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.

If you are looking for a fun winter activity that will build your fitness level while experiencing interesting cultural sites, look no further. Join our Winter Art Hike and Step Challenge to be entered into a draw for cool prizes!

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

Do you have a question about sport or physical activity when it comes to things like adaptive equipment, advocacy, finding guides, funding, or even “how do I even get started?“ This new program serves to act as an outlet for your sport and physical activity inquiries, big and small! As the provincial sports lead, Ryan Van Praet has decades of knowledge and experience in the world of not only health and fitness education, but also as an athlete who has competed in many different sports on many different levels, having made many connections. Let Ryan leverage this knowledge and experience to help you! 

We know this time of year there are many public skate opportunities, no matter where you live across this great country. Whether it’s your local arena, a public outdoor ice rink, or a lovely canal! From December 1st to January 21st, get out to your local public skate, snap a picture of you on the ice and be entered to win a cool prize!

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 7:30 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. Let's Get Gardening meets on Zoom, every Monday from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time.

It’s that time of the year again, get your dancing shoes out of the cupboard, dust ‘em off, and sign up with CNIB today! Join long-time Folk Dancing enthusiast Paula Tsatsanis in a series to learn some of the basics of International Folk Dancing!

Camp is busy all year round...even in the winter. In this session, Eugene Chong, General Manager will be joining us to bring us up-to-speed on all the exciting things that are happening at camp to get things ready for the summer! Join us Monday, December 4 from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be provided after registering. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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

Hosted by Steve MacInnes, Tech It Out is a monthly series that demos accessible and mainstream tech. Join us on December 5th and have some holiday fun with tech! From holiday inspired apps to fun with your home devices – we’ve got you covered! Tech It Out is hosted on Zoom, Tuesday, December 5th from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Atlantic Time. 

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.

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 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Pacific Time. 

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.

Come join us, your hosts Kevin, David and Brian, as we resume the widely popular – Tech Talk Tuesday. In these hour-long, weekly Zoom sessions we will discuss accessible technology as well as its practical application in every day life. You don’t need to know a lot about technology: you can just listen if you like. The group consists of beginners as well as advanced users of accessible technology. All questions and ideas are welcomed. Tech Talk Online meets on Zoom every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. Atlantic Time.

Youth ages 10-16 who enjoy fantasy authors, past and present who have entertained us with tales of wizards, warriors, magic, and mystery are encouraged to join this monthly group!

We will discuss some familiar books and authors and hopefully learn about many new ones. This program will also give participants the chance to chat about the characters and storylines they love in a fun and inclusive environment where the magic will be in sharing their ideas and insights!

Come along for a fun and collaborative ride. Apply soon to avoid disappointment as space is limited.

Scribes and Sorcerers meets over Zoom on the first Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be shared after registering. 

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.

Get your creative juices flowing as we put your song ideas to music. Join us on Tuesdays, 7-8 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be provided after registering. 

Join this monthly professional development and awareness session and learn about other part-time, full-time, or freelance artists and performers who experience low vision and blindness. Sessions will rotate guest speakers in the areas of music, performing arts and theatre or visual/tactile arts. Attendees will meet virtually via Zoom on the first Tuesday of each month from 7:30 p.m.  to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

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. 

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.

The Digital Treasure Chest is a new virtual program that will explore, examine, and highlight some of the best accessible technologies for people living with sight loss across Canada. It's a place for exploring, discovering, and sharing innovative tech solutions for your accessible technology needs. Find out about new apps, uncommon keyboard shortcuts, customized software solutions, and unique answers to everyday tech questions!

Join us the 1st and 3rd Wednesday at the London Community Hub from 2- 3pm. Whether it's trivia, games, cards, or even axe throwing, the skies the limit!

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 peer support group is intended to allow participants that reside in the Sudbury area to meet and engage virtually. This peer support group meets on Zoom, the first Wednesday of every month from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Eastern.

Join us for a walking tour of the Distillery District and their Winter Village Market with JJ Hunt! During the 2-hour tour, we'll explore the elegant visuals and history behind Christmas along with stories of the Distillery District told through audio descriptions. Wednesday December 6th from 4 to 6 p.m. Eastern.

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.

You’re invited to join us for CNIB’s 10th Annual Holiday Party! This year’s event will include dinner, live holiday music led by Maria Alley, and games with great prizes! As a special addition, this party will simultaneously be running virtually with our online and over the phone friends joining to socialize, sing along, and play with us! CNIB members, donors, volunteers, staff, and their guests are all welcome! CNIB’s 10th Annual Holiday Party is hosted on Zoom, Wednesday, December 6th from 6 to 8 p.m. Atlantic Time.

Come together to discuss different types of music you have to listen to. Depending on if you are getting started for the day or if you are looking to boost your spirit, talk about what song helps you during these times and learn about songs that help your peers! Music and Friends runs on Zoom on the first Wednesday of every month from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Newfoundland Time.

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.

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

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 on 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.

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

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.

If you are in the St. Thomas area and are looking for conversation, support and good practices, please sign up for our waitlist. This group will meet in person.

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. This peer support group meets on the first Thursday of every month from  11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern Time.