An illustration of a calendar on a yellow background outlined in a black paintbrush-style design with white accents. Text: CNIB Alberta Programs – Fall 2024.

CNIB Alberta – Fall Programs

Join us! Our free programs are available to people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision as well as their families, friends and caregivers. Below, you'll find a snapshot of programs offered across the province throughout the fall. Schedule may be subject to change. We kindly ask participants to register for programs at least one business day before the start date. 

For program offerings available nationwide, explore our online calendar.

Advocacy Programs

  1. CNIB Advocacy Group: Part of CNIB’s mandate is to build stronger community by educating and advocating – to break down barriers and create an inclusive society in which people with sight loss can thrive. CNIB works with Alberta residents (urban and rural) who are blind or partially sighted to become CNIB Advocate. Participants help to: Build awareness of what it is to be blind today, correct misconceptions associated with sight loss, advocate to maintain policies that work for our community and change practices and legislation. If you are interested in being part of our Advocacy Group, email Taylor.Bauer@cnib.ca.
  2. CNIB Ambassador: The CNIB Ambassador Team amplifies the voices of people who are blind or partially sighted by raising awareness, challenging misconceptions, and inspiring change in communities across Alberta. Ambassadors share their stories and deliver educational presentations covering topics like blindness etiquette, accessibility and inclusion, assistive and accessible technologies, white canes and guide dogs, braille literacy, CNIB programs and services, and more. Presentations are delivered in-person or virtually to businesses, classrooms, healthcare spaces, community groups, governments, senior residences, social gatherings, workplaces, and more. Help us break down barriers by inviting CNIB Ambassadors to discuss the needs and experiences of people living with sight loss by requesting a presentation using this link. For more information, email Carl Busch at Ambassador.ABNWT@cnib.ca or call 780-430-1099.

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Children & Youth Programs

  1. Gentle Exercise Program – Edmonton: Second and fourth Tuesday of every month (Oct to Dec), 6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. at the Steadward Centre Located in the University of Alberta. Join CNIB in partnership with the Steadward Centre for our gentle exercise program which aims to promote the physical health of our children and youth. This program will allow kids ages 6-12 engage in various low impact physical activities each session such as baseball/basketball, yoga, gymnastics, indoor rock climbing, dance etc. You do not want to miss it!  For participants ages 6-12. To register, email Sabrina.Shaw@cnib.ca.
  2. Music Therapy – Edmonton: First and third Monday of every month, 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Hybrid program available in-person at the Dominelli School of Music or virtually on Zoom. Enjoy Music with Melissa as our Music Therapist leads our kids into sessions of dancing, singing, playing various instruments all while learning emotional regulation skills, communication skills and building their social skills.
  3. Music Therapy – Calgary: Dates and times TBC at CNIB Calgary. Explore creating rhythms, music theory, instrument discovery, emotion through music and problem solving alongside your peers! CNIB participants ages 6 – 15 (exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. A level of individual ability to participate independently in all aspects of programming is required. To register, email Kelsey.Jenkins@cnib.ca.
  4. Music Therapy – Complex Needs: Dates and times TBC on Zoom. It is music to our ears! Join Elle McAndrews of CORE music therapy and take part in all aspects of music. This virtual program is suitable for children and youth ages 5-16 with sight loss and additional needs (including but not limited to: speech delay, motor impairment, cognitive delay/impairment). To register, email Kelsey.Jenkins@cnib.ca.
  5. Youth Leadership and Volunteer Group – Edmonton: Second and fourth Thursday of every month, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at CNIB Edmonton. If you are a youth between the ages 14-21 in the Northern Alberta region and you would like to give back to the community, gain volunteer experience, learn leadership, problem solving and delegation skills, join our youth leadership and volunteer group. To register, email Sabrina.Shaw@cnib.ca.

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Family Programs

Calgary Family Cooking: Dates and times TBC at CNIB Calgary. This fun, hands on program will help teach kids and adults accessible ways of navigating the kitchen safely with sight loss. If you are ready to start introducing independent living skills, learn safe and healthy ways of preparing your favourite meals, then join us as we learn, laugh, cook, and eat together. After we have made our meals we will sit, eat, and share in stories and conversations with other families. To register, email Kelsey.Jenkins@cnib.ca.

