Upcoming Events

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. 

This newsletter is for those interested in virtual or in person programs that are run specifically out of the Ontario West region.

Participants (ages 6-18) across BC are invited to join CNIB at BC Easter Seals summer camp in Squamish, with the costs covered by CNIB! The camp will take place July 15-19, 2024. 

Welcome to the "I Can…Hike" Challenge! This fun, family and community based program is designed to encourage participants to explore community trails, paths, parks, with family and friends.

This is a braille practice group for clients to improve and gain new skills in reading and writing braille. Every Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at CNIB Halifax. 

This is a braille practice group for clients to improve and gain new skills in reading and writing braille. Every Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at CNIB Halifax. 

Sit back and relax in our virtual reading room and let the CNIB Lake Joe team share articles and stories of interest. Reading Room meets on the first Friday of every month from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be provided after registering. 

The in-person Friday Coffee Group is back! Rekindle old friendships while making new ones, meet new people and have enjoyable conversations. This group offers a safe, positive social network for those that are blind or partially sighted. This group meets in-person at CNIB Winnipeg every Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Central Time. Every Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Central Time at CNIB Winnipeg .

A monthly technology group on assistive devices for Ottawa-area participants. First Friday every month from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the CNIB Ottawa Hub.

Designed for knitters/advanced knitters to work on projects, learn from peers, and enjoy knitting fellowship. Every Friday from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Eastern 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 Friday from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

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. Virtual Coffee Group meets every Friday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Central Time on Zoom. 

A call-in social group. Each session will have a topic of discussion. This program is designed for participants 19+. Biweekly on Friday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Zoom.

Music alone shall live. It is hard for us not to fall in love with music. It is soothing and it greatly touches our soul. This program intends to bring youth and adults with blindness and vision loss from across Vancouver Island to experience many benefits for the mind, body, and soul that community and singing can bring. We are thrilled to welcome Marcelina Stanton as the musical director. She is a Latin American musician who loves to perform popular and traditional songs and play guitar. No prior singing experience is necessary. Everyone is welcome and if you play an instrument, you are invited to bring it along. The Victoria Community Choir meets at CNIB Victoria every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. 

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. Biweekly on Friday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Pacific Time on Zoom.

This group meets at Wascana Park in Regina twice a month for the summer months to go for a walk around the lake. There are volunteers available to assist with sighted guide if needed. It would be a relaxing time to exercise, have a chat or just enjoy the sun during the summer. During the winter months, the group meets indoors  at Arcola East community Center.

Join us for a series of sessions beginning in April 2024 that emphasize educational and career-based skill-building for anyone between the ages of 15 and 30 years old.  Our advanced series will focus on topics such as crafting the perfect resume and cover letter, advocacy at all ages and stages, as well as sports and recreation with sight loss. Every other Saturday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Zoom. 

Join host Kelly MacDonald as he shares a blast from the past! Listen to all the old radio shows that made the genre so popular. Everything from mystery, comedy, westerns and holiday specific shows. Sit back and enjoy! First and third Sunday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Accessible products are available to test and purchase by debit or credit (no cash). Monday, May 6 from 10:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Oakville Public Library – Glen Abbey Branch.

Our guest speaker, Ryan, will deliver a presentation about accessible services and programs offered by the Oakville Public Library. There will also be a short Q&A at the end of the presentation. Monday, May 6 from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at the Oakville Public Library – Glen Abbey Branch.

The Walking Group provides a chance for individuals who are blind or partially sighted to exercise and practice their mobility and travel skills. Every Monday (Tuesday when there is a long weekend) from 10 to 11 a.m.

This amazing bike is available to all participants who wish to experience the sensations of cycling again; or for the very first time! The Trishaw features a spacious and comfortable carriage that can accommodate two passengers. Trishaw pilots are fully trained to ensure optimal safety for maximum fun! Trishaw is available by appointment only, when the weather allows (approximately April to September).

Join Ben to learn more about CNIB's Inclusive Schools program: a new initiative designed to teach educators and students how to foster inclusion in the classroom for people who are blind or have low vision. Monday, May 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Oakville Public Library – Glen Abbey Branch.

Come out and enjoy the camaraderie of your peers while experiencing a variety of restaurants within Winnipeg for brunch. A different restaurant will be chosen each month.

If you have a green thumb (or you'd like to have one), then this gardening discussion group is for you! We swap success stories, talk about our favorite plants, and generally 'dish the dirt' on all things horticultural. For all levels of garden enthusiasts. Whether you patio or container garden, or have lots of gardening space, the time in this group will just buzz by. Every Monday from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Meet Ziggy – an Ambassador Dog with CNIB Guide Dogs. Learn more about the guide dog program including eligibility and how to register. We will end the presentation with a Q&A session. Monday, May 6 from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. at the Oakville Public Library – Glen Abbey Branch.

