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.

The CNIB London Hub is happy to announce that for summer 2023 we will be able to offer a few in person child and youth programs. Ages 8-14. If you would like to receive an email newsletter every week or two regarding future sessions that become available please register.

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.

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! Old Time Radio meets on Zoom, the first and third Sunday of every month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

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. 

Volunteer puppy raisers needed in Ottawa! CNIB Guide Dogs is looking for volunteers to raise our future guide dogs. 

With support from CNIB Guide Dogs staff, volunteer puppy raisers help socialize and introduce a pup to the world around them – exposing the dog to new environments and public spaces and teaching them things like basic obedience. As a volunteer puppy raiser, you would play a pivotal role in helping a puppy become a guide dog. We offer short-term and long-term volunteer opportunities; previous experience with dogs is not required. 

Join us for an in-person information session to learn more about volunteering as a puppy raiser.

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.

She shoots, she scores! This month's Curiosity Corner is all about blind hockey! Join us Monday, June 5 from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time.  Zoom information will be provided after registering. 

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 runs on Zoom every Monday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time. 

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. Story Corner runs on Zoom on the first Monday of every month from 7 to 8 p.m. Newfoundland Time.

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 makes us move and music tells a story. Children seven and under and their families are invited to come on a creative journey led by veteran musician and educator, Mr. Joey, to create an original story inspired by music and the way it makes our bodies dance. Discover how music can change the way we feel and how, through movement, we can make a story come to life.  Zoom Zoom Room runs on Zoom every Wednesday from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be shared after registering. 

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. Zoom information will be shared after registering.

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. The Tuesday Zoom Coffee and Chat group meets on Zoom every Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Atlantic Time. 

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. 

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. The Eastern Canada Social group meets on Zoom, every Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Eastern Time.

Are you having challenges with using your technology or do you simply have questions about something new? Join this discussion group with others with sight loss where we share ideas and experiences that might be helpful. Many heads are better than one! The technology drop-in session meets on Zoom, the first and third Tuesday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern 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. Tuesday Games meets on Zoom, every Tuesday from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern 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. Tuesday Games meets on Zoom, every Tuesday from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be shared after registering.

Get your dancing shoes out of the cupboard, dust ‘em off, and join long-time Folk Dancing enthusiast Paula Tsatsanis in a series to learn some of the basics of International Folk Dancing! We will start the sessions with a short warmup, learn some steps, and then a few dances from around the world. We will end the sessions with an international snack. Bring your own water bottle. Wear comfortable clothing and running shoes.

Did you know about accessibility services the London Central Library provides? Staff from the London Library will be at the Hub to answer any questions and talk about everything from how to get a library card to accessibility resources and access to audiobooks. Learn more aboutLondon Central Library Services at the CNIB London Community Hub on Tuesday, June 6th from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern Time. 

Learn how you can use Google Maps on iOS to plan your trips, whether you are walking or taking the transit. Google Maps is very robust and easy to use with great VoiceOver Support. Navigating Your Community meets at CNIB Brampton SmartLife Centre on Tuesday, June 6th from 2 to 3:30 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 Tuesday from 2:15 to 3 p.m. Pacific Time. Zoom information will be shared after registering.

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 runs on Zoom every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Children of all ages across the country are welcome to participate in our live reading series Read Aloud to Me. Join us as experienced volunteers give life to picture books, chapter books and short stories.

Join fellow music-lovers to listen together, and share stories. Every month, we'll consider music on a specific theme. Participants are invited to submit up to three songs, either a YouTube link or just title and artist. We'll listen to as many selections as we can, leaving time for conversation between.  The Listening Party meets on Zoom, the First Tuesday of every month from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be shared after registering.

Children (ages 7-11) take the lead as we read stories, share talents and play family-friendly games. Parents and siblings are also welcome. This group runs on Zoom every Tuesday from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Eastern Time.

Join us at the CNIB Kingston Hub for a monthly social games youth group! Play games, chat, enjoy snacks and make new connections with other youth from the region who have sight loss. This program is offered to youth between the ages of 12-18 in the Kingston area. Some braille knowledge is an asset. The Kingston Youth Games and Social Club meets at the CNIB Kingston Hub on the first Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

If there is one thing we know how to do at CNIB Lake Joe, it is laughing! Join us for some hilarious drama fun as we play virtual improv games together. Join us on alternating Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be provided after registering. 

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.

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. 

Google Docs is a word processing app similar to Microsoft Word. It can be used to create documents and collaborate on projects with colleagues. This session will focus on teaching participants the basics of Google Docs using screen magnification software. The Google Docs Magnification session is hosted on Zoom on Wednesday, June 7th from 12 to 1 p.m. Eastern Time.

Gratitude! Appreciation!! Mindfulness! Joy! Positivity! Join us for a 5-week program focusing on the positivity and the gratitude we have in our lives. Each week, we dive into thought provoking questions that will make us think about the awesome moments around us! The last week will be an art session, where you will be able to create your own gratitude stone or object. Mindful Self is a 5-weeklong series that meets at the CNIB London Community Hub every Wednesday (beginning May 31st) from 1 to 2 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.

Connecting people with vision loss from Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario for social interaction, information sharing, supporting one another and camaraderie. The Thunder Bay Coffee Club meets at CNIB Thunder Bay on the first Wednesday of every month from 1 to 3 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.

Google Docs is a word processing app similar to Microsoft Word. It can be used to create documents and collaborate on projects with colleagues. This session will focus on teaching participants the basics of Google Docs using screen reader software. The Google Docs Screen Reader session is hosted on Zoom on Wednesday, June 7th from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern 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. 

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.

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.

Children of all ages across the country are welcome to participate in our live reading series Read Aloud to Me. Join us as experienced volunteers give life to picture books, chapter books and short stories.

Music makes us move and music tells a story. Children seven and under and their families are invited to come on a creative journey led by veteran musician and educator, Mr. Joey, to create an original story inspired by music and the way it makes our bodies dance. Discover how music can change the way we feel and how, through movement, we can make a story come to life.  Zoom Zoom Room runs on Zoom every Wednesday from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be shared after registering. 

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

Learning Labs If you are looking for an informal setting to learn, collaborate and gain a sense of community, Come to Work’s Learning Labs are an excellent forum for you! Learning Labs are hosted on Zoom, every Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. June 7th Topic: Resilience, Mental Health Tips and Strategies.

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

Join weekly on Thursdays to connect with other people in the Hamilton/Burlington area for conversation, support and good practices. This peer support group meets on Zoom and teleconference, every Thursday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

A social chat and gathering to meet new people from your area. This CNIB Mobile Hub program meets in person at the Burlington Lions Club on Thursday, June 8th from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

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.