Chris Chamberlin - President

Chris Chamberlin is the co-founder of Frontier Computing, a Toronto-based company that provides computer hardware and software for people who are blind, vision impaired or print-disabled.

Chris began his career as a special constable in technical surveillance with the Ontario Provincial Police. In this position, he was one of the first people in Ontario to use a talking computer. Although he claims that computer use wasn't intuitive for him, he rapidly became an expert in the technology and was called upon to assist others. This led to his next career selling adaptive technology.

After a period in sales with two providers of access technology, Chris realized that there was a big need waiting to be filled. Computers offered the biggest advance in independence for blind and vision impaired people since the invention of Braille - but not if someone just delivered them a box and said goodbye.

Adapting computers for different levels of vision requires patience and a willingness to try again when the first idea doesn't work. Chris and his partner, John Ogilvie, founded Frontier Computing in 1987 to assess needs, recommend adaptive technology, and then let their clients try out some solutions to see what would work best for them. They knew there were products outside Canada that hadn't been introduced into this country. They also knew the difference that adaptive technology could make, because they used it. Once they found the right solution for a client, they trained the person in how to get the most out of the equipment.

Theirs wasn't a highly capitalized venture - they started with $3,000. Today Frontier Computing is the largest adaptive technology dealer in Canada. Chris is a firm believer that Frontier Computing's trainers must be people who use adaptive technology themselves. He knows the difference that it's made in his life, and that he can help others make educated choices for their own needs.

Chris is a member of the CNIB's General Council and has served on the Strategic Planning Committee for CNIB's Toronto Division. A keen sports fan and lover of music, he sees the need to enhance people's ability to use all their faculties.