The “Get on Board” transit campaign will take place in 12 municipalities across Canada from May 6 to June 6, 2024. Campaign activities include a secret rider survey and a Town Hall where we'll discuss our findings and the actions required to enhance accessibility on our transit system. We hope you can join us at a local town hall to share your experiences and ideas of how we can improve the accessibility of regional transit systems!

Have you heard of  Vision Loss Rehabilitation Ontario (VLR) or CNIB Deafblind Community Services (DBCS) Don't know if you should be registered with the organization, or how to? Come and join us for coffee and snacks as you learn about the programs and services offered by VLRC and DBCS. Monday, May 6 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Oakville Public Library – Glen Abbey Branch.

Meet Mike Croteau, The Punching Pastor! Mike will be joining us to share his journey through health, faith and making the most of every opportunity. Join us the Monday, May 6 from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be provided after registering. 

If you are between the ages of 18-35 and would like to meet up with others in the Edmonton area, this group is for you. The Edmonton Social Meet Up group gets together once a month or a couple of hours to socialize at different locations.

Accessible yoga for most skill levels from the comfort of your home. Check out accessible yoga if you are looking for a classic yoga class with descriptive prompts. Designed for people with vision loss, the instructor will verbally walk you through all the poses and movements. Please bring a yoga mat, a bottle of water, and your breath! Accessible Yoga meets every Monday from  5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Sit back and enjoy several stories from the well-known Chicken Soup books! A volunteer will be reading a selection of interesting and enjoyable short stories. First Monday of every month from 7 to 8 p.m. Newfoundland Time on Zoom.

Love cooking or would love to know more about cooking? Join this group to share ideas, tips, tricks and the joy of cooking and baking! Let's Talk Cooking meets on Zoom, every Monday 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. 

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 Monday from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

Enjoy Music with Music Therapist, Melissa Murphy! Melissa leads our kids into sessions of dancing, singing, playing various instruments all while learning emotional regulation skills, communication skills and building their social skills. Sessions will be done in a hybrid type model. This means that you have the choice of joining in person at Dominelli School of Music (North Edmonton) or online on Zoom.

The Round Table is a Hamilton based group offering friendly conversation and encouragement. It is designed for individuals who are blind or low vision to connect with others who are experiencing similar circumstances. Meetings will tie in good practices, information, discussions, caring and support. The Round Table meets every Tuesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Zoom with one in-person meeting every month. 

Join us for conversation, laughter, and a chance to reminisce about your favourite CNIB Lake Joe memories. Pour yourself a coffee, tea, or beverage of choice, login and connect with your friends from Lake Joe. Coffee Break meets every Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be provided after registering. 

The informal coffee chat group is a chance to socialize and meet new people. It is a very warm and welcoming group of regulars and newcomers. Every Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Atlantic Time on Zoom. 

Are you craving that social interaction you normally get from going for coffee with friends ? We are here to keep the virtual conversation going post pandemic! Since we've gotten to know each other, lets stay connected and share some good news stories, discuss practical tips and successes with others living with vision loss. Every Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

This is an Oakville based peer social group that meets in person and on Zoom. Connect with other friendly people in the Oakville area for conversation, support and good practices. The Oakville EnVision Group meets at the Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre on the first Tuesday of every month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and virtually on Zoom on the third Tuesday of every month.

If you are in the Windsor area and are looking for conversation, support and good practices, please sign up for our waitlist. This group will meet in-person once a month at Lions Manor Apartments.

If you are in the Toronto area and are looking for conversation, support and good practices, please sign up for our waitlist. This peer social group will meet in-person at the CNIB GTA Community Hub.

Are you having challenges with using your technology or do you simply have questions about something new? Join this discussion group with others with sight loss where we share ideas and experiences that might be helpful. Many heads are better than one! First and third Tuesday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

This five-week program provides individuals with an inclusive support network, the opportunity to share practical support strategies, and to help to face the future with confidence, independence, happiness, and hope changing what it means to be blind. Every Tuesday (April 23 to May 21) from 1 to 3 p.m. at CNIB Winnipeg. 

The Calgary Audio Book Club gathers monthly to discuss books we are reading and recommendations. Frst Tuesday of every month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Zoom.

This program is designed for older adults who are blind or partially sighted to connect with others who are experiencing similar circumstances and to participate in social gatherings. The Saskatoon Older Adult Peer Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at LutherCare Tower.

A biweekly community-based support group for Prince George residents that offers ongoing emotional adjustment to vision loss support. This peer support group meets at the Prince George & District Senior Citizens Activity Centre Society biweekly on Tuesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

Chair yoga is a good option for anyone with injuries or with mobility issues. You will need comfortable clothing and a sturdy chair without arms or armrests for this class. Techniques include breath work, gentle movement with repetition, postures, sitting meditation and relaxation. No experience required. Chair Yoga meets every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

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.