Upcoming Events

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

This is a waitlist for when we have enough interest in the Windsor area for a Friendly Chat Peer Social Group. The program will be for those who are wanting 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. We hope that this group will start by being offered once a month in person. Once we are able to run this group, you will be contacted.

This is a waitlist for when we have enough interest in the St. Catharines area for a Friendly Chat Peer Social Group. The program will be for those who are wanting 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. We hope that this group will start by being offered once a month in person. Once we are able to run this group, you will be contacted.

VocalEye is the first dedicated live description service for blind and partially sighted people in Canada. Since its inception, VocalEye has described over 300 live events including theatre performances, dance, opera, parades, fireworks and public art tours for people who are blind and partially sighted. VocalEye Almost Live Zoom events are hosted by members of the blind community with special guest artists most Wednesday evenings.

Advocacy is a powerful tool to dismantle systemic barriers, challenge discrimination and create change by raising awareness, influencing policies, and mobilizing community members to get involved. But finding your voice and learning how to become an advocate can sometimes feel intimidating or overwhelming. CNIB’s new advocacy peer mentorship program, CNIB Advocacy Mentorship Network, aims to change that. Discover the tools and techniques you need to channel your frustrations and concerns into constructive advocacy efforts by enrolling in the CNIB Advocacy Mentorship Network!

Welcome to our yoga class, where tranquility meets movement. Join us in a serene environment designed to restore balance and enhance flexibility. Our experienced instructor will guide you through poses that promote relaxation and strength, whether you're new to yoga or have practiced for years. This class is open to all abilities. Every Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the CNIB Brampton Hub.

If you love books, this group is for you! This group features guest authors as well as weeks where a different genre or theme are picked. People read their choice of book on the theme and come ready to discuss. It's a great way to build your reading list and learn about what others are reading and the technology they use to access their books. Every Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Zoom. 

This is a waitlist for when we have enough interest in the Brantford area for a Friendly Chat Peer Social Group. The program will be for those who are wanting friendly conversation and encouragement.

Join us for coffee or tea and great conversation. There will be guest speakers, interesting conversations and a chance to connect with your peers and community. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Come on out, meet with your peers, let’s chat! Third Wednesday of every month from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Eastern Time at the CNIB Ottawa Hub. 

This is a waitlist for when we have enough interest in the Hamilton area for a Friendly Chat Peer Social Group. The program will be for those who are wanting friendly conversation and encouragement.

Join us for coffee or tea and great conversation. There will be guest speakers, interesting conversations and a chance to connect with your peers and community. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Come on out, meet with your peers, let’s chat! Third Wednesday of every month from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the CNIB Ottawa Hub.

Intended for adults who are blind or partially sighted and are members of the LGBTQ2S+ community. Participants from across the country meet monthly to share experiences, listen to guest speakers, and discuss topics chosen by the group. Third Wednesday of every month from 12 to 1 p.m. Eastern Time.

If your interested in learning how to play the guitar or or ukulele, or even just advance your skills, these lessons are here for you! Each lesson will be 60 minutes. You are welcome to bring your own guitar/ukulele, and one will be available if needed.

Book some time to play today! Join us on Wednesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be provided after registering. 

Whether it's trivia, games, cards, or even axe throwing, the skies the limit! First and third Wednesday of every month from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the CNIB London Community Hub

Step into The Writing Room, a dynamic virtual space where creativity flourishes. Over eight weeks, you’ll collaborate in this peer writing group, in an inspiring environment designed to ignite your imagination and hone your writing skills. Through exciting exercises, spirited discussions, and interactive games, you’ll explore the craft of writing in fresh, unexpected ways. The Writing Room meets every Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern on Zoom

This program is designed for blind or partially sighted indigenous individuals who are wanting to connect with others who are experiencing similar circumstances in a safe and comfortable setting. Participants will have the opportunity to help choose various topics this group would like to discuss each session as well as have the option to share ideas, suggestions, stories, worries, etc. with the group. This Saskatchewan and Manitoba Indigenous Peer Support Group meet on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. CDT on Zoom.

This class is designed for all level yogis. Relaxed pace to release anxiety and calm the body. Students will be guided into meditation, breathing techniques, yoga poses and relaxation. Please bring a yoga mat, a blanket, a big towel and an open mind to learn something new! Gentle Yoga runs every Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Meet a group people who are passionate about their love of motorized/electronic machines! Third Wednesday of every month from 7 to 8 p.m. Newfoundland Time on Zoom.

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. 

