Upcoming Events

The EmpowerPlay newsletter is an Ontario-wide sports and physical activity resource; designed to provide you with information and opportunities. This may include CNIB programs, a community program or activity, a video or audio piece of information to educate and empower; and more!

Discover the power of human potential this year by combining your hard work and dedication along with the support of CNIB; then let the magic happen! Join Ontario Sports Lead, Ryan Van Praet as he sets off to conquer some personal sports goals and change what it means to be blind through adaptive sports as we discover the power of play.

Make this an amazing summer, full of exploration, movement and fun! Our summer sports passport program is super simple, and a great way to have a chance to win some prizes.

Want to run/walk a 5K, 10K or even further? Join Ryan Van Praet and Ryan Hooey as they take on 3 different running races this spring in Ontario. We will work with you to find guide runners, running clubs or groups, provide advice, info. on training, race logistics, advocating your needs, encouragement, etc.

If you love books, this group is for you! This group features guest authors as well as weeks where a different genre or theme are picked. People read their choice of book on the theme and come ready to discuss. It's a great way to build your reading list and learn about what others are reading and the technology they use to access their books. The Bookends Book Club meets on Zoom, every Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Eastern Time.

Join us for coffee or tea and great conversation. There will be guest speakers, interesting conversations and a chance to connect with your peers and community. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Come on out, meet with your peers, let’s chat! Ottawa Coffee/Tea and Chat meets at the CNIB Ottawa Hub on the third Wednesday of every month from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Eastern Time. 

The informal coffee chat group is a chance to socialize and meet new people. It is a very warm and welcoming group of people from all across Canada. Wednesday Zoom Social Hour runs on Zoom every Wednesday from 1 to 2 p.m. Atlantic Time. 

Intended for adults who are blind or partially sighted and are members of the LGBTQ2S+ community. Participants from across the country meet monthly to share experiences, listen to guest speakers, and discuss topics chosen by the group. Pride Connection meets on Zoom, the third Wednesday of every month from 12 to 1 p.m. Eastern Time.

The hosts of the call gather interesting topics from a wide range of applications and devices to bring them to the forefront of CNIB clients. From time to time, guests come live and chat with the group about new emerging technologies that promise to enhance the lives of people with sight loss. Techstravaganza meets on Zoom, every Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern Time.

This group is specifically for those who are experiencing symptoms/have had a diagnosis of CBS. Participants meet monthly for this conversational support group. The Charles Bonnet Syndrome Group meets on Zoom on the third Wednesday of every month from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time.

If your interested in learning how to play the guitar or or ukulele, or even just advance your skills, these lessons are here for you! Each lesson will be 30 minutes. You are welcome to bring your own guitar/ukulele, and one will be available if needed.

This program is designed for blind or partially sighted indigenous individuals who are wanting to connect with others who are experiencing similar circumstances in a safe and comfortable setting. Participants will have the opportunity to help choose various topics this group would like to discuss each session as well as have the option to share ideas, suggestions, stories, worries, etc. with the group. This Saskatchewan and Manitoba Indigenous Peer Support Group meets on Zoom, the first and third Wednesday of every month from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Central Time.

This class is designed for all level yogis. Relaxed pace to release anxiety and calm the body. Students will be guided into meditation, breathing techniques, yoga poses and relaxation. Please bring a yoga mat, a blanket, a big towel and an open mind to learn something new! Gentle Yoga runs on Zoom every Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. 

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! The first hour is devoted to structured learning – focusing on basics and beginner topics. Later on, we'll have a volunteer-led, tech-focused Q&A discussion group dealing with a wide range of questions. Come prepared to swap tips and tricks, share about your favorite apps, help one another and strengthen your own skills in the process. Join us while we figure it out – together! This technology group is hosted on Zoom, every Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. Pacific Time.

