News
Canadians urged to keep safe distance from guide dog teams
CNIB Guide Dogs is urging Canadians to keep a safe distance from guide dog teams. Lives may depend on it.
Equalize – April 2020
In this issue, we discuss the CNIB Foundation's Ontario Budget Ask. We talk to Jacob Charendoff about a complaint he filed with the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and we learn more about The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Robyn Rennie tells us about her passion for making art accessible, and Bernard Akuoko shares his story about growing up with sight loss as a young black man. We also hear from an advocate in Northern Ontario about his advocacy journey for accessible pedestrian signals.
Physical distancing is impractical for many Canadians with sight loss
In response to the Public Health Agency of Canada’s recommendation that everyone keep a distance of at least two metres from others at all times, the CNIB Foundation is urging people to consider something very important: Canadians who are blind or partially sighted – especially those living alone – may need to rely on a sighted guide (a person who guides someone with sight loss) for urgent needs, including traveling safely to the grocery store, the pharmacy, their doctor’s office, the bank, and back home.
Creating Accessible Content For Your Audience Workshop
Join us for a Zoom workshop on April 20, 2020 on how to keep the public aware of what is going on with your business or organization and making sure that information is accessible to people who are blind or partially sighted.
An interview with Ben Mulroney and CNIB Guide Dogs Buddy Team Zach and Elsie
CNIB Brand Ambassador, Ben Mulroney, chats with CNIB Guide Dogs buddy dog team, Zach and Elsie. Hear from Zach about how Elsie is helping him through COVID-19 social distancing and recovering from a recent surgery. Zach also tells Ben about his experience with CNIB’s virtual programs. Watch the full interview here.
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
If you stopped working because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) may provide you with temporary income support. The CERB provides $500 a week for up to 16 weeks.
CNIB Foundation expands virtual program offerings across Canada
In response to COVID-19, the CNIB Foundation has expanded its free virtual program offerings (e.g. career support, tech training, book clubs, youth groups) for Canadians impacted by blindness. We’re committed to combating the negative ramifications that isolation can have on Canadians with sight loss and ensuring our community is supported during this unprecedented time.
CNIB Consultation Response: Developing a new Poverty Reduction Strategy for Ontario – March, 2020
We welcome the opportunity to respond to the government's consultation on developing a new Poverty Reduction Strategy for Ontario. There are approximately 681,000 Ontarians living with sight loss. According to Statistics Canada's 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability, 22 per cent of Canadians living with severe or very severe sight loss are low income according to the Market Basket Measure (MBM), compared to 8.7 per cent for the general population.
New CNIB Eschenbach Partnership
The CNIB Foundation, Canada's largest non-profit serving people with sight loss, has signed an exciting new partnership agreement with Eschenbach Optik of America Inc., a global innovator and manufacturer of premium magnification solutions.
Saskatchewan government commits to new funding for deafblind services
Two organizations devoted to serving the deafblind and deaf communities are applauding the Government of Saskatchewan today, after it was announced the province would commit $350,000 to deafblind and deaf service delivery over the next year.