Upcoming Events

This newsletter is for those interested in virtual or in person programs that are run specifically out of the Ontario West region.

This is a waitlist for when we have enough interest in the Windsor area for a Friendly Chat Peer Social Group. The program will be for those who are wanting friendly conversation and encouragement. It is designed for individuals who are blind or low vision to connect with others who are experiencing similar circumstances. Meetings will tie in good practices, information, discussions, caring and support. We hope that this group will start by being offered once a month in person. Once we are able to run this group, you will be contacted.

Learn more about the 2024 CNIB Guide Dogs Halifax Gala fundraising campaign!

This is a waitlist for when we have enough interest in the St. Catharines area for a Friendly Chat Peer Social Group. The program will be for those who are wanting friendly conversation and encouragement. It is designed for individuals who are blind or low vision to connect with others who are experiencing similar circumstances. Meetings will tie in good practices, information, discussions, caring and support. We hope that this group will start by being offered once a month in person. Once we are able to run this group, you will be contacted.

VocalEye is the first dedicated live description service for blind and partially sighted people in Canada. Since its inception, VocalEye has described over 300 live events including theatre performances, dance, opera, parades, fireworks and public art tours for people who are blind and partially sighted. VocalEye Almost Live Zoom events are hosted by members of the blind community with special guest artists most Wednesday evenings.

Mindset is everything. Goal setting is powerful. Leading by example is life changing! The "I Can..." Be An Ambassador Program is designed for youth aged 29 and under who gave a specific goal, have a passion for being leadership, and are excited to share their journey to help empower others. 

Do you live in a rural part of Canada with limited or no public transit options? Join CNIB for a virtual focus group to share your experience with us and help shape CNIB's future advocacy efforts. Focus groups will be held on October 2, 7, 9 and 19. Please select the session that that best suits your schedule.

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! Every Thursday from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. Newfoundland Time on Zoom.

Join to connect with other people in the Burlington area for conversation, support and good practices. First, second and third Thursday of every month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom

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.

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 60 minutes. You are welcome to bring your own guitar/ukulele, and one will be available if needed.

Understanding, support, mentorship and advice when you need it most. Struggling with the emotional challenges of sight loss? We're here for you. This is a peer support group in Richmond Hill led by volunteer, Miriam Salah. Richmond Hill VIP meets on first Thursday of every month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom.

Join us for our weekly social meet up group. We’ll get to know each other, share some good news stories, and socialize. Every Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. Mountain Time on Zoom.

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! Every Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the CNIB GTA Community Hub. 

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 every Thursday (September to June) from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Central Time on Zoom.

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. Every Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

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. First and third Thursday of every month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Join us to play games, chat, and make new friends. Please note that this program is for individuals between 10-14 years of age. Every Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

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. Every Thursday from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Pacific Time on Zoom.

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.

Sit back and relax in our virtual reading room and let the CNIB Lake Joe team share articles and stories of interest. Reading Room meets on the first Friday of every month from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be provided after registering. 

A monthly technology group on assistive devices for Ottawa-area participants. First Friday every month from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the CNIB Ottawa Hub.

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

This is a safe and supportive place for guide dog handlers from across the country to get together and chat. Share the joys and challenges of being a guide dog handler as well as tips to keep our guide dogs happy and engaged. Biweekly on Friday from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

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. Virtual Coffee Group meets every Friday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Central Time on Zoom. 

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

Join host Kelly MacDonald as he shares a blast from the past! Listen to all the old radio shows that made the genre so popular. Everything from mystery, comedy, westerns and holiday specific shows. Sit back and enjoy! First and third Sunday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

The CNIB Mobile Hub visits Burlington on Monday, October 7 at the Burlington Public Library – Central Branch (2331 New Street, Burlington) from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

Do you live in a rural part of Canada with limited or no public transit options? Join CNIB for a virtual focus group to share your experience with us and help shape CNIB's future advocacy efforts. Monday, October 7 from 12 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom. 

The CNIB Mobile Hub visits Cranbrook on Monday, October 7 at the Cranbrook Public Library (1212 2nd Sreet North, Cranbrook) from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

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. Every Monday from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Step into the fast-paced world of emergency medical services with an enlightening presentation by a seasoned paramedic - and CNIB Lake Joe alumnus Aaren Wierdsma! Join us Monday, October 7 from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time to gain an insider's perspective on the critical role paramedics play in saving lives and providing urgent care.