Culture, Sport & Recreation Programs

  1. Edmonton Activity Group: Last Tuesday of every month, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at CNIB Edmonton (and varying locations for different activities). This group is aimed at fostering social interaction and providing a platform for individuals with sight loss to connect with others.
  2. Edmonton Social Meet-Up: Dates/times and locations TBC. If you are between the ages of 18-35 and would like to meet up with others in the Edmonton area, this group is for you. The group gets together once a month for a couple of hours to socialize.
  3. Western Canada Social Meet-Up: Every Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. MT on Zoom. This is a general social chat group that meets weekly to chat about anything they feel like. Topics could include local news, weather, books people have read, current events, technology or whatever the group wants to chat about.

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Peer Support Programs

  1. Calgary Café Nights: Last Friday of every month, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at CNIB Calgary. Join us for a musical meet-up in the with a friendly bunch of people looking to connect with others! Make new connections and find friendships and enjoyable music. Please note: September’s meeting, this will be held on Friday, October 4.
  2. Calgary Yes & BS (Your Everyday Stuff & Brainstorming): Third Thursday of every month, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at CNIB Calgary. A monthly community-based support group to discuss issues relating to vision loss and to socialize with others. Guest speakers are occasionally invited to present on different topics. 
  3. Camrose Peer Support Group: Second Monday of every month, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Church of God in Camrose. This peer support group is for community members in the Camrose area to get together and chat about successes, struggles and resources when living with sight loss.
  4. Edmonton Men’s Peer Support Group:  Second and fourth Wednesday of every month, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Virtual and in-person options available. Join our biweekly Men's Peer Support group to discuss adapting to vision loss, learn about new technologies, and the services that CNIB must assist, and also socialize with others going through the same thing.
  5. Edmonton Women’s Peer Support Group:  First and third Thursday of each month, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 pm at CNIB Edmonton. Join this supportive group of women who meet to talk about issues surrounding vision loss. 
  6. Grande Prairie Peer Support Group:  Last Monday of every month, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Cairn on the Boulevard. This peer support group is for community members in the Grande Prairie area to get together and chat about vision loss and their experiences.
  7. Lethbridge Social Group: Third Monday of every month, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at McKillop United Church. This is a monthly community-based group to discuss issues relating to vision loss and to socialize with others. Guest speakers are occasionally invited to present on different topics.
  8. Medicine Hat Peer Support Group: Second Wednesday of every month, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Medicine Hat Public Library. This peer support group is for community members in the Medicine Hat area to get together and chat about successes, struggles and resources when living with sight loss. 
  9. Ponoka White Caners Peer Support Group: First Wednesday of every month, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Anglican Church. This peer support group is for community members in the Ponoka area to get together and chat about vision loss and their experiences. This group does not meet in December.
  10. Red Deer Peer Support Group: Second Wednesday of every month, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Michener Hill Extendicare. This group is meant to help others connect with others who are living with sight loss in the Red Deer area to chat about successes, struggles and resources when living with sight loss.
  11. Taber Peer Support Group: Third Tuesday of every month, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Clearview Lodge. This peer support group is for community members in the Taber area to get together and chat about vision loss and their experiences.
  12. Women’s Virtual Peer Support Group:  Second Wednesday of every month, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. via teleconference. Join this supportive group of women who meet to talk about issues surrounding vision loss.

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CNIB SmartLife & Technology Programs

