News
What’s Happening Fall 2009: TechnoVision, AMD Awareness Week and More
This fall, test drive some amazing new gadgets at Quebec’s TechnoVision, boost your knowledge of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in time for AMD Week and support students walking for CNIB in Newfoundland. Plus, meet Canada’s newest musical sensation, the winner of CNIB’s The i Factor competition. Read What’s Happening
Vision Health News
CNIB applauds Alberta government approval of new treatment for leading cause of vision loss
CNIB congratulates the Alberta government for the recent decision to include Lucentis, a groundbreaking treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), under the provincial drug benefit list. The decision means Lucentis is now covered by provincial supplemental health plans.
Red Meat Intake Increases AMD Risk: Study
People who are heavy consumers of red meat are increasing their risk of developing AMD, while chicken has a slightly protective effect, according to a recent study from Australia. The study, conducted by Dr. Elaine Chong and other researchers at the Centre for Eye Research Australia at the University of Melbourne, was recently published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Simple eye test could save your vision
A Simple eye test you can do at home could save your vision - Canadians urged to set their sights on the Amsler Grid
Lucentis Coverage in Ontario: Guidelines for Patients and Physicians
Recall of Sandoz Timolol Ophthalmic Solution 0.25% and Sandoz Timolol Ophthalmic Solution 0.5% due to potential health risk
Health Canada is warning consumers not to use the prescription drug Sandoz Timolol Ophthalmic Solution in 0.25% and 0.5% strengths, because some bottles may contain more of the active ingredient (timolol maleate) than indicated on the label, exposing patients to an increased risk of adverse events.
New software converts MS Word files to DAISY format
Using Office Open XML files, users of Microsoft Office Word can now produce content in the world’s most widely used assistive technology format.
CNIB Launches New Web Store
For the more than 800,000 Canadians living with vision loss and their families, CNIB has launched a convenient way to locate and purchase products to make life a little easier.
CNIB Applauds Common Drug Review Recommendation for Lucentis
Canada’s Common Drug Review (CDR) announced today its recommendation that the breakthrough treatment Lucentis be covered under provincial and territorial health plans, potentially saving the sight of tens of thousands of Canadians.
CNIB Congratulates the Government of Ontario on Providing Ontarians with the Right to Sight
CNIB applauds the Government of Ontario on its decision to cover the cost of the breakthrough treatment Lucentis through Ontario's Public Drug Programs, a decision which promises to prevent needless blindness in thousands of people province-wide.
Disability Tax Credit
The Disability Tax Credit could help reduce your federal income taxes for 2007. For more information, call Revenue Canada at 1-800-959-2221 or visit www.cra.gc.ca/disability.
Scientists find 'brake' for blindness in mice
In a discovery almost Biblical in scope, scientists from the University of Utah have been able to make blind mice see again, a paper published yesterday in the journal Nature Medicine says.
Initial clinical results of ongoing retinal regeneration therapy study announced
Some hopeful news in retinal disease research: initial results for a new laser technology may point in future to earlier treatments for diseases such as dry AMD and diabetic retinopathy.
Canadian researchers break ground unlocking mysteries of glaucoma in one of world’s largest studies of disease
CNIB-funded study produces “gold mine” of new data, bringing hope to 67 million affected by open-angle glaucoma.
"Program the sighted world rarely sees," praised by Toronto Star. Watch the video
Diet with Low GI Index May Slow Progression of AMD: Study
People whose diet consists of foods that lead to a high glycemic index (GI) have a substantially higher risk of progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to recent long-term results from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS).
CNIB publication "You and Your Vision Health" launched during Eye Health Month
October is Eye Health Month. Do your part by becoming your own vision health advocate and learning how to take good care of your eyes.
CNIB’s “AMD Challenge” Wins Top International Award
The AMD Challenge, a multimedia learning tool launched by CNIB in May 2007, received top honors recently at the 62nd annual conference of the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) in Bozeman, Montana, winning an Award of Excellence in Interactive Media.