Join us every Wednesday evening for a cozy night of campfire-themed songs, stories and activities. There will also be an opportunity to showcase your musical talent so be ready to perform your favorite camp songs!

This is a virtual group that gets together every Thursday morning for a general group conversation. There is no planned topic of conversation but it is kept positive and light! Every Thursday from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. Newfoundland Time on Zoom.

Join to connect with other people in the Burlington area for conversation, support and good practices. First, second and third Thursday of every month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom

Join us for coffee and great conversation. We will have guest speakers, and an opportunity to talk with others who are going through similar challenges in a confidential and non-judgmental setting. Third Thursday of every month from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the CNIB Kingston Hub.

Mastery of the computer keyboard is essential for anyone using a computer, especially for someone using a screen reader. With this in mind, we are now offering weekly keyboarding coaching sessions at the CNIB Community Hub on Thursday's.

If your interested in learning how to play the guitar or or ukulele, or even just advance your skills, these lessons are here for you! Each lesson will be 60 minutes. You are welcome to bring your own guitar/ukulele, and one will be available if needed.

Join us for our weekly social meet up group. We’ll get to know each other, share some good news stories, and socialize. Every Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. Mountain Time on Zoom.

The CNIB KnitWits are a group of people who meet biweekly to discuss and share knitting related topics. We share patterns, chat about life in general, and support each other with tips and tricks to enhance our knitting and life skills with vision loss. Biweekly on Thursday from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

It’s almost December – time to figure out what to ask Santa for! Let us help get your list started with our special session. We’re showcasing some of our favourite accessible home appliances large and small. Join us to learn about washers and dryers with tactile controls, ovens you can control from your phone, and a lot more! Thursday, November 21 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Calling all knitters – whether you’re a beginner or experienced knitter! Come out and enjoy some time with your peers and knit! If you don’t know how to knit, no problem we can teach you! Every Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the CNIB GTA Community Hub. 

Make new friends, or deepen existing friendships, find support from your peers, and develop more theological insight about biblical understanding. The Bible Study group meets every Thursday (September to June) from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Central Time on Zoom.

Everyone loves games. This games group meets to socialize playing 2 to 3 different lively word games for the hour. Sessions are led by our own professional game hosts (aka CNIB staff and volunteers). We embrace a safe fun time to exercise your mind. Every Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Lift your voice and connect with others through the joy of singing. Join our vibrant online choir community on Thursdays, 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Do you want a place where you can meet virtually and connect with other residents of Northern Ontario living with sight loss? Join us for Connecting and Improving The North Share! Share exciting places to visit that are accessible and friendly, places are less accessible to the sight loss community and what accessibility changes you'd like to see. Third Thursday of every month from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. 

Join us to play games, chat, and make new friends. Please note that this program is for individuals between 10-14 years of age. Every Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Adaptive Dance instructor, Tiffany Tjosvold, will be leading a Zoom-based, high energy, seated dance class for participants ages 19+. This class is suitable for all fitness levels. Every Thursday from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Pacific Time on Zoom.

Join us for some kitchen fun at the CNIB Ottawa Hub! We will create a new recipe each month and enjoy eating our baking and socializing with peers. Open to participants between the ages of 12-18 in the Ontario East region. Third Thursday of every month from 6:30 to  8 p.m. at the CNIB Ottawa Hub.

It’s almost December – time to figure out what to ask Santa for! Let us help get your list started with our special session. We’re showcasing some of our favourite accessible home appliances large and small. Join us to learn about washers and dryers with tactile controls, ovens you can control from your phone, and a lot more! Thursday, November 21 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

A social group for those who want to keep connect after Seated Dance Fitness has ended. We invite participants to stay and socialize with each other. You can talk about the session, get to know one and other and socialize with the community across Canada.

If you like being read to or listening to audiobooks, then this program is for you! Each week, we will be listening to multiple chapters of a community-selected, family-friendly audiobook and chat about it! Join us Fridays from 10 to 11 a.m. Eastern Time.

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.

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. 

Friday nights are fun...and easy! We're hosting a special monthly get-together for adults ages 20+ who simply want to hangout and chat.  Zoom information will be provided after registering. 

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

The Beyond Sight Series feature monthly virtual presentations from various services, businesses and organizations in our community. Each month, we will offer a different topic and speaker will join us to discuss a variety of topics. Examples include: RDSP’s, wills, budgeting, nutrition and lots more. Fourth Monday of every month from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Newfoundland Time on Zoom.

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.

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.

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.

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.