News

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Like many of you, the CNIB Foundation has been monitoring the potential impact of COVID-19 and actively preparing to meet the demands of the evolving situation. The health and safety of our participants, volunteers, supporters and employees is of utmost importance for the CNIB Foundation. Therefore, all drop-in services and in-person programs have been suspended until further notice.

The upcoming budget is an opportunity for Ontarians to make a lasting difference in the lives of people with sight loss by supporting CNIB's Ontario Budget ask. Will you take five minutes to send a message to your MPP asking them to ensure Ontarians who are blind, partially sighted or Deafblind have access to jobs and resources that will remove barriers to employment?

Recently, CNIB learned the online renewal process for the Ontario Health Card requires a current driver’s licence number. This requirement is unacceptable because it prevents Ontarians who are blind, partially sighted or Deafblind from renewing their health card online.

CNIB commends the Ontario Ministry of Education for providing guidance to school boards on their policies regarding service animals. We also welcome the opportunity to provide detailed comment on the draft policy to ensure it adequately supports the existing rights of guide dog handlers and highlights the difference between service animals and guide dogs.

As residents in Ottawa-Vanier and Orléans prepare to head to the polls on Thursday, February 27 for the by-elections, campaigns are in full swing.

Councilors and city staff from St John's, Mount Pearl and Paradise n CNIB Foundations join CNIB Foundation staff and board members for the launch of Key2Access. Key2Access is a new technology that offers an accessible alternative for requesting a pedestrian crossing that does not require the user to reach a button on a pole. The system provides access to the pedestrian push button using a fob or free mobile app and ensures that an audible signal is available for those living with sight loss.