In a caring and supportive virtual environment with peers, participants will explore meditation, and mindfulness attitudes. Through group interaction, participants will develop and share insights, and learn how practice can help with managing life's challenges. This is a 10-week introductory program hosted on Zoom, and is not a drop in format.

Sit back and enjoy several stories from the well-known Chicken Soup books! A volunteer will be reading a selection of interesting and enjoyable short stories. First Monday of every month from 7 to 8 p.m. Newfoundland Time on Zoom.

Accessible yoga for most skill levels from the comfort of your home. Check out accessible yoga if you are looking for a classic yoga class with descriptive prompts. Designed for people with vision loss, the instructor will verbally walk you through all the poses and movements. Please bring a yoga mat, a bottle of water, and your breath! Accessible Yoga meets every Monday from  5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Love cooking or would love to know more about cooking? Join this group to share ideas, tips, tricks and the joy of cooking and baking! Let's Talk Cooking meets on Zoom, every Monday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

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!  This group runs on Zoom, every Monday from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

In the “There's Something I Need to Tell You" Disclosure Series, join Ben Akuoko and Kate Riccomini for a six-week series as they provide informative session with various topics in the areas of disclosure: family, friends, relationships, customer service, employment and general public interaction. Find out whether to disclose, how much to disclose, and how to disclose your sight loss effectively.  Every Monday (September 23 to October 28) from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern on Zoom. 

The informal coffee chat group is a chance to socialize and meet new people. It is a very warm and welcoming group of regulars and newcomers. Every Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Atlantic Time on Zoom. 

Join us for conversation, laughter, and a chance to reminisce about your favourite CNIB Lake Joe memories. Pour yourself a coffee, tea, or beverage of choice, login and connect with your friends from Lake Joe. Coffee Break meets every Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be provided after registering. 

Happy Thanksgiving! Join us at the CNIB Ottawa Hub as we celebrate our love for accessible technology. CNIB experts from Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, and our partners from Optelec and HumanWare will be featuring a wide range of new technology and spotlighting a variety of hi-tech devices suitable for your everyday needs. Our doors will be open Tuesday, October 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the CNIB Ottawa Hub.

Are you craving that social interaction you normally get from going for coffee with friends ? We are here to keep the virtual conversation going post pandemic! Since we've gotten to know each other, lets stay connected and share some good news stories, discuss practical tips and successes with others living with vision loss. Every Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Tech Connect is an interactive, engaging and educational program where participants discuss different technologies/apps that can help make life a bit easier! Participants will learn about technologies other participants use and you are then able to ask questions to get help with your own technology/apps. Second Tuesday of every month from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Newfoundland Time on Zoom. 

The CNIB Mobile Hub visits Lethbridge on Tuesday, October 8 at the Lethbridge Public Library – Main Branch (810 5 Ave South, Lethbridge) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Get ready to dance your heart out! Dust off those dancing shoes and join us for the International Folk Dancing Program with CNIB! Our classes are all about learning and enjoying vibrant dances from around the world. Classes last six weeks and promise to be full of fun and cultural exploration.  Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the CNIB GTA Community Hub (1525 Yonge Street, Toronto).

Come on out for some Kitchen Fun! Kingston area youth and young adults are invited to join us monthly for a cooking club to create something yummy. We will decide on recipes and create a grocery list of ingredients for the next month.  second Tuesday of every month from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the CNIB Kingston Hub. 

This coffee group for the guys is currently virtual, and offers an opportunity for interesting and relevant discussions with others who are experiencing vision loss. Get comfortable in your favourite chair and set yourself up with snacks and coffee or your beverage of choice, then bring on the conversation.Second Tuesday of every month from 2 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time at the CNIB Barrie Hub. 

If you have a lively mind, learning is something you never stop doing. History, geography, science, travel, social trends, there’s no end to what we can know. Expand your horizons in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Presenters will offer a range of content, and invite lively conversation. Second Tuesday of every month from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern Time 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 over Zoom for Intro to Assistive Technology - find out what is possible and how we at CNIB can help you harness the power of assistive technology. This group meets on the second Tuesday of every month from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Zoom.

Chair yoga is a good option for anyone with injuries or with mobility issues. You will need comfortable clothing and a sturdy chair without arms or armrests for this class. Techniques include breath work, gentle movement with repetition, postures, sitting meditation and relaxation. No experience required. Chair Yoga meets every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.