Advocacy Programs

CNIB’s International Youth Internship Program offers young people in Canada the opportunity to gain international work experience through an internship placement with an international disability-serving partner organization in Jamaica, Guyana, Saint Lucia, or Antigua and Barbuda.

Community Engagement Volunteers are people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision, their friends or family, or anyone who has a connection to the mission and wants to make a difference in their community. They are self-starters who can bring together community and drive local grassroots campaigns as well as support national advocacy issues in their region through collaborating with others.

Discover the power of lived experience! Join the Flip Side to listen, learn, and be inspired by CNIB staff and clients who share their personal stories of navigating life with sight loss. These honest, uplifting conversations offer insight, encouragement, and plenty of “you’re not alone” moments. Come for the stories, leave feeling inspired and connected. Second Wednesday of every month from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Newfoundland Time on Zoom.

This is a safe and supportive place for guide dog handlers from across the country to get together and chat. Share the joys and challenges of being a guide dog handler as well as tips to keep our guide dogs happy and engaged. Biweekly on Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

The advocacy volunteers are people who are blind or partially sighted, their friends or family, or anyone who has a connection to the mission and wants to make a difference in their community. They are self-starters who can bring together community and drive local grassroots campaigns as well as support national advocacy issues in their region through collaborating with others. Second Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Central Time on Zoom.

The 30 Club is an advocacy-focused support group designed to empower people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision to feel more comfortable when applying to jobs. We'll cover topics around disclosure, accommodation, navigation, communication and disability. First Sunday of every month from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Central Standard Time on Zoom.

Join us to learn more about Ontario’s Blind Persons’ Rights Act and how it protects the rights of guide dog handlers. We’ll explore where the Act applies, what it means for guide dog access, and how handlers can use the legislation to advocate for themselves when they encounter an access denial. The session will also walk through practical steps you can take following an access denial, including documenting what happened, reporting the incident, and understanding the enforcement process. Thursday, September 24 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

CNIB is inviting people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision and live in the Calgary area to join us for a community discussion about their experiences using Calgary Transit. We want to hear directly from riders about what's working well, what challenges they face, and what improvements would make public transit more accessible, safe, and easier to navigate. Monday, October 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. at CNIB Calgary.