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Check out our Programs and Services
Whether it's career support, tech training, youth groups, cooking classes or book clubs – our programs are guaranteed to keep you entertained and engaged. Programs are free and available to Canadians who are blind or partially sighted as well as their families, friends and caregivers.
News
A conversation with Microsoft Canada
CNIB's Angela Bonfanti and Wayne Henshall recently sat down with Chris Barry, President of Microsoft Canada for an important conversation about removing societal barriers and building a better tomorrow through technology.
They spoke about the power of technology, the importance of advocating for accessible, usable and inclusive design, designing with and not for, and the collective responsibility we all have to continue to create a more inclusive world.
Events
Virtual Coffee Group
Join us every Friday for a virtual meet up in the prairies with a friendly bunch of people looking to connect with others across the country! Make new connections and find friendships and enjoyable conversation. The focus is on a positive, inclusive, and safe support network of people who have experienced sight loss. Everyone is welcome. This group meets on Zoom every Friday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Central Time.
Read moreBlogs
CNIB Lake Joe: How camp changes lives
“I always heard how “magical” CNIB Lake Joe is, but I had never been there, so I didn’t understand the hype,” says council member Curtis Ruttle. “Then I visited the camp and finally understood what all the fuss was about! I don’t know how to explain it, but the feeling of just being there was truly incredible.”
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About the CNIB Guide Dogs Urgent Expansion Campaign
Since the program started in 2017, the demand for CNIB Guide Dogs has never been higher. While our intention was always to increase capacity with gradually expanded funding, the pandemic rapidly expedited our need to grow, and created an urgency for additional funding to meet increasing demands. We’re working tirelessly to meet those demands for the Canadians with sight loss who need us. When our community needed us the most during border closers, we made the difficult decision to make critical and urgent investments in the growth of our guide dog program. We’ve had to accelerate the development of our program, which includes fundraising efforts like acquisition campaigns, direct marketing, and other means of raising money.
About the expansion campaign![[9:45 a.m.] John Lalley CNIB's Karin McArthur chat's with a program participant at an event.](/sites/default/files/styles/square_medium/public/images/2022-12/scotia-secondary-block.jpg?h=33760c2f&itok=3PilDJry)
Scotiabank invests in removing barriers to employment for Canadians with sight loss
Scotiabank invests in removing barriers to employment for Canadians with sight loss
In Canada, the unemployment rate for people with sight loss is 14.5 percent, three times higher than the general unemployment rate. Despite having comparable or higher qualifications than their sighted peers, people with sight loss face significant challenges joining and staying in the workforce, including lack of access to assistive devices, and limited networking and advancement opportunities.
Thanks to Scotiabank’s $1.2 million investment in the CNIB Come to Work Program, participants obtain training in networking and self-advocacy, and in accessible technology such as screen readers, video conferencing and smartphones. The program also educates corporate partners to better utilize assistive technology and accommodations to make workplaces more inclusive and increase the recruitment of people with sight loss.
Through this partnership, CNIB will have the capacity to help more than 1,000 talent pool members access personalized professional development opportunities through workshops, internships, mentorships, networking events with potential employers and referrals to community agencies for employment training sessions and workplaces.
Thank you, Scotiabank for partnering with us to create a Canada where everyone can come to work!
Volunteer Opportunities
Bingo Volunteers
Bingo volunteers needed! Help provide a community-based support group.
Resource Development Assistant, Accessible Technology
CNIB's Accessible Technology Program aims to support the technology needs of program participants. With the availability of a wide range of accessible technologies, people with sight loss can accomplish almost any task, provided they have the right device, and the right support! Through our continuous development of Accessible Technology resources, materials and curriculum, we are able to provide our participants with the information they need to use their accessible technology effectively. With our efforts of providing the best support possible, we are seeking volunteers to assist with research & development of a complete Accessible Technology resource kit.
Volunteer for Resource Development Assistant, Accessible Technology