News

At CNIB, we stand in solidarity with the Canadian Council of the Blind regarding the Fraser Valley transit service suspension that has been in effect for more than three months. While we understand the Government of British Columbia has appointed a mediator, the ongoing labour dispute continues to impact the lives of thousands of community members with sight loss who rely on public transit to fully participate in the communities of Agassiz-Harrison, Central Fraser Valley, Chilliwack and Hope.

Yesterday, Bill C-22, the Canada Disability Benefit Act, received royal assent from Canada’s Governor General and CNIB Patron, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon. This important step concludes the legislative process and allows Cabinet to build the new Canada Disability Benefit. CNIB has signed onto a joint release with other disability organizations to celebrate this accomplishment and prepare for the regulatory process.

In February, a wonderful thing happened at CNIB Guide Dogs – we welcomed five beautiful puppies into the world!

For pedestrians who are blind or partially sighted, sound is an essential component of safe and independent navigation. Environmental cues and audible signals, like the noise generated by a combustion engine, can help people with sight loss to orient themselves, identify potential hazards, understand the flow of traffic, and determine when it’s safe to cross a street.

TORONTO, May 25, 2023 – CNIB – Canada’s largest non-profit supporting people who are blind or partially sighted – is pleased to announce a new partnership that will give young people the tools and resources they need to succeed, both now and into the future.

In early 2022, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) received a $150,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that has helped it to reimagine its volunteer program in Ontario. This funding has been critical as CNIB rebuilds its in-person and volunteer-led programs and continues to offer virtual programs with volunteer support.

While the Minister of Health tabled the response to Petition e-4177 on April 19, CNIB finds it inadequate as it continues to place the responsibility on the manufacturer to ensure medical devices, such as insulin pumps, are accessible. Health regulators such as Health Canada have a role to play in guaranteeing that devices coming into the market are accessible, usable and safe. For far too long, regulators have also accepted warnings provided by manufacturers that insulin pumps are “not safe for use by people who are blind” which further perpetuates inequity in healthcare access. 

Join us for the CNIB Community Meeting in your province. This will be an opportunity for CNIB, CNIB Deafblind Community Services and Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada to provide you with organizational updates as we prepare for a post-pandemic world. As we take this time to connect to ensure we continue to provide innovative and inclusive programs and services for Canadians who are blind, partially sighted or Deafblind, we want to hear from you.

Hosted by The German Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted (DBSV) and VIEWS International, The International Low-Vision Song Contest (ILSC) is a music contest for blind and visually impaired musicians. The contest provides a global platform for musicians to share their art and talent, to inspire and entertain. Organizations representing their respective countries submit a song to compete in the contest, and the winner is determined through online voting.

CNIB’s submission, a song called Common Ground, was composed and performed by Jade Ondrik, Music Specialist at CNIB Lake Joe, and Measha Brueggergosman-Lee, CNIB Brand Ambassador. 

(CARLETON PLACE, ON – April 26, 2023) – After completing intensive training, it’s finally graduation day for the CNIB Guide Dogs class of 2023! Today, CNIB Guide Dogs is celebrating 15 new partnerships, including nine guide dog graduates, five buddy dog graduates, and one ambassador dog graduate.