www.buysocialcanada.com. Founding partner Social Enterprise Institute, SEI. www.socialenterpriseinstitute.ca; Chair of the Social Enterprise Council of Canada; and on the board of the Social Enterprise World Forum. Program Adjunct and an Instructor for the Sandermoen School of Business MBA in Social Enterprise Leadership.
Sheila Evani, Advisor
Sheila is a business and real estate lawyer, who helps her clients make pragmatic legal decisions that align with their personal and organizational values. Her core practice areas include commercial transactions, real estate and secured lending, and corporate structuring. In addition, Sheila advises a broad range of social enterprises, non-profits, and registered charities in respect of their social ventures and community economic development projects.
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION REPORT British Columbia Business Corporations Act
Company Name:
Gateway Navigation CCC Ltd. (the “Company”)
Purpose:
The Company has the primary purposes beneficial to society to encourage, educate and support accessibility for people with disabilities by accelerating the adoption of accessible audio-based navigation ABN networks for interior and exterior spaces. While promoting training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities in this rapidly developing technology sector of audio based augmented reality.
ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE COMPANY’S PURPOSES:
Incorporated in the Province of British Columbia as a Community Contribution Company with equal emphasis on financial sustainability and social objectives
The CCC incorporation structure requires:
minimum of 60% of profits to be reinvested in the company’s social objective or a CRA qualifying charity
minimum of three Directors on Board of Directors
disclosure in the annual CCC report of any employee receiving an income in excess of $75,000 annually
Activities Fiscal 2018 – 2019:
Development of a PowerPoint presentation and panel discussion seminar emphasising the importance and rationale for removing barriers to people with disabilities and the role accessible audio-based navigation networks play in this process.
Advocating for the inclusion of audio-based navigation ABN technology to be included in the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Accreditation checklist for venues
Presenting at Buildex Vancouver a trade show for builders, architects, and designers on the importance of accessible audio-based navigation
Exploration with University Research Team in creating greater accessibility of digital mapping for people who are blind, deaf blind or visually impaired. Supporting the conversion of internet information into accessible audio-based format.
Positioning the company to provide consultation services to government, businesses and stakeholders on the essential elements needed for well engineered and successful audio-based navigation network implementations for the blind, deaf blind or visually impaired
Redesign and focus of the company’s website www.gnc3.com to provide a platform and resource supporting the company’s consulting services.
Summary: The above efforts would not have been possible without the volunteerism, financial support and commitment of the advisors, directors, partners, and supporters of Gateway Navigation’s vision of accessibility, inclusion, and employment.
Submitted by the Company’s Board of Directors
Activities Fiscal 2017 – 2018:
A memorandum of understanding agreement put in place to define the relationship between Gateway Navigation CCC Ltd and its equity partner the Canadian Council of the Blind CCB
Two of the three Directors appointed are blind or visually impaired
Two advisors appointed to the Board of Directors from the CCB
Creation of a domain www.gnc3.com and website to act as a resource for accessible audio-based navigation technology and to provide information on the company’s social objectives
Hosting two Presentations and interactive experiences. Promoting understanding and discussion with stakeholders on the benefits and challenges related to accessible audio-based navigation networks.
Summary: The above activities would not have been possible without the volunteerism, financial support and commitment of the advisors, directors, partners, and supporters of Gateway Navigation’s vision of accessibility, inclusion, and employment.
Submitted by the Company’s Board of Directors
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