Local Programs
Our programs are grouped into the following categories:
- Amateur Radio Program - Alberta:
This program is available across Alberta, and is designed to make amateur radio (ham radio) easier and less costly to access for people with vision loss. Contact Randy Nelson at 1-800-563-2642 ext. 7438.
- Ambassadors’ Club - Calgary:
This fun club allows youth with vision loss to develop their public speaking skills, make friends, and have fun. Involvement could lead to representing CNIB at public information and fundraising events. An application and interview are required. Call Calgary 403-266-8831 for more information.
To arrange for a youth ambassador to speak to your class or assembly and give a dynamic presentation on a variety of “child friendly” vision awareness topics, contact Kathy Culhane, Specialist Independent Living Skills in Calgary at 403-261-7228 or Kathy.standen@cnib.ca.
- Bridge Club - Edmonton:
Every Wednesday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at CNIB Edmonton Centre. Enjoy a friendly game, using large print and braille cards. Beginners and experienced players with all levels of vision loss are welcome. Call Mindy Bodnarchuk at 780-453-8326.
You may or may not need access technology. The enhancements on your computer may be enough. If you are not sure what you’ll need, we can help!
All classes include instruction on access technology, such as:
ZoomText: a large print program with speech. It magnifies all areas of the screen, including menus. Magnification range is anywhere between 1 to 36 times, and can easily be changed depending on what the user is looking at. ZoomText allows the user to change the mouse pointer size, color and shape. It also has a speech component that reads as the user types.
JAWS: a speech output program that reads aloud all the information on the screen, including what the user types, menus, dialog boxes, information boxes, all controls, documents, email and the Internet. All commands are done from the keyboard.
OpenBook: a software program that that transforms your personal computer and scanner into a full-featured reading machine. It converts printed documents or graphic-based text into an electronic text format on your PC, using quality speech and the latest optical character recognition (OCR) technology.
Classes Offered
- Keyboarding: In this class students learn to touch type: locating keys on the keyboard and typing at a reasonable speed. All instruction is given orally.
Note: Basic typing skills are prerequisite for all CNIB courses. If students are not able to type and do not know where keys are located on the keyboard, we recommend taking the keyboarding class first.
- Windows VISTA: This course covers the basics of Windows – how to open and close programs, use the start menu, shut down the computer, explore the desktop, switch between programs, and file management.
Prerequisite: Must be able to type.
- Microsoft Word with JAWS or ZoomText: Using Microsoft Word, students will learn how to create, open and save files, edit, format, cut, copy, paste, find and replace text, use spell check, file management and help menus.
Prerequisite: Must be able to type.
- Internet with JAWS or ZoomText: Using Internet Explorer, students will learn how to browse the Internet, search topics, complete forms and become familiar with terminology of the Internet.
Prerequisite: Windows or Word or equivalent.
- Basic Email with JAWS or ZoomText: This course will cover sending, reading, forwarding, replying, attachments, address book and saving emails.
Prerequisite: Windows and Word or equivalent.
Advanced Email course covers the calendar and its various options, such as creating appointments, meeting requests, automatic spellchecker, creating and organizing personal folders and much more.
Prerequisite: Basic Email
- Ceramics - Calgary:
Every Monday afternoon at CNIB Calgary Centre from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (except statutory holidays), this volunteer-run group meets to work on individual projects. There is an initial fee of $20 to cover the cost of clay, glazes, and firing. Call 403-266-8831 for more information.
- Children’s Programs:
Various programs are available for children and their families throughout the year. Read more
- Craft Class - Edmonton and Calgary:
Participants in our Craft Classes work at their own speed on numerous projects throughout the year.
In Edmonton, craft classes take place Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at CNIB Edmonton Centre. Call Lavonne Thesen 780-488-4871 for more information. In Calgary, craft classes take place on the second Thursday of each month from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 403-261-7204 for more information.
- Conversation Cafe - Edmonton:
New this fall, clients are invited to a conversation cafe held at CNIB. This is a social group with focus on a new topic of conversation each month. Dates to be announced. Please contact Mindy Bodnarchuk 780-453-8326 for more information.
- Employment Networking Peer Support Group - Calgary:
Offered in Calgary, this group meets every third Wednesday from September to June, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at CNIB. Meetings are fun and interactive, featuring a guest speaker and a chance to network with people with vision loss who attend school, are employed, or who are in transition. Contact Bob Short at 403-261-7221 for more information.
- Guide Dog User Group - Calgary:
Meets four times per year at CNIB Calgary Centre. For meeting dates and more information, contact the Orientation and Mobility Specialist at 403-266-8831.
- Happy Hour Group - Calgary:
Drop-in social every second Monday afternoon at CNIB Calgary Centre. Call 403-266-8831 for more information.
- Information Capsule:This group offers presentations from CNIB staff and takes a look at the emotional and physical hurdles sometimes associated with vision loss. This group runs for six sessions, three times a year and is by registration only. For dates or to register please contact Mindy Bodnarchuk 780-453-8326.
- Peer Support Groups - Alberta:
You are not alone. CNIB currently has peer support groups meeting on a regular basis. This is an opportunity for you to meet with other people who are living with the same kind of challenges and successes that you are. For more information on Peer Group meetings in your area, see the Community Activities section.
- VIP Seniors - Edmonton
The VIP Seniors invite guest speakers and encourage information sharing about living and coping with vision loss. Join them the third Wednesday of every month. Contact Mindy Bodnarchuk 780-453-8326.
Thanks to Industry Canada’s Community Access Program, eight fully accessible computer workstations are available across Alberta for people with vision loss, seniors and people with mobility restrictions.
The sites are housed at CNIB Centres in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat. Workstations are also located at:
- The Independent Living Resource Centre of Calgary (# 134, 3359 27 Street NE Calgary)
- The Kerby Centre, (1133 7th Avenue SW, Calgary)
- SAGE-Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton (15 Sir Winston Churchill Square 102A Avenue and 100 Street, Edmonton)
STEP provides assistive technology for home use to Albertans with significant vision loss. The program is made possible through an accountable grant from Alberta Ministry of Seniors and Community Supports.
How Does STEP Work?
The program requires you to contribute 25 per cent of the cost of any equipment you receive, up to a maximum of $500, unless you are low income or receiving assistance.
To be eligible for STEP, you must be registered with CNIB, a resident of Alberta, be covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, and unable to obtain funding from another source. Degree of vision loss is also a factor; we must have a copy of your current eye report.
Please note:
If you are deafblind, there is specialized equipment available to you. Applicants seeking to replace or duplicate working equipment they already own are not eligible. Application deadlines are May 31, September 30, and January 15.