News
This September, help champion guide dog access
Held every September, Guide Dog Access Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness and understanding of guide dogs, the rights of guide dog handlers, and to champion equal access for guide dog teams.
While guide dog refusals happen in many settings, transportation remains one of the most common areas where handlers encounter barriers and discrimination. That’s why, in support of our commitment to safe and accessible journeys, our advocacy campaign this year is focused on guide dog access in transportation.
Events
Song Bingo Game Night
Come join us on alternating Fridays for our Song Bingo Game Night! All you need to participate is access to phone or Zoom and a bingo card at home or online! Feel free to play as a family or house! There will be prizes for the first 3 bingo winners of each game and those who correctly name the most tunes! This program is open to participants of all ages. Song Bingo Game Night meets on Zoom on alternating Friday's from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Pacific Time.
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Advocating to strengthen enforcement of guide dog handlers’ rights in Ontario
In Ontario, when a guide dog handler is refused access, they’re told to contact their police service to report the incident, as it’s an offence under the Blind Persons’ Rights Act (BPRA) and police have the authority to investigate and lay charges.
Through our work with guide dog handlers, we’ve heard time and time again about the challenges they face when trying to report access refusals to police. Officers may not be familiar with the legislation or how to enforce it, and in some cases, handlers are even told that it isn’t a police matter. So we started asking ourselves what we could do to change that.
September is Guide Dog Access Awareness Month!
This month is all about educating people on proper guide dog etiquette, the rights of guide dog handlers, the legislation that protects them, and championing equal access for guide dog handlers. By learning more about guide dogs, you can help shift social attitudes towards guide dogs, ensuring that the rights of guide dog teams are always respected.
Help make your community more welcoming to guide dog teamsOur Programs
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Gardener, Memorial Garden – CNIB Guide Dogs
The CNIB Guide Dog Memorial Garden honours the memories of beloved CNIB program dogs and the deep bonds they shared with their handlers. We are seeking dedicated volunteers to assist with the care, upkeep, and enhancement of the CNIB Guide Dogs Memorial Garden to ensure it remains a respectful, welcoming, and accessible space for graduates, families, staff, and visitors.
Volunteer for Volunteer Gardener, Memorial Garden – CNIB Guide Dogs
Breeder Carer – CNIB Guide Dogs
Volunteers are a critical part of our guide dog program, and we’re always in need of volunteer puppy raisers and boarders. With support from CNIB Guide Dogs staff, you would play a vital role in bringing future CNIB guide dogs into the world by caring for one of our adult dogs from 12 months of age through the end of their breeding career, as well as supporting whelping and the early socialization of puppies up to 12 weeks old.