Children and Youth Programs

If making music is your passion and you enjoy technology, you could be a Garage Band Hero! Garage Band is a popular accessible app that lets you make music anywhere. It includes a full-featured recording studio that allows you to compose and play your own songs using a free sound library of instruments, loops, fills and sound packs. Garage Band Hero meets on Zoom on the second Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. 

Fantasy fans, aspiring writers, amateur playwrights, and young actors are all welcome to join our new virtual monthly workshop…Drama and Dragons! Take that love of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson or Wings of Fire and use your imagination as a springboard to create your own worlds on paper. Each month our facilitator will provide exercises to lead you on a journey to discover your magical writing and performing talents. Drama and Dragons meets over Zoom on the third Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

The ukulele is a fun way to start your musical journey if you have never played a stringed instrument before. Learn at your own pace in this bi-weekly exploration of fundamentals that will include ukulele basics, finger positioning, playing chords, reading tabs and chord charts, strumming patterns, and performing simple songs. This is a beginner level program. Spots are very limited and parents and registrants are required to attend a short interview before acceptance. Instruments will be provided to successful applicants. 

Children of all ages across the country are welcome to participate in our live reading series Read Aloud to Me. Join us every Wednesday as experienced volunteers give life to picture books, chapter books and short stories. While stories chosen are geared to participants between the ages of 7 to 12, anyone who would enjoy listening is welcome. Every Wednesday from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

The Zoom Zoom Room is growing up, and is now called the Zoom Room for Kids! Children ages 6-10 and older, non-verbal participants are invited to join us as we use music to build our social skills. Each session will be all about the special things going on that month. Make sure to come regularly, because each session you will work as a team to create your own special song. Certified music therapist Melissa Murphy will also have lots of songs and stories to share that are perfect for singing and dancing along. Every Wednesday from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom. 

Calling all aspiring young writers! The 2024 Braille Creative Writing Contest is now accepting entries. Write a short story, essay, or poem on any topic or re-purpose something you've written for school this year! Show off your creative writing talents for a chance to win cash prizes. 

Put down the textbooks and join CNIB this summer for this unique all-expenses-paid opportunity! This transformational experience will provide you with an edge in your academic and job-seeking goals. Discover and explore your potential through educational and empowering activities while connecting with like-minded peers. SCORE Scholars programming helps participants build essential leadership, independence, pre-employment, and social skills. We’ll explore the city of Toronto by visiting restaurants and local attractions. Accommodations and programming will take place at the Seneca College Newnham campus near Yonge and Finch. July 13 – 27th, 2024 (in person)

Music Therapist Erin Koop hosts weekly sessions on Zoom for children and youth participants across the country. These interactive sessions are filled with songs, stories, and more!  Get ready to make some music!  This group runs on Zoom, every Tuesday from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Pacific Time. 

Start your journey seeking a part-time or summer job with CNIB Learning Academy’s Youth Job Club!  There is no time like the present to begin your work experiences. Having a part-time or summer job will put some money in your pocket, and you give valuable skills that employers are looking for. Facilitated by staff with sight loss, this five-session program will give participants an edge in looking for your first summer or part-time job. Virtual sessions are hosted on Zoom every Tuesday (April 2 to April 30) from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Join this monthly professional development and awareness session and learn about other part-time, full-time, or freelance artists and performers who experience low vision and blindness. Sessions will rotate guest speakers in the areas of music, performing arts and theatre or visual/tactile arts. Attendees will meet virtually via Zoom on the first Tuesday of each month from 7:30 p.m.  to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time.