Canadians Need More Awareness of UV’s Danger to the Eyes
Transitions Optical has conducted its first consumer research study in Canada exploring ultraviolet awareness and protection habits. The study reinforces findings of similar surveys worldwide that, while the vast majority of consumers know UV rays can cause skin cancer, they are largely unaware of the sun’s danger to their eyes, demonstrating the need for education.
Canadian researchers break ground unlocking mysteries of glaucoma in one of world’s largest studies of disease
CNIB-funded study produces “gold mine” of new data, bringing hope to 67 million affected by open-angle glaucoma.
Fly WestJet and support CNIB
Help support CNIB’s vision health research, public education and vital vision support services by booking your WestJet flights online through cnib.ca. WestJet will donate a percentage of all fares booked through CNIB’s website to CNIB. Book your WestJet flight now, and help us provide vision health and vision hope for all Canadians.
New AMD vitamin study underway
Mom was right: carrots are great for your eyes. And so are spinach, broccoli, peppers and oranges, to name just a few.
New method to flag high-risk glaucoma patients
A Canadian researcher has developed a method for identifying existing glaucoma
patients who are at high risk for rapid deterioration and blindness from the
disease.
Weightlifting linked to risk of glaucoma
Now that the holiday feasting is over, many people step up their exercise
regimes to burn off those extra pounds. But new research shows that you may want
to take extra precautions before hitting the weight machines.
Age-related macular degeneration raises risk of severe
depression
A recent White Paper, issued by the AMD Alliance International (AMDAI) to mark
AMD Awareness Week 2006, shows that the impact of vision loss due to age-related
macular degeneration (AMD) on patients’ quality of life and psychological
well-being is comparable to that of cancer or coronary heart disease. The White
Paper also shows that diagnosis of AMD and threat of blindness increases
depression.
CNIB News & Announcements
Former CNIB President Jim Sanders appointed to Chair of Accessibility Standards Advisory Council, Ontario
CNIB congratulates its former president Jim Sanders on his recent appointment to Chair of the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council (ASAC) of Ontario, announced by the Ministry of Social Services in early February.
CNIB Library receives contribution from Government of New Brunswick
New Brunswick provincial government is providing $130,459 to CNIB to help it maintain its library services.
CNIB urges governments to provide fair public funding for accessible library services
Right to Read campaign highlights human rights issue affecting 800,000+ Canadians
Staggering Cost of Vision Loss Underscores Urgent Need for National Vision Health Plan, Says Landmark Report
Groundbreaking new research released on June 23, 2009 by CNIB and the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) places the total financial cost of vision loss in Canada at $15.8 billion per year – significantly higher than previously estimated.
CNIB speaks out for called stops on all public transit systems
As an organization that provides a voice for the rights of consumers who are blind or have vision loss, CNIB urges all transit providers in Ontario to immediately implement called stops on all public transit systems.
Dr. Euclid Herie, Past President and CEO of CNIB awarded top international honours
CNIB wishes to congratulate Dr. Euclid Herie, past CNIB president and CEO, on his induction into the blindness hall of fame in October 2009.
Staggering Cost of Vision Loss Underscores Urgent Need for National Vision Health Plan, Says Landmark Report
Groundbreaking new research released on June 23, 2009 by CNIB and the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) places the total financial cost of vision loss in Canada at $15.8 billion per year – significantly higher than previously estimated. The study’s proponents say these costs, which are expected to increase dramatically in the years ahead, underscore the urgent need for Canada to develop a comprehensive national vision health plan.
CNIB thanks Jim Sanders for over four decades of commitment to Canadians with vision loss
In March 2009, CNIB bid farewell to Jim Sanders, the seventh person to head the organization in its 91 year history, thanking him for more than 40 years of hard work and dedication to Canadians living with vision loss, and to those living with vision loss across the globe.
