Upcoming Events
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!
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!
The Town of Ajax is seeking residents with sight loss to collaborate on a public education awareness campaign to encourage people using e-scooters and e-bikes on the Town’s trails and multi-use paths to engage in safer behaviour. If you’re an Ajax resident worried about your safety on the Town's trails because of e-scooters and e-bikes and are interested in improving trail walkability and safety, the Town of Ajax wants to hear from you!
Get your creative juices flowing as we put your song ideas to music. Join us on Wednesdays, 9-10 a.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.
CNIB London Community Hub
171 Queens Ave Suite 101
London ON N6A 5J7
Canada
This Coffee Club is open to CNIB participants in the London area who would like to meet for laughter, information sharing, and friendly support. Join in for coffee, the chance to share and meet other people who are experiencing sight loss. Meet CNIB team members who may just pop by to say hi. Fourth Wednesday of every month from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the CNIB London Community Hub.
Each 60-75 minute session will explore a new theme; making reference to novels, poetry, articles, song lyrics, quotations, recipes, and more. From clotheslines to libraries, musical instruments, art and the landmarks of Winnipeg and Manitoba – come along on this journey of curiosities. Bi-weekly on Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. CST.
CNIB Brampton Community Hub
7700 Hurontario St #400A
Brampton ON L6Y 4M3
Canada
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.
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. Every Wednesday from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.
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. Every Wednesday from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.
The music social is a themed radio-style night of music appreciation, where participants give song requests to the hosts and we listen to music, chat, and answer trivia questions together! Join us for a night of music, fun, and games! Music Social meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.
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
CNIB GTA Community Hub
1525 Yonge Street
Toronto ON M4T 1Z2
Canada
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 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.
Art Gallery of Burlington (Meet in Lakeshore Lobby)
1333 Lakeshore Road
Burlington ON L7S 1A9
Canada
Learn how to form a bowl on the potter’s wheel! Absolutely no experience is required for this fun, hands-on workshop where you will learn that basics of centering clay on the wheel and forming basic shapes. The pieces you make will be fired and glazed after the workshop for you take home at a later date. This workshop for CNIB participants will include a touch-tour of clay objects from the AGB’s Education Collection that will introduce some of the shapes and textures found in contemporary Canadian ceramics. Thursday, March 28th at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
The CNIB KnitWits are a group of people who meet biweekly to discuss and share knitting related topics. We share patterns, chat about life in general, and support each other with tips and tricks to enhance our knitting and life skills with vision loss. Biweekly on Thursday from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.
CNIB London Hub – SmartLife Centre
171 Queens Ave Suite 101
London ON N6A 5J7
Canada
We'd like to cordially invite you to a special event hosted by CNIB SmartLife, featuring Optelec, an industry leader in the accessible technology space with a variety of blindness and low-vision products. Join us for this open house on March 28. Mix and mingle with an Optelec representative, enjoy live product demonstrations of various different devices and get some free swag!
The CNIB KnitWits are a group of people who meet biweekly to discuss and share knitting related topics. We share patterns, chat about life in general, and support each other with tips and tricks to enhance our knitting and life skills with vision loss. KnitWits meets on Zoom biweekly on Thursday's from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be shared after registering.
A phone-based peer support group for people who are blind or partially sighted to learn from and connect to others who understand their experiences. Come and share tips and tricks with other participants relevant to your community and connect with local resources. This group is for people with sight loss living in the Sault Ste. Marie/Algoma district. The Algoma After Sight Group meets on Zoom or telephone on the second and fourth Thursday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. Call in information will be shared after registering.
CNIB GTA Community Hub
1525 Yonge Street
Toronto ON M4T 1Z2
Canada
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.
CNIB GTA Community Hub
1525 Yonge Street
Toronto ON M4T 1Z2
Canada
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 2 to 4 p.m. at the CNIB GTA 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.
There are so many different ways to get active and feel great from the comfort of your own home! Join us every Thursday from 3-4pm EST to get moving!
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.
CNIB Nova Scotia’s Less Trivial is designed to be a little less about trivial knowledge and more focused on figuring out answers in teams (that you’re assigned at the beginning of the night)! Rounds include word puzzles, riddles, Family Feud, number games, etc. This month’s theme is egg-citing because it’s Easter Themed! Less Trivial meets on Thursday, March 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. Atlantic Time on Zoom.
CNIB GTA Community Hub
1525 Yonge Street
Toronto ON M4T 1Z2
Canada
Discover the art of woodturning and what it’s all about. No experience required! Volunteers will be on hand to show you the fundamentals and help to create a beautiful project. Woodturning meets at the CNIB GTA Community Hub on the last Thursday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m.
Join us for a blast from the past! Bring your friends and join us for a virtual game of family feud! Family Feud runs on Zoom on the second and fourth Thursday of every month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
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.
CNIB Ottawa Community Hub
425 Marché Way Suite 104
Ottawa ON K1S 5H6
Canada
Join us at the CNIB Ottawa Hub for a monthly games group! Play games with peers and chat. We will offer a variety of games including board games, indoor axe throwing and trivia style games. Fourth Thursday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time at the CNIB Ottawa Community Hub.
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 Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be provided 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.
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.
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. The Guide Dog Handlers Chat Group meets on Zoom, biweekly on Friday from 1 to 2 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. Virtual Coffee Group meets every Friday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Central Time on Zoom.
A support group for blind/partially sighted parents. From infancy to adulthood - blind mothers and fathers can learn, explore, and share their triumphs, challenges, tips and stories among peers in a supportive environment. The group meets twice monthly in order to accommodate busy schedules.
This newsletter is for those interested in virtual or in person programs that are run specifically out of the Ontario West region.
Calling all aspiring young writers! The 2024 Braille Creative Writing Contest is now accepting entries. Write a short story, essay, or poem on any topic or re-purpose something you've written for school this year! Show off your creative writing talents for a chance to win cash prizes.
Join the club that believes the word “can’t“ is not allowed! The “I Can… Club“ is focused on building the attitudes and skills that lead us to think about all that is possible.
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.
The ukulele is a fun way to start your musical journey if you have never played a stringed instrument before. Learn at your own pace in this bi-weekly exploration of fundamentals that will include ukulele basics, finger positioning, playing chords, reading tabs and chord charts, strumming patterns, and performing simple songs. This is a beginner level program. Spots are very limited and parents and registrants are required to attend a short interview before acceptance. Instruments will be provided to successful applicants.
The Round Table is a Hamilton based group offering 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. The Round Table meets every Tuesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Zoom with one in-person meeting every month.
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.
Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre or Zoom
325 Reynolds Street
Oakville ON L6J 3L7
Canada
This is an Oakville based peer social group that meets in person and on Zoom. Connect with other friendly people in the Oakville area for conversation, support and good practices. The Oakville EnVision Group meets at the Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre on the first Tuesday of every month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and virtually on Zoom on the third Tuesday of every month.
CNIB GTA Community Hub
1525 Yonge Street
Toronto ON M4T 1Z2
Canada
If you are in the Toronto area and are looking for conversation, support and good practices, please sign up for our waitlist. This peer social group will meet in-person at the CNIB GTA Community Hub.
Lions Manor Apartment
230 Strabane Ave.
Windsor ON N8Y 4V2
Canada
If you are in the Windsor area and are looking for conversation, support and good practices, please sign up for our waitlist. This group will meet in-person once a month at Lions Manor Apartments.
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! First and third Tuesday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern 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.
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.