Do you want to take that memorable trip that you have been looking forward to for so long?Join our weekly series and hear from blind travellers about their tips for safe and successful travel. We'll discuss ways to plan a trip, traveling via air, rail and ride share, accommodations, international travel, and ways to expect the unexpected. After this series, be empowered and get prepared for your next adventure! Every Wednesday (September 6 to October 11) from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Meet a group people who are passionate about their love of motorized/electronic machines!  Pit Crew Garage runs on Zoom on the third Wednesday of every month from 7 to 8 p.m. Newfoundland Time. Zoom information will be shared after registering. 

Children of all ages across the country are welcome to participate in our live reading series Read Aloud to Me. Join us every Wednesday as experienced volunteers give life to picture books, chapter books and short stories. While stories chosen are geared to participants between the ages of 7 to 12, anyone who would enjoy listening is welcome. Read Aloud to Me: Stories for Children meets every Wednesday on Zoom from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Eastern Time.

The Zoom Zoom Room is growing up, and is now called the Zoom Room for Kids! Children ages 6-10 and older, non-verbal participants are invited to join us as we use music to build our social skills. Each session will be all about the special things going in that month. Make sure to come regularly, because each session you will work as a team to create your own special song. Certified music therapist Melissa Murphy will also have lots of songs and stories to share that are perfect for singing and dancing along. We can’t wait to meet you! Zoom Room for Kids​​​​​​​ meets every Wednesday from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Join us for a virtual Lake Joe campfire with traditional campfire songs and stories. Fun for all ages!

Sponsored and hosted by the Canadian Council of the Blind GTT program. Tracy and Matthew have put this group together to share their experiences navigating Android devices. We welcome the input from users of all experience levels so we can learn together. CCB's Android Accessibility Users Group meets on Zoom, the third Wednesday of every month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Karaoke is like an instant party...let's belt out some tunes together. Join us on Wednesdays, 8-9 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be provided after registering. 

This is a virtual group that gets together every Thursday morning for a general group conversation. There is no planned topic of conversation but it is kept positive and light! Coffee Group runs on Zoom every Thursday from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. Newfoundland Time

An 8-week series dedicated to helping individuals learn about ways to remain active. Low Impact activities combined with education sessions on improving circulation, flexibility, balance and strength. Geared to older adults, but open to anyone. The Active Living Series For Beginners meets every Thursday at the CNIB Sudbury Hub from 10 to 11 a.m. Eastern Time. 

Our Peer Social group is so popular we had to start a second group! If you are in the Hamilton/Burlington area and are looking for conversation, support and good practices, please sign up for our waitlist.

If you are in the Kitchener/Waterloo area and are looking for conversation, support and good practices, please sign up for our waitlist. This group will meet in-person and virtually.

Mastery of the computer keyboard is essential for anyone using a computer, especially for someone using a screen reader. With this in mind, we are now offering weekly keyboarding coaching sessions at the CNIB Community Hub on Thursday's.

Join us for coffee and great conversation. We will have guest speakers, and an opportunity to talk with others who are going through similar challenges in a confidential and non-judgmental setting. Coffee & Chat meets at the CNIB Kingston Hub on the third Thursday of every month from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Eastern Time. 

Join us for our weekly social meet up group. We’ll get to know each other, share some good news stories, and socialize. The Western Social Meet Up meets every Thursday on Zoom from 10 to 11 a.m. Mountain Time. Zoom information will be shared after registering.

CNIB Kingston is partnering with The Kingston Horticultural Society for a fun and informative Gardening Workshop. Thursday, September 21st from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time. 

In recognition of Guide Dog Access Awareness Month, join CNIB Guide Dogs for this informative session about the guide dog training and matching process. Thursday, September 21st from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time.

Calling all knitters – whether you’re a beginner or experienced knitter! Come out and enjoy some time with your peers and knit! If you don’t know how to knit, no problem we can teach you! The T.O knitting group meets at the CNIB GTA Hub every Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time.

If your interested in learning how to play the guitar or or ukulele, or even just advance your skills, these lessons are here for you! Each lesson will be 30 minutes. You are welcome to bring your own guitar/ukulele, and one will be available if needed.