CNIB reviewing options for summer camps at Bowen Lodge
Outpouring of public support and donations may enable programs to be offered for ‘09
CNIB Announces John M. Rafferty as New President and CEO
On January 27, 2009, CNIB announced that John M. Rafferty would replace Jim Sanders, who retired on March 31, as president and CEO of the organization.
CNIB and Braille200 celebrate Louis Braille's 200th birthday
On January 16, 2009, CNIB and Braille200 joined global organizations in celebrating Louis Braille’s 200th birthday.
2008 Dayton M. Forman Award
CNIB presents Mr. Hiroshi Kawamura, President of DAISY Consortium, with prestigious award to honour outstanding contribution to Canadians living with print disabilities
Transitions® Healthy Sight for Life Fund Supports CNIB
Canadian Sight-Saving Organizations Receive Support Through Transitions® Healthy Sight for Life Fund
CNIB to Wind Down its Catering Business in Atlantic Canada
Desire to focus on core business drives necessary closures
CNIB attains Code Builder status for the "Imagine Canada Ethical Code Program"
The Canadian Glaucoma Society partners with the Canadian Ophthalmological Society and CNIB to develop a national awareness campaign focusing on glaucoma and its risk factors
National Glaucoma Day, month-long campaign, to promote awareness of devastating eye disease
CNIB urges Canadian publishing industry to “hear the bigger picture” with first-ever collection of winners of the Governor General’s Literary Awards in audio format
November 21, 2007 - The CNIB Library and Simply Audiobooks are unveiling the first-ever collection of winners of the Governor General’s Literary Awards in audio format and hoping to draw the Canadian publishing industry’s attention to a mushrooming demand for Canadian audiobooks in the larger worldwide market.
Donate Your BCE Securities to CNIB and Save On Taxes
The pending privatization of BCE means that shareholders will be required to sell their shares. As a result, this may be a particularly good time to donate your BCE shares to CNIB and potentially benefit in sizeable capital gains tax savings.
BC College wins prestigious CNIB award
CNIB presents BC College and Institute Library Services (CILS) with prestigious award to honour outstanding contribution to Canadians living with vision loss
Rogers Wireless Launches “Talking Cellphone” for Users with Vision Loss
Rogers Wireless has recently launched a new “talking cellphone” equipped with screen reading software to make it accessible for users with vision loss.
CNIB Talking Books Go Completely DAISY!
CNIB is now approaching the final phase in the transition from audio books on cassette tape to audio books on CD. On March 27, 2007, the CNIB Library will cease circulation of books on tape.
CNIB Library celebrates 100 years of service
Much-needed resource has changed “dramatically” as demand for accessible
information grows.
New Honorary Chair for CNIB Board
CNIB has elected a new Honorary Chair to its Board of Directors, for the first
time in over ten years. Bob Waugh was born in Hamilton, ON, and worked with
General Motors Corporation at locations in Canada and the United States.
$20,000 Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Expanded
The Toronto Rehabilitation Institute is pleased to announce its $20,000
scholarship in Rehabilitation-Related Research for Graduate Students with
Disabilities is now available at additional universities.
We Have a New Focus: Canadian National Institute for the Blind Changes Name to
“CNIB”
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind, one of Canada’s largest and most
recognized charities, is introducing Canadians to a new identity. Under its new
name – CNIB – the 88-year old organization will now better represent its current
focus and activities, including the fact that more than 90 per cent of its
clients have partial vision.
CNIB Announces Print Clarity Standards For All Canadians
CNIB today launched Clear Print, the first formal print clarity standards for
making printed materials more accessible to all Canadians. The standards were
developed following an extensive international review of research into the
variables that affect an individual’s ability to easily consume print
information.
Canada Revenue Agency Offers New Alternate-Format Service
for Users with Vision Loss
Canadians with vision loss can now request all their correspondence from the
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in the alternate format of their choice.
CNIB launches comprehensive new vision health guide