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From left to right: Steven Guilbault, David Demers, Executive Lead, Frontier Accessibility & Executive Director, CNIB Quebec, Sophie Mauzerolle, Nimi Nanji-Simard, and Angela Bonfanti Senior Vice President of CNIB. The group poses for a photo inside the newly renovated Nanji Family Foundation CNIB SmartLife Centre in Montreal, Quebec.

CNIB announces opening of new SmartLife Centres across Canada

MONTREAL, Quebec, October 22, 2021 – CNIB, Canada’s largest non-profit serving people with sight loss, celebrated the grand opening of the Nanji Family Foundation CNIB SmartLife Centre in Montreal on October 18, 2021.

CNIB SmartLife is an interactive retail experience that gives people with disabilities of all ages hands-on access to the latest breakthroughs in assistive technologies, as well as tried-and-true favourites. The opening of the Montreal CNIB SmartLife Centre, now the third location in the country, was made possible by a generous donation from the Nanji Family Foundation.

"The ultimate goal of SmartLife is to give our customers the skills and confidence they need to make the most out of assistive tools that can help them lead better lives,” says David Demers, Executive Lead of Frontier Accessibility and Executive Director for CNIB Quebec CNIB. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Nanji Family Foundation for this extraordinary gift. With their support, we'll be able to empower Canadians with disabilities to take full advantage of these life-changing products and technologies.”

Thanks to the transformational gift made by the Nanji Family Foundation, the organization will be opening an additional three SmartLife Centres across Canada over the next several months – including locations in Vancouver, Ottawa, and Brampton.

“The sense of sight is something many of us take for granted,” says Pyarali Nanji. “So we wanted to find a way to give back by increasing access to innovative technology and training for Canadians with sight loss.”

As of today, consumers can access in-person support through the Toronto, Barrie and Montreal locations, or visit cnibsmartlife.ca to order products from the comfort of their home.

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About CNIB

CNIB is a non-profit organization driven to change what it is to be blind today. We deliver innovative programs and powerful advocacy that empower Canadians impacted by blindness to live their dreams while tearing down barriers to inclusion. Our work as a blind foundation is powered by a network of volunteers, donors and partners in communities across Canada. To learn more or get involved, visit cnib.ca.

For more information, please contact:

David Demers

Executive Lead, Frontier Accessibility & Executive Director, CNIB Quebec

514-465-5482 | david.demers@cnib.c

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