News

 Two e-scooters sit side-by-side on a sidewalk. Their break lights are blinking red.

People with sight loss overlooked during Ottawa e-scooter pilot

As the City of Ottawa's e-scooter pilot nears completion, the CNIB Foundation has been conducting consultations with the sight loss community to gather feedback about their experiences with the project. This is largely in response to the absence of any robust public consultation between the City of Ottawa and the disability community, outside of two presentations to the City's Accessibility Advisory Committee from the e-scooter companies in February and September 2020.
BMO Logo

CNIB’s Phone It Forward Program Receives Game-changing Donation of Smart Devices from BMO Financial Group

TORONTO, October 26, 2020 – The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), Canada's largest non-profit serving people with sight loss, thanks BMO Financial Group (BMO) for its incredible, game-changing donation to support Canadians with sight loss.
a man holds a smartphone

Canadian Tire Corporation makes long-term donation of smartphones for people who are blind

TORONTO, October 13, 2020 – The CNIB Foundation has announced a new ongoing commitment from Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC) to support Canadians with sight loss through its Phone It Forward program. CTC's generous, long-term donation will help Canadians who are blind or partially sighted access the life-changing technology that smartphones offer.
Jennifer Macneil, standing outside on a sunny day, smiling for the camera with Lenny, her guide dog.

Let's boost the employment rate for Canadians with sight loss

“I wouldn't be where I am today had I not had mentors and people guiding me throughout my career. I was blind at birth and I knew that I wanted to help others when I grew up.”
A person out of frame tapping their bank card on a touchscreen payment terminal, being presented by a café employee.

Payment terminals with improved accessibility coming soon to a business near you

Canadians with sight loss will soon be able to make purchases on their own with reduced risk of compromising the security of their personal and financial information. CNIB is working together with Moneris Solutions Corporation (‘Moneris’), and supported by the Government of Canada, to create an inclusive and accessible shopping experience for everyone.
A yellow face in the shape of a loonie with a blind fold on and lipstick tube beside it.  The CNIB logo to the right with the words "Loonies4Lips" underneath

Be part of the Loonies4Lips challenge!

As part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month this October, the CNIB Foundation is launching Loonies4Lips, a social media challenge to raise funds for the CNIB Foundation while smashing the stigma that stands in the way of talent with sight loss.
GoodMaps Logo

CNIB announces new partnership with GoodMaps

TORONTO – The CNIB Foundation, Canada's largest non-profit serving people with sight loss, has announced a new partnership with GoodMaps, experts and innovators in accessible navigation and wayfinding.

From left to right, John Rafferty, President and CEO of CNIB, Eyre Purkin Bien, Senior advisor, Philanthropy, three members of the Nanji Family, Garry Nenson Vice President of Philanthropy for CNIB, and Shane Silver, Vice President of Social Enterprises for CNIB. The group stands together in front of the new Nanji Family Foundation CNIB SmartLife Centre.

CNIB unveils new, interactive retail experience: The Nanji Family Foundation CNIB SmartLife Centre

TORONTO, September 16, 2020: The CNIB Foundation, Canada's largest non-profit serving people with sight loss, celebrated the grand opening of their state-of-the-art Nanji Family Foundation CNIB SmartLife Centre in Toronto on September 15, 2020.
Diane Bergeron kneeling on grass next to her guide dog Carla, a golden retriever.

Discrimination against guide dog teams must stop

"Imagine walking into a restaurant and being told, "You can't come in," or being stranded at an airport because none of the taxis will take you home, or making a room reservation, only to have it cancelled by the hotel because you're not welcome. This has been my reality for 30 years. You'd think I'd get used to it, but every time it happens, I'm no less shocked than I was the first time it happened." – Diane Bergeron, President of CNIB Guide Dogs
A woman sitting in the front passenger seat of a taxi and her guide dog, a golden retriever, sits at her feet between her legs.

Guide dogs are essential workers, yet they face discrimination daily

The CNIB Foundation and Guide Dog Users of Canada are reminding Canadians that guide dogs belong everywhere – it’s the law.