Join us! Our free programs are available to Canadians who are blind or partially sighted as well as their families, friends and caregivers. Below, you'll find a snapshot of programs offered across the province throughout the spring. 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
- Children & Youth Programs
- Come to Work Programs
- Culture, Sport & Recreation Programs
- Peer Support Programs
- CNIB SmartLife & Technology Programs
- Special Events
- CNIB Mobile Hub
- Community Corner
Advocacy Programs
Outreach Presentations: By request, CNIB staff or volunteers provide virtual or in-person presentations about sight loss and CNIB services to businesses, community centres, schools, care homes and more. Please book a presentation by filling out the online form here. If you have any questions or require assistance filling out the form, please contact Tommy Leung , Manager, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations, at Tommy.Leung@cnib.ca or 604-431-2121 ext. 6030.
One-On-One Advocacy Support: CNIB Advocacy staff provides guidance and resources about any sight-loss related advocacy issues. Appointments are required. For more information, email Jamie.Auman@cnib.ca or call 604-431-2121 ext. 6022.
Self-Advocacy Workshop: Sign up to learn how to advocate for yourself. Facilitated by one of CNIB’s advocate volunteers, this workshop will teach you how to be the best self-advocate you can be! To register, please contact Jamie Auman, Program Coordinator, Advocacy & Peer Support at Jamie.Auman@cnib.ca or 604-431-2121 ext. 6022.
Children & Youth Programs
AI Unleashed: Tuesday, April 26, 4 to 5 p.m. CNIB is excited to present a national online program for youth, showcasing how artificial intelligence (AI) can empower youth, from enhancing education, AI's potential is limitless! Facilitated by a youth with sight loss every three months to provide updates on the latest in AI. Register by completing a short online form.
BC/Yukon Family Advocacy Group: Second Thursday of every month from September to June, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. This advocacy group for parents and guardians aims to empower and connect families across the province and territory, working to identify advocacy items along with the needs of students who are Deafblind, blind and partially sighted. To create a space for families, the group will be led by a parent facilitator, Sina Muscati, who is a lawyer with Justice Canada, and the father of a son with sight loss. For more information, questions or to register, please contact Alix Straith, Program Lead, Children and Youth at Alix.Straith@cnib.ca or 778-990-2356.
Music for Kids Monday Session: Every Monday, 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. on Zoom. Music Therapist Erin Koop hosts weekly sessions on Zoom for children and youth participants across the country. These interactive sessions are filled with songs, stories, and more! Get ready to make some music!
Music for Kids Tuesday Session: Every Tuesday, 2:15 to 3 p.m. on Zoom. Music Therapist Erin Koop hosts weekly sessions on Zoom for children and youth participants across the country. These interactive sessions are filled with songs, stories, and more! Get ready to make some music!
Song Bingo Game Night: Come join us on alternating Fridays for a intergenerational fun! All you need to participate is access to phone or Zoom and a bingo card at home or online! Feel free to play individually or as a household. There will be prizes for the first three bingo winners of each game and those who correctly name the most tunes. This program is open to kids and “kids at heart” (all ages). Registration required. To register, please fill out the form here. Or, contact Shruti Shravah, Program Coordinator, Children & Youth, at Shruti.Shravah@cnib.ca or 604-644-6536.
Summer Camps Open House (Virtual): Tuesday, April 7, 6 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Summer is approaching fast! We are excited to host a virtual open house on Zoom to discuss upcoming CNIB summer camp opportunities at BC Easter Seals and Lake Joe. Our camps are open to participants aged 8-18 across BC. CNIB aims to remove financial barriers by covering all camp fees and travel expenses. Please note that participation depends on funding, and we are awaiting the results of our grant applications. We appreciate the support of our generous donors! To register to attend, please fill out this form. If you have any questions, please reach out to Alix Straith, CNIB Children and Youth Program Lead for BC-Yukon, by phone at 778-990-2356, or email at Alix.Straith@cnib.ca.
Come To Work Programs
If you are interested in employment services, please contact Meghna Chatterjee at Meghna.Chatterjee@cnib.ca.
Culture, Sport & Recreation Programs
Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) Group: Every third Wednesday of every month, starting January 21, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.. via Zoom. Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is a reaction to vision loss in which the brain attempts to replace missing visual information by drawing from memory and visual centers. This can lead to visual hallucinations, ranging from simple patterns (lines, shapes) to complex images (people, animals, landscapes). This program provides comprehensive information about CBS, support for individuals experiencing CBS and their caregivers and a safe space to share experiences, build confidence, and learn coping strategies.
Harmony Choir - Victoria: Every Friday, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at CNIB Victoria. Led by music director Marcelina Stanton, this program aims to increase social connections, confidence, and joy through music. Participants will develop musical skills, teamwork, self-confidence, and more. Singing in a choir offers numerous benefits, including improved mental and physical health, enhanced social connections, cognitive benefits, and a powerful outlet for emotional expression. Come join us and experience the many benefits of singing in a choir. We look forward to making beautiful music together! For more information, please contact Leni at Leni.White@cnib.ca.
Lawn Bowling Team: Monthly at Canadian Pacific Lawn Bowling Club (720 Belleville St), dates and times TBA. Exciting news for all lawn bowling enthusiasts! The Lawn Bowling Pacific Club has generously opened their greens for our participants, offering free access to this enjoyable sport. Next year’s schedule will run through the months of June, July, August, and September 2026, giving you even more opportunities to join in. Whether you’re a seasoned player or brand new to the game, this is a fantastic chance to stay active, meet new people, and enjoy great company.
Seated Dance Fitness Zoom: Every other Thursday, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Zoom. Adaptive Dance instructor Tiffany Tjosvold will lead a high energy, seated dance class over Zoom for participants ages 19+. This class is suitable for all fitness levels.
Talk, Share & Learn Webinar Series: The Webinar Series program is designed to delve deeper into thought‑provoking topics with guidance from professional guest speakers. The goal is to explore ideas in greater depth and bring fresh insights from experts in the field. Stay tuned as we embark on this new journey—same spirit of conversation, now with an enriched experience! Please note: You only need to register once to attend all webinar sessions throughout the year.
Peer Support Programs
Unless otherwise noted, please contact Jamie Auman, Program Coordinator, Advocacy & Peer Support to register at Jamie.Auman@cnib.ca or 604-431-2121 extension 6022.
Cranbrook Connections Group: Sundays (mid-month) of every month starting at 11 a.m. at the Cranbrook Public Library (1212 2 St N). A monthly community-based support group for Cranbrook area residents to discuss issues relating to sight loss and to socialize with others. Meetings are in person.
Fraser Valley/Vancouver Island Connections Group: Every second and fourth Thursday of the month, 1 to 3 p.m. over Zoom. A biweekly community-based support group for residents of the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island that offers ongoing emotional adjustment to sight loss support. Guest speakers are occasionally invited to present on different topics. Meetings are strictly over zoom.
Kelowna Seniors Connections Group: Third Wednesday of every month from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Rotary Centre for the Arts (421 Cawston Ave.) and over zoom. A monthly community-based senior support group for Kelowna area residents aged 55+ to discuss issues relating to sight loss and to socialize with others. Guest speakers are occasionally invited to present on different topics. Meetings are hybrid.
Kelowna Working-Age Connections Group: First Wednesday of every month, 4:30 to 6 p.m.at CNIB Kelowna office (106 – 4640 Doyle Ave) and over zoom. A monthly community-based support group for Kelowna area residents (ages 30-55) to discuss issues relating to sight loss and to socialize with others. Guest speakers are occasionally invited to present on different topics. Meetings are hybrid.
Peer Mentorship Program: This is a 1-on-1 social and emotional support program. You will receive a phone call from a peer mentor once a week for 10 weeks. You will have the opportunity to talk about daily challenges with vision loss or have a nice conversation. Our peer mentors are fellow CNIB clients who have also experienced vision loss.
Prince George Connections Group: Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Prince George & District Senior Citizens Activity Centre (425 Brunswick St.) and over zoom. A biweekly community-based support group for Prince George residents that offers ongoing emotional adjustment to sight loss support. Guest speakers are occasionally invited to present on different topics. Meetings alternate between in person and zoom.
Vancouver Seniors Connections Group: Third Wednesday of every month, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. over zoom. A monthly community-based senior support group for Vancouver area residents aged 55+ that offers ongoing emotional adjustment to sight loss support. Guest speakers are occasionally invited to present on different topics. Meetings are strictly on zoom.
Vancouver Working-Age Connections Group: First Thursday of every month, 1to 3:30 p.m. at CNIB New Westminster Office (201B – 610 6th St.) and over zoom. A monthly community-based support group for Vancouver area residents (ages 30-55) that offers ongoing emotional adjustment to sight loss support. Guest speakers are occasionally invited to present on different topics. Meetings are hybrid.
Vernon Connections Group: Third Tuesday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Vernon Public Library (2800 30th Ave). A monthly community-based support group for Vernon area residents to discuss issues relating to sight loss and to socialize with others. Guest speakers are occasionally invited to present on different topics. Meetings are in person.
Victoria Connections Group: First Wednesday of every month, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the CNIB Victoria office (#102 – 1675 Douglas St.). A monthly community-based support group for residents of Victoria and the surrounding areas, that offers ongoing emotional adjustment to sight loss support. Guest speakers are occasionally invited to present on different topics. Meetings are in person.
Vision Odyssey: Adjustment to Vision Loss: Are you new to vision loss? Are you new to CNIB, or have not participated with us in a long while? Our Vision Odyssey series of workshops can help you adjust to your vision loss and help you to find more CNIB programs that can help you in the future. This program is highly recommended for new CNIB clients, or clients who have not received CNIB services in a long while. Each workshop goes over a different service that CNIB can offer to you. Program is 6 weeks in duration, Tuesdays 10am to 12pm. Meetings are over zoom.
Vision Odyssey Day for Family & Friends: Do you have a trusted family member, friend, or caregiver who wants to learn more about your vision loss? This is a single full-day workshop for your trusted person that is conducted either in-person or over online conference and telephone conference. This workshop will teach your trusted person tips and strategies on how to support you in your day-to-day life. They will also be connecting with others in the vision loss community.
CNIB SmartLife & Technology Programs
AI Unleashed: Tuesday, April 29, 4 to 5 p.m. Join youth facilitator Shrey, a 15-year-old CNIB volunteer tech coach and technology enthusiast, as he shares his passion for helping people navigate devices like Windows, Mac, and more. With experience working with companies that develop products for people who are blind, Shrey's journey with AI began out of curiosity. He quickly discovered how to integrate tools like Chat GPT-Plus into his daily life. Sessions will delve into various topics and tips around AI. To register, please fill out this form.
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.
CNIB SmartLife Tech @ Home program: Explore cutting-edge assistive devices right in your own home! If you live in BC and want to try a wide range of accessible technology, look no further than our innovative program Tech @ Home. Explore CNIB SmartLife Tech @ HomeCheck out the accessible brochure, and discover the financial assistance programs in your province. Every Canadian with sight loss has the right to access accessible technology.
Gift of Technology: Through the generosity of our donors, this program is able to provide participants in BC with various Assistive Technology devices at no cost. If you could benefit from an updated piece of technology or software, email Amit.Ram@cnib.ca or call 778-312-3155.
Intro to Assistive Technology: Every second Tuesday, 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. Like it or not, technology is becoming a big part of modern life. Nowadays, people rely on computers and smartphones for work, school, entertainment and connection. For people with vision loss, assistive technology offers all of this as well as increased confidence and independence. Join us to find out what is possible and how we at CNIB can help you harness the power of assistive technology. To register, contact Amit at Amit.Ram@cnib.ca or 778-312-3155.
SmartLife Open House and Tech Cafes: Would you like to sit down with a coffee and a pal to learn the tech that will make sight loss easier? Would you like to have some “hands-on” time with the technology on offer from SmartLife? Come join us as we explore assistive devices and apps as a group, followed by a chance to share tips and tricks in small groups or one on one. We'll share some learning - and some laughs - together! Refreshments provided. For more information, please call Julia Bonnett at 778-897-3115 or email Julia.Bonnett@cnib.ca.
Kelowna: Third Thursday of every month, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
New Westminster: Third Thursday of every month, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Prince George: Third Wednesday of every month, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Vernon: First Tuesday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Vernon Public Library.
Victoria: Third Tuesday of every month, 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Tech Mate: By being matched with a tech savvy volunteer, you learn how to use technology devices to your advantage. Tech Mate program provides one on one instruction on how to use technology to gain or regain independence. For more information, please contact Julia at Julia.Bonnett@cnib.ca.
Wireless Wednesday: Second and fourth Wednesday of every month, 1 to 3 p.m. on Zoom. Are you new to assistive technology? Want to get more out of your smart device or computer? This Zoom workshop is a 2 for 1! This drop-in workshop offers a short learning module on an Assistive Technology topic, followed by a tech-focused Q&A session. Come prepared to swap tips and tricks and strengthen your own tech skills in the process. For more information, please call Amit at Amit.Ram@cnib.ca or 778-312-3155.
Special Events
Connecting the Dots Lite - Kelowna: Tuesday, May 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort. Join us in beautiful Kelowna, BC for CNIB’s Connecting the Dots Conference 2026 — a dynamic, community-driven event designed to inform, inspire, and connect! Connecting the Dots is more than a conference — it’s a celebration of our vibrant, diverse community. By the community, for the community, this event reflects the lived experiences, talents, personalities, and lifestyles of people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. Register to attend for free here!
2026 AGMs: Dear Community Members, we are pleased to invite you to participate in our upcoming BC Gaming and Grants Boards Annual General Meetings. These meetings are an opportunity to connect, learn about our work across the region, and engage with our community. All meetings will be held virtually via Zoom. If you would like to attend, please email Mary Burris at Mary.Burris@cnib.ca to receive the meeting details and access links. We look forward to connecting with you. If you would like to participate, come and join us!
Meeting Schedule:
BC Province AGM
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
6 to 6:30 p.m.
Lower Mainland, South Coast & Fraser Valley AGM
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
10 to 10:30 a.m.
Northern BC AGM
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
2 to 2:30 p.m.
Southern Interior AGM
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
3:15 to 3:45 p.m.
Vancouver Island AGM
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
5:30 to 6 p.m.
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!
- Kamloops: Wednesday, April 15, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kamloops Seniors Community Centre (730 Cottonwood Ave.)
- Salmon Arm: Thursday, April 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Salmon Arm Rec Centre (2550 10th Ave.)
For additional confirmed locations and dates, please visit www.cnib.ca/mobilehub,
Community Corner
Best Kept Secrets for Travelers With Sight Loss: Traveling with sight loss just got easier. Best Kept Secrets for Travelers With Sight Loss is the first book designed to give travelers who are blind or have low vision practical tools to make travel safe, accessible, and enjoyable. It offers advice on planning and packing, traveling by plane, train, or ship, navigating unfamiliar places, staying in hotels, dining out, traveling with a guide dog, and using apps and technology to make trips easier. Author Lynn Jensen, a certified vision rehabilitation therapist who lost her sight shortly after earning her nursing degree, shares insights drawn from her own extensive travel experiences around the world.
The book is available in paperback (regular and large print), e-book, and audiobook (MP3 and DAISY) formats. You can purchase a copy through major online retailers or directly through the official website, BlindTravelTips.com.
Brian's Community Health Fair: Saturday, April 11, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at United Church Maple Ridge (22165 Dewdney Trunk Road). This event brings the CNIB together with a number of businesses and organizations that can provide products, services and information to those in the community who are dealing with vision, hearing, mobility and other challenges. For your convenience, refreshments are available. Come and browse and discover what’s here for you., your friends or family. For more information please contact, 604 467 2696 or MapleRidgeLionsClub@shaw.ca.
Canadian Blind Hockey - Vancouver Jr Eclipse: The Vancouver Jr. Eclipse Blind Hockey program is open to all children and youth who are blind or partially sighted in Vancouver and the surrounding region. No previous skating or hockey experience is required. This is a skills and development program and Canadian Blind Hockey will assist in getting gear for any participants that need it. Sighted siblings, parents, and other family members who have skating and hockey experience are invited to participate in a coaching / volunteer capacity. Foore information, please contact Canadian Blind Hockey Program Director Luca DeMontis at LucaDeMontis@BlindIceHockey.com.
The Canadian Assisted Travel Society (CATS): CATS is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities travel within Canada or internationally at a reduced cost. We support accessible travel through fundraising efforts, grants, and donations. If a traveler with a disability requires a care aide to accompany them, CATS will cover the travel costs for the aide, including airfare, train tickets, or cruise fare, allowing the aide to travel at no cost to the traveler. To access this support, the individual with a disability must complete a membership form on our website.
Lacrossing Barriers: Every Saturday, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Do you want to play Lacrosse? Lacrossing Barriers is a Not-for-Profit Organization dedicated to providing opportunities to play sport, move and learn skills to those in marginalized communities who have not always been given a choice. LB believes in All Abilities and All Possibilities, where facilitators focus on the supports someone participating needs to enjoy and succeed. We are offering Adaptive and Inclusive Lacrosse Programming in Victoria. Lacrossing Barriers is committed to providing authentic, respectful and kind programming to whomever wants to try the sport. For more information, please contact Scott Godfrey at Scott@LacrossingBarriers.org.