Volunteer opportunities

From classrooms to city hall or speaking to businesses, our Community Engagement Volunteers provide public education and advocacy to help raise awareness about key issues facing the sight loss community and create positive change for people who are blind or partially sighted. Unsupervised Community Engagement Volunteers attend community events and give presentations on behalf of CNIB without direct supervision of CNIB staff and are screened to attend engagements at settings with vulnerable populations (i.e school settings, seniors homes etc). 

Responsibilities & Tasks:

This position is flexible and dependent on volunteer skills and interests. Common activities for this position include: 

• Delivering community presentations on topics such as blindness etiquette, accessibility and inclusion, white canes and guide dogs, braille, and assistive technology. 
• Attending community events or consultations on behalf of CNIB to raise awareness and educate the public about sight loss and how they can create a more accessible and inclusive society.
• Meeting with decision makers including politicians and business executives to discuss accessibility policies and legislation. 
• Supporting CNIB’s advocacy initiatives including national and local campaigns.
• Sharing your personal story and lived experience of sight loss, if applicable
• Staying up to date with CNIB by participating in town halls and subscribing to our advocacy mailing list and Equalize newsletter.
• Option to get more involved by joining a local volunteer advocacy committee.
• Taking part in CNIB training opportunities when available.

From classrooms to city hall or speaking to businesses, our Community Engagement Volunteers provide public education and advocacy to help raise awareness about key issues facing the sight loss community and create positive change for people who are blind or partially sighted. Community Engagement Volunteers support our advocacy programming and campaigns under the supervision of CNIB staff and do not work directly with vulnerable populations (i.e school settings, seniors homes etc).

Responsibilities & Tasks:

This position is flexible and dependent on volunteer skills and interests. Common activities for this position include: 

• Attending community events or consultations on behalf of CNIB to raise awareness and educate the public about sight loss and how they can create a more accessible and inclusive society.
• Meeting with decision makers including politicians and business executives to discuss accessibility policies and legislation. 
• Supporting CNIB’s advocacy initiatives including national and local campaigns.
• Sharing your personal story and lived experience of sight loss, if applicable (i.e. to the media, government deputations, etc. excluding schools or other settings with vulnerable populations)
• Staying up to date with CNIB by participating in town halls and subscribing to our advocacy mailing list and Equalize newsletter.
• Option to get more involved by joining a local volunteer advocacy committee.
• Taking part in CNIB training opportunities when available.

Since 1997, CNIB has organized a Canada-wide Braille Creative Writing Contest for children and youth. This important competition celebrates braille literacy and encourages young people to flex their creative muscles while practicing their braille skills. 

The contest is looking for volunteer judge(s)! This is an opportunity for you to learn more about how CNIB supports braille literacy, while fostering creativity in young minds. Publishers, library staff and children's authors are welcome to apply. 

Responsibilities

May – June:

Depending on your familiarity with braille, you may be invited to attend one or more of the following:

• In-person or virtual introduction to braille and CNIB braille literacy programs.
• Tour of CNIB Hub or invitation to local CNIB program for children, youth, families.
• Tour of Beyond Print braille production facilities (Toronto)

July - August: 

•  You will receive text versions of all entries. Entries may be in English or French, and will include poetry, stories and essays. Entries will be of various lengths, from both primary and secondary students. Each entry you receive will have been assigned a score for Braille Proficiency. You will be adding a Creativity score for each entry and the combined scores will determine the winners (equal weighting is given to braille proficiency and creativity). 
• Number of entries may vary, but you should anticipate reviewing approx. 50 entries.  
• Creativity Scores for each entry will be due by early September 

Transition Boarders are dedicated to caring for pups during an important transition phase in their training while they are on their journey to becoming Guide Dogs. 

Boarders provide temporary care for future CNIB Guide Dogs. This role is best suited to people interested in bringing a dog into their home on a temporary basis.

This role is best suited to those who may not be able to commit to those earlier stages of a puppy’s life but would still like to help raise a puppy with purpose. As a Puppy Finisher, you’ll receive a 6-month-old puppy that is likely already toilet trained with most of their routine vaccinations completed. The puppy will have already spent the last 3 – 4 months building positive associations with the world around them, will have a basic understanding of their training, and may be able to settle quietly for up to an hour. 

This role is best suited to those who enjoy the early stages of a puppy's life. As a Puppy Starter, you’ll help potty train a puppy, build a foundation for obedience training and good manners, and most importantly, start your puppy off on the right “paw” with their socialization. Future Guide Dog puppies will need to attend several veterinary appointments. Their socialization schedule and training will keep you busy as they learn to cope with and navigate various environments, including their first few exposures riding on public transit.

As a puppy raiser, you’ll help build a foundation for obedience training and good manners, and most importantly, start your puppy off on the right “paw” with their socialization. Future Guide Dog puppies will need to attend several veterinary appointments. Their socialization schedule and training will keep you busy as they learn to cope with and navigate various environments, including their first few exposures riding on public transit.

Vision Mates provide regular, one-to-one assistance and companionship for a person who is blind or partially sighted. Matches are made with someone who lives close to your home, school or work. You visit once a week for a couple of hours to assist with tasks like reading, errands (like groceries and shopping), going for walks, and socializing.