  1. CNIB SmartLife: Home to a myriad of accessible technologies and devices, CNIB SmartLife is an interactive retail and lifestyle experience like no other. CNIB SmartLife is committed to emboldening people with sight loss to lead independent, active lives and helping them gain access to life-changing technology. CNIB SmartLife is Canada’s largest retailer of assistive products for people with sight loss, serving over 20,000+ people a year. CNIB SmartLife offers services both online and in physical spaces, as well as a variety of accessible technology programs. All proceeds from CNIB SmartLife go to supporting CNIB’s life-changing programs for people with sight loss across Canada.
  2. The CNIB SmartLife Tech @ Home program allows participants to test cutting-edge accessible devices from the comfort of their own homes and beyond! If you live in Alberta and want to try a wide range of accessible technology, look no further than our innovative program, Tech @ Home. 
  3. Accessibility 101 Part One: Thursday, October 17, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Zoom. Join us for part one of two sessions where we will explore the built-in accessibility features on iPhone or iPad devices that will enable you to use your devices independently.
  4. Accessibility 101 Part Two: Thursday, November 21, 1:30 pm. – 3:00 p.m. on Zoom. Join us for part two of the iOS Accessibility series where we will explore the popular screen reader on iPhone or iPad devices known as VoiceOver. Voiceover is a built-in screen reader tool hat allows someone who is unable to see the screen to navigate their device independently through unique keyboard commands and gestures.
  5. Drop-In Tech Q&A Session – Calgary: Last Thursday of every month, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at CNIB Calgary. This is a local program available to those in Edmonton where you can come and drop-in with your technology related questions. We will provide support with your phone, tablet, or computer inquiries whether you have an Android, Apple, or Windows device. Please feel free to bring in your own devices and we encourage family members to participate and learn, explore, and have fun.
  6. iOS Tech Support Group: Second Thursday of every month, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. via teleconference. This group discusses technology, specifically surrounding iOS devices – including new features, troubleshooting, apps and general new tech information.  
  7. Summer of Navigation: Oko (Calgary): Thursday, September 12, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at CNIB Calgary. Oko is a smart camera app that helps you explore your surroundings with real-time feedback. You can use it to recognize walk and don't walk signals at lighted intersections. At an intersection, Ono tells you the state of the pedestrian light by playing audio, haptic and audio feedback. Join us for a technology workshop all about Oko. 
  8. Summer of Navigation: Oko (Edmonton): Thursday, September 12, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at CNIB Edmonton. Oko is a smart camera app that helps you explore your surroundings with real-time feedback. You can use it to recognize walk and don't walk signals at lighted intersections. At an intersection, Ono tells you the state of the pedestrian light by playing audio, haptic and audio feedback. Join us for a technology workshop all about Oko.

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Vision Mate

The Vision Mate program matches people who are blind or partially sighted with sighted volunteers who provide companionship and one-on-one assistance with everyday tasks and errands. Activities you and your match do together are based on your needs and interests! Vision Mate volunteers can assist individuals with various activities, including errands, going for walks, labelling and organizing household items, reading, or fun outings and recreational activities.  Matches are made with someone who lives close to your home, school or work. Visits are typically one or two hours a week in the person’s home or another suitable place at a mutually convenient time. This program is also available virtually – with matches connecting by phone or online. For more information or to register, email Grace.ODriscoll@cnib.ca.

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CNIB Mobile Hub

CNIB on the Road – the CNIB Mobile Hub is coming to a community near you. Drop in to meet CNIB staff and learn more about free programs and resources for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. Enjoy a day of recreational and social activities, technology workshops, and much more. Experience the latest breakthroughs in assistive tech from CNIB SmartLife and connect with other members of the sight loss community. We’d love for you to join us when we visit your community!

  • Lethbridge: Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Lethbridge Public Library – Main Branch (810 5 Ave South, Lethbridge)
  • Medicine Hat: Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Medicine Hat Public Library (414 1 St. SE, Medicine Hat)
  • Lloydminster: Tuesday, October 28 & Wednesday, October 29, 2024  (Times TBC) at the Lloydminster Public Library (Lloyd Mall, 5211 44 St Unit 160, Lloydminster)

For additional confirmed locations and dates, please visit www.cnib.ca/mobilehub.

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Community Corner

Calgary Blind Hockey with the Seeing Ice Dogs (ASRAB) : Every Sunday, 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at the Rose Kohn Arena (502 Heritage Drive SW). Come play hockey with the Seeing Ice Dogs hockey team. No experience necessary. For people 18+, but youth can participate if parents accompany them at the arena. Sign up by contacting the Calgary Program Coordinator with your name and phone number.

Edmonton SeeHawks Blind Hockey Team: Open to all ages and skill levels, the SeeHawks welcome all players who are blind or have low vision to experience the excitement of hockey in a fun, inclusive environment. We provide the gear - you bring the energy! With weekend practices at the Downtown Community Arena and plenty of social events, tournaments, and fundraisers, you'll be part of a dynamic and supportive team. Sign up by emailing EdmontonSeeHawks@gmail.com.

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