Make new friends, or deepen existing friendships, find support from your peers, and develop more theological insight about biblical understanding. The Bible Study group meets on Zoom, every Thursday (September to June)  from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Central Time.

Everyone loves games. This games group meets to socialize playing 2 to 3 different lively word games for the hour. Sessions are led by our own professional game hosts (aka CNIB staff and volunteers). We embrace a safe fun time to exercise your mind. Thursday Games meets on Zoom, every Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be shared after registering.

Share exciting places to visit that are accessible and friendly, places are less accessible to the sight loss community and what accessibility changes you'd like to see. Each month, a different community in Northern Ontario will be discussed.  Connecting and Improving The North meets on Zoom on the third Thursday of every month from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Do you enjoy music? Well, Name that Tune is the game for you! Name that tune is a fun game where people can join in to listen and try to name as many songs as they can. Name That Tune meets on Zoom on the first and third Thursday of every month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be shared after registering. 

Calling all youth and young adults (ages 18+) in the Ottawa area! Join us for monthly social activities and outings in the community. Ottawa Peer Socials meet at the CNIB Ottawa Hub on the third Thursday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. 

Adaptive Dance instructor, Tiffany Tjosvold, will be leading a zoom-based, high energy, seated dance class for participants ages 19+. This class is suitable for all fitness levels. This group runs on Zoom, every Thursday from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Pacific Time. Zoom information will be shared after registering.

Join us to play games, chat, and make new friends. Please note that this program is for individuals between 10-14 years of age. The group meets on Zoom every Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be shared after registering. 

A social group for those who want to keep connect after Seated Dance Fitness has ended. We invite participants to stay and socialize with each other. You can talk about the session, get to know one and other and socialize with the community across Canada.

Come on out and join us for in person yoga at the Hub! Bring a yoga mat (or borrow one of ours), a towel, a water bottle, and wear comfortable clothing. Toronto Yoga meets at the CNIB GTA Community Hub every Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Eastern Time. 

Designed for knitters/advanced knitters to work on projects, learn from peers, and enjoy knitting fellowship. Yarnivores meets on Zoom every Friday from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Connect with other people in the Sudbury area for conversation, support and good practices. This peer support group meets every Friday on Zoom, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Join us every Friday for a virtual meet up in the prairies with a friendly bunch of people looking to connect with others across the country! Make new connections and find friendships and enjoyable conversation. The focus is on a positive, inclusive, and safe support network of people who have experienced sight loss. Everyone is welcome. This group meets on Zoom every Friday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Central Time.

A call-in social group. Each session will have a topic of discussion. This program is designed for participants 19+.  This group meets on Zoom, twice monthly on Friday  from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

Come join us on alternating Fridays for our Song Bingo Game Night! All you need to participate is access to phone or Zoom and a bingo card at home or online!  Feel free to play as a family or house! There will be prizes for the first 3 bingo winners of each game and those who correctly name the most tunes! This program is open to participants of all ages. This group meets on Zoom, biweekly on Friday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Pacific Time.

The Beyond Sight Series feature monthly virtual presentations from various services, businesses and organizations in our community. Each month, we will offer a different topic and speaker will join us to discuss a variety of topics. Examples include: RDSP’s, wills, budgeting, nutrition and lots more. The Beyond Sight Series runs on Zoom on the fourth Monday of every month from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Newfoundland Time.

Join weekly on Mondays through zoom or by phone to connect with other people in the Oakville area for conversation, support and good practices. This peer support group meets on Zoom, every Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be shared after registering. 

If you have a green thumb (or you'd like to have one), then this gardening discussion group is for you! We swap success stories, talk about our favorite plants, and generally 'dish the dirt' on all things horticultural. For all levels of garden enthusiasts. Whether you patio or container garden, or have lots of gardening space, the time in this group will just buzz by. Let's Get Gardening meets on Zoom, every Monday from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time.

In two upcoming consultations with members of the blind and partially sighted community, Ontario Health aims to understand your experience by ensuring virtual care services are delivered using safe, secure platforms for patients to provide video and secure messaging. Monday, September